The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1855-08-24
Romance Of Real Life.

Erie, ia saving the lives Of right seamen who
were wrecked near her residence
On the morning OF the Goth November. 1884,
the schooner Conductor left the port Of AM
Ehefstburgh, bound for Toronto with cargo OF
ten thousand bushels Of corn. The wind blew
fresh from the southwest all day, heavy sea
running meantime. About five O'Clock p. NJ,
the wind increased TO q perfect hurricane, and
all the canvass was reeird snug down. Toward
midnight severe storm arose. The topsail
sheets were carried away, the boat was washed
from the davs, the decks swept clean OF every
thing and The vesssi would not obey her helm,
and seemed 10 settle into the trough Of The
SEA.
About q O'Clock in the morning oft 2Ist,
the crew Of the schooner made, what they sup
posed 10 be Long Point light, but it was really
the light at Long Poin, Cut. The thickly drift
ting snow instantly obscured this light, and 10
about balf an hour aiterward the vessel struck
bottom. Although the vessel was not morethan
two hundred yards from the shore, it was I'M
possible to form all accurate opinion as 10 the
| locality, because OF the thiekly drifting snow.
The SEA made clear breach over the vessel,
and forced the crew into the rigging, where
they remained from FIVE O'Clock 10 the morning
until two in the afternoon. Ice was fast ma
king aI the time. The crew then deserted a
woman and two little boys approaching along
the beach.
The woman and children built fire on the
shore, and made signs 10 the sailors to swim a
shore. The sea was 50 great that they We're
afraid to venture. until the captain, thinking
the risk of drowning brtter then alniost certain
death by cold and exposure, srnck out from the
- 4 .- r.. r,rt,
ed tt+- shore but his strength failed, and being
caught bv the undertow, h. would have been
carried out. had not the woman come to his
assistance. She Seeing his critical situation,
came to him as speedily as the deep water would
permit, and having walked in up to her neck,
fortunately reached him. he being utterly ex-
hausied. The woman supported the man and
drew HIM ashore, having been herself several
times beaten down by the force of the waves,
With th, assistance ofthe boys she drew him TO
the fire and rrsasciialrd him.
The mate Of the schooner next struck out. bot
in like manner failed 10 reach the shore, and
sank. The captain, supposing himself to be
sufficiently restored, went 10 the assistance OF
the mate, but again himself gave way, and the
woman again went into the angry waters, out
to the utmost depth at which she could stand,
and brought the two men ashore. The mate
seemed 70 o. hfaIeSs, but was at length restored.
In addition to these efforts. five several times
did the woman 90 ont TO thr recedlng surge,
and at each tiale bring an exhausted, drowning
seaman ashore, until seven persons, the master,
mate, and Eve OF the crew We're saved. 1t was
/ evening nov; and one man who could not swim
( still cling to ihe rigging. During the whole
night the woman paced back and forth along the
shore, renewing the FIRE, encouraging the res
curd men, giving hem food and warm tea, and
administering TO their comfort. From time 10
time she would pause, and wishfully regarding
the sfrandrn vessel, thus give utierance TO her
humanity
ooh, If could save that poor man, I should
be happy. When morning at last came, on the
22d, the storm having abatrd, the Sta was less
violent. The master and crew being now
strengthened and lnvigorated by the TODD and
tire, constructed raft and reached their COM
radp, whose resolute spirit. though fast giving
way, was still sufficient to enable him to retain
his position in the rigging. Thus he too was
saved, though badly frozen. The crew remain
ed at the cabin Of Mr. s. Becker nearly week
before they were able to depart.
On the week following this occurrence, two
American vessels were lost on the same point,
whose crews were greatly comtorted by Mrs.
Becker, whose husband was still engaged in
trapping The crews Of these vessels We're
sheltered in her cabin, aud were the recipients
OF her hoSplta5le. and humane attentions and
care.
We, the captain and crew of the schooner
Conductor, whose Games are hereunto subscri-
bed certify the correctness OF the above state
tnrHt
Henry HAcKETT, captain.
JoHN JoNEs, mate.
JAMES J. Cousins. seaman and cook.
JEREMIAH SAwyEES, seaman.
JoHN CHAMBAGs, do.
JEEonE D. ANDREWS, do.
JoHN McArLEY, do.
GEoRoE NIcoDEMus, do.
I certify, as owner Of the schooner Conduct
or, that the above are the names of the captain
and crew who were on board the schooner al
the time she was wrecked, as stated in the lore
going narrative. JOHN McLEoD,
We have simply to state, that on Monday
evening next, Mrs. Becker viii be at the Amer
lean Hotel, at the request of numerous gentle
men, and that thus convenient opportunity
will be afforded for ladies' and gentlemen to
meet her On Monday we will, in few words
give some necessary particulars upon this sub
ject.
Mrs. Becker has received purse of $500,
raised by private subscription in Canada; she
expressed the desire that the money should be
appropriated toward the education Of her chill
dren-a noble purpose. When Captain Pax
ton made the gilt, she said ''she would thanl;
him # she knew how" She knew how TO save
I 4