The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1855-03-21

| women were put IN. All the WnltC
the ioe was crushing against the boat
and none knew how soon she would be
driven where no boats could reach her.
At length, the last woman as it was sup
posed, had been put on, and the boat
was not full. At the urgency of those
who were most active. Bishop Nell
vaine censehfcyS to get into the skiff.-
But before it had pushed off another wo-
man was found, and he at once called to
her to come and take his place.
The next relief was fat boat given
by Messrs Gill, Smith & Co., of Louis
vile, to whoever would take it. 1t was
manned by gallant crew, who knew
that such a craft must take the falls
Two falls pilots came in, her. One steer
cd and the other commanded. Captain
Hamilton cool and intrepid man took
the command. On our flush deck, which
was even with her sides, and covered
with straw, about fifty men, of whom
Bishop McIlvaine. was one, were placed.
As there was not room to stand, because
of the cars, nor room to sit, they were
compelled to kneel. By this time the
boats which had put off had been carried
down, and were just able to reach the
island at the head of the fails, where
there was much suffering from cold, and
whence the women with difficulty got to
the Kentucky shore.
As the crew of the fatboat started for
their fearful trial of the falls, Captain
Hamilton ordered silence. " Let no one
speak but me," said he. He ordered
the draught of the boat to be measured.
The answer was: "It is fifteen inches. ;"
He answered: " 1t is a poor chance =
and evidently though the case very des-
perate. He had not expected that the
boat would be loaded so heavily. His
effort was to reach particular chute of
the falls, as that which alone afforded
any hope of passage. All this had oc-
cupied but a minute or two. The pow
erful current had brought the fat almost
to the spot where, in another instant, sh
was to be wrecked, and all lost in the
breakers and ice, or they were to be
safe. There was perfect silence. What
a solemn moment How appropriate
was the kneeling position which was
that were before him in a correspond
ing attitude of prayer and faith.
Our beloved Bishop sheltered poor
colored boy under his cloak,
and commended himself aud his fellow
voyagers with composure and confidence
to his covenant Lord and Saviour. In
the crisis of passing down the rlsese the
boat struck. It seemed then that all
was lost The silence was unbroken.-
Grating over the rock, she was moment
free, and then struck again. Again she
was free, and again struck. Her bot
tom grated on the reef, not word was
spoken, the boat foated on, the captain
cried OUT" Try the pump I" /" No
water" was the answer. God had de-
livered them The gentleman who
kneeled next to the bishop heard him
solemnly murmur, The Lord be prais-
ed for his mercies !"
Now the fearful eddies and breakers
were danger not to be thought of, af-
ter what had been passed Three miles
below Louisville, at Portland, the pas
sengers were landed safely, with great
sense of gratitude to the intrepid pilots
and their brave crew; and most deeply
indebted to the mercy of God. They
bad been about four hours on the water
After this successful passage, a larger
boat, capable of holding moro freight,
aud without too much draught, took off
the remaining passengers, and passed
the falls safely. The ferry boat, with
the omnibuses, wagons, and horses, re-
mains on the rock; and the last news
speaks ofhera as being, at present at least,
in a position of safety.