The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1855-05-24
Terrible Suferings.

OF preservation from shlpWreck at sea,
just happened in the loss of the ship
William Laytin. This vessel put to sea
from New York on the 9th of Februa-
ry last, freighted with rich and we'll as
sorted cargo, bound for Antwerp. On the
29th of February a severe gale which
lasted for some days, completel y wrecked
the vessel, and, lashed to her floating and
helpless hull, the captain and crew pass
ed six days and nights, without single
drop of fresh water and without mouth
full to eat, excepting single rat that was
found swimming about the wreck, and
which was fortunately caught and shared
among the sufferers, The account fur
nished by the captain says:
For our better security, we each of US
lashcd ourselves to the wreck, with what
ever the rigging or ships ropes we could
get hold Of. This alone saved us from
being swept away. In this condition, tied
to the wreck, and constantly drenched
and almost smothered with preaching
seas, VIC remained six long days and
nights, each minute of which was almost
an eternity of agony. We were unable
to loosen ourselves or stir about the ship,
for fear Of being carried overheard. We
waited, but in vain, for lull in the sea
or tempest. The first day passed at our
lashings and we were weak with hunger.
The second day, and the cravings OF
hunger made all other sufferings insigniG-
cant in comparison. The third day and
our thirst and hunger together held us in
tortures, but little short of the pains Of
hell itself Death at this time would have
been q relief In the nc cantime the hatcbes
of the ship had been burst open, and the
cargo was floating around US, hut none of
the provions within our reach.
The knowledge that our ships hold was
full of provisions, and we were starving
and unable to reach it, only added to our
sufFerings. Still, to aggravate our pains
the potash in the ship was diSsolving, and
making a ley that was eating into our
flesh. Having no water, We each took a
piece of cold lead into our mouths, and
chewing this kept our mouths, and was
found to be great relief
At this period of our sufferings, rat
was seen swimming near enough to one
of the sailors, it was captured. Never
did hunter secure his game with greater
satisfaction than did the seamen secure
this drowning rat. The rat was shared
among the company, and never was a
morceau received with better relish. All
that We had in addition to this rat, were
the boots and shoes upon our feet. which
we're mostly used up at the time of our
rescue.
On the third day of our sufcring-on
the 25th Of February-a vessel hove in
sight, and we were all elated with the
prospect of relief In this, however, we
were again disappointed, This vessel, the
name Of which do not remember, came
within hailing distance to US, and speaking
to the captain, [ asked him TO send me a
boat. The reply was, he could do moth
ing for US; and leaving US to our fate, we
were compelled to see this vessel sail a.
way from us. The sea was running very
high at the time this vessel spoke to us,
but to have laid to and waited for calm
or to have made some show of disposi.
ton to help US, we thought was not too
much to expect When this vessel was
beyond our sight all hope seemed surely
gone. Still all the crew kept up their
spirits, as indeed they did to remarka-
bic degree during the whole period Of
their suferiDgs. During all this time the
weather was cold enough to make icc.--
What was the most remarkable, after the
third day our hunger seemed to abate.
On the fifth and sixth day some of the
crew said they did not fee! so much the
want of food as they did on the third day.
This was the feeling of most if not all of
US. The fourth day and night passed,
and no assistance came. The fifth day
came, and with it succor. On this day
We were hailed by the barque Sylph,
Capt. nellox, from Guadaloupc, bound
to st. Peters, Newfoundland. This YES
sci spoke to US, and learning our situation,
promised to lay by till the storm abated.
1t still blew a gale, and the sea was very
heavy. This promise revived US. Dur
ing the night of the fifth day of our suf-
ferings-the 9th of February-the Sylph
driftcd away from US, and the next morn
ing was out of sight.
IcaDnot describe our feelings when the
next morning dawned up, and again
showed US nothing within our vision but
the tempestuous ocean. Capt. Hellox,
however, upon ascertaining, on the morn
ing of the 26th, that he had lost US,
crowded on all the sail his barque could
carry, and commenced the search for us
He was successful, and found US after
few hours search, and at 0 o'clock on the
morning of the 2sth we were taken from
our lashings, and taken on board the
Sylph. When relieved, none of us were
able to stand, although all of US retained
our senses. One of the crew when taken
from bis prison of ropes, lost his toes,
which dropped from him as he was lifted
from the ship. The potash ley had eaten
the feet of the sufferer to this effect,
10 1t has been ascertained that peo-