The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-09-28
TIE I.oss OF the ste.mshiu Florida.

The Loss OF the Steamship Florida.
{ GENES ON BOARD DuHlNa THE sTORN-srRU6GLEs
OF A LADY FOR THE SAFETY OF HER CHILDREN
GALLANT ACTION OF GENTLEMAN.
The following exciting OF the above disaster is
contained in Letter addressed by lady passenger to
her sister
ApAIAcmcoLA, Fla, Sept. g. 1855.
Ny DEAR slsrm--I know that you have already been
advised OF the Of the unfortunate steamship Florida
and az you we're that intended returning home
on her feel that you are anxious to learn all the par
cuars Of my very escape fronra watery grave
took passage on the Florida at Pensacola Thursday,
August 49, at NJ. accompanied to the boat by
large party Of ladies' to embark and to wish me
Z God speed.
The weather was pleasant during the earlier part or
the day but grew cloudy towards night and the be
very rough increasing the night advanced Inc
next morning awoke very early and was SO happy
looked out from my window and saw land; jumped up
and dressed myself and children hurriedly thinking the
ship would be In by the time could be prepared for
meeting my darling Went on deck TO see If Apalachcoa
was not sight when was told that the ship had Be en-
put and wss then % S ss ssse
when the captain told he forced TO put the ship
back because the sea was too high to cross the bar at
Cape st. Bias The weather pleasant durir this day
and anxious that the captain should 60 but the
ship remained at anchor all that day. On Saturday when
IaHoke, ielt quite certain tina, were again on our
way and was surprised when learned that the wind
fast increasing into gale and that the engines were
working In order to prevent the vessel from gong ashore
The wind continued to increase all that day, and the
cabin became quite wet from the beating in OF the
rain and spray from the sea, and there was not
dry place for to remain in The captain advised me
to take the bridal chamber which did, and soon got my
two little darngs to sleep, and then tried to seek some
res oSs no. 70 seep VINO 70 a1e
remain with me- All the passengers went down stairs,
and remained in stateroom as long as could, and
tried TO pc calm and composed. The wind was now blow
ing terrible gale and seemed each blast veng to
Guido the last. oh il was awful was told by every
one who where was that there would be change
In the weather at IL O'clock for the better the
worse-they said II could not be much than was
then Oh dear sister you know nothing Of the horrors
Of a storm at There remained in my room, pray
ing 10 my God TO spare me and my two little darlngs
heard crashlooked out my door, and saw that half OF
with my little boy in my arms, threw him TO some one
and back for my dear little Pae Ny servant, much
child and down. By this time the remaining part Of
the cabin was torn of.
There were in all forty persons on board.
! was just about to despair, when saw gentleman
with whom was unacquainted, but there was something
in his face and chvarous bearing that gave confidence
IN him. applied to him and begged he would promise me
he would try and rave my little Pattie he said, "Ma-
dam, give You my word Of honor that will do al that
and little girl ny health .sn very
much her eide that it was impossible to stand with
ou holding on to something. The skylght now broke
realize how terrible situation. There we sat
awaiting our DOOM cinging TO my darling boy and beg
gig Gea 70 u.s. On ss 81 nec
came near being washed or NY dear and noble friend
(hs name Is Col Winchester, OF virgina,) still held my
little girl and sought to give all the he
could But one hope now left 1t was to get into
the s,seroom that still remained We succeeded reach
ingit. There in this besides myself children
and servant Col WiIches Ter and Swedish woman put
my two children in the BERTH ar it was all could do to
hold them in, the ship was so much on her sde
now clung to the wiudow. 1t was SO dark could not
see anything but the sparkle Of the water As
sl. rxta1 al hacn
to hold and 10 which chung from IL O'Clock until
next nlorr ng while every wave that came would wash
from the cabin was striking against brusng and cutting
held to the rope whchwas attached TO the Grain.
NJ servant and the Swedish woman also then hold
ipg TO the rope. The Colonel stayed by some time,
and told me what must do, and begged not to hold
toe igh.-I would not be able TO hold long Il did;
that must tighten my grasp before and relax AFTER
thing which will make your blood run cold In the midst
OF all my danger heard man cry out stake this child,
or will throw overboArd-l can't save myself, much
less II ~
on, my darling sister, can you imagine my feelings
The thought Of that speech makes me shudder write
The Colonel rsxed bis life again by letting OF the rope
and went after the man who held Pattio The Colonel
told him he would cut his throat il he threw the child
over.n That was all heard. shut my eyes, and did
open them all night. thought both my little dar-
lngs were thrown overheard Now, the Colonel could
not get back TO methe water would have washed him
OIL hat he attempted IT, There left, hanging On to
the hide Of the ship with no one by me but my servant
On il impossible for describe the tcrrors o. that
night There chung TO the rope, thinking every
drowned and that every wave would sweep me away
Their large piece OF timber struck me several times
and stunned 20 that forget where was, and LET 20
my hoj but fortunately caught hold the rope again be-
fore the next wave struck me II very drag
ging me or. Then some one cried out, ave going
sea We are turning the point 10 Ny first Impulse
was 10 jump overboardl wanted TO die and be washed
osve my body found. II long time before thought
could give my darling husband up-I waited TO see him
once more. Then thought Of my little darlings dead
much afraid would them coating In the water-that
was sight wished to die without seeiDg. had no,
gong ori 10 sea until about O. clock 10 the morning
when Eel, hand on my head. IL made shudder, for
= fen Ike The hand Of death, It was 50 cold.
bad my eyes closed, but said, nNo, am
not" Some one then said to me, "Hold 90, we
and tried 10 look al the trees but my thoughts Win
my two tile dariiDgs that supposed then floating
Twas then taken where my sweet little rsttic was.
The Col had got colorei (rec) man to take her from
that brute who ,sd no would throw her overheard The
in blanket chs did not cry, but said ples,o let mo
my darling mamma He said ne felt awful, a. he
never expected she would see me sssn.
Am now safe with my husband and the gallant Col 10
with ne. Your aTeciionate sister. Ell. s.
DREADFUL TRAGLDY-S EDuCER SHoT.-The
readers Of the tnio WIN remember that we published
few weeks since an account Of the eopement Of
red lady nom Port Hope, C. W, with young man. The
n ured husband who waited here armed and resolved
to thoot the destroyer Of hts pesce Ater chase OF
some days between Fort Hope, Rochester and Niagara
where the parents Of the woman reside, the parties be
cane Separated and all became quiet; but the husband
only reserved bis wrath for future occasion then
predicted lai be would and has at length accomplished
his pGTporc by Staying cool blood the seducer OF his
wife. The bbapd IL naraed George Brog len that Of The
scducer was Thomas henderson. Both were young men,
natives oi Port Hope, who had been educated aud Pose 20
manhood together and both embraced the profcs
that OF the law. Since the intimacy OF Henderson
with Nrs. Broecen became known 10 Mr.. B. he had dc
voted himself 70 revenge The wife took refuge at the
residence OF her parents AZ Niagara, aud Henderson
euded the pursuit OF Proeden and no doubt visited his
wife al her residence. On Tuesday evening last Hender
came from Toronto to Port Hope the Ara
har, and is asserted that be his return from
Niagara Brogden expected him, and repaired 70 the
wharf. armed with q loaded revolver Soon aftcr the
boat made FAST Henderson went into the bsrroom Of
the boat; which the side next 10 the dock Just
then OF the officers OF the steamer him aud
told him that Broeden the wharf In search OF him
The warning TOO late. AZ the next instant BroTden
cred upon Henderson through the window OF the boat
Tho ball passed into the back under the shoulder blade
through the heart and out ri the breast Henderson fell