Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1856-11-22

vessel had run into u.s. The captain and all
hands were at work trying 10 stop the leak
which had been made. with mattresses and
bedding. but they found it to be impossible.
The ship was ncw making but little way. and
10 short tme the fires in the furnaces were
extinguished by the water, which was pouring
in very rapidly. Tie pumps were tried, but
they would not work having become choked
up with coal and cinders. i looked about.
but could see nothing of the vessel that had
run into us. During the whole of Sunday
night the crew were engaged in bailng the
vessel with buckets. pals and hogsbeads,
tackling having been rugged for the purpose.
Early Monday morning the hands, assisted
by the passengers. began TO throw the cargo
overheard, so as to tighten the vessel and
find out the exact place of the leak but this
proved OF no avail the water continued to
increase. '.' ''.' .'a ''' "'''..'-' ..'.
In the afternoon the sailors and passengers
set TO work TO construct raft, there being
then no hopes Of saving the vessel. Spars
were used and portions Of the cabin, such as
doors and other woodwork The weather
was quite pleasant until night, when rain
fell. About O'clock in the afternoon,
everything having been got in readiness, the
boats launched and the raft finished, we all
left the ship excepting the Captain and
some of the officers There we're five boats
with the raft. In the boat where was were
eighteen persons--fIteen men and three
wcmen-a married lady, Miss Belief, and
myself The second officer was in command.
We remained by the ship all night. The
weather was quite cool, with rain falling.
On Tuesday morning we parted from the
ship and went away. The captain. with sew
eral Of the crew, stood by the ship, as he
said he would not desert her till she went
down. One Of the five boats swamped
before we left the ship. but those in it were
saved by the raft. We saw nothing OF the
captain after leaving the ship. Our boat,
with the other two and the raft, kept togeth.
them in u fog. We looked for them, but
were unable to find them. We had plenty
Of provisions. preserved meats, vegetables
and wine. We had no compass. The officer
in command tried 10 find land, but could not.
During three days and nights we had snow,
and the cold at times was intense. Our boat
leaked, and kept the men constantly at work
bailing. Our clothing was very scanty. On
Thursday night two men died--one u passen-
ger and the other n fireman. On Friday
| morning the men covered our faces while
they threw the bodies Of the unfortunate
men overheard. We were drenched with
spray and the waves that now and then
broke over us. Much of the time our feet
were under water The men seemed to suf.
| fer more than we did, although they were
constantly ut work Miss Belief suffered
mnch, and so did /. The married lady was
the best OF the party. After the snow storm
the weather was intensely cold and our suf.
ferngs almost beyond endurance. Between
4 and o'clock on Sunday afternoon, our
| h,,a, -. L. l., -
in the horizon. We leaped for JOY. We
made all the signal we could, and one mar
made II flag Of his red flannel under-shrt
| This vessel did not see us, but another whIcl
proved TO be the Bremen barque Elise, saw
us and came to our rescue. The men worked
with great energy, deeming this their las
hope do not think I'coud have stood i
another day. as / suffered so much with m,
feet, both Of which were badly frozen. Thu
Captain of the Elise took US with our boa
on board and paid US every attention.