Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1856-03-27
ThriIIIng Narra.Ive.

der heiiy. saiieu from Liverpool on the 10th
OF January for New York, She was loaded
quite deep. and had on board an assorted car
go, including large quantity Of iron. She
also had 100 passengers in the Storage. The
officers and crew numbered % men.
We encountered the most tempestuous
weather, and lost man from the lib boom.
We also lost passenger, who was washed
overheard by sea. On the 18th of Februa-
ry, at noon, in lon. 1896 west, lat. 45 81, we
encountered field ice, and in making our way
through 1t, struck one or two heavy pieces
projecting some four or five feet out of the
water. The weather was hazy and we could
not see far ahead. The wind was aft, and the
ship being closely surrounded by field ice.
would not steer well. We could not keen
clear of tho heavy masses of ice. At last.
early the next morning, the ship struck heav-
lily upon an iceberg, and started planks from
the foreioot. The pumps were sounded, and
it was found that the ship was leaking at
fearful rate. Two pumps were set going. and
the crew and passengers divided into watches
OF twelve ench to work them. A quantity of
salt and crates of crockery in great number
were hoisted out of the hold and thrown over
board. By this means the leak .was got at,
and some pillows aud clothing were stuffed
into 1t. But they seemed to do little good,
and 1t soon became evident that the ship was
filling rapidly. Preparations were then made
to abandon her, and to take to the boats--
There were five boats attached to the ship,
which think would not have carried all on
board. As it was, some twenty. five or thirty
were left to 60 down with the wreck of whom
all but the mate and carpenter were passen-
gers. The boat that l was in was the last to
shove Oft. 1t was the intention of the mate
and carpenter to have joined u.s. but they
went to sound the pumps, and while so do.
ing, our boat broke adrift. Indeed, had we
lain alongside few minutes longer, we should
have been swaInped.
We soon lost sight of the ship, and found
ourselves-thirteen in number-upon the wide
ocean, with but gallon of water, and six or
eight pounds of bread. The party in the boat
consisted OF the boats vain, Scotch sailor
five men, four women, and a little girl, pas
sengers, and myself. One Of the women was
the mates wife. The weather was intensely
cold; the boat shipped good deal of water,
and from the defects of both, the suferings we
were to encounter were not long delayed
The two other sailors, Mrs. Atkinson and nv.
self were warmly clothed but the passen.
gers, with the exception of one lady, were
not That lady was wrapped up in two ban-
kets. We had compass in the boat, but
Mrs. Atkinson, in jumping in, broke it. 1t
would have been of little use, the boat was so
unsteady. We made no effort to reach any
particular point-our only hope being that we
should he seen and picked up by some passing
vessel. Mrs. Atkinson took charge of the
bread and water, and would give but little out.
She and the boats " ain drank most of the wa
ter. Both were soon exhausted, and then the
bitter cold began to tell upon us. 1t is my
| opinion that if we had been well supplied
with food and water, most of us could have
withstood the cold. On the third day in the
boat male passenger died. He was thinly
dressed, light coat being his only one. He
was followed the next day bya woman, whose
husband survived her for a day or two. We
this day saw brig running free with a light
wind. Our hearts were cheered with the
prospect OF speedy relief We raised a signal
on an oar, and pulled for her with all our
strength. We gained on her for some time,
and l had begun to picture to myself the
hearty welcome that would be extended to
the shipwrecked by her captain and crew.
But breeze soon sprang up and our hopes
were crushed. She gradually lett us. | hot
we were near enough to be seen from her
deck, but no notice was taken of~us. Not
WltlsVaurrrs5 siIs s5rvnU ont, en-
deavored to keep up my spirits.
On the fifth day, all those in boat except
me began to drink sea wafer. | warned them
against it, but they persisted. got very little
OF the water taken from the ship, but drank
no sea water. When my mouth became very
parched and dry, 1 rinsed it out with sea wa
ter, but swallowed none. Some snow fell
one day, which l found great relief. After
the others began to drink the tea water, they
died in quick succession. On the seventh
day the last one died, and left me the only
living being in the boat. The dead who first
succumbed were thrown overheard, but the
four last were beyond my little remaining
strength, and for more than two days, was
forced to sit with their distorted bodies before
me and with but little hope that better fate
would be mine. the last who died, was
passenger-an English lady, of slight form
the mother Of the little girl. Her daughter
preceded her few hours. l cannot remem-
Der the order IN which the others died. The
boatswain, the night before his death, became
delirious and furious. He assaulted Mrs. At,
klnson, hit her severely on the arm, and
scratched her. He threw the bucket over
board, and attempted to throw the oars over
board also. He assaulted me with the canteen.
and struck me blow on the face, the marks
of which | still bear He died about noon.
some hours before which, he became listless
and stupid Nearly all the others became de-
lious. Mrs. Atkinson called in the most
agonizing tones for weter-stretching out her
hands to receive it. They all died like the
boatswaln, and in many instances, the first
notice had that another victim had fallen,
was by his pitching over when the boat lurch-
ed heavily.
When all my companions were dead, |
fixed an oar upright, with a white wooden
shirt and red silk handkerchief waving trytn
the top, as signal. This was the first per
manent signal that had been erected. Nv
feet and legs had become very. badly frozen.
and was hardly able TO move. Law in the
bow of the boat. 1t would ship sea occa
sionaly, and l would rouse myself and bail II
out would then lie down again. On the
2Sth of February, when l had been nine
days in the boat, l saw a ship bearing down
towards me. 1 was now confident that
would be rescued. was directly in her path.
As she neared me, she hove-to and sent a boat
to my relief. Myself and the boat, which
had borne me SO long in mid. ocean, were
hoisted on board. The bodies were consigned
to the deep. found the ship to be the Ger
mania, Captain Wood, from Hayre to New
York. Capt. Wood, who proved to be
townsman of mine, his wife, Mr. Papon (the
steward, and the first mate have been unre-
hitting in their attentions My frozen, limbs
were put in cold water, and then bran poul-
tees were applied to them. To this, and
other judicious treatment, which received at
the hands Of my good friends on board the
Germania, shall be indebted for the restora-
ton of my limbs to use. l belong in New
Bedford, Mass. | have never supposed my
constitution was especially rugged. ! weighed
about LAG pounds when took to the boat.
attribute the continuance Of my existence be-