Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1856-10-16
The Loss Of the Steamship Florida
Scene on Board during the Storm
Struggles Of a Lady for the Safety Of
her Children Gallant action Of

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The following exciting account of thu
above disaster is contained ia letter ad
dressed by a lady passenger to her sister:
APALCHl COLA, Fla,)
Friday, Sept. 5, 1856.
Ny DEAR SISTER, know that you have
already been advised of the loss of the un.
fortunate steamship Florida. and as you
were ware that intended returning home
in her. l feel that you are anxious TO learn
all the particulars Of my narrow escape
from a wa,ery grave. l took passage in
the Florida at Pensacola, Thursday, Aug
%, at 9, A. NJ. was accompanied to the
boat by large party of ladies to see me
embark and to wish me God speed.
The weather was pleasant during the
earlier part of the day, but grew cloudy to-
wards night. and the sea became very
rough, increasing as the night advanced
The next morning awoke very early, and
was so happy to think | would be very
soon with my darling husband. looked
out from my window and saw land; Jump
ed up and dressed myself and children hur-
riedly, thinking the ship would be in by
the time l could be prepared for meeting
my darling. Went on deck to see if Apa-
lachicola was not in sight, when was told
that the ship had been put back, and was
then entering St. Joseph's Bay. This was
a sad disappointment to me, but was bet
ter satisfied when the Captain told me he
was forced to put back because the sea was
too high to cross the bar at Cape St. Bias
The weather was pleasant this day, and |
was anxious that the Captain should go on,
but the ship remained at anchor all that
day. On Saturday. when l awoke, 1 felt
quite certain that we were again on our way
and was surprised when l learned that the
wind was fast increasing to agale, and that
the engines were working in order to pre-
vent the vessel from going ashore.
The wind continued to increase all that
day, and the cabin now became quite wet
from the beating in of the rain and spray
from the sea, and soon there was not a dry
place for me TO remain in The Captain
advised me to take the bridal chamber,
which did, and soon got my two little
darlings to sleep, and then tried to seek
some rest; but no, to sleep. The wind
continuing to increase, row became much
frightened, and begged some one to remain
with me. All the passengers went down
stairs. and l remained III my staferoom as
long as ] could, and tried to be calm and
composed. 1t was now blowing a terri
bic gale, and it seemed each blast was Wy
ing to out-do the last. o. 1t was awful!
was told by every one who came where
l was that there would be change in the
weather at l2 o'clock. for the better or for
the worse; they said it could not be much
worse than it was then. Oh, dear sister,
you know nothing Of the horrors of storm
at sea. There | remained in nv room,
praying to my God to spare me and my two
litile darlings. heard crash; looked
out of my door. and saw that talf the up
per cabin was swept off. l then rushed
down with my little boy in my arms, threw
him to some one and ran back for my dear
little Pattie. My servant, much to her
credit, rushed out after me with her. l
seized my child and ran down. By this
time the remaining part of the cabin was
torn off.
There were in all forty persons on board.
was just about to despair, when saw
a gentleman with whom | was unacquaint-
ed, but there was something in his face and
chivalrous bearing that gave me confidence
in him. | applied to him and begged he
would try and save my little Patio. He
said MADAM give you my word and ho-
nor that / will do all that can to save
yourself and little girl. My health is very
bad, but | will do all in my power" The
ship was now so much on her side that it
was impossible to stand without holding on
to - .etbing The skyiyht how broke
out. This added terror to the scene, for
we could then realize how terrible was our
situation. There we sat awaiting our
doom, | clinying to my darling boy, and
begging my God to spare us. Oh. my
dear sister, then came sight never can
forget. Tie whole SIDE Of the cabir in
which | was gave way. The angry waves
rushed in and | came near being washed
off. Ny dear and noble friend (his name
is Col. Winchester. of Virginia, still held
my little girl and sough, to give me all the
encouragement he could. But one hope
was left us. 1t was to get into the state
room that still remained. We succeeded
in reaching 1t. There was in this room.
besides myself, children and servant, Col
Winchester and Swedish woman. put
my two children in the berth, and it was
m