Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-11-27
WRECK OF THE LYONNIAS.

diately after the passengers and many of the
crew had retired, leaving the watch on deck,
three mastcd vessel was observed bearing
down upon us.
We did all in our power to avoid collis-
ion with her, by ringing our bells and blow
ing the stcam-whistle to warn her of our Vi
cinity but before We could head off she
struck us amidships, tearing out an entire
square of the plate iron The water rushed
in with great force; and, although every cf-
fort was made to stop the hole, by plugging
it with mattresses, quilts, pillows, &C., it was
discovered that the water was gaining upon
US very rapidly.
Half an hour had hardly elapsed ere the
fires in the furnaces were queuched. The
stcam-pumps having previously become cho-
ked with coal, were of little service in free
ing the ship. AL on board were seized with
panic, and it was with difficulty that the cap
tain could calm the fears of the passengers,
and induce the crew to bale the ship. He
finally succeeded in mastering the crew to-
gcther, and, with the aid of the passengers,
who formed in baling-partcs, rugged cable
in the hold, and by this means was able to
reach the water.
The passengers and crew worked heroical-
ly, until worn out, and finding the water
gaining on them rapidly, at an early hour
the following morning "Wednesday they
commenced constructing raft, and by 4
o'clock, p. m., it was finished.
At this time the vessel was sinking rapid
ly. By5 o'clock, five boats (thc ships COM
plcment) were launched and quickly filed
with passengers. The captain gave direc-
tions to those in the boats to steer to the
northward. The boats, however, were un-
provided with compasses and badly provision
ed, the water in the ship having spoiled; the
bread and other provisions could not be OBJ
tanned from the storc-room on account of the
storm. Hardly had two of the boats left
the steamship than they went down, and those
who were on board endeavored to reach the
raft, which was crowded with about fifty per-
sons. Many, in their efforts to preserve their
lives in this death struggle, sank to rise no
more. Of the forty-ive or fifty persons in
these boats, at least two-thirds were drown.
ed.
| had proceeded some little distance to-
wards these unfortunate sufferers, and with
my boat tried to reach them, but not having
any oars, or even anything that would serve
as paddle, 1 was obliged to leave them to
their fate. Night coming on lost sight of
the other two boats and the raft. BY the
dim light the moon afforded, saw the steam
ship some distance off, but gradually lost
sight Of her. I left the captain on board
the vessel, and as to his fate I have noknowl-
edge. A few of the crew remained with
him.
l forgot to mention that the vessel that
came in collision with US, although apparent
ly uninjured, made no effort to render US as
sistance, or even to ascertain what injury we
sustained, but steercd away. Little do l
know, however, but she too has sunk into
the depths of the mighty deep, and all on
board perished.
On Thursday morning the weather began
to show unfavorable signs, and at midday it
commenced showing, hailing and raining Vi
olently. Judge of our pitiable condition, in
an open boat, leaking at the rate of eight
barrels per hour, keeping us continually bail
ing. We suffered severely, the staA6: in
creasing in violence, and next day dawned
upon us no better off than the day before
Our scanty supply of eatables, which con-
sisted only of preserves, were greatly dimin-
ished. We had no water, and it was pitia-
bic to hear the cries of my poor companions;
they were such as would make the stoutcst
heart quail The next day our suferings
were augmented by ythe renewal Of the storm,
which pclted upon us pitilessly.
That day will be remembered by those in
the boat. TO imagine the agony of an old
gentleman of sixty years struggling with
death in its most narrowing aspect, will fail
to realize the scene. He died before night
fall. Many began to think that they would
soon follow him to eternity. During the
night seaman and myself found it difficult
to keep our companions alive. BY dint of
much exertion, however, we succeeded
Several, however, including myself, were Sc
yerely frost bitten.
We were now entirely out of provisions,
starvation staring US in our faces. Want of
water compelled us to drink sea-water, but
this, of course, only increased our thirst
We now made up our minds that we were
indeed lost. 1t lis impossible to describe our
frightful condition; no water, food, clothes
frozen to our backs, feet wet and frozen, and
strength exhausted with bailing out the
boat.
Saturday morning we discovered SAIL
Oh how glad were our hearts at this sight
but many of my poor companions were too
helpless to see even this coming succour.-
On making signals to her by the raising Of
hands and handkerchief, she bore down fol
us. She proved to be the bark Elise, Capt
Nordcnholst, from Baltimore for Bremen,
who took US on board, and in the kindest
manner did all in his power to alleviate oul
suifcrings and make us as comfortable as he
could under the circumstances. We con-
tinued to suffer severely from the effects o.
our privations and exposure. Capt. Norden
hoist found it inconvepisnt to accommodate