The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1857-10-01

Ilfidi Things WHICH IT. sUtuu nave Sttlt
others for. He was not wanting in manly
courage, but he wanted decisive prompt
ness. Had he subdivided matters properly,
and exercised the rigidness Of control necos-
sary to the occasion, think the steamship
might have been kept aHoat longer than
she was. aad possibly saved.
At Z. NJ. Saturday sail was seen
from the windward. Guns were fred and
signals Of distress hoisted. Fortunately the
vessel saw us and came down under our
stern, being kept to the windward to lay TO,
but the gale blew her away three or four
miles to The leeward The sight Of this brig
which proved 10 be the brig Marine, gave
increased encouragement TO the men engag-
in bailing the steamer, and they kept at
work Justify and nobly. The women and
children being gathered aft and on the star
board side Of the steamer the work of get
ting them on board the brig commenced
forthwith. Prcparati ions were made TO put
the small boats overheard. The first boat
that was lowered was at once stove. Bet
ter luck attended the lowering of the second
boat. The boatswain and three OF the crew
were placed in charge Of the boat, and it
was soon filled with portion Of the lady
passengers and children, A great deal of
difficulty attended getting them into the
boat during the heavy sea. The third boat
that was lowered was in charge Of the quar-.
tcrmasier and three oarsmen; this was like.
wise filed with women and children and
pushed oTio the brig Marine. The fourth
boat that was lowered met with the same
late with the first boat any. was knocked to
pieces.
Mr.. ASHLEY LEAVES TIE sIEAMEa-IIIs PRO.
Misses To CAPTAIN HERNDoN.
The fifth and last boat let down so as to
reach the water and ride in safety After all
the remaining lady passengers, except three,
had been taken on board, Ashby, the chief
engineer made a move to get into the boat.
Captain Herndon told him not to get in.
Upon which Ashby besought the captain to
place him in charge OF the boat. lie pro-
missed the captain that he would come back
with the boat, and what was more prevail
with the captain of the Marine to come up
with his vessel TO where the steamer lay,
and get him to send his small boats OUT
Captain II. said that he feared TO trust him,
as he was afraid he would not come back.
Upon this expression Of doubt relative TO
himself, Ashby said :-"I promise you cap
tan, most S0iemntg, that 1 irM coms back 10
the aer6,er and not desert her," or words to
this purpose. Iheardthe remark distinctly,
and noted Il, as the fact of the doubt as to
the boats return cansesi me to think that
possibly the present would be the last op.
portuni,y ! would have 10 save myself; |
saw that all the women were in and would
not allow myself any thought Of my per-
uf,t,, all no. t.,tY ..t k,l
been looked to. When Ashby got on board
he drew knle-as he saw several on the
point Of making jump for the boat--and
declared II any Individual Jumped on board
Inc would take his life. had a knife, too,
at my command and was not to be awcd by
any such threat Knowing that TIE women
and children were safe, felt justified in
making an effort for my own preservation.
but the boat was cut loose. gave a Jump
and landed in the boat had $1,000 in
belt, and was about 10 tic il about me, but
with the haste had to make to get into the
boat thrust il into my side coat pocket In
giving the jump il was thrown in some way
out OF my pocket into the water and LOST.
Ashby did not carry out his threat as to
doing lie any personal injury. The boat
had got but few feet from the steamer
when young man named Adams, from
Baltimore, dove head foremost from
the steamer and came up the other side Of
the small boat. lie put his leg over into
the boat and got in so quickly and quietly
that only one or two of those in the boat
noticed it.
Fifteen persons, including Ashby and the
oarsmcn. were in the small boat in which |
had safely landed myself The reason why
more did not attempt to get into the small
boat was because they felt themselves safer
on the steamer. No one believed it posi-
bic that small boat could live. Had the
Central America stiGca d rOch vi reef ami
bcenin danger Of sinking, and there had
been but little sea at the time no earthly
power could have prevented mad rush for
the small boats. and 40 many crowding into
them tina, they must have been in danger of
being sunk. As il was, il was with the ut
mos, difficulty and danger that the small
boats carried their loads from the steamer TO
the brig As the boat in which ! was. left
the steamer, Capt. lIeTndon stood on the
bow Of the steamer, with trumpet and
spy-glass in his hands The wind had aba
ted somewhat, and the passengers on the
steamer, knowing this fact, were buoyed up
with the hope that the brig Marine would
soon ne able to come up to where the steam
or lay and take them safely on board.
pom our boat loads arriving alongside
the Marine and being taken on board
A>hby asked Capt. Birch if he could not get
his brig nearer the Central Amrica This.
Captain ID, said, was impossible, owing to
the disabled condition Of his vessel and the
heavy sea. by this time the brig had dri,.
81 about six miles from the steamer. Ash
by asked I he captain if he would not lower
his small boat but this. the captain said, was
in condition unfit to be used. An offer
was made by A.hby to Captain Birch Of
$500 If he world get his brig alongside II