The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1857-10-01

lights around tho lower cabin, they were
found to leak very badly. We then applied
whips and casks at every hatchway for
hosting out water, which in conjunction
with the gang, appeared to keep it under.
At 10, A. NJ, Saturday, the sea had mode
rated, and the passengers, exhausted by
their laborious duties since the day before.
began To flag, and tho water again to in
crease.
About 3 p. NJ, the brig Marine run down
under our stern, when our boats were low
cred, and two ont Of the five were stove by
the heavy sea, leaving us only three to work
with, one Of which WAS in bad condition.
. We, however, succeeded in putting on board
Of the brig all the ladies and Children which
in Il manner revived the spirits Of the gangs,
who resumed their labors, but without avail,
as the water had reached the lower cabin
floor. and Of course hastcncl the sinking Of
the ship; lis soon, however, as the boats re-
turned from the brig. after landing the la
dies and children, the gang partially aban-
the boats. Every one seemed to look out
for themselves, anil the only disorder during
the trying time, was now. The Chief En-.
gncer having set the example in abandon
ing the ship, every one else was anxious to
get into the boats. The brig being much
lighter than the slip, dritcd to lecward
much faster which soon placed her some
distance off. The last load of some twenty
or more men having gone and the boats not
returning, all communication with the brig
now ceased About dark that night (Satur-
! day) an American schooner supposed to bc
the Sovereign Of n. v, run down and spoke
to lis. but being unable to render us any as
s'stance. promised to lay by us all night.
At this time the water was half WAY up
the lower cabin and the gang still working,
which continued until l.. NJ, when they
gave up in dispair, feeling twas impossible
to save the the vessel. From that time
! until o'clock every body WAS busy proy:-
ding something to keep themselves above
| the water.
Among the res: provided myself with
plank about feet long, and Il little after S,
the ship sunk rapidly, carrying about 5oopcr-
again, aud the scene begSardcd description.
Some were crying, "God save me !" God
have mercy on me- and other picus cjacu-
la!"ns. Some were screaming, some cry.
ing, some praying have Lccn sca-far-
ing man for twenty five years.; ship mas
'rr for ten years, but never experienced such
scene before, AMI Gol forbid ever shall
again
Many unable to swim cIung to those who
could, or laid hold Of the larger pieces of
the wreck, which were swampcd. In ten
minutes not less probably than three hun
drcd had sunk to rise 10 more, whilst my
self and others who had succeed in holding
on to some means Of support were scattered
over the dark and dreary ocean, floating of
with the tide. There was large number
Of passengers had bags Of gold dust, and
some doubtless persisted in their efforts to
"''S '' b''S aso hcie dttl that
from fifty to sixty passengers slut them
selves up in their staterooms in despair,
and sank with the ship.
Those who had succeeded in keeping
themselves ahoat, soon scattered over the
surface of tie ocean for a distance of
about Il mile. One hour after the ship
sank | saw light at the lecward,
which was seen by most of those rescued,
, supposed TO be that Of tho Schooner Sow
ercign. but it soon disappeared. We knew
I that the ships to lecward could not reach
= us, and turned our gaze in the opposite d.
J. rcction.
At l o'clock on Sunday morning we saw
= approaching lis under full sail, with strong
; breeze, the Norwegian bark Ellen; ran into
t our mi'lst, and those on watch were aston
ished with the cry of human beings
, Captain Johnston, the commander, ilnme
} diately hove his vessel to, under short sail
and commenced TO rescue us. The steamer
= at this time had been down over five hours
: He launched his boat, and threw out ropes
G and buoys, and did everything that good
seamanship and a human heart could die
s tate to save as many as possible. wa.
the fourth one rescued, and witnessed the
] noble cxcrtions Of himself and Grew
J, throughout the night. He continued hi
t search among the drift wood, .acking back
Q ward and forward, up to IL o'clock o,
t Sunday, but did not find any one after {
: o'clock in the morning, and consequent,
a relinquisl,cd the search at noon.
: On the. morning of Sunday The brig Ma
l rne was out of sight, and the schooner
y was some six miles TO lceward, and appear
ed to he layinc to, but soon bore awav OF