New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-09-21
STATEMENT OF MRS. BENJAMIN SMALL.

Mrs. Small is thin, pale woman, With tears IN her
voice. She looks as though she had seen much SICK
ness and suffering. She has babe too young to be
conscious Of its mothers sorrows. She gave us the
following:
Ny husband was Captain Of the Augu,tine Heard
Of Newburyport. We had been on that vessel 70
Chihchas, loading With guano for Hsyre lie had
consumption and il became 40 bad that ne ~h
obliged to leave the ship with his brother, VINO was
first mate. " . left at Caao, aud he died at Panama
where the American Consul put me IN charge oil Cap'.
HerDdon. Nhenve LETT Havana II was pleasant that
Tuesoay afternoon, but the blow came on Tuesday
night ana kept up until We eft the vessel never
felt the least fear, but it always seemed ~ me a.
though the pumps did not work. They began =
pump on 1bursday night, and Friday aod Saturday
h.v had all the windows Of the cabin open drawing
water up in casks, ard tde worked all night a.
hard ss they could. Sometimes It seemed as though
they could rot work any longer. SoIle d themselves
in the suppose they did not consider the
danger IL was fIighiful scene. | was down below
On Saturday where the wafer was knee-deep aud tired
TO save come Of my husband ships papers from my
trunk. | could only save few bills. The water
was pouring in there on every side. When
thew put US in the boats on Saturday, they
ashed me with a slip-noOse around my waist,
and told me TO hold on 70 the rope, ard when 1
looked down the boat had been ceied of by the sea.
But it came back again. We got on board the bark
ard remained there till day Before yesterday. You
don't know how good it was to get on board the
steamer. We under allowance on board the bark,
and il was ha-d for the Children but they did every
thing they could TO make US comfortable. We were
lyipe off Norfolk for Elk days when we thought we
could get in in two dave. On Thursday and Friday,
when we were on the Central America we were in the
cabin and could not have any food except what We
could get ourselves. suppose many had nothing for
a whole day and night. There was no cooking appa-
rently during the time. They kept building up our
hopes by saying they were trying to get the water oat
60 as TO get the donkey engine going They tried 10 get
ND our spirits saying that they gaining on the
water and that they would soon have a fire. sup
pose they thought if the ladies got discouraged they
would be psnc-struck. In the cabin below no ladies
were able to stay after Ihurday except one or Two
who were taken out Of the hatchwsy on Saturday
There were few who seemed to be very much ex-
cited but ageneral thing all were very calm indeed.
II seemed az if they we've In kind OF Srpor They
kept telling there wasn't much danger but when we
were Geek We saw more how It was, and when
went down TO get to my trunk felt as though we were
gone. They fred guns forget how many tunes, but
we heard them a number OF times. | want 10 get
rome to Newburyport soon as can. Ny health
lint good, and haven't anything with me bur what
have on. 1 could not even find my sissys
bonnet or mine. l had great deal on board same
as the rest Of the people. Mrs DR.. Ellis with three
children, was on board she was very khd 10 ne ana
also her husband, who knew now had been left, and
felt great deal Of sympathy for me; indeed they sll
did. think he is lost. just as was leaving the boat
Capt Herdon said TO me: q" Mrs. Small this Is sad l
AM sorry not to Get you home safe" was put uoder
his care by the American Consul; he looked very rad
when was lowered into the boat; ne stood by me
and fixed my shaw and told lie that my little ono
should be lowered down Immediately; bat the boat
was pushed Of and ny child did not come till the mex:
beat. The steward who waited upon The captain said
lie had talked With him that morning and he koew
ust bis mind made up not 10 live. The stewards
raIne wac Garrison. CAPT. Herndon seemed 20 when
he spoke to me; ne seemed though he thought his
fate was decided. This is just what he said 10
"Mrs. Small, this is sad; am sorry not 10 get YOU
home safe" He was kind man; very kind. 1t was
an awful scene; hope it will DO US all good. We
have reason to be grsiefu for all feel that although
We have lost great dea, God has been very KIDD 10
us. The passage il the Empire City has been Pleas.
could only get home, it would be al | could ash.
have mother to 20 TO.