Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-09-30
Ids, a apassengeT WI0 w. fanded "a thdS

port
'We left Havana Sept. 9Th, having
had delightful weather and calm sea
from the time of leaving Aspinwall. La
the afternoon of the day of sailing from
Havana fresh breeze sprung up, and on
Wednesday morning, the 9Th, it commenc-
ed blowing very strong, The gale contin-
ued all day and at night it was still in-
creasing and raining in torrents.
On Thursday the wind blew a complete
hurricane and the sea ran very high =
Through Friday the storm ragged with un-
abating fury, and at 1 o'clock A. NJ it
was first known among the passengers that
the steamer had sprung leak and was
making water fast A line was formed and
all the men went to work bailing from her
engineer room; the fires had already been ex-
tinguished by the water.
After some hard work we gained on
the water 50 much as to be able to get up
steam again, but held it SO but for few
minutes, when the water again rose on us
and the engines stopped then forever
Bailing was still continued in all parts OF
the ship and kept up until she finally went
down. @
During Friday night the water gained
gradually, but all being still in good spir
its we worked to the best of our ability
feeling that when morning came We nigh
possibly speak to some vessel and thus bt
saved. +. 1.
The fatal Saturday came at last, but
brought nothing but increased fury Still
we worked on About 2 clock p. m. tht
storm lulled a little, and the clouds broke
away, when hope was renewed, and al
again worked like giants. At 3 clock, p
m. we spied sail, and fired guns, our has
being placed at half mast! To our joy W
were seen, aud soon the brig Marine, 0
Boston, hove down upon US. We then con
sidered our safety certain. She came nea
and We soon spoke her and told her ou
condition. She laid by about a mile distant
and we, with tie aid of only three boats
all that had been saved from the fury o
the storm-placed all the women and chi
dren in safety on board the brig.
Asevening was fast approaching, we di
covered another sail, which responded I
our signals and came near US. Capt Herr
don told them our condition and asked th
they would lay by and send boat as "
had none left He promised to do so, b
it was the last we saw Of her except alta di
tance which grew greater and greater eve
moment.
, Att o'clock we saw no probability
keeping afoat much longer, although ,
felt that if we could do SO until morning
would be saved. In a short time hea
sea for the first time broke over her upp
! deck, and all hope fast faded away from
spending hearts. ... as...
, Life-preservers were applied to all, a
as we sent up two rockets to attract t
attention Of any sail that might still
near us, tremendous sea swept over
aud in moment more the steamer a0t
docn
think some 400 or $50 souls were
! that moment launched upon the ocean
" the mercy of the waves The storm by t
! time had entirely subsided, and we all k
:. near together aud went as the waves tc
f US. There was nothing or very little s.
except that each one cheered his fellt
COInTduG Ou, duu was Choo NO pO
Q for two or three hours, and | think for t
space of time none had drowned, but tn
who could not swim became exhausted, 6
4 one by one gradually passed into eterni
- The hope that boats would be sent to
from the two vessels we had spoken, s.
= fed us, and our trust was alone in Provider
= and what better trust could you or
=, for saw my poor comrades fast sink
around me, and at o'clock that nigf
! was nearly alone upon the ocean, some
- hundred miles from land.
. | however still heard shouts from
that could 90 so that were not far f
- me, but | could not see them.
~ Within an hour from this time sa
- vessel Judged about one mile from nj
= Taking fresh courage I struck out for
vessel and reached it when nearly exh
ted, but [ was drawn on board by rope
er. soon as s'percelved.
ed The vessel proved to be NorWe
ne bark from Balize, Honduras, bound for
ssI ssn mouth, England. found on board of
m ;tb some two or three of my comrades, an
of 81 o'clock next morning we had 49
he fellows on board, and these are all L
ere of having been saved. We strayed a
ian the place until We thought that all
a had been rescued, and then set sail.
ou o.h We foun2 the bark short of provi
lev and the crew living on Cruel We had
nip, tea ana coIfee 10 felfesn ourselves WIZ
ion, at noon on Sunday spoke the Anne
the bark Saxony, bound for Savannah,
to supplied US with provisions and took f
rYl- us on board"
by STATEMENT OF Mr.. Wh. BIRCH.
the Mr.. Birch had tied short rope to his
he of thinking it might be useful, and starte
the ward where raft was in progress oi
bed struction. On the wheel house he saw
NJ Herndon, still calm and self-nossessed