The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1857-09-29


to Him who wills all for the best, shall be
permitted to comply with. s.s--.-. 3 ftas a..
Capt. Herndon was all the time at the
post of duty, doing all that man could do in
the trying hour. His voice was always
heard above the roar of the storm giving
directions, and declaring his determination
to go down with the ship. If he has been
lost, old Oceans depths contain no nobler
soul, no more gallant spirit. - ....-
Statement Of Henry II. Chitds, one Of the
..a. "a passengers. z.
The Central America left Havana on
Tuesday, the 9Th, with delightful weather,
| which had been the case from Aspinwall
During the afternoon q fresh breeze sprang
up, and on the next morning amounted to
a gale, which continued to increase through
out Wednesday, and part of the time ac-
companied by heavy rain. On Thursday
the gale changed to a hurricane, and the
sea was rolling very high. This storm
continued, and on Friday. about ii A. NJ,
it was well known to the passengers that
the vessel had sustained leak, which
threatened to fill rapidly. Ali hands were
put TO the pumps, in relief parties, and for
a while gained so far as to allow re -kindling
Of fire in the engine room. which. had been
quenched by the water.
| This gain was soon lost, and the fires
again extinguished. The work of baiing
| went on throughout Friday evening and
night, the passengers and crew keeping
good hearts and hoping that with daylight
they would speak some vessel.
About 3 p. NJ, on Saturday, the storm
abatcd and a calm ensued, and this contin-
ued the hopes of all and nerved them for
the work of bailing.
At 2. NJ, sail was announced, and
the steamship fired signals and displayed
colors at half mast. This proved to be the
brig Marine of Boston, which came up
and spoke so as to receive our report, and
then laid off a mile. The steamship had
but three boats left, into which all the
women and children were put and trans
| ferrcd to the brig. Later in the evening
another sail was seen fast approaching.
Captain Herndon reported his condition
| and asked him to lay alongside. A favor
able answer was returned, but instead of
approaching, the vessel passed out of sight.
| At p. NJ, it was found the steamer
! couIu NOT noIu out much longer, 1leuvy
sea then swept over for the first time Life
preservers were then distributed, rockets
| fred, and soon after the vessel went down,
leaving at the mercy of the waves 400 or
$50 persons. The sea was then calm and
We all kept together, and cheered each
other as well as the stoutest could. We
| thus kept together think for two or three
hours, nearly all being preserved SO long,
except those who could not swim at all
Exhaustion than began to overcome one
| after another and saw them going down
around me. At l P. NJ, on Saturday I
was nearly alone,-could hear shouts of
few survivors, but could see none. About
? O'Clock, as reckoned, saw a vessel at
distance of a mile or less-took fresh cour-
age and swan towards it-reached it in
last efforts of exhaustion, and was drawn
up by ropes. It was Norwegian barque
from Bal;se to Falmouth. l found on
board three of my comrades, survivors,
and before 8 o'clock we had 40 of them in
all--whIch are all know to have been
rescued. .r
We kept near the place and in anxious
watching until we believed all living had
been picked up, and then made SAIL the
barque being short of provisions, and the
crew living on Cruel. We found little
tea and coffee also.
Statement Of OLirer p. Maulue.
The storm commenced shortly after we
left Havana. On Friday afternoon all
hands were called up to bail the vessel which
continued to ship water. All went to work
with buckets, barrels, &C.. which was con
tinued throughout the night and until Sa-
turday 2 p. m, when the barque Marine
hove in sight. All the ladies and children
were put on her about 6 p. m, and the
chief engineer left with them.
In launching the boats two out of the five
were stove, and the other three were des-
patched with the women and children about
sunset. The Marine was laying to about
mile off, and by the time the boats reached
her it became evident that the ship must go
down before they got back. Many seized
upon pieces of spars, chairs, and life-pre
servers, while others rushed below to secure
their treasure. The confusion at this time
became very great, but all acted with cool
ness, all endeavoring to make last effort
for their own safety. The vessel gave three
lurches, some passengers jumping off at
each lurch. Those who went with the first
and second lurch had SWAN off some dis
tance, but the great mass remained on deck
until she went down, which was about
minute or two afterwards.
had provided myself with a life preser-
yer and piece of spar, determined to go
down with the vessel aud the great mass of
the passengers, all of whom stood about.
bracing themselves and securing the most
available articles to buoy them up.
i r r