Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1857-01-02
sufferings or the ship-wrecked.

nouuced. Among the few who were say
cd is the second mate who gives the iSi-
lowing statement
We left New York on Saturday, No
vamber I. at I2 o'clock. All went on
pleasantly until II o'clock on TUESDAY
night, November 4, SO miles to the nortn>
ward Of the light on Nantucket Snoais'
when JUS: Immediately after the passen-
gers and many Of the crew had retlred'
i. ,yiuu the watch on deck, three mast
ed vessel was observed bearing down up.
IN us. We did all in our power to avoid
. collision with her. by ringing our bells
and blowing the steam whistle to warn
her of our vicinity. but before we could
head off she struck US amidships, tearing
on, un entire square Of the plate IRON
Tn. water rushed in with great force, and
although every effort was made to stop
she hole by plugging it with mattresses
quilts, pillows. DC. 1t was discovered lhS'
the water was gaining upon us rapidly
Half AN hour had hardly elapsed ere the
fires in I'll. furnaces were quenched. Ihe
rteam-pumps having previously ohoked
with coal. were Of little service in freeing
the shin. All ON board were seized with
panic. and it was with difficulty that the
captain could calm the fears OF the pas
sengers and induce the crew to bale the
ship. tie finally succeeded in mastering
Ihe crew together, and with the aid OF
Ihe passengers. who formed in bailIng
parties. rugged cable 10 the hold, and
by.s means was able TO reach the wa
ter.
The passengers and crew worked he
roically until worn out, and finding the
water gaining on them rapidly. at an ear
" hour the following morning they COM
menced constructing a raft, and by o.
clock P. ii. it was finished.
A. Ihi, time the vessel was sinking ra-
pidly. By o'clock five boats the ships
cmplement) were launched and quickly
filled with passengers. The captain gave
directions LO those in the boats to steer to
the northward. The boats, however, were
unprovided with cOmpasses aad badly
pr0visioned. the water in the ship having
spoiled the bread. and other provisions
could not be obtained from the storeroom
on account Of the storm. Hardly had
two of the boats left the steamship than
Lhey went down and those who were on
board endeavored to reach the raft. which
was crowded with about iity PERSONS
Many. in their efforts to preserve their
lives in this de"Ih>struggle, sunk to rise
no more. OF the forty.ive or fifty per-
sons in these boats at least two-thirds
were drowned.
Night coming on. lost sight of the
other two boats and the raft. By the
dim light the moon afforded l saw the
steamship some distance of, but gradual
" lost sight OF her. left the captain on
board the vessel. and as to his fate have
no knowledge. A few Of the crew re-
h manned by him.
forgot to mention that the vessel that
came in collision with US, although appa-
Tently uniniured, made no effort to rem
der US assistance. or even to ascertain
what injury we sustained, but steered
away. Little DO l know. however, but
she. TOO, has sunk into the depths OF the
mighty deep. and all on board persisted.
On Tuesday morning the weather be-
gan TO show unfavorable signs. and at
midday it commenced showing. hailiug
and raining violently. Judge Of our pitt
liable condition. in an open boat. leaking
at the rate Of eight barrels per hour. keep.
ing US continually bailing. We suffered
severely, the storm increasing in violence.
and next day damned upon US no better
off than the day before. Our scanty sup
ply Of eatabIes. which consisted only Of
preserves. we're greatly diminished. We
had NO water. aud it was pitiable to hear
the cries. OF my poor companions: they
were such as to make the strongest heart
quail. Tie next day our sufferings were
augmented by the renewal of the storm,
which Pelted upon US piIilessly.
That day will be long remembered by
those in the boat. 10 imagine the ago
ny OF an old gentleman Of sixty years
struggling wish death in its most harrow
ing aspect. will fail to realize the scene.
He died before nightfall. Many began to
think that they would soon follow him to
eternity. During the night seaman and
myself found it difficult to keep our COM
PAnlons alive. By dint Of much exertion,
however, We succeeded. Several, howe-
yer. including myself, were severely FROST
bitten.
We were now entirely out Of provis-
!OuS' Starvation staring US IN our faces
Want OF water compelled US to drink sea-
water. but this. Of course. only increased
our thirst. We now made up our minds
that We were indeed lost. It is impossi-
BILE to describe our frightful condition
no water. food. clothes frozen to our
backs. tees wet and frozen. and strength
exhausted with bailing out the boat.
SATURDAY. 81
oh no" glad were our hearts at this
sight but many OF my poor companions
were too helpless to SET even this coming
'uccor' On making signals to her by the
raising OF hands aud handkerchief she
pore down for us. She proved to be the
Dark Elise. Capt Nordenholst, from Bal.