Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1857-04-11
Wreck Of the "Northern BeIle.n

| IL was about A. Nj. during the dreadful storm
on Monday, the 5th JAM, that the Northern R.Us.
from New York to London, came 10 an anchor OF
hlngsgate, about three-quarters of mile from the
shoTe, few hours later she rode very heavily,
anu Ine sea at times broke completely over her,
The crew having cut away the mizen and main :
nastS' the ship rode easier; but as the gale in
creased, and as 1t was feared that she would part
from her anchors and come on shore message
was sent to BrOaGstairs to that effect, The Broad
stairs boatmcn, who are renowned for their alae>
rity, Immediately harnesJed themselves to the
truck on which the life-boat-thc Mary WKite--is
always ready, and proceeded to drag it from Broad
stairs to klngsgate, distance of two miles, over
a heavy and hilly country. IL was nine o'clock
when the boat arrived at Kingsgate. By that time
the news of the ships dangerous position was
spread throughout the neighborhood, and by eleven
o'clock the cliffs were crowded by persons Of alf
ranks from Margate, Ramsgate and BroadstairS.
At J. 80 A. NJ. the multitude assembled were des-
tined to witness very plinful sight. A Margate
lugger, called the FIctory was lowering about tho
ship IN the hope OF rendering her some assistance.
when huge sea struck her, and she suddenly dis
appeared from sight. She and her crew went dowa
and no more seen. Another ugger, the
Ocean, of Mareate, had at six A u. put FIVE hands
on board the Northern Bells. At noon il was ex-
pected every moment that the ship would run on
shore upon the rocks beneath the cliff; but she
held on, the crowd remaining until dark anxiously
watching tie vessel, despite the hail, sect and snow
which began to descend. Between ten and eleven
on Monday night the ship parted with her anchor
and drove upon the rocks. At that hour it would
have been utterly impossible to launch the life
boat, for the hail, sect, and prevented the
men from seeing any object whatever; and the spot
whence 1t would be necessary to put off was dis
tant more than half mile. When day broke, at
between six and seven o'clock next morning, an
awful sight revealed to those on the cliffs and
on no he taG pv ha
twcnty-three men aShed to the rigging Of the only
mast left standing. What these poor creatures
must have suffered during the night the reader viii
readily imagine.
At haIf-past seven o'clock en- Tuesday morning
the life-boat, the Mary White. was manned. Since
July, 1850, when this boat was presented to the
boatmen of BroadStairs by Mr.. Thomas White, Of
Cowes, she has saved msny lives, and her crew
have encountered many dangers; but never had she
been engaged IN a matter Of such peculiar peril.
Ten brave men pulled through boiling surf and
raging sea, which several times hid them FROM sight
and filled all with alarm for their safety. When
seven out of the twenty-three men upon the wreck
had been got into the life-boat, it was found ne-
cessary to cut her adrft and disentangle her from
the ship With these seven men the boat return
ed to the shore amid the cheers of the many per-
sons assembled on the beach,
A second hfe-boat, which had also been wheeled
from Broadstairs, 10 be ready in the event of the
went off to the wreck. She succeeded in bringing
away fourteen. The two remaining were the cap
tain and the pilot, who had been taken In at Dover.
The former declared that he would rather die than
leave his vessel and the latter expressed q desire
to remain and perish in the old mans company,
After an hour and half had elapsed the life-boat
for the third time left the shore order to persuade
these two men to save their lives. After much
difficulty the crew of the boat succeeded in induc
ing them to come off the rigging and 60 to the land.
II Is impossible to describe the scene on the beach
when it was known that all hands had been saved.
i more affecting scene was seldom witnessed.
There were tears of gratitude shed BY the Ameri-
cans, tears of JOY and Of pride by the Broadstsirs
bodtnen. Benumbed as he-shpwrecked men were,
they could scarcely partake of the Refreshments
which was provided for them in the little warm
parlor of "1he Captain Digby," the solitary inn
which stands upon the cliff at kingsgate.
At three O'Clock on Tuesday the Mary Whifs
was dragged upon her truck by three nurses INTO
Broadslairs In the boat sat her gallant crew.
Tied to an American oar was the American stand
ard which was so recently hosted as a signa! us
distress. The tattered flag fiuttered over the bro
ken bows Of the Mary White. twas thus thst the
boat passed through the streets of Broadstairs,
amidst the joyous shouts of the inhabitants of the
town.
Nearly all the brave fellows who, at the imlni-
nent peril Of their own lives, thus engaged ia
restoring to America the lives Of nineteen of those
scamen of whom she is so justly proud, are married
men with large families Of small children; and
there is not a man among them who has not assist
ed in saving lie, and who has not at some period,
lost father, brother, or cousin IN the same gior-
ous cause.
\ subscription has been opened to reward the
deserving and self-sacrifcng conduct of the crews
of the two boats; and General Robert Campbell,
the United States Consul in London, has appealed
in their behalf to the American residents In tho
metropolis; and MIR. Joseph Rodney Croskey has
generously subscribed ESQ TO Tia -'...ye fund. Mr..
the crews of the boats, and adds some well-timed
details:
''Under the impression that these men would never
impression Of al who witnessed their de-
parture from the shore-I watched their eountenancss
closely. There nothing approaching brayadO in
their demonstrating to give spectator an idea
that they were about 10 engage in matter of life
death to themselves and the Of the ship clnging
to the fore rigging of the Northern Belle They had
hope of decoration" Of pecuniary reward when.
with eoolness of manner and calmness Of mind which
contrasted strongly with the energy Of their move
ments they stripped to their shirts and bounded in
TO the Marg White aad the CsdRer White to storm bat
teries OF biows far appalling to the human mind
than batteries surmounted by Cannon and bristling
with bayonets. There could be question about tho
heroism of these men. n.''-LOnloa Illustrated NetcS.
The Highest Mountain in the World.
The principal topic of conversation at Calcu!:a
&c the discovery of the highest mountain in the
world At the meeting Of the Asiaiic Society Of
BengaI. on the 9th Of August Major Thuiller
,,n,1ead that Col. Waugh, Surveyor General of