Delaware weekly Republican. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1841-188?, 1857-09-03
WHOLE NO. 1,03j


IhE RESCUE OF THE N NEwDURYPoRT PmOr -
IPoRderfnl Escape from Dsath.--We @ yesterday
gave brief account Of the rescue from drow n
ing of Capt. NJ. Stevens, Jr., a Newburyp orr
(Mass.) pilot, who was knocked overheard by
the boom of the pilot boat America, when ten
miles east Of Cape Ann. At Newburyport, IL
was very generally believed that the captain
was drowned, and the event seems to have
created deep sorrow throughout the town. The
| Herald, OF that place, on Tuesday, however,
thus speaks of his rescue, and return.
While we wero all lamenting that this worthy
man was gone, and the flags had dropped in
mourning for the dead while people were
stopping each other at the corners of the
streets to talk over the matter, and some were
raising subscription for the benefit of his fam
ily-aiter we had published his obituary, and
mad already another paragraph written, calling
Tor material testimonial to aid the widow and
orphans-as suddenly as though he had fallen
from the heavens above, Captain Stevens, yes
terday, at noon, appeared in our Streets
Wildly the story goes about town; speedily he
is rushed home to a family mourning his de-
mise; instantly the tlags from halt.ma are run
hard up; and gladness is upon all faces, for the
lost il found and the dead is alive again.
| with tho tide of men moving to the south
end we go to greet him and learn his story
Almost Immediately after his companions had
retl red below, as he was standing in the quar-
ter with tho spy-giass TO his eye, the main
boom jibed over, striking him the back of
the neck and sweeping him into th Q sea. In
stantly the boat filled away, and sailed off with
SIX knot breeze. He turned in pursuit but
one hundred yards swimming satisfied him that
that was useless. He haloed but the noise of
the sails, the rushing of the waters, and the
intervening decis shut off all communication.
There he was in the midst OF the ocean ; the
boat receding, and no friandly sail in sight t
Is not desirable to die, and he lay for some time
upon the surface, when, by-and-by, five miles
away, sail appears standing toward him-it
Is the only hope; aflint hope, but the last. lie
did not swim TO her, but reserved his strength |
and when she was within two miles it was evil |
ward.
lie then cooly-oh, how can a man be cool |
with the deep water below and naught but the |
deeper heavens above-coolly he struck out to |
head her Off For three-quarters of a mile or |
more he swan for dear life ; but now he begins
10 iaii. His legs are already cold and stiff, and
hang down deep, the waves breaking to his
mouth. 'fis the last chahce he raises his head
and shouts; and woman--a woman's cars arc
always open to the cry of dstress-God bless
her-says, 81 hear voice." All hands look
round. 1t is now or never; and as last effort
ne stretches himself above tho waves and says
SCI am drowning - They hcar-they see.
.'Ease Off sheets, up helm, man the boat % Ii
ls done as quick as it was said--qucker
than written. 81 shall drown,'' calls the brave,
struggling, but sinking man, ''beforo the boat
can row."
The captain turns the craft full upon him,
and minus of help gives the helm to his wife,
while with the coil of rope he stands in the bows.
me rowers pull strong, but many yards are yet
between them and the sinking man, when the
VESSELS PROV nears the spot, and with the cap
taln's call--s'catch hold"-the rope falls pom
his head and is turned around the wrist. The
rope is paid out, the sails shake in the wind,
anu in two minutes more-after he had been
in the water an hour and half-the captain |
and his wife pull him over the side, helpless,
and for long time clouded and wandering of |
mind.
This yacht proved 10 be the Bloomer, from |
Salem, Capt. Dudly Davis, who was taking his |
family on trip to Portland, Me. He rendered
Capt. Stevens all the assistance needed, landed
him in Portland on Sunday, and with the first
train that reached here at noon on Monday he
was returned to his iamily--returncd to star
tie, to gladden., to change Great God what
a9change The fatheP with three score and
ten years upon him--the young wife stricken
to the soul the little children to whom home
was eloomy-they can tell we can't.
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