Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-10-14
MISCELL A n Y .
Thrilling Narrative..--Terrible Sufferings al
Sea.

Thrilling Narrative. e..--Terrible Sufferings al
Sea.
The Bremen bark Laura arrived at New Yorl
on Monday, the 9th inst, with three person:
rescued from the steamer Central America. Or
the 2Sth ult., latitude 40 45, longitude II, at
P NJ, the Laura spoke the British brig Mary
of Greenock, from Cardenas for Queenstown
and took from her the following persons whom
the Mary had picked up at sea John Tice, sec.
ond engineer; Alexander Grant, fireman; and
G.. w. Dawson, passenger.
Mr.. Tice states that when the steamer was a
bout to sink Saturday evening, the 18th ult.,
he leaped off with q board about ten feet long
From that time till Tuesday, sixty-one hours, he
ioated on this board, without food or water
About o'clock on Tuesday morning he desert
ed boat at the distance of two or three miles,
and without knowing what it was, further than
that it seemed to afford better means of sus-
tanning himself than his plank, changed his
position, rested his body on the plank, and swan
in the direction of the object. The wind in the
had become light, and the sea smooth
and he was able to make some progress in his
swimming. Between 12 and o'clock he
reached the object he sought-one OF the wood
en- life boats of the Central America, half filled
with water He grasped its side, and in mo-
ment had raised himself over the guard. In it
he found three oars, pan, pail, and three old
coats. With the pail he soon bailed out the
boat. One of the coats he fastened on an oar
as a signal, and then placed the oar upright in
the boat. He scanned the horizon, but not a
sail was to be seen. His thirst, too, was in
creasing, but he resisted the temptation of weak
er minds, to drink of the salt water, knowing
its fatal consequences. AS the pieces of the
wreck drifted past, he watched them closely to
see if they would afford him any relief. For q
his hopes rallied. A few yards distant
he thought he discovered awicker flask floating
on the swell. He sculed to it and secured it,
only, however, to be disappointed-for the cork
had become loosened and, in place of anything
to slake his furious thirst was few spoontuls of
salt water. Night came upon the wanderer,
and, exhausted he fell into an unquet sleep,
which continued until near morning.
Thursday, about O'Clock, Mr. Tice discovered
in the distance. lie took an oar and
scullel in that direction, and as he approached
it he saw it was piece ofwreck on which were
two men. When within mile of them, one
Jumped overheard and swan to the boat, and a.
bout II o'clock Mr.. Tice helped him in. He
proved to be Alexander Grant, one of the fire.
men of the steamer, who had been nearly five
days floating about on piece of the hurricane
deck. The two then rowed to the piece of the
wreck and took on board George W. Dawson,
A colored man who was passenger from Cali
fornia by the Sonora and Central America
They left the body of q passenger on the piece
of deck as they departed. That day and night
they were drifted along by the wind and cur
rent. After having briefly related their expe-
rience since the sinking of the vessel, they fell
into silence, only occasionally broken by sug-
gestiou which some one might make as to their
prospect of rescue.
Friday and Saturday brought with them no
hopes of succor The three men had ceased to
hunger but their desire for water knew no
bounds. On Sunday, about II o'clock, sail
was seen. They seized their oars and pulled for
the vessel, and when nearest to her she was not
more than two miles distant But the distance
increased, and the vessel soon disappeared.
Daylight on Monday morning showed moth
ing to encourage hope. But for the first time
in over eight days their thirst for water was to
be slaked. A brisk shower ofrain began to fall,
aud while the pail and pan were used to catch
a few spoonfuls, they opened their mouths for
the few scattered drops that chanced to fall up
on their parched and swollen tongues. They
caught in the pan and pail about quart OF wa
ter, but so great were their physical sutferings
that the water afforded them no immediate re-
lief. But another and greater hope was now to
be realized than their desire for water. Hardly
had they drank the last drop which had been
thus showered upon them, when the shower
passed over them, and few miles distant they
saw a brig steering directly toward them, before
a light breeze. Soon her topsails were unfurled
and set, and she came toward them more rap
dly. Grant and Dawson took the oars and
to row. They were all weakened
from suffering, and it is doubtful whether their
efforts would avail in moving the boat. But it
was struggle for life-a last effort to save their
ives-if they failed now, nothing but despair
was left them. But they were seen-a hail
rom the brig was waited over the waves to
their ears they pulled more manfully and with
renewed vigor toward their savior. In mo-
ment the boat was near the vessels side, a line
was thrown out and caught by the emaciated
survivors in the boat, which was quickly along
side, and in few moments bow lines were a.
bout their forms, aud they were upon the deck
eight days and twenty hours after the sinking
Of the steamer.
They found themselves on board the British
brig Mary, Captain Shearer, of Greenock, Scot
land, from Cardenas to Cork. Captain Shearer
had made preparations to receive the sufferers
when he discovered them After taking them
INTO the cabin, he removed their clothing and
yave them sip of wine, and afterward water