Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1858-08-23

Loss or THE STEAMER TElEGn,rn--TnRLIING
DEscmrrIox, Cleaycland plaindcalcr has
transcribed the following from the diary Of one of
the passengers ON board tho Inflated steamboat
Telegraph, whom the collision took place with the
schr. Marquette on Monday night. ID instant, as
already briefly mentioned by telegraph
We meaning myself and Indy took passage on
board the steamboat Telegraph on Monday even
ing. I'd Of August, for Port Stanley. The pas
scngcrs having embarked at half past p NJ, the
fastenings were thrown aboard. the boat dropped
down the river, and in short time passed the
piers, aud ut Lent her course for Port Sianley-
buoyant with the hopes of a favorable and speedy
passage u their respective destinations. The pas
sengers began to make acquaintunces, md to form
thcmse Ives INTO conversational groups little dream
ing vt the fate awaiting tho boat the perls they
were themselves. seyerally and collectively DOOM
ed to encounter ere long. The wind being rather
favorable and the boat plying forward ut the rate
of ten knots per hour, the passengers considered
themselves perfectly SAFE and began to retire at .
O'Clock to their respective berths.
Many in II few minutes were snoozing in Nor
pheus' soothing embrace. unconscious of danger,
or To the horrors of awakng to witness death star
ing them in the face! To those who were awake,
the deep darkness of the night the fast Increasing
swell of the waves the constant flashes of the lu-
rid lightning. the dismally threatening appear
anee of the lake, portcnded stormy night, il not
omnous Of some disaster. About midnight the
wind blew perfect gale, bowling between the
decksa melancholy whistling dirge-the rain de-
scending in torrents, the forked lghtnings flash
ing in continuous Sheets and frequently in molten
streaks-the thunder bursting in terrific peals, aud
often in grating sharp, sudden cracks. At Is
minutes past l., in the midst Of this war OF the
elements the night being pitch dark, the uniortu
nate collision took place. The shock terrible
the timber and planks from stem to stern, trem
bed for Il few seconds like person in an ngueft
Ill,
rushed forward to- ascertain the amount of damage
but unfortunately stumbled into the rent made
by the collision, where he would inevitably have
persisted had not the cries for assistance been
heard by one of the passengers. This was mo-
ment of dclirinm and confusion, and of thrilling
despair. Never can | forget the impression
made upon me by the wild uproar of the Gle
ments. the sinking state of the boat, the cadave-
rous and despairing looks, the wailing. sobbing
and cries Of distracted implorng females the
half naked and bewildered male passengers
running to and fro, not knowing what to do or
where to 20 from the impending danger. The
Tart ensemble was enough to shake the bravest
heart The yawl and life-boat being launched,
Capt b., the elder, gave strict orders to put the
females in the boats first. This duty attend
ed TO by George Barrow, the engineer. who exc
cnted the order in manly style in defiance of the
se'f-hness Of crnzy, eowardly opposition of
three or four, who We're excrtng their utmost en-
crScs 10 ne on WIN the boat anu 10 leave the rest
of the passengers to their fate.
The salvation of all the passengers in the lifc-
boat is owing altogether. under Providence to the
manly courage and determined cxcrtons of this
George Barrow, at the peril of his own safety
All being now in the boat except Capt. b.. his
father and one or two more. George ordered the
boat to remain along side. until he should bring
them the oars but the instant he was gone the
boat was let loose, by an individual terrified al
most into n maniac to the mercy of the raging bill
lows for four long drcary and perlous hours with
out oars, rudder or compass, every soul drenched
to the skin with the rain and spray of the conflict
ing pillows and expecting every swell to swallow
or swamp the boat and end their existence Capt.
Richard Barrow md his father, with George B.,
the engineer, remained with the boat until it sank
from under, them, which took place between Is
20 minutes after the collision these were the first
saved from watery grave by the long boat Of the
schooner Marquette, the passive and innocent
cause Of our disaster.
While the elder Captain b. was struggling with
the raging billows, his Newfoundland dog kept
swimming close by his side frequently placing his
nose under the chin of his master to keep his head
above water-nobe dog and continued to do &C
0 until picked w by the schooners boat. When
$ these were safely put on board the schooner the
o boat Immediately returned to the relief Of the
= yawl and ife.boat and after giving them a line
towed them safely along side the Marquette. when
% ALL without the loss Of soul were taken on board
d oy the exertons Of the captain and crew.
.. Heart RENDINo-DsowNRp ON THE Evr y,
MARRIAoE.-On SATURDAY. morning last. savs IN,
boston Courier Of Wadna,d.u