Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-12-24
The Bark Pnrthisn.

St Thomas on the bark Partbian, after being
at the very portal of death. The Parthian
sailed from Hampton Roads on the Attn, with
$50 men, for Rio, but was driven back By o
gale on the night Of the 5th. The next morn
ing she again set sail, and made fine pro-
gress until crossing the Gulf Stream on the
evening OF the Stb, when she encountered
severe blow, which lasted four hours, and
damaged the rigging q little. BY 5 o'clock
the m ,rnng Of the l2:h, we were 2O5 miles
east of Bermuda, 10 lat. Sc 90. 1t was here
tina. we first encountered the terrific cyclone,
which came so near sending the ship to the
bottom; and by 7 O'Clock that morning, we
were in its very vortex. The vessel was not
found unprepared, however, as the Captain
had furled every sail in anticipation OF the
hurricane. The wind struck her on the
stern, and changing, struck her broadsde,
and for five minutes she was on her beam
ends and theI buried 10 the water six inches
over her bulwarks from stem to stern. When
the wind struck 10 broadside, Capt. Miller
Numbered out to cut away the mzzen mast,
but before the order could be executed, the
fore and main nasts had been blown away
close to the decks, with q loud crash, carry
ing away the jibboom. bowsprit and the gun
wales on the starboard side. ln few me-.
ments the mizzen mast went over, aud the
vessel, relieved Of her "sticks," actually
bounced out Of the water, and by o'clock
was rolling aud pitching on the broad Allan.
tic without sail or mast--l complete wreck,
standing sometimes at en- angle OF 10 de-
grees, and rolling until she buried her gun
wales.
During the storm the cabin passengers dis
played admirable GOODNESS, running from
point to point of the ship with their knives
between their teeth, cutting away the hang
ing rigging and clearing the wreek-a little
pale, probably, but as self-possessed almost
as if they had been at home on shore. Alter
the gale had subsidized partially, Capt. Miller,
who is the bravest aud coolest man in time of
danger, ever saw, came down into the cabin
where VIC bad all collected, and a truly affect
ing scene followed; the tears were streaming
down bis cheeks, and be was go choked with
emotion that he could not speak. We all took
off our hats, aud gave mine cheers for Capt.
Miller" with vigor that fairly Jared the ship,
and then grasped his hand in hearty shake.
He said he had been 80 years at sea, and this
was the first time he had ever lost mast, and
our salvation seemed to him to be a miracle.
One of the passengers tainted, and 1t was
half an hour before he was restored to con-
sciousness.
The next day. Nov. lS) we rugged jury
mast, and shortly after a schooner, bound to
Bermuda, bore down to US and promised to
send us steamer. We bore up for Bermu'
da under sort of mainsail for eight days, but
meeting no steamer, and encounterlns heavy
head winds, Captain Miller started for the
West Indies, and on the last of November We
reached ST. Thomas, ard cast anchor before
this lovely city. We are all very proud OF
Capt. Miller, and bear almost family af-
fcction for him. Among cur cabin passen-
gers is Mr.. Tyler, nephew Of ex-President
Tyler.
! ON writing on board the Parthian, and
have fine view of the city Of St. Thcmas.-
1t is built on the side of three hills with very
narrow and very clean streets, without side
walks. None Of the streets are much wider
than Locust Alley. in Richmond, and every
body walks in the middle of them. This last
popularity, however, is not dsagreeable to
pedestrians, as there are few horses here and
but one carriage in the place, and no carts
or wagons.
S1nIA huUu, eA-bIClutDl VI hSAiOOt ~
sides here, with his wooden leg. He has a
beautiful villa and is said to be wortb-in.
GLIDING all bis possessions, about 81, OOO,Oo
lie seldom goes out, and then in o gig of 20
pretensions. | went to see the American
Consul here to-day and was good deal
pleased with him. | have only seen about
ten Americans.
All of our Irish laborers went ashore yes
terday and got drunk; two OF them got into
prison. costing Mr.. Wilson $50 to get them
out. We set to work to get them aboard,
and had terrible time Of it. After We got
them on the vessel the struggle commenced
to keep thcE in the place set apart Tor them.
They refused to 70 down in the hold. AT
last we were armed with sabres, bowie'knlves
and pistols, and the order was given to fire,
and then charge on them, if they were not
down in fifteen minutes. This had the deslr-
ed effect, and they made grand rush for the
hatchway, tumbling into the hold head fore
most.
A house on shore is to be rented to.nor-
row, and they will be put in it while We are
here, which will be one or two months, as the
bull of the Parthian is to be sold and another
chip to be chartered.
There is a great deal Of tropical fruit here
but as there is also some yellow fever, We do
not eat it.