The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-11-25

stripped to the waist, labored to cut away
the mainmast. The vessel rolled and
thumped so heavily, that in delivering their
blows, the men were many times thrown to
the deck, but the motion of the vessel assist
ed the work; the waves, too, lent their aid,
and soon the mast tOttered, and then fell
with a crashing overheard. Immediately
afterwards the raging sea threw the vessel
still higher up, upon the rocks. The FORE
mast was then cut away, and almost at the
same time the mizzen-mast broke off at the
mixzen-head. Boats were lowered, but the
moment they touched the waves they were
carried with irresistible force against the
rocks, and their inmates were either crush.
ed or drowned in the sea. No boat could
live in such storm. There appeared scarce
ly any need of boats, so close upon the shore
was the vessel.
Having struck, the vessel slowed round
port side to the rocks. When in the lower
saloon, about this time, an apprentice boy,
Charley, entered, telling the passengers
from the Captain that they were to keep
up their hearts, all was well, they were only
upon sandbank. The passengers still re-
mained quietly in the cabin. Mr.. Cowie,
the second mate, accompanied by the purser
aud two men, came down they were strip.
ped, having on only their shirt and trowers.
They passed through the saloon to the pow
der magazine, as they went bidding the
passengers keep up their hearts, they were
not far from shore. The water entered the
saloon at the same time, and the waves
striking more heavily, the vessel thumped
harder. Those in the lower saloon then
passed into the upper one. There they
found assembled some of the first and third
class passengers. No words were spoken,
hope and fear struggled for the mastery in
their codntenances-by this alone it was
seen that life and death were in the bal
ances. The stiffness of the assembly was
brokrn once-a 20 ung lady, about twenty,
Miss Murray, who was on board with her
father, mother and brother, tainted, and was
Immediately carried to the cabin, from
which she never emerged. Daylight began
to dawn. They had been tossing on the sea
and laboring on the rocks all night. Short
ly after daylight, third class passenger
came down; he had on only his trowers. and
had been in the bows of the vessel for several
hours. He said the forepart of the vessel
and the bows touched the land-every one
could wade ashore. @- d. -"..''-'
All hopes of saving the vessel having
disappeared, and the boats having been
rendered unservicable, the captain ordered
hawser to be got ready. A seaman named
Joseph Rogers, volunteered to swim ashore
with it. The line was made fast to his
body, and the noble fellow gallantly dropped
overheard and breasted the waves with the
resolution of British sailor. For time
he was lost to sight, as wave after wave
dashed over the vessel and broke upon the
rocks then the line frightened, and the man
was seen clambering the rocks. The villa
gers crowded round, the hawser was hauled
ashore and made fast to rock, boatswain's s
chair was slung on to the rope, and num-
Der of sailors ordered ashore to work it.
Every order was obeyed without confusion.
Amongst Others landed were two brave
fellows-GeorgeS Suaicar, Malta, boatswain's
mate, and William Foster, Liverpool, car
penter. Word passed down to the saloons
that the ladies were to come on deck, there
was movement Immediately towards the
staircase. AT the same time the ships tim
Der began to creak and there were two
heavy thumps experienced, and the ship
broke in two, across the main hatch. A
great number of passengers were standing
amidships, and when the vessel parted they
disappeared forever. At the same time
boat abaft the fore rigging fell. The chief
officer, Mr.. Stevens, and the chief engineer,
Mr.. Rogers, were standing under it and
both were killed. A second line was at.
tempted to be carried on shore, but failed.
Mr.. Russell, his wife and children, on going
on the deck, found that they were on the
stern part of the vessel, separated from the
fore part by yawning chasm, into which
every moment human beings were dropped,
or being driven by the waves. 1t was a
moment of the intensest anguish. As each
clung to the rail at the top of the stairs, a
hurried farewell was spoken; then they
awaited death calmly. Mr.. Russell had
several times essayed to get rope. So
close were they to the shore, he imagined be
might fasten the rope around his family,
cast the rope ashore and save them. In
vain were his efforts. They were still cling
ing to each other, when huge wave came
and separated them. When the wave had
passed Mr.. Russell's eldest girl was missing;
a box had been washed on her leg. Mr.
Russell moved the box and liberated her
Agaln,for few minutes they were united
Another wave came-they lost hold on the
rail; Mrs. Russell and two girls were washed
against the side of the vessel; MIR. Russell
overheard. AS the water returned, Mr.
Russell sprang at piece of iron, which
hung from the side, seized it, then cought 9
rope in another moment he was on deck
His youngest daughter was nearest him ht
attempted to lay hold on her, when another
wave came, broke over the ship, poured
down with irresistible force, and WASHED
him overheard again. For time he wa
struggling in the waves convulsively; b.