The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1859-11-24

mate, accompanied by the purser and
Two men, came down; they. were
stripped, having on only their shirt and
trowsers. They passed through the
saloon to the powder magazine, q they
went bidding the passengers keep up
their hearts, they we're not far from the
shore. The water entered the saloon
at the same time, and the waves striking
more heavily, the vessel thumped har-
der. Those in the lower saloon then
passed into heupper one. There they
found assembled some of the first and
third class passengers. No words we're
spoken, hope and fear struggled for the
mastery in their countenances-by this
alone was it seen that life and death
we're in the balance. The stiffness of
the assembly was broken once-ayoung
lady, about twenty years, Miss Murray,
who was on board with her father,
mother and brother, tainted, and was
immediately carried to her cabin, from
whence she never emerged.
Daylight now began to dawn. They
had been tossing on the sea and labor
ing on the rocks all night. Shortly af.
ter daylight, third-class passenger
came down; he had on only his trows-
ers, 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. All hopes of saving the
vessel having disappeared, and the
boat having been rendered,unservicea-
BILE, the captain ordered a hawser to
be got ready. A seaman, named Jo-
seph 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 up the rocks.
The villagers crowded round, the haw-
ser was hauled ashore and made fast
to rock, a boatswain's chair was slung
on to the rope, and number of sailors
ordered ashore to work it. Every or
ker was obeyed without confusion.
Amongst others landed were two brave
fellows-George Suaicar, Malta, boat
swain's mate, and William Foster.
Liverpool, carpenter. Word was
passed down to the saloons that the
ladies were to come on deck. There
was movement Immediately towards
h<,c c<o al.
ships timbers began to creak: then
there were two heavy thumps expert.
enced; and the ship br IKE in two across
the main hatch. A great number of
passengers were standing amidships.
and when the vessel parted they disap-
peared forever. At the same time a
boat abaft the fore rigging fell. The
chief officer Mr.. Stevens, and the chief
engeneer, Mr.. Rogers, were standing
under it, and both were killed. A Sec
ond line was attempted to be carried
on shore, but failed. Mr.. Russell, his
wife and children, on gaining 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
dropping or being driven by the waves.
1t was moment of the intensest an
guish. AS each olung to the rail, at
the top of the stairs, hurried farewell
was spoken; then they awaited death
calmly. Mr.. Russell had several times
essayed to get a 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
clinging to each other, when huge
wave came and separated them. When
the wave had passed, Mr.. RusseIs
eldest daughter was missing; box
had been washed on her leg. Mr.. Rus
sci moved the box and liberated her,
and again for few minutes they were
united. Another wave came-they
lost hold of the rail; Mrs. Russell and
the two girls were washed against the
side of the vessel, Mr.. Russell over
board. AS the waters returned, Mr..
Russell sprang at piece of iron, which
hung from the side, seized it, then
caught rope; in another moment he
was on deck. His youngest daughter
was nearest to him, he attempted to
lay hold of her, had his hands just on
her, when another wave came,
broke over the ship, poured
down with irresistible force.
and washed him overheard again. For
a time he was struggling in the waves
convulsively he clutched at something
which he felt against his body; it Was
only a piece of canvas; another mo-
ment and he felt seaweed under his
feet. A wave came, he was almost in
sensible, yet he saw a man standing
before him. Was it a dream, or .
reality? He stretched out his hand, he
grasped another hand = vet another
wave came, and hand unloosed-he
was borne back again-a mightier
wave broke, and hand was again
grasped-it held him-he was saved.
In moment or two he recovered his
senses, he was lying on rock: he
turned his eyes seaward, there was no
living creature left on the stern of the
vessel. He then became insensible
again, and was borne of by the villag-
ers to the hospitable cottage of Mr.. and
Mrs. Lewis, in the neighborhood.
There were one or two scenes Just be-