Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-03-26
Terrible suaerings at Sea

The ship Centurion, Capt. Caulkins, arrived
at New York on the 23rd from Glasgow after
voyage of 70 days. On the 9th of January.
six days out of port, he fell in with the British
bark DrOmahair, water logged, denuded of her
sails and rigging, and drifting about at the
mercy of the wind and waves A tattered
Union Jack, reversed, was flying at the fore
topmast head. Captain C. bore down to the
wreck and took off seven of the crew alive, six
having previously persisted from starvation and
quently put on board another ship bound for
Europe.
The bark sailed from Quebec under command
of Capt Hutchison, with a cargo of lumber
for Sligo. A gale struck the ship on the 18th
of December, and during the storm she be-
came completely water logged A signal of
distress was set in mid ocean; the only supplies
of the officers and crew of thirteen men being
forty pounds of bread and no fresh water
Two gallons rainwater were caught and SER
we'd out while it lasted at the rate of half tea
cup full day, with but half a buiseuit for sub
sistence. About the lst of January some of
the sufferers grew delirious and died. On the
4th Il last ration of bread was served, and un-
til the 9th the only means of allaying hunger
they had was by chewing strips of salt beef and
pork. The rescue of the survivors by the Cen
turiOn was noble act, and disclosed most
pitia5le sight: -a. l.s
The Dromahair was SO full of water that the
sea was even with her deck, and every wave
washed over her fore and aft. Although gale
was blowing at the time, and it was extremely
hazardous to send boat off, there was no lack
of volunteers, and in Jew minutes the boats
were manned and dispatched to the wreck
The rescuers found much difficulty in boarding
her; but success crowned their efforts Upon
gaining her deck the gallant fellows witnessed a
scene of wretchedness and suffering rarely
equaled in the annals of marine disasters
Seven, poor, emaciated men were found alive
but so exhausted that only the captain and his
mate were capable Of any exertion; the remain
der lay upon the deck in various postures, hold
ing on with ell their feeble might to some fix
ture or other to save themselves from being
washed over into the sea. Beside the living,
there were three dead bodies on board. Two
VI lueln lay dCrOsS the WlnulaSSy Hear tne lore
castle, whittier they had gone when the friendly
ship was described bearing down for them, and
raised themselves up to feast their failing eyes
upon the cheering sight. But ere the suecor
for which they had hoped and prayed SO long,
and endured SO much, could reach them, an
other hand was stretched forth, and they were
delivered indeed. The other body lay In the
cabin. 1t was that of boy, who had been
washed from the rOundhouse on deck one
dreadful night, down the campanion way, and
drowned
But it was not for the dead that the sailors
of the Centurion ventured forth The living
claimed their liveliest sympathy and most as
siduous attention. Tenderly. as women the
rough tars took up the poor helpless fellows,
and lowered them one by one into their boat,
and hoisted them on board their ship There,
under the care of Capt. Caulkins and the excel
lent nursing of his wife, they were gradually
restored to health and strength.