Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1860-12-14
THRILLING NARRATIVE.

1he Cleaveland Herald gives thrilling
account Of the hardships and sufferings ex-
perlenced by the passengers and crew of the
propeller Jersey City. wrecked on Lake Erie
during the late gale, FIVE only of whom sur
| yivcd the disaster. The steamer was bound
from Toledo for Buffalo, and when overtaken
by the gale Capt. Monroe, her commander,
headed her for Long Point, Canada, intend
| ing to take shelter behind it. The storm,
however, drove the vessel so far from her
course that it was evident she could not be
got round the Point without great difficulty
| The account of the Herald continues
The ordinary fires were found unequal to getting
up the great pressure of steam necessary and kegs
ot lard and butter were rapidly thrown in 10 feed
| the flames. But every effort was vain. 4 sudden
shock, dali grating sound that tel, above the
bowling of the tempest. and the Jersey City a
hopeless wreck. She had grounded the shoaI
about two miles distant from the Point
Capt. Monroe Immediately ordered every one to
the hurricane dC2k, as the only chance of safety
| A number, hcodless of his warnings. jumped
| into the hfe-boat and made for shore They were
| all lost among the breakers.
| Soon after grounding the propeller heeled over.
| broadsde to the seas, and with her deck exposed
to the action of the waves. Her deck-load was at
once washed of, and the repeated blows Of the
huge waves stove in her decks and dashed her
sides into pieces The hurricane deck with its load
Of halfirUzen sufferers, hOated towards the shore.
About o'clocl in the afternoon the hurricane
deck grounded within short distance from the
shore, 10 shallow water At this moment toy
who was or the wreck was washed off by the waves
bat was rescued by Capt. Monroe. After this the
boy became frightened for the first time, and clung
eagerly 10 his preserver. Capt. Monroe fastened
plank lifc-prcserver to his body, and, taking the
boy in his arms, leaped into the water and waded
ashore. As the boy was landed his suspenders
broke and his pantaloons fell about his ancles,
where they frozc in 4 solid mass, chaining him TO
the spot where he stood. In a few moments the
haif-naked boy dead.
Capt. Monroe walked back TO the piece Of wreck
and directed his comrades where 20 leap so as to
strike in the shallowest water. One by one the
leap was made in safety, until but one was left on
board, aud that one was Mr. A. Derby, the clerk
Of the propeller. lie sitting upon the
wreck with his head bent down, as IL in despair.
Capt. Monroe called him by name but he did not
answer, although his mouth opened. To a second
hail. he again opened bis mouth, without giving
any articulate sound. Capt Monroe and Engineers
Manchester and Cammings went to the wreck, and
after considerable difficulty got OF the helpless
mlu.
two engineers stcaiied his legs to prevent the
wave washing him Of In this way the party
wld--l through tho water, ice making on them at
every STEP the surf dashing around them the bitter
wind freezing their hands and faces and the blind
iug sDow obzcuring their view.
On reaching the shore, Captain Monroe attempt
Ell to lower Derby 70 his feet, but found it im-
possible to let him down. The diving bearer bad
frozen fast - his dead burden. The captains arms
were frozen stiff, and clasped around the arms Of
tic dead man. The two engineers were also 80
frozen about the hands that they could render no
assistance. Finding it impossible to nd himself
Of his terrible burden in any other way, Captain
Monroe dung himself the ground, heaH ivr--
most, anl thus spilled the dead man from his
shoulders. But he hal escaped from one horrible
dilemma only to find himself in another His
t-owsers were frozen so stiff up TO his hips that he
as much unable 70 rise as if his legs hal been
cuciseI in lengths Of stove pipe, and his cOmpan-
ions could render him 10 assistance. At q short
dist1ucc was the body Of man. frozen in a sitting
position. Captain Monroe mauaged to rou him
self to the body, and by it climbed to his feet.
This little party Of survivors row set out On their
painful march towards the lighthouse, which was
at no great dis t1nce. They had got safely along
until within about three hundred yards Of tho
house, when a small creek impeded their progress.
First engineer Manchester attempted to cross the
creek but abandoned it and returned to the shore
where he sat down, exhausted and desOairings
orcd to encourage him to farther Efforts, but in
vain. Capt. Monroe begged Manchester to rise
and make attempt to get around the creek, tell
ing him the light house close by. ats Of no
use, Captain said the unfortunate man. IL can't
60 any further
Cummings placed bis arms around the body Of
bis cCmrade in order to lift him to his feet but az
that moment the icy hand cf death was laid OF
both, and, elasped in each others arms, face al
most touching face, with words Of friendly cheer
frozen in the utteTanec, these two brave men
Manchester and Cumming within fow
minutes walk Of safety. In this position they
were afterwards found by the party in search.
Capt. Monroe succeeded in reaching the light
house in safety, although badly frozen Out of the
twenty-five who hal formed tbs crew and passeng-
ers of the il-fated Jersey City, but five survived,
being Capt Monroe, two fremen. the wheelsman,
and one passenger. The others either perished in
the waves or were frozen to death in that awful
death-march. Six of tho bodies have been recOv-
cred, some being returned TO their former homes,
and others buried the Point.
We are glad to learn that the brave Capt Monroe
wiz not suGer so severely by his exposure as it
was at first feared. such heroes cannot be spared.
His deeds Of daring and tender care during the
fatal wreck and march Of death on Long Point
adds brighter halo to the fame won by the gall
ant rescue of the frozen of the Omar Pasha at
the risk of bis life, az the mouth Of Cleveland
larb9r, some years since.