The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1861-02-06
afltstellaueous,
Ice-Wrecked.

We had hardly crossed the Atlantic and
were beginning to look eagerly for our first
sight of the New World, when a sudden
change occurred in the temperature, and the
balmy dOys OF April were followed by May
cold and cutting ai2ost as winter. At
length we entered the broad estuary of the
st. Lawrence, and then the mystery was
solved, for its entire surface was checkered
with masses Of ice evidently the broken up
winter covering OF the river above being
swept by the current out to sea. Nothing
could exceed the beauty of the ice.felds as
they flashed and sparked like gigantic gems
in their setting of azure sea. Many we're Of
great size also, like floating islands, and the
heaped up blocks upon their surface gleam-
ed from distance like cities of dazzling
crystal.
The wind was in our favor, and our good
ship sped up the gulf, threading her way
through the channels Of the floating ice.
fields, while, hour after hour, passengers
stood watching with unwearied eyes the
splendid scene around them. Even when
night came, there was the same eager throng
Of gszers, for those large frozen plains gilt
tered in the moonlight with strange spec
usl beauty none of us had ever seen before.
After time, mass OF ice larger than
common appeared floating down the stream.
Subsequently, we learned that it was part of
the cone the spray forms every winter be.
fore the falls Of Montmorency. On it came.
cleaning palely against the deep blue sky
like castle of spotless marble, rising In
tower and turret, and massive buttress, and
enriched by the most delicate tracery.-
Every eye was fixed upon it in breathIess
admiration, as it swept majestically by !; un
til as it passed between US and the wind, BY
its loftiness it momentarily becalmed u.s.
Suddenly the stationary ship received a Sc
we're shock, which not only vbrated through
all her timbers, but through every one Of th'
one hundred and forty human beings VIII
formed her freight. Never shall I forge
the shrieks of terror that followed, as wome
we'll nigh frantic with fear, clasped thei
children to their breasts, believing that tn
ship had struck rock, and that their las
moment had come. A cry from the bow
that it was q blow from the ice, somewh'
relieved their fears, and they stood quiet
r by, while the helm was put. down, and II
sails drawn round, in the effort to free
from the huge mass of ice which still |,
|. across the vessels bows pressing and gra
? ing audibly against her timbers. A minu
: more, and above the din OF blocks and COR
age, and the stamping Of mems feet the
arose a wild cry that echoed far and wi
over the surrounding fields Of ice, al
Through every Granny Of the neghboring ic
castle.-"The ship is sinking" i1 5a
1t was an appalling announcement al
unfortunately it was true one. The |
had struck US heavier than we thought a
its sharp edge, keen and resistless as
7 knife, pressing against the bow Of our ve
sell undefended as she was by the doub
timbers needed for ice eounters-had {
them completely through. SO that the wal
= rushed in with the force and rapidity of
cascade. 81 rigaraiI a. ls.iH iUsa
What a fearful scene Of terror and con
sion ensued |; the shrieks and larnentatio
OF twsmen, the cries of children, and the
lent anguish of men, as they beheld the fe
and dangers Of those dearest 10 them.
nene did the blow fall heavier than on m
!. for / had q delicate wife on board, and Of
1.-two little ones, 1.-The younger was an inva
1EMeaawhils no time was LOST There '
no space 70 lower the boats, and the ps
terrified passengers were hurriedly pas
down, ,cby the. bcwsprit, upon the ics.i
4 Twas touching to see some snatch q CLOAK
wrapper % they passed, the sole relic of
their worldly possessions |; while Others
= Istheir terror. departed without even that.
Etswfprovisions werensxt sentdown, s6ic
. ltsll6wsd W the crew /; and thenlwe stoo