The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1862-04-08
ICE WRECKED.

We had nearly crossed the Atlantic,
and were beginning to look eagerly for
our first sight of the New World, when
sudden change occurred in the tem--
perature. and the balmy days Of April
were followed by May, cold and cut
ting almost as winter. At length we en-
tered the broad estuary of the ST. Law
renee. and then the mystery was solved,
for its entire surface was checked with
masses of ice; evidently the broken up
river .hoverings Of the river above being
swept By the current out to the sea-
Nothing could exceed the beauty of the
ice fields as they flashed and sparkled
like gigantic gems in their setting of
azure sea. Many were Of great size al
so, like floating islands, and the heap Of
blocks upon their surface cleaned from
a distance like cities of dazzling crys
tai.
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
her passengers slood watching with un-
wearied eyes the splendid scene around
them. Even when night came, there
was the eager throng of gazers, for those
large frozen plains glittered by moonlight
with a strange spectral beauty none of
us had ever seen before.
After time, mass of ice huger than
common appeared floating down the
stream. Subsequently, we learned it was
part of cone the spray forms every win
ter before the Falls of Montgomery. On
it came, cleaning palely against the
deep blue sky like a 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 breathless admiration,
as it swept majestically by, until as il
passed between US and the wind, by its
loftiness it momentarily becalmed us.
Suddenly the stationary ship received a
severe shock, which yibrated not only
through all her timbers, but through
every one of the one hundred and forty
human beings who formed her living
freight. Never shall forget the shrieks
Of terror that followed, as women. we'll.
nigh frantic with fear clasped their child
rem to their bosoms, believing that the
ship had struck upon a rock, and that
their last moment was come. A cry
from the bow, that ii was but blow from
the ice, somewhat relieved their fears,
and they stood quietly by, while the
helm was put down, and the sails drawn
round in the effort to free us from the
huge mass of ice which still lay across
the vessels bow. pressing and grating
audibly against her timbers. A minute
more, and above din Of blocks and cord
age. and the stamping of mems feet, there
arose a wild cry that echoed far and wide
over the surrounding ice fields, and
through every Granny of the neighboring
ice castle" the ship is sinking"
1t was an appalling announcement
and unfortunately ly true one. The ice
had struck us heavier than we thought,
and It's hard, sharp edge, keen and re.
sistless as that of knife, pressing
against the bows of our vessel-unde.
Tended as she was by double timbers
needed for ice encounters-had cut them
completely through so that the water
rushed through with the force and
rapidity of a cascade.
What fearful scene of terror and
confusion ensued The shrieks and
lamentations of women; the cries OF
children, and the silent anguish. Of men
as they beheld the fears aud danger OF
those dearest TO them. On none did the
blow fall heavier than on me for | had
a delicate wife on board, aud of my two
little ones, the younger was an inval d
Meanwhile, no time was lost. There
was no space to lower the boats. and the
pale terrified passengers were hurriedly
passed down, by the bowspri,,, upon the
ice. 1t was touching to see some snatch
cloke or wrapper as they passed, the
sole Ielic of all their worldly possessions
while others in their terror, departed
without even that. A few prov isions
were next sent down. quickly followed
5Y the crew: and there we stood a
wretched covering group upon the ice
field that had wrought us so much evil,
watching for the last moment of the good
ship, which had brought us in peace and
safety more than two thousand miles
Ii was not long in coming. Suddenly
the bow bent low. as if TO salute the
waves. and tie stern rose high in the air
then, with rapid forward movement,
the stately ship passed silently down in
to the bosom of The deep, every tall mast
and tapering yard in its place, and every
sail spread to It's uttermost. and CLEAN.
Ing Whitley in the moonlight. until each
in It's turn passed from our sight. For
a few moments there was troubled vor
tex, and then the moonlit sea rolled
placidly on, and the gentle night-wind:
swept over the spot, leaving no trace o
the fearful ship wreck, which, in scare,
ten minutes from the time the ic,
struck our devoted vessel. had left us ex
Il HI