The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-10-04
TERRIBLE suFFER1Nas AT SEA.

Mr. Jacobs, u. S. Consul at Calcutta, has for
warded to the "Albany Evening Journal" the fol-
lowing thrilling account of the shipwrcck of Elvi-
ma, written by of the officers Of that vessel:
The Elvina left Calcutta on the ed of Decem-
Der last bound for Boston, with thirty one persons
on board. Fair and prosperous winds attending,
the. equator was crossed twenty-four days after
leaving port. At deg south the southeast trade
winds sprang up, and on the 10Th blew gale, in
creasing in strength every hour throughout the
night. At A. NJ, on the 18th, the spare main
topmast, breaking from its hastings, went rolling
over the deck, smashing everything in its way,
the immense water-cask included. At last it fell
overheard humping heavily against the side. The
ship listed to starboard, refusing to right the
ter pouring in under her deck through the open
timbers. All the nautical skill Of the officers and
men was exhausted to repair this unfortunate con-
diton of the vessel, but afforded only brief rest
spell. Slowly she sunk. The men all sprang off
into the waves, except the master and his brother
who went down with the vessel and were never
again seen. Floating spars and the cabin robin
roof gave refuge to eleven Of the poor felows-the
rest were lost. The survivors raised signal of
distress, and without single bite to eat were now
alone on the bosom Of the ocean. At noon the
gale again sprang up, sweeping tumutuously over
the roof and spars, carrying away two. One,
George Chase, swan back but on reaching his
support, turned black from having swallowed sea
water and died. All through that day and night
the storm continued, moderating towards morning
The sky was overcast the second day, but the wind
went down and the sea became more calm.
The sun rose bright and clear in cloudless sky
the morning of the third day, and his beams beat
most iercely upon their unsheltered heads. Mad
dened with their thirst in their agony some Of
them drank the sea water and died. The survi
yors cut off his legs and ae for the first time since
loau ShI Nnt hol thayo
not drop of fresh water had they drank, for four
days. The clouds gathered overheard on the fifth
day, but the sun burst them off, and shone more
scorchingly than That evening one of their
comrades slipped over the side, saying, 81 am go
ing home-I can stay here no longer want to
see my mother; come with me-we shall not be
long away, and shall soon return" They were
too weak to prevent it, aud he swan away. Far
their dim eyes could range did their dim eyes
wistfully watch him swimming on, the sharks
splashing their white fins by his side till he was
lost in the distance. The sixth day came and went,
and another died. The seventh morning found
them hopeless and despairing Too weak to stand,
spiritless and exhausted, they lay feebly engng
to the spars, and another died. But three were
now left Of the eleven, and still through the long
forenoon did the burning rays Of that terrible
full holly upon them. At the last moment relief
came. The French bark Claire, Robert, master,
discovered the raft-their signal fortunately, still
flying and despatched boat to their assistance
Tenderly were they lifted into it, and from thence
transferred to the ship.
The survivors are William Palmer, George D.
Blake and James Anderson They were picked
up at noon January 9th, having been seven days
and six hours on the raft. The Elvina sank in
about lat. % south, long. 81 east
1t may seem improbable that life should be sus
tanned so long under such privations, but the Con-
sui the "JonrnaP' that there is no cause to
doubt the truthfulness of the narrator.