Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1865-11-16
RUTLAND HERALD.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER IA, 1865.
Letter from Col. Nichols.

We have been permitted 10 pupiish liio
following private letter, containing
most deeply interesting and thrilling ac-
count OF the voyage and wreck Of the
Inflated steamer Republic. II our read
ers can 20 through this narrative with
out moistened eyes, they viii do better
than we cam ..E.-.
ATLANTA, Ga, Nov. 2, 1865.
DRAs THYRzA; l give you below a
short synopsis OF the fortunes which
have happened TO me by sea and land
since we left home.
Wednesday, Oct. 1--we went down to
take the steamer, in company with our
friends, Mr.. Royce, Mr.. Robbins and Mr..
Wardwell shook hands and parted
with them at the gangway. Found the
arrangements on the ship good had
state room No. Is, and having slowed
away our baggage and made ourselves
as comfortable as we could, we awaited
with patience the sailing of the ship.
At $50 p. N. she cast off from her moor
ings, and our voyage was begun.
Thursday, oct l0.-The ship came out
as far as Staten Island, and the weather
being heavy outside of the harbor we
laid to till this morning, and started at
9o'clocIz. The weather was not very
bad, but was far from being fine. Pass
Ell the Hook early, and, during the day,
several ships inward bound. Got some
what acquainted with some of the pas
sengers, and among others with Captain
Geo. w. McNiar, late of the ship In
spector, and his brother.
F5ioH Oct. 2O,-During the night the
weather grew heavy, and in the morning
was blowing . gale, which continued
all day, and caused considerable anxiety
to the passengers, and think some to
the captain of the ship. But she rode
out the gale all day long, and at mid
night the storm abated
SATURDAY, Oct. 2l.-The storm has aba
ted, and the sea gradually subsidies. In
the afternoon the sea became compare
lively smooth, and we were making
good Roadway Became quite well &C
ouainted with several Of the passengers
this evening, and really the voyage be-
gan to assume pleasant and agreeable
aspect.
SasaaJ, OIt. 22.-The weather is beau
tiful, and the ship bounds on her way
like a thing Of life. The passengers are
all in hrst.rate spirits and dressed in
their best attire. The porpoises are
playing and sporting around the ship in
the very exuberance of animal life.
NosGay, Oot 23-The weather was fine
in the morning, but at A. NJ. it began
to blow strong, and kept increasing all
day. At dinner at 2 p. NJ. the dishes
slipped off from the table so that pies,
meats vegetables, condiments, etc, be-
came mixed in strange confusion over
the floor. The ship began to labor heav-
lily, and during the night shipped heavy
seas, 50 that we were wet in our berths
and did not sleep wink. .t
Taesaey, Oct. 24-This morning we had
no breakfast, as the ship was rolling SO
heavily that it was impossible either to
cook anything or set a table. 1t was as
much as man could do to walk from
one side Of the ship 70 the other, by
hanging on to anything he could get
hold OF. Vsill the gale kept increasing,
and the ship sprung q leak at A. NJ,
but the passengers did not know 1t
The fires in the boilers of the ship were
put out by the water in the hold before
noon. ..sa
The FIRST time we knew that we were
in trouble was about | o'clock P. M.
whea we were told that if the gale die
not abate, we must begin to throw th
cargo overheard at2 This news caused
considerable CONSERVATION, and at hal
past one we were set to throwing Tn
cargo overheard. The scene at this tim
and forward beggars all description
One gang were set to bailing the shi
and another to breaking up the cargo
We put out everything that conld be &C
hold of--silks, block tin, liquors, or
goods, vegetables, tobacco, oil, varnisl
white lead, and in fact everything
which the cargo was composed. Me
worked as only men can work when the
lives are stake.
When the cargo was put out, "
found that the water had gained on u
and all hands were set to work balm
the ship. thought could not stand,
was so tired from lifting out cargo, bl
went into the hold of the ship ar
took my station to pass water in Il
buckets, and there 1 stood for twel
and one-half mortal hours, passing
she rate Of from % to so pals of wat
per minute all that time.
supposed l had seen something Ill
confusion in battle, but the scene at tn
time was sublime. The ship had 3
tons Of coal, and as she lurched fro
side to side, the roar of the coal and "
ter sounded like Niagara, and the wat
On the outside dashing against the sh
was another distinct sound and horl