The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-07-17
"Au Rig MT" says tho Captain. All Wrong
thought the Passengers.
[FRoM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT I

4neoof De GUNOS.-A LOW uAyb BlQC6 the neat be-
came so intense in this great city of brick and
mortar, and ofsin and corruption, that Idetermin-
ed to seek more endurable place Of abode. en-
gagged passage and sailed at five o'clock on the
evening Of the 9Th for the celebrated summer re-
treat OF Newport. We had fine view of the
shipping in the New York harbor; and it is a sight
worth looking at. The change from the heated
brick walls and noisy streets to the fresh sea
breeze was delightful. Our steamer moved
swiftly through the placid sound and all on board
seemed to enjoy the change exceedingly. I in
quired of fellow passenger the character OF our
steamer; he replied, "ANo. 1-cost 5000, ,OOO." I
discovered his estimate Of the quality Of the ship
was governed by the dollars she COST
About eleven o'clock the passengers began to
turn in for the night. I was on deck talking with
an old Charleston friend over the years of trial
through which we had passed in the tempest tost
Confederacy. Suddenly the great wheels OF the
ga No. 1" steamer ceased to turn. 'sWhat's the
matter ?" says one. ga boat ahead; stopped to
let her get out of our way" noticed considera-
BILE confusion among the passengers, and heard
lady say, "Ob, HARRY, the boat is on fire we
are lost we are lost !" Poor HARRY was endea-
voring to assure his frightened wife that there
was no danger, but bis pale face told that he too
was alarmed. stepped quickly to the side Of the
steamer, and, sure enough, she seemed to be on
fire The Captain, however, assured the pas
sengers that hat :..ag IehoEleht iutr6astd. s.Bring
out the hawser, and all hands on deck" cried
out the Captain. "BnL," says JOHN, 'what does
the Captain want the horser brought on deck for 2"
'To enable tho passengers to swim ashore,
guess" coolly replied JOHN. "How far is to
land 2" "seven miles to the Connecticut shore,
fifteen to Long leland" "I'm bound for wooden
nutmegs then, certain" says BILL "Bring the
axe and saw here; hurry up, cut away these
planks. Be in hurry" "What is the matter,
Captain ?" WAS asked again for tho hundredth
time to his great annoyance and the same sstis-
factory (2) answer given, GAIL rightl"
The Captain moved quickly into the pilot house
and brought out bundle of rods. ''My dear,
what is the Captain going to do ?" inquired an
affe tionate wife Of her husband. "Take sound
ing, I Calculated" I did not profess to be much
OF q sailor, but sky. rockets seemed to me queer
| instruments with which to try the depth of the
blue sea. The Captain ordered match to be
| brought him quickly. Away went the streak Of
| lightning, exploding several hundred feet above
the ship. This circumstance added new terror to
the frightened passengers, and began to feel q
little shaky myself. They all knew the rockets
were signals Of distress, and We did not know
how soon we were to be blown up or 60 to the
bottom. One, two, three, four rockets were sent
up, giving us quite Fourth Of July celebration,
but not much enjoyed by the spectators. The
Captain was looking anxiously through his
glasses, and again he says, "AH right; they see
US, and are coming this way"
Several miles distant the light Of steamer
could be seen approaching us, and as she came
nearer and nearer, all hearts grew stronger; and
when voice through speaking trumpet DRIED
out, "Who are you, and what can do for youP'
was heard, the passengers for the first time began
to think perhaps all ecould be right; and when We
were lashed securely to the strange steamer, we
felt like girl with two sweethearts-that we had
two strings TO our bow.
During the night the damages to the machinery
were repaired, and next morning we landed safely
at Newport, feeling thankful that We were neithe,
burned nor drowned. leave here on Saturday
on the fine steamship Napoleon ILL., We sail di
rect for France. When 7 learn to speak and writ,
French, you shall hear from me again.
New York, July IL. g. W. W.