The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1866-02-03
Foundering at Sea of the steamship
London

London.
The telegraph on Thursday brought us the
fact of the loss of this ship and upwards of
200 passengers. We give from an English
paper some interesting particulars of this sad
disaster
1t was 10 o'clock on the morning of that
fatal Thursday that Captain Martin had the
terrible task Of making known to the 200
passengers that the ship was sinking, and
that they must prepare for the worst. She
was then as low in the water as the main
chains. The whole of the passengers and
crew gathered, as with one consent. in the
chief saloon, and, having been calmly told by
Captain Martin that there was no hope left,
remarkable and unanimous spirit of resigna-
ton came over them at once. There was no
screaming or shrieking by women or men, no
rushing on deck, or frantic cries. All calmly
resorted to the saloon where the Rev. Mr..
Draper, one OF the passengers, prayed aloud,
aud exhorted the unhappy creatures by whom
he was surrounded,
Dismay was present to every heart, but
disorder to none. Mothers were weeping
sadly over the little ones about with them to
be engulfed, and the children, ignorant of
their coming death, were pitifully iuquiring
the cause of so much Woe. Friends were ia
king leave of friends. as if preparing for
long journey others were crouched down,
with Bible in their hands, endeavoring to
snatch consolation from passages long known
or long neglected. Incredible, we are told,
was the composure which, under such cir
cumstances, reigned around. Capt. Martin
stationed himself in the poop, going OCCASION
ally forward or into the saloon but to none
could he offer word Of comfort by telling
them that their safety was even probable He
Joined now and then for. few moments in
the public devotions, but his place to the last
was on the deck.
Abont o'clock in the afternoon the water
gaining fast on the ship and no signs of the
storm subsiding being apparent, small band
of men determined to trust themselves to the
mercy of the waves in a boat rather than go
down without a struggle. Leaving the sa-
loon, therefore, they got out and lowered away
the port cutter, into which sixteen Of the crew
and three of the passengers succeeded in get
ting and i'll launching her clear of the ship.
These nineteen men shouted for the captain to
come with them, but with the heroic courage
which was his chief characteristic, be declined
to go with them, saying: NO. l will go
down with the passengers; but wish you
God speed and safe to land" The boat then
pulled away, tossing about helplessly on the
crests of the gigantic waves. Scarcely had
they gone eighty yards, or been five minutes
off the deck, when the fine ship went down
stern foremost with her crowd of human be-
ings, from whom one confused cry of helpless
terror arose. and all was silent forever
After the pnnace had got away from the
London, and in the brief interval before she
foundered, rush was seen to be made to the
two remaining boats but the efforts to launch
them were Intellectual and the suddenness of
the laundering at last-the London being an
iron ship-prevented what might have been
successful second attempt to save few more
lives.
Some hairbreadth escapes in connection with
the disaster are already known. A lady who
was DESTROYS of proceeding from Plymouth
with her family to Melbourne by the London
had made repeated pressing applications to
the owners agents at Plymouth, and the cap
tain had been consulted, but, fortunately for
the applicant, had declared that his cabins
were SO full that he could not possibly accom-
modate her, result that, at that time, caused
her much disappointment. A second class
male passenger was so alarmed at the rough
weather which the London encountered on her
way down to Plymouth, that Immediately on
her arrival at that port he came ashore, re-
signed his passage, and went back to his home,
thus unwittingly saving his life.
A young man, as the result of some, family
quarrel left his home and took passage by
the London. He was advertised for in The
Times, and importuned to return, his friends
being unaware of his whereabouts. Messen-
gers were sent down to Plymouth, and an in
fuential shipbroker in the town employed to
intercept him should he attempt to sail thence.
Fortunately he was detected among the pas
sengers of the London, and his family com
municated with by the broker, the result of
which was that brother of the young man
came down to Plymouth and persuaded the
would-be emigrant to forego hs'voyage.