The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1866-10-29
the Arago, on Saturday, thus graphic
ally describes a furious storm with
which the steamer had to battle

wings. and cent us wEirling. The con-
slant wind had raised the sea into
full motion before the gale came on,
which dashed it into rage, II we had
commended face to face with il we
would have caught some severe blows,
| but our captain put the vessel into the
trough of Ill sea, and though she
rocked fearfully, she rode safely and
moved apace, on her course, .taf.
As we labored IN this Valley of
Waters the whole ocean, to the hori-
zon lifted itself up, and above its level
rose the ascending wave, to fall again,
and rise again upon the other side.
We hung and swayed like a pendu
lum. There was Niagara on. each
side Of us, and another pouring its
green waters and scattering its spray
at our stern. There was fascination
In the scene, which the slight ingredi-
ent of danger perhaps added to-. For
tunateiy it lasted only about twelve
hours, though when the wind abated
the sea still rolled, and the ship la
bored in her course. All next day the
vessel tossed and pitched, and the
bright sun, which had lightened the
scene, Disappeared The rain drove
us into our cabins, and the day was
one of discomfort, till the night
rocked us into our uneasy cradle to
unpleasant dreams. We were walked
in the morning by the cry of 81 man
overheard. ~ "A young sailor had been
washed from the fore yard, where he
had been at work. A heavy wave
dashed him and his companion from
their feet. ti.' tHl't'- ~ hl'A
The elder had saved himself, fall
ing across a spar; while this poor fell
low fell overheard, the lufch of the
vessel pitching him far off, so that he
was swept away to windward of the
wheel, fast upon his fatal course. At
the cry the engine was stopped, the
officer at the stern threw overheard
two life preservers, either of which,
had he caught them, would have en-
sured his safety, The small boat was
lowered in two minutes, and though
it was a hazardous attempt, in that
tumultu0us sea, a crew was there, and
the second officer, bare headed, took
command, Captain Gadsden, up in
the shrouds, watched the, retreating
form, and gave orders and signals for
the rescue. 1t was In vain Work
ing In the rain and wind, the sailor
had put ON his sou 'wester,. aud his
heavy boots, and these bore him
down. | saw the sailors return from
their trultless search. They silently
drew up the boat, restored each thing,
10 It's place, and went to their allotted
tasks, Few words were said, and no
loud lamentations, orepinings heard.
They felt it, for the incident was
brought close home to them but
each man had his day 8 work to do,
aud his indispensable duty to fulfill
and he set about it, mutely but dill
gently. dfaf Eli no. s.aafSf qsfas fIi|
| had noticed the young fellow ON
the Sunday previous, as i went for
ward to the bow to measure the waves
and the rise and fall of the vessel.
He lay coiled up in the corner, Of the
bow, absorbed in reading book.
His young, climate face, and almost
beardless chin, bis bright sypathetic
look, and his Absorption in the volume
before him, attracted my attention by
the contrast 1t offered to the rough
and sensual sailor of twenty years
ago, lie had young wife and child
in New York. and in the morning
watch before the accident. had ban.
terlngly told his companions how they
should behave to wife, should they
ever have the luck to get one What
agony of hdespaif, what hope that |
asplred to safety only to be Knocked |
IN death, passed through that mind,
who can ever imagine? We subscribed
the widow some 1,500 francs In gold |
among the, passengers. which the sail |
ors raised to 8, 900, 1t was little less
than nothing, when we thought of the |
poor mother coming to the ships side, |
when we reached port, to show the |
child ITS father and looking for him
In vain. 60. - - =.
r., The day passed silently aud sadly. |
4 ne southeast wind gave us rain; and |
once or twice a little furry of. snow !
a phenomenon which had preceded |
the gale of Tuesday, We had two or |
three sea captains on board, who, as
Wen as our commanders, saw mischief |
IN the aspect of the heavens. The |
barometer fell suddenly an inch or |
more. Ii there is not a storm, and |
q rousing one, said one of them.
there IS no use for barometer, and
you had better throw it overheard. =,
But the barometer was right in its
warnings; the wind, which, by this
time, had nearly boxed the whole
compass, veered to the southwest, and
came upon us with the suddenness of
aa SIMEON. The little sail we were un-
upon US, as the sailors saw. "bntt end
foremost and for four honrs the
.Arago went through tempest sncb as
1t never before encountered The
r If as she was put in the trough of
the sea, was bad enough: bnt once in
a while, she encountered q sea that
shook the vessel, and made every tim
Der IN her strong frame trembie and
culver. TWAS dark. 49, vac ""0