The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1866-02-21

+. Ehe English papers Iurllsn some a0dltlohaI
and thrilling details of the laundering of the
London, by which two hundred and seventy
lives were lost.
HERoISM OF TIE CAPTAIN.
AtoP. NJ, the few men who were destined to
survive to bring the sad story home-sixteen of
the crew and three Of the gers-deter-
mined to trust themselves to the chances of the
sea, lowered away the pinnace, and launched
her clear Of the ship. These men called to tue
Captain to come with them, but this brave and
steadlast English seaman declined, saying, "No,
aciY go dorm ecith the passengers but esish you
God speed, and safe to land." The boat then
pulled away, and five minutes after the London,
with two hundred and seventy souls on board,
went down, aSd all was over.
INCIDENTS OF HERoIsM AND SUFFERING.
Among the passengers were two stout old peo-
pie, who had become iavortes on board and
who had been sent for by their only son. The
poor creatures on learning that they must
drown took small quantity Of brandy and ere~t
beLow to die together IN the cabin.
G. Y. Brooke, the tragedan, exerted himself
necessarily. One Of the passengers who saw
him has said, "He had worked wonderfully, and,
in fact, more bravely than any man on board that
!
Mr.. Brooke said, "If You succeed in saving your
self, give my farewell to the people of Mel
bourne"
One Of the passengers in the boat-Mr. John
Wilson, a native of Montrose-went down into
the cabin and endeavored to persuade friend
Mr.. John Hickman, Solicitor, of southampton
TO attempt to his life by going into the boat
but, after being entreated, he said: "No /
promised my 1cifs and children to stay By them,
and I aciIL do So" The water was then a consid-
erable depth in the lee side Of the saloon, indeed
over the top of the berths; and he asked Mr.
Wilson to help him in removing his four children
to the windward side out Of the water. This was
done, aud then he shook hands with Mr.. Wilson,
with "Goodbye, jack" and parted from his
friends forever. When last seen Mr.. Hickman
was standing in row With his wife and children.
THE CAPTAINS LAST ACT.
The Captain, who was walking calmly up and
down the poop had refused to leave the ship, but
Just before the boat put off he had the consider
alton and the presence of mind TO give those in
the boat their course" He told them that it
lay East Northeast to Brest, which was correct.
Before the boat could be got off it was in great
danger of being sucked down with the ship,
which was rapidly settling beneath the water.
A THOUSAND GUINEAs FOR A LIFE.
At that moment those in the boat were pite-
ously called upon by lady about twenty-three
years of age, who, with face which was, it is
stated, livid with horror, shrieked out an offer of
"a thousand guineas if you'll take me in." But
| in that solemn hour millions OF money would
have been accounted valueless, and to return
must have resulted in destructi on all.
THE LAST GLIMPSE OF THE DOOMED.
Two passengers were seen with life belts, but
probably none were alive when they came to the
surface. The spectacle was only to be seen, for
| in the din of the tempest no cry from the sink
ing multitude could be heard, and soon not a
vestge was visible. As the ship sunk, 1t was
seen that ali on deck were driven forward, not
by water, but by tremendous and overpoWer-
ing rush of air from below, which, as it escaped
through the deck as well az the hatches impelled
ali on deck forward with violence, and their
dreadful struggle must have been soon ended.
1t was remarked that the third officer, who was
named Angel, stood to the last at his post at the
donkey engine, which was employed in working
tho f,A-.s,a and
even as the gesseI disappeared. ..-,
THE PASSENGERS SHOOTING THEMSELVES TO AVOID
DROWNING.
Several revolvc-s were seen in the hands OF
passengers, who did not conceal their intention
of shooting themselves when the last moment
| came, preferring to meet their death, when in
evitable, by bullet rather than by drowning.
The steward, indeed, overheard an offer by the
owner of pistol, to friend, that he would shoot
him if he desired The we'll meant offer at that
time was declined, and whether these intentions
were carried into execution is not known, but no
reports of firearms were heard as the steamer
| foundered. s- ...... .-:. 49, -..