The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1866-02-14
Terrible ShipWrecks and Loss of
Life Thrilling Scenes on Sink
ing Steamer.

The ships supposed to have been lost
during the late gales on the British coast
number between three and four hundred.
One of the Liverpool papers says that a
letter from Torboy states that thirty-one
fine vessels and eleven fishing sloops were
dashed to pieces on the shore. 1t is
feared that one hundred and fifty men
must have persisted. The Liverpool
Journals give further particulars Of the
wreck of the Australian steamship Lon
don, built of iron, in the Bay of Biscay,
and the loss of 27o lives. The vessel,
which was bound from London to Mel
bourne, had been for some time in flu
rious gale, and had suffered sever dam
age, but the fatal incident was when the
engiDe-room hatch was carried away and
the water rushed into the engine room,
put out the fires and stopped the en-
gines. The scene that ensued when Cap
tain Martin, of the London, informed the
passengers that the steamer was sinking
and that tLey must prepare for the worst,
is thus described:
"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, a remarkable spirit of resignation
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 Rev.
Mr.. Draper, one Of the passengers prayed
aloud and exhorted the unhappy crea.
lures by whom he was surrounded. Dis.
may was present to every heart, but dis.
order to none. Mothers were weeping
sadly over the little ones about, will
them to be engulphed, and the children
ignorant of their coming death, were pit
fully inquiring the cause ofso much woe
Friends we're taking leave of friends, a:
if preparing for a long journey; other;
were crouched down with Bibles in theil
hands, endeavoriug to snatch consolation
from passages long known or long neg.
lected. Incredible, We are told. was the
composure, which, under such .ircum
stances, reigued around. Captain Mar
tin stationed himself in the poop, going
occasionally forward or into the saloon
but to none could he offer a word of com
fort by telling them that their safety wa
even probable. He joined now and thel
for a few moments in the public devotion
bit his place to the last was on the deck
"About two o'clock in the afternoon
the water gaining fast on the ship and n
signs of the storm subsiding being appa
rent, a small band of men determined t
trust themselves to the mercy of the wave
in the boat rather than go down withou
a struggle. Leaving the saloon, there
fore, they got out and lowered away tn
port cutter, into which sixteen Of tn
crew and three of the passengers succeed
ed In getting and in launching her clea
of the ship. These nineteen men. shout
ed for the captain to come with them, bu
with that heroic courage which was hi
chief characteristic, he declined to e
! with them saying: MOL will go dow
with the passengers; but 1 wish you Go
speed and safe to land, The boat the
] pulled away, tossing about helplsssly o
the crest of the gigantic waves. Scarce
; ly had they gone eighty yards, or bee
/, five minutes off the deck, when the fin
steamer went down stern foremost wit
, her crew of human beings. from whol
: one confused cry of helpless terror arose
and all was silent forever"
; One account reports among the los
6 Bishop Wooley and G. v. Brooke, til
, ~traoedian.