Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-02-13
LOSS OF 2sO LrvEs-rERRlBLE. SCENES


The Steamship London, from London ~
Melbourne, has toundered. at sea, with HboUT
go souls on board. The survivors-l6 Of
the crew, aud 3 passeugers-wcre landed at
Falmouth on January l6. The Western
Mail gives the following account of the clos
ing scene of this terrible disaster:
g 1t was ut 10 O'Clock on the morning Of
that fatal Thursday, that Captain Martin had
the terrible task OF making known to the POO
passengers that the ship-wa sinking. and
that they must prepare for the worst. Sho
was then rs low in the water as the main
chains. The whole Of the passengers aa,f
crew gathered, nS with one consent, in tho
chief saloon, aud having been calmly told by
Captain Martin that there was no hope left,
remarkable and unanimous spirit of resigL
nation came over them at once There was
no screaming or shrieking by women or men,
no rushing ON deck or frantic cries All.
calmly resOrtcd to the saloon, where Rev. Mr..
Draper, one OF the passengers, prayed aloud
and exhorted the unhappy creatures by whom
he was surrounded. Dismay was present 10.
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 pitifuilY
euquIring the cause of 50 much woe. Friends
were taking leave Of friends, rs if preparing
Tor long journey; others we've crouched
down, with Bib cs in their hands, endeuyor>
sing to suatc h consolation from passages long:
known or long neglected. Incredible we are.
told, Was the cOmpoSure which, under such,
circumstances, reigned around. Captain Mar
tin stationed himself in the poop, going &C.
caslOnally forward or into the saloon but to,
none could he offer word of comfort by
telling them that their safety was even prob
able lie Joined NOW and then Tor n few mo-
ments III the public devotions. but his place
tothe last on the deck. About O'Clock
III the afternoon, the water gaining fast on
the ship, and IL" signs Tor the storm suEsit~
ing being apparent, small band OF men de-
termined to trust themselves to the mercy OF
the waves i'll boat, rather than go down
without struggle Leaving the saloon,
therefore, they got out ard lowered ava, tho
port cutter, into WHICH sixteen of the crew
and . OF the passengers Succeeded in getting
IN and launching her clear of the ship
These nineteen men shouted for the captain
to come with them, but with that heroic courc
aye which ~ns his chief Characteristic heds-
clincd 20 20 with them. saying: " No, will
90 down with the passengers but wish your
God speed aud safe to land" The boat then
pulled away, tossing about he!plcssly on tho
cie'ts OF the gigantic waves. Scarcely hEb
they gone eighty yaT,ls. or been five minutes
N'A N''S NSSh' NhSb IHe klnS steamer went dOWn
stem foremost, with her crew of human bo-.
inSs, from whom one cOnfused cry Of helpless
terror arose, and all was silent forever
After the pannace had got away from tho
London, and in the brief internal before she
touudcred, rush was seen to be made forths
two remaining boats, but the efforts to launch
them were inefect ual, and the suddenness Of
the foundering at las;-the London being an
iron ship-pTerented what might have been .
successful second attempt to save few moro
lives"