The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-07-31
WHILST DROWNING.
AN EPISODE IN A sEAsrAN's LII

~~~0eNNt VIC 1NOhpdiCtt, hdS 1OSh bau-
tered about by one of those tremen-
dous cyclones that are SO frequent in
the Indian Ocean at the change of
the Monsoon. However, by know
ledge of the law of storms, we were
enabled eventually to sail out of it,
and get once more into fine weather.
Itwas just, at this time that the
man at the masthead reported q
wreck in sight. Having made sail,
and altered the course so as to bear
down upon her, it was not long be-
fore we we're near enough to lower q
boat for the purpose of boarding
her. For this operation I was Sc
lected, and difficult matter it was.
The dismasted wreck, which ap-
peared to have been bark, was roll
ing frightfully, by reason of her
having no sails to steady her. Con-
sequently, it was not without very
great difficulty and much risk of be-
ing swamped, that we were enabled
to get on board her at all. Once
there, it was hard matter to keep
ones footing. It was dismal sight.
Her decks had been swept by the
sea. her boats were gone, and she
had O desperate hole in her side,
made by the falling masts. Here
and there, still hanging to the tan
gled wreck of rigging which yet en-
numbered the tempest-tossed hull,
fnttered long strips of strong can
vas. These strips or shreds, many
of them lashed by the fury of the
winds into hard, incomprehensibl
knots, were all that now remained of
those good stout sails of hers that
stood through many an Atlantic
gale. ''
Towing in the sea from her star
board quarter was that which told
sadder tale. It was the bow of
boat, the rest stove in and battered
to pieces. Possibly she had been
crushed by some towering sea before,
with her living freight, she could get
clear of the ships side. At all events,
her destruction must have terribly
lessenea the few chances of escape
left to the crew, for merchantmen are
never adequately supplied with boats.
The whole of the vessels bulwarks
had been swept away, and every sea
now washed in at one side, across
the deck in torrents, and out at the
: otLer, with each alternate roll.
She was leaking very much, and,
the leak being just at the water-line,
as she sank deeper in the water she
filled more and more rapidly. It
was evident that she was setting down
fast, and it was quite uncertain at
what moment she might sink. Being
unwilling to risk the lives of my
men, 1 sent them back into their
boat, with orders to keep as near the
vessel as possible, while I continued
the senrch Ior any OF the crew or
passengers who might have been left
on board.
On entering the saloon, I was
nearly overpowered by the fumes
arising from large headless cask of
rum that stood in the doorway.
From this, it was clear that the COW.
ardly crew, in their fierce despair,
had broken through all restraint,
and, like so many other undisciplned
men in similar situations, had sought
courage in drinking savgely.
Dub tulS Wu0 hOU bAC MOlSU letLuIS
in the case. At the end of the sa-
loon observed an old man sitting
apparently fast asleep, his face
buried in his arms as they rested on
the table. I hastened to awake him,
and shook him by the shoulder But
he gave no signs of life. I then
lifted up his head, cold to my touch,
and turned his face to the light.
Heavens, what sight! His blood.
shot eyes met mine with o dull,
CLASSY store; his face, pale and wan,
was fearfnlly emaciated, and from
his mouth protruded black,
shrivlled-up tongue. He was dead
stone dead.
His must have been fearful death
caused by starvation and thirst. Star
walton? Was not the floor strewr
with biscuits and tins of preserved
meats thrown here and there, in thu
haste and confusion of stocking tb,
boats prior to the hurried abandon
ment of the vessel? On O swingin,
tray, not two yards from his head
there yet remained untouched clea
glass jug of bright cool water, and