The New York herald., 1869-01-21
DISASTER AT SEA.

Lon or the Steamer Gulf CITY sH Cape Look
ont - Details or the Wreck - Tweuty-ess
Sailors and One Passenger Gest-Three
Saved-Terrible Suferings Of the Crew and
Survivors-AgOnixiug Scenes at tho Wreck
C0uditiou Of tho Men Saved.
WILMINGTON, N. O., Jan. Is, 1899.
The survivors OF the steamship Guf City, which
was wrecked on the shoals on Cape Lookout on
Monday last, are now in this city, a. the Seaman's
Home, receiving such treatment and attention ~
their injuries require. visit to them elicited the
following particulars OF the terrible disaster which
has brought sorrow and suffering 10 many bereaved
friends and relatives :-On the I'D November lass
the Gulf City cleared from New York for
Galveston, Texas, between which ports she
piled, making prosperous voyage Her cargo dis
charged, she was again loaded, principally with cot
ton and left Galveston her return trip on the 1st
instant being Friday--a day about which sailors
have grave superstitions as an unucky one TO brave
the dangers OF the deep. On the 18th instant she
reached Key West, where supply OF coal was OBJ
taned and once more she put ont to the stormy sea-
For several days nothing occurred to mar the plea
sure Of the voyage the wind being favorable and
the sea not unusually disturbed. On Monday, the
11th instant however. brisk gale set in. which BY
night assumed the terrific proportions OF regular
"nor-wester." The night was intensely dark.
heavy clouds rolled across the face Of the
heavens, and the sea ran mountains high.
BY eight O'Clock the vessel constantly shipping
heavy seas, and Notwithstanding the unwearied ex-
ertions of the crew and officers she became per-
facty uncomfortable, ana the unfortunate mariners
were unable to tell the direction In which she was
drifting At ten O'Clock, however their worst fears
were realized by shock which plainly told them the
ship was the shoals, and which Jared every tim
ber Of the vessel In few hours she was dashed 10
Al.nI lAf0 N
from the unfortunate crew, who yainiy endeavored
to cling to the broken cmher5 OF the
arav the sne sceSs @ saa to
been fearful beyond descriptionthe shreking Of the
wind, the roaring OF the waves, the crashing Of
a. with the tenacIty Of the drowning death-griP
they held to the shattered pieces Of the groanin4
them by being dashed Upon the wreck Or struck by
floating piece OF timber few were spared tho
instant death which was inevitable and the doomed
Him who rules the sea. About two O'Clock the ves-
sci was complete wreck; and the three surviyors-
dis ' ana a 4ntnony 7 THOMAS, Of New York- co@pa-
ny with ve Others were cllngng to portion Of tho
dSn I'm sa s eS n tsv
were tossed by the waves for forty eight hours, DRIFT
Ing out to sea- Gradually they became exhausted
with terrible suffering, benumbed by cold and faint
with hunger and after another their five COM
panions dropped into the mercilsss sea- which soon
would claim them among Its victims. But happily
this awful fate was averted by the timely arrival Of
the steamship w. p. Clyde, which vessel picked up
the three half-starved men and saved them as they
were on the very verge Of watery grave. When
carried on board the Clyde the unfortunate men
were unable to speak and were rapidly declining
thing possible was done by the officers tending TO
their preservation and comfort, and they are now
happily on the way to recovery. The mate Ql the
clyde reports that the men were picked up ABOUT
twelve miles northwest Of Cape Lookout ana that
except the raft upon which they werc found there
was no other trace OF the wrecked vessel.
The Gulf City was owned by a New YORK firm, the
principal owner being Mr. James Mallory, and was
commanded by Captain James Stewart, OF COnnectl-
CUT where his family resides. The crew numbered
twentyfour, all Of whom were lost except the three
saved by the steamship ". p. Clyde. One passenger
fortunate sailors who were lost. Contributions for
the relief OF the three men are now being made by
have families dependent upon them for support,
with whom tho utmost sympathy Is eyinced.