Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1870-05-05
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THE TERRORS OF THE SEA.
The snip Thomas Freeman Struck by
lightning and burned at sea-FOr-
tunate Rescue of the Officers and

lightning and burned at Sea-FOr-
tunate Rescue of the Ohcers and
Crew.
The Thomas Freeman. laden with 5000
bales OF cotton, left New Orleans, bound to
Cronstadt, Russia, on the 9Th of April.
Capt Charles Owen, Of Bath, Me-, was in
command, having his wife and daughter
on board; his son, Charles W. Owen, first
officer; James Amen, second officer, to.
Pether with seventeen seamen, making In
all twenty-three persons. The voyage
promised to be q delightful one. On the
9th inst. anchor was cast at the Southwest
Pass, and waiting for favorable weather re.
NAMED there until the 9th inst, when,
with Joyous songs, anchor was weighed and
all sail bent towards the port of their des-
tination, Light winds and variable, but
pleasant weather ensued, until the 18th
inst all on board meanwhile working con
tentedly and anticipating happy termina-
ton of the cruise.
Monday, the 18th inst, when in latitude
81 north, longitude 70 west, the wind came
o9t streng from the south-southeast, and
the weather was very squally. At 3 o'clock
p, m. all hands were called to furl top
gallant sails and double reef the topsails,
which was done speedily. Fifteen minutes
afterwards it became terribly dark and
threatening in the west; most of the lower
sails were then furled. Half an hour later
the wind changed suddenly to the west
northwest, and it blew perfect hurricane,
yet under close sail the vessel was kept be-
fore it, and plunged madly through the
heavy seas, the high-rolling waves making
clear breaches over her decks and sweep
ing every portable thing away.
Steering by the wind, as the compass
gave no directions whatever, but constant
ly whirling around, and the officers expect
ing every minute to be engulfed, another
terror came upon them. Thunderbolts
tore the blackened sky and sheet light
ming ever and anon made the rigging
ablaze. 1t was early in the afternoon, but
the darkness was equal to night. Flash
after flash came and disappeared, until,
when hoping that their craft might be
spared this last infiction, a brighter flash
than all rent wide the heavens, and in an
III slant all on board were knocked senseless.
1t was a critical moment Rising from a
stunned condition, the officers, yet half
crazed looked about, and found to their
10y that the masts were all standing and
the ship, by appearance, was safe. Oh
what poor consolation SO soon as the
crew could command strength enough the
pump scuttles were taken off and then
came the terrible conviction-as the hold
was iul of smoke that the ship was on
fire. From fore and aft came the smoke,
and blanchea cheeks knew that the danger
of the heavy seas, which washed the decks
from stem to stern, was naught to the foe
beneath them-fre. 1t was now life or
death-an earnest struggle to conquer in
the face of overwhelming disadvantages.
Captain Owen left his wife and daughter
in the cabin when his services were first
required upon deck, and until the ship was
found to be on fire had no fears that his
vessel would be wrecked, because he knew
the stanch craft. Yet when the smoke
came oozing thinly and quietly from be-
meath the seams and his worst fears were
fully realized, he ordered the ship to head
north-northwest, to reach if possible fur
Their to the northward. At 6 p. m. 1t was
moderate and clear, and in the lull an ex-
animation was made; but then no perfora-
ton of the ship by the lightning could be
found, although subsequently it was dis
covered that the "thunderbolt" had gone
through the port side and made hole fully
two feet square. The pumps were sounded,
but no water was found at this time. All
matches and openings were battened down
to keep out the air and all sail made to
reach the land.
At ten D. m. the wind again shrieked
from the north northwest and the hope of
the few sails impelling the burning ship
toward land was gone. They must be furl-
ed, and were. In little while thereafter
the upper deck began to heat and the lead
in the scuppers to melt. Two hours more
and the demoniac flames Kissed and sent
their forke1 tongues from every part OF the
vessel. Miss Owen, young lady OF nine
teen, stood the ordeal nobly, while the
crew listened respectfully to the orders
from their superiors. Smoke all around
binding, suffocating, with tempest
raging and the seas row and then breaking
over an ill-fated vessel One o'clock a. M
finding that no means could be used to
save the ship, all hands were then
called to get ready the small boats
This was speedily done, and all provisioned.
Courageously all preparations were made
to leave the ship, and at 2 o'clock a. M, with
the frightful expectation of the fire burning
through the deck, or being swamped by the
turbulent sea, few articles of dress and
provisions were secured, and q little hard
tack for the men. Daylight was earnestly
looked for, and it came at last with increas-
ed seas. At eight a. m, 10Th inst the wind
abated, and as the deck still held firmly
against the fire the boats yet remained
alongside, hoping against hope for some
favorable change.
As with heavy hearts the word was about
to be given to ''shove of" into the bitter
sea and trust to merciful God for protec-
ton and safety, Capt. Owen discovered
sail to the southwest of his craft steering
northward, and Immediately jumped on
deck at the peril OF his life and set his en-.
signs union down at the peak and also at
the main masthead. At halt-past ten a. IN.
deliverance was at hand, as the vessel in
sight. seeing the signals of distress, bore
down to the burning craft and saved them
The vessel proved to be the brig Omega
from Cienfuegos, Captain Kerr, and on the
- r Al, = 0OpJ arrival in N Y her 1pstl-