New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-06-08
THE STORM AT GALVESTON
SHIPWRECK AND RESCUE |
LOSS OF THE VIRGINIA DARE
THE ALABAMA A TOTAL LOSS
The Galveston Ne,cs of Tuesday saws.

We never had more pleasing duty tt
perform than to acquaint our readers tha
the fourteen hapless, but after all fortunate
men, are saved. To the honor of Galveston
| be it said. that her citizens were not goine
to stand idly by and see fourteen human
beings perish without making most siren
| nous efforts to save them. This morning
captain Fowler, the respected agent of the
| Morgan line, announced that he would send
out the Whitney and approach the wreck
as closely as possible. Captains Joe Sable
and Dave Guthrie, of the pilot boat Eclipse
| who are always foremost in good work
| also volunteered to go with the boat CAP.
tain Morgan, of the bark Bridgeport, then
offered his fine lifebeat. A crew was speedily
volunteered, viz: Captain Irvine, of the
Buekthorne; James McCaffrey, James John
son, Syl. Harrington, Charles Clark and
William Martin. The names of the gallant
fellows ought to be written in gold
After all was in readiness the expedition
started on its perilOus undertaking, the
steamer taking the pilot boat in tow. On
reaching the wreck the men on board were
seen huddled together dashed to the main
rigging, with the sea breaking over them
pitiable sight indeed. After getting to the
windward the tow line was cast off and a
boat lowered and manned by the gallant
men we before named. Now came the
time for the exhibition of seamanship. and
never was call better answered, or a finer
display of nautical skill exhibited. The life
boat was handsomely brought round, and a
line made fast, by means of which seven of
the poor, stricb en-, ten imbed Sailors re ached
the boat, and were speedily transferred on
board the pilot boat. Another trip was
made successfully, and all the remainder,
seven in number, brought off in safety.
The Whitney, which had been lowering
round all the time. then steamed into the
harbor, speedily followed by the Eclipse.
and all were brought safely to port
The scene at the wharf beggars descrip-
tion. 1t was crowded with spectators. and
when it was known that all were safe. the
excitement knew no bounds Cheer after
cheer rang through the crowd, first for the
crew who manned the lifeboat-and well
they deserved it-then for the crew of the
pilotboat--for Captain Fowler and Captain
Lewis, and then for everybody else. Such
hand-shaking and congratulation was
scarcely ever seen. The fountains of bu-
manlty and good feeling We're opened in
every mans heart. and when the rescued
men made their appearance, worn and
weary, but glad and thankful, then cheer
after cheer went up.
The Ners adds in another column:
In order to get complete and authentic
details of the disaster that has so greatly
excited the sympathies of all our citizens.
one OF our reporters visited Captain For
syth, of the ill-fated bark Virginia. at his
clearinghouse. The captain yery readily
gave us the desired information. as follows:
On Saturday night, as it was blowing a
strong gale, he let go an additional anchor
giving ninety fathOms of cable on the star
board and seventy-ive on the port About
F. NJ. on Sunday the vessel dragged her
anchors a very little. and struck but very
nightly. About halfpast two she struck
again very heavily. Captain FORSYTH then
went into the hold, and found the water
over the kelson. He did what was possible
IN such a tremendous sea TO ease the ship.
but she struck again and again with such
tremendous force that nothing could with
stand it. At z. NJ. he again went into the
hold, and found the water over the iron in
the lower hold. He then cut away the fore
and main topmasts, but at p. NJ. a fearful
sea was shipped that swept the decks, car
rylng all before it-houses and everything
else '--
This was followed by others. and potbino
was lett but, II possible, to save their lives.
as the vessel was breaking up beneath
them. The waves were running noun.
tain high, and the wind blew a hurri-
cane. In this awful position. with a waste
OF angry billows raging around them, they
took to the last chance for safety. in homes
that at daylight they might be seen and |
rescued, and, lashed to the rigging thew |
passed that awful night, waiting for heIp.
How that help came and carried them into |
safety we have already described Captain |
torsythe, who seems thorough seaman, |
quiet and resOlute, though unassuming, |
says that In all his experience he had never |
known so heavy gale and such a terrible |
sea. We feel certain, from his account, |
hat he did all that was possible to save his |
ship, but the fates were against him. We |
wish him better luck if he should again
visit our port.
The bark Virginia Dare is an American
7essel. S02 tons register, fifty-six days from
Jardift, loaded with railroad iron She ar
lived on the eighteenth ultimo. and was
Consigned to c. W. Hurley & Co.
The Cicilian says a brother of Senator
tuby was on board the Virginia Dare in the
apacity of inspector of customs.
The GciEan further says
The sidewheel iron steamship Alabama.
'enson master, from Rockport for Brashear.
nth cargo of beeves, sheep and hides.
vent ashore on the beach, about nineteen
niles from the city, at eight o'clock vester-
ay morning. The beeves were forced into
he water and came ashore, as did many of
he sheep. The vessel is owned bv Mr..
'harles Morgan, and will prove total
)sS.