The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-09-25
The Ladona DIsaster.

Ai NlAANA NlAkAAANtA VI wv AAAANlltAn IA
telling the story of her wreck, says, when
the vessel grounded the sea swept over
her fore and aft, and then n panic seized
portion OF the crew and II sought
safety in the rigging, where they roml in-
ed uutil tremendous sea struck the
vessel and washed the poop-deck away.
The mast and its living freight was also
swept away, and the men persisted before
our eyes. In n few minutes they were
all washed out of sight, except one man,
named Miller, who chung with desperate
tcnacity to n floating spar. There the
poor fellow remained exposed to the
violence of the sea, not moro than sixty
feet of the ship and almost within speak.
ing distance of his friends. but nothing
could be done for him. For IL awful
hours he fought for life, but at last
human strength gave way aud he dropped
exhausted into the embrace ofthc merci.
less sea. We now setabout making RATS
for those who could not swim. It was
bard work, MS the sea was still making
over the vessel, and the men were obliged
to catch the pieces Of timber rs they
iloated about and tie them together to
make uft. Myself and fireman
named Mooney made up our minds TO
swim ashore, and We struck ont for lnnd,
The surf was fearfully strong, and from
time to time caughtmo up and rolled me
about ms il were ball. Ny senses be.
came confused and / did not know ex.
actly how | was. At last l was on the
strand, swept up by the surf. l had
sense enough to stick my hands in the
sand to prevent myself being drawn back
again by the undGrtow. While l was
struggling in the surf some one came to
my assistance and helped me up on the
strand. I sank down completely ex
hausted, being unable to stand, andaftcr
n little recognized the first officer of our
ship as the man who had helped mo out
OF the surf. | then learned that out Of
the number OF men who went overheard
with the mast two had succeeded in
reaching the shorc-thc captains young
son and the first cook. During the day
ten more reached the shore, and three
remained on the wreck until next day.
We at once set about constructing Il
shelter with the trunks, barrels, plauks,
and other debris which had iloated TO the
shore, and arranged plAce to sleep. We
had nothing to eat and no water to drink
MI day, and there was none within reach;
but we found plenty Of potatoes and tur-
nips on the surf and with these we
qucnched our thirst. Next morning
going TO the beach we found barrel OF
flour which was only slightly damaged.
This was secured.
During the night we had discovered n
lighthouse, and I, with three Others,
started to get matches to light fire, so
that We might he able to cook our food,
After walking along the beach for about
seven miles we reached the light, where
We were kindly provided with dinncrand
matches. The lighthouse keeper had
given us ample directions. On the morn
ing OF the 18th Of August, we set ont on
our painful march and having proceeded
about 90 miles up the beach could find
no good water.
The violence Of the storm had driven
the waves over the beach into the lagoons,
and made the water brnclish. / then
proposed that we should turn back to get
a supply of water, and was followed by
FIVE OF the number, The Others concluded
to continue up the beach in hope ofiind.
ing water ahead. On our passage back
we obtained water, and reached the
wreck about l o'clock at night. When
We arrived We found our tents occupied
by the crews Of some vessels wrecked
below the Lighthouse. They had come
on, travelling north, but had given ont
and turned back to our tent, where they
refreshed themselves with the provisions
which had driftcd ashore. The next
morning We made arrangements for
some "beach combcrs, who came down
to the coast in the hope of plumber !
told them they should not plumber when
We were present, hut offered to go away
il they would net rs guides and put us
somewhere so that We might be able to
reach st. Johns river. They then took us
in their boats and conveyed us to Sand
Point, where We landed at ten o'clock,
P. NJ. Sunday, the Goth.