Centre Hall reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1868-1871, 1871-09-22

The chief engineer OF the LAdona, In
telling tho story of her wreck, says, when
the vessel grounded the sea swept over
her fore and aft. and then panic seized
portion of the crew and Ia sought
safety in the rigging. where they remiin-
ed until tremendous sea struck the
vessel and washed the poop-deck away.
The mast and It's living freight was also
swept away, and the men persisted before
our eyes In few minutes they were
all washed out Of sight. except one man,
named Miller, who olung with desperate
tonacity, 30 floating spar There the
poor fellow remained, exposed 20 the
violence of the sea, not more than sixty
feet OF the ship and almost within speak.
ing distance Of his friends, but nothing
could be done for him. For l2 awful
hours he fought for life, but at last
human strength gave way and he dropped
exhausted into the embrace Of the merci-
less sea. We now set etabout making raits
for those Nho could not swim. It was
bard work, as the sea was still making
over the vessel, aud the men were Obliged
10 catch the pieces Of timber as they
iioated about and tie them together TO
make raft Myself and a fireman
named Mooney made up our minds 20
swim ashore. and We struck out for land
The surf was fearfully strong. and from
time 10 time oaughtme up and rolled me
about as il were ball. NY senses bs-
came confused aud did not know ex.
aety how | was. AT last | was on the
strand, swept up by the surf. / had
sense enough 10 stick my hands in the
sand TO prevent myself being drawn back
again by the nndertow. While / was
/ struggling in the surf some one came 10
my assistance and helped me up on the
strand. / sank down completely ex-
hausted, being unable TO stand, and after
little recognized the first officer OF our
ship as the man who had helped me 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 shore-the 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 al once set about constructing a
shelter with the trunks, barrels, planks,
and other debris which had hoated 10 the
shore, aud arranged place 20 sleep. We
had nothing 10 eat and no water 10 drink
/ all day, and there was none within reach;
but we found plenty OF potatoes and tnr-
nips on the surf and with these we
quenched our thirst Next morning
I going TO the beach We found barrel of
flonr which was only slightly damaged
/ This was secured.
/ During the night We had discovered a
lsnise hf.ttaa \ ..~skk III.
started 10 get matches 10 light a FIRE, so
that we might be able 10 cook our food.
After walking along the beach for about
seven miles we reached the light, where
we were kindly provided with dinner and
matches The lighthouse keeper had
given us ample directions, On the morn
/ ing Of the 18th Of August, We set out ON
our painful march and having proceeded
about 20 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 brackish. / then
proposed that we should turn back TO get
- supply Of water. and was followed by
tive OF the number, The Others concluded
20 continue up the beach in hope Of find-
ing water ahead. On Our passage back
we obtained water. and reached the
wreck aboIt / 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
whinh had drifted ashore. The next
morning we made arrangements for
some "beach combers, {" who came down
10 the coast in the hope Of plunder. I
told them they should not plnnder when
we were present, but offered 30 60 away
II they would act as guides and put ms
somewhere SO that We might be able 10
reach ST. Johns river. They then took us
in their boats aud conveyed us 10 Sand
Point, where we landed At ten O'Clock,
p. NJ, Sunday, the 10th.