The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1871-02-09
ANOTHER OCEAN HORROR.
Particulars of the Burning of the Ship
Britannia off Georges Banks.
from the Boston Triveler Ian % !

From the Boston Triveler, JAN 2o1
A few days since the Traveller published
an account of the burning of the ship
Britannia off Georges Banks, loaded
with iron and rags, bound for this port,
and that the crew escaped in an open
boat from the burning wreck, and were
subsequently, reported as having arrived
safely at Yarmouth, n. G.
On Monday the schooner Twilight,
Captain Robert Bell. arrived at this port
from Yarmouth, n. c., having on board
eight Of the crew of nineteen men who
left the Britannia One of the report
ers visited the Twilight lying at Long
Wharf. and conversed with number of
the shipwrccked crew, from whom the
following particulars concerning the burn
ing of the ship, and the trials and dam
gers of the men while in the open boat
at mid ocean, We're obtained
The men were all frost bitten more or
less, and were not in condition fit to
travel. They consider their preservation
from death as Providential, exposed as
they were to the weather and the, dan
gers of the ocean
Upon the arrival of the shipwrecked
crew, Collector Russell visited them, and
learning their condition, Immediately
made arrangements for having every com
fort b estowed upon them; and this after
noon he had them transferred by tug
boat to Chelsea, where they were taken to
the hospital. No doubt careful treat
ment Of the men will restore them in
good condition again.
The remainder OF the crew, including
the captain, were left at Yarmouth but
no doubt the consul there has made ar
engagements before this to have the men
sent to Boston.
The captain webb, Of Kennebunk,
Me- displayed the utmost coolne,s and
good management during the five days
tossing on the ocean. and all the men, in
fact, conscious that they were almost ia
the jaws Of death, and that only the most
sklllful management and observance of
discipline, and trust in God, would save
them from watery grave.
The first mate (Mr Ames), the cook
John r. Shea, Chinaman), and seven
other men yet remain to arrive home.
That portion of the crew we saw this
morning speak in the highest terms of
praise of the treatment they received
from the captain of the Twilight, while
on their way to this port, and ne Will be
remembered with grateful feelings.
The emotions experienced by the ship
wrecked men on arriving at this port can
be better imae ined than described.
The story of the experience of the crew.
after having deserted the bnrning ship,
is thus graphically told by one of the
crew.
After getting into the long boat, and
before we could get clear of the ship,
said one Of the sailors, who seemed to be
the most intelligent of those our report
ermet, she gave a lurch, and the sea
took us away with such force that it
wrenched the stern nearly out of the boat,
ADD we only saved it by cutting the haw-
ser. We backed off, and the carpenter
and he was what might be called a car
penter-set to work and patched it up in
good shape, so that it carried us to our
journeys end instead Of Davy Jones
locker The life boat was tied to the
stern of the long boat-no one in her
when great wave came down and split
her in two. We cast her off as she was
useless. After we repaired our stern and
made all tight we rowed back to the ship
and kept near to her. The fire did not
break out. but smoke was coming thick
and fast out of every seam and crack of her.
The sea was running mountains high at
the time. and the wind blowing great
guns. We lay by the ship in this way
until about eight o clock that night, when
she blazed up, sheet of flame, on-the
sight, but we did not think so much Of it
at the time as of our own fate. 1t was dis =.
NAL, tell you but we found it no use
to remain longer where we were, and
made sail on the boat the wind hay M
moderated little. We lay our course
for the nearest land at the east, which
was Nova Scotia the wind being west,
you see, we counld rot make the Amer,
can shore, though we were quite near to
it. The wind was bitterly cold, and we
were wet to the skin all the time, and
had to take our turn at bailine as we'll as
we were able. 1t was had work to keen
ahoat, as the sea kept continually break
ing in upon us.
Food? Yes, sir, we had plenty to eat,
but not having much water, were put on
an allowance of three 5uiscuits and a p:nt
of water a day. We had abundance oil
salt meat, but did not dare to eat il for
fear Of thirst. A boy ate piece of salt
beef tongue, he had become so hungry
after a time, and the consequence was,
not having fresh wat or to drink, he took
to drinking the salt water This made
him crazy, and he got SO bad we had to
tie him. 1t was while holding and help
ing to tie him, that got this black eve.
We kept on before the wind, hun.
cry, suffering and freezing All, sir, ii
was terrible struggle with death.
have faced him in many shapes and forms
before. but never did he look so grim and
terrible-never Gid he seem to grip me at