The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1873-02-08

AAOM SlUc W Stue, slS WITH the force O1
an earthquake, careening over until
the sea washed her decks. She would
right herself with q bound that made
every timber crack, then mounting
the crest Of a huge wave she would
plunge downward (as it seemed) to
the bottom of the sea. We held on
for our very lives. Many of the pas
sengers ran from their rooms with
blanched faces, and braced themselves
IN the gangway, expecting every mo-
ment the destruction Of the vessel.
The dishes and glasses in the saloon
came down with crash from the racks,
and were broken into thousands of
pieces. The pitchers, washbowls,
water jugs and glasses in the state
rooms were torn from their fastenings
and dashed to atoms. The stateroom
doors were hurled open, and trunks,
valises, clothing, etc, thrown clear
across the gangway. Oh, how we
longed for daylight! So furious was
the dashing of the vessel it was almost
impossible to maintain an upright
position. It was only by bracing my
back against the side of the stateroom
with my feet against the berth, that
l could save myself. Those who at
tempted to move about were dashed
from side to side, in imminent risk of
their lives. Meanwhile the hurricane
increased.
We attempted to run before the
wind. The main topsail was torn into
ribbons, and carried away; the very
chain which held it to- the yard arm,
with links nearly Il quarter of an inch
thick, was snapped like a tow string
Having no sail, the engines alone were
unable to carry as out of the way OF
the trep,e
upon us. The time came when every
wave burst over the stern of the vessel,
striking her under the quarter like
Titanic sledge-halnmers. It seemed
impossible, for her to withstand the
blows. At every stroke we could hear
the sharp ting, ting of the signal,
showing that our brave captain was on
the watcig and from his bridge was
telling the men at the wheel hold her
steady. Directly over my stateroom
OH deck, a rope had been stretched,
from one railing to the other for the
men to hold by, to keep them from
being swept overheard, could hear
them as, catching sight of an enormous
wave coming they would run for their
lives. Their only salvation being the
rope, / trembled for fear they would
not catch it. 1t was also a signal to
me, and l braced myself accordingly.
The life-boat had been swept away
and lost. The skylight Of the wheel
house gave way, and the men at the
wheel stood to their waists in water.
The captain came down with an aux
ious face and examined the chains
which led the wheel to the helm. In
going up on deck again he paused a
moment to speak to Mr.. Yates, of St.
John, N. B., who was standing in the
.smoke-room. At that moment a mighty
wave broke over the vessel, dashed in
the side of the room where they We're
standing, washed the captain from his
feet and threw him against the dom
key engine, to which he clung for his
life.
Shortly after he called a council of
his officers, and the opinion of all was
that il they continued on their course
the vessel must go down under the
weight of water which was poured upon
her from behind. That most danger
Gus of all experiments was resolved
upon-our only hope-to put the ship
about and bring her head to the sea.
There were eight chances against lis
to two in our favor. Yet it was done
successfully. An old sailor afterwards
remarked to me, 1t. was the finest
piece Of seamanship ever seen in the
Atlantic, turning that vessel round i'll
the teeth Of that gale"
The great danger was that in bring
ing her round she would fall off into
the trough of the sea, and the waves,
striking her broadside, would sink her.
The captain, standing on his broadside,
watched his opportunity, as she mount
she would have time to come round
before the next wave struck her. He
gave the signal. The six men at the
wheel threw their strength upon the
helm, and the old ship groaned, strain
ed, and keeled over, until the saloon
portfolios were under water. She hung
so long in that position that the panic
stricken passengers, concluded she
would never right again. | myself
gave up all hope. Visions Of wrecks,
Of foundered vessels, hid thousands Of
fathoms deep, of pale skeletons in sea-
weed winding sheets, salt-lined bones
and grinning skulls, which lay thickly
strewn on the sandy floor, came before
me, and grasping my wife by the hand
Il l. IL. l..