The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1873-01-16
Thrilling Story of Cunarders Trip.

On the 18th of November the Calabra
OF the Cunard line, loosened from hel
moorings at Jersey City, swung out into
the river, and commenced her voyage
'cross the treacherous waters. About L
o'clock on Sunday night the 18th, one OF
the tlercost hurricanes that ever swept
across the Atlantic Gas attest the number
less Wrecks) burst upon us. | was awak-
ened by being jerked half way out OF my
berth by the lurch of the vessel | glanced
out of the portfolio; the scene was
frightful, The sea which a few hours be.
fore was so calm, had risen in its awful
height. The waves, running mountain
high We're lashed into foam by the wind,
which blew with a violence perfectly in
conceivable, roaring round the vessel and
through the rigging with the noise oil
thunder. The ship was dashed from side
to side, as with the force of an earth
quake, careening over until the sea wash
ed her decks She wou Id right herself
with a bound that
MADE EVERY TIMBER CRACK,
then mounting the crest of huge wave
she would plunge downward Gas it seem
ed) to the bottom of the sea. We held
on for our very lives. Many of the pas
sengers ran from their rooms with blanch-
ed faces, and braced themselves in the
gangway, expecting every moment the
destruction of the vessel. The dishes and
glasses in the saloon came down with a
crash from the racks, and were broken
into thousands of pieces. The pitchers,
washbowls. water jugs and glasses in the
staterooms We're torn from their fasten-
ings and dashed to atoms. The state
room doors were hurled open, and trunks,
valises, clothing, etc, thrown clear across
the gangway. Oh. how we longed for
daylight! So furious was the dashng OF
the vessel it was almost impossible to
maintain hn upright position. 1t was
only by bracing my back against the side
OF the state-room. with my feet against
the berth, that | could save myself Those
who attempted to move about were dash
ed 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 yardarm, with links nearly
like a tow string. Having no SAIL the
engines alone were unable to carry us
out of the way of the tremendous waves
which swept upon us. The time came
when every wave burst over the stern of
the vessel, striking her under the quarter
like Titanic ledge-hammers. 1t 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 watch and from
his bridge was telling the men at the
wheel to hold her steady. Directly over
my stateroOm on deck, a rope had been
stretched, from one railing to the other
tor the men to hold on by, to keep them
from being swept overheard. | could
hear them, as, catching sight of an enor-
nous wave coming they would run for
their lives,
| trembled for fear they would not
catch it. 1t was also signal to me, and
! braced myself accordingly. The life
boat had been swept away and lost. The
skylights of the wheelhouse gave way,
and the men at the wheel stood to their
waists in water. The captain came down
with an anxious face and examined the
chains which held 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 were standing,
washed the captain from his feet and
threw him against the donkey engine, to
which he clung for his life.
Shortly after he called a council of his
officers, and the opinion of all was that if
they continued on their course the vessel
must 60 down under the weight of water
which was poured upon her from behind
That most dangerous 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 us to two in our favor. Yet it
was done successfully. An old sailor
afterward remarked to me, "It was the