Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1873-04-11

| ing to get from the rock to the island by a
| line were also washed from it and drowned.
We could see people falling from the ships
side and rigging. Several persons who
became completely exhausted lay down
on the rock and died."
Faxley, who remained on the rock for
several hours assisting passengers to land
from the ship, says it was extremely har-
rowing to behold the suffering of the un-
fortunate creatures even after they were
rescued. Many of them became insane,
frothed at the mouth, and toppled off the
rock into the water and were drowned,
while others were so chilled and exhausted
with the cold that they lay down and
died. They would wander about, incapa-
BILE almost of helping themselves, and
perish Some died after they had been
taken to the mainland. All the passengers
speak in the highest terms of the gallant
conduct of the third officer and first en-
gineer in particular, who remained on the
wreck for hours assisting lhe passengers
to reach the rock. Two lady passengers
came on deck in great excitement, and
were standing near the wheelhouse; they
hesitated a moment as if panic-stricken
and returned to the companion-way as if
looking for something, then came out and
endeayOred to reach the forward part Of
the ship, where the passengers were sent
ashore on lines. At that moment huge
wave sweptover the ships quarter; the men
clinging to the rigging, heard two heart
rending shrieks, and when they looked
again the women had disappeared.
BOYS FRANTIC STRUGGLE FOR LIFE.
The little fellow, the only child saved
from the wreck, ran upon deck with
ctraall1 Of Y0aScap rnrc whom the fret alarm
was given. His parents and other men,
bers of his family were still below, and
evidently perished, when the ship filled
and fell over on her side Huddled about
among that struggling mass of excited HUI
manity the piteOus screams of the poor
little fellow went to the stoutest heart He
had leaped upon the back of one of the
men, in hopes of saving himself, but in
that frightful crisis, when everybody was
intent upon saving himself, few paid at
tention to the walls of the boy and man
upon whose back he was clinging as it
for dear life He made several Intellectual
attempts to shake the boy off. The cries
of the boy at last attracted the attention
of the captain, who, perceiving the tena-
cious manner in which he was struggling
for life, called out to the men who were
surrounding the lines that led to the rock
and safety, to endeavor, if possible, to
save the boy and the poor little fellow was
Immediately passed over the heads of the
struggling mass of beings, and placed in
the boat. Men who were exerting them
selves to save their own and other lives,
wept almost for joy as they saw the brave
little lad safely landed on shore
INCIDENTS.
Some incidents of the disaster, as relat-
ed by the survivors, are narrowing. At
one time during the weary watch before
dawn, the fore-boom broke loose from its
fastenings, and, swinging around, instant
ly crushed to death about 300 persons
gathered on the deck. Several passengers
are reported drowned by the boats,
which, not being properly managed, over
turned and drowned the unfortunates be-
fore assistance could be rendered. Some
who had life-buoys, and endeavored to
reach the rock by means of the lines from
the vessel, not having them properly ad-
justed, but on the lower part of the bodies,
were floating with their heads down, and
in this way many were drowned before
reaching the rock. One young man, with
no clothing save shirtand vest and two
life-buoys fastened around his body,
leaped into the water, and attempted to
reach the rock. The passengers who
gave the statement, say they endeavored to
dissuade him from the attempt, but he
hesitated and when finally they were res
cued and landed on shore, the body of the
young man was the first they saw,
and the life-buoys were still on his body.
Among the passengers was native of the
Old Country, who had been in the United
States for some time, and lately returned
to England to bring his wife and family OF
five children to his home in the New
World. The father, mother and children
all perished.
The survivors say it was frightful
sight to witness the manner in which
many of the unfortunate persons met
death Unable to reach the deck in con-
sequence of the jam in the gangway, sew
eral rushed through the port-hole, only to
be dashed to death against the sides Of the
| ship.