The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1873-01-17
A STORY OF THE DEEP.
Geld Seeking Under the Sea

In the month of December, 1869,
the ship Eagle started from HObson's
Bay, Victoria, Australia, on her
homeward voyage to EAglsnd. She
was q vessel OF large tonnage, full
rugged, offlcered and manned by ex-
perienced seamen. She carried full
cargo, including an immense quantity
OF gold, copper ore, and a vast
amount Of specie. The passenger list
included great number of wealthy
colonists, some intent On pleasure,
Others OF business. A steady, fair
wind carried her safely out of port,
through the narrow and always dan
gerous channels at the mouth OF the
harbor, and in a fe hours from
weighing anchor she was to those on
the shore "a speck on the horizon. I"
The captain shaped e.. course for the
coast of Van Dieman's Land, as is
usual for all vessels from Melbourne,
bound for Eugland, excepting 10 case
OF days Of contrary winds, when the
course is generally altered for the in
trieate and difficult passage of Bass
Straits. The captain OF the ill-la;ed
Eagle took the latter course, aed sT-
ter some days she was off the New
Zealand coast. Perhaps there ID no
part OF tie world, not even the En-
glish coast, requiring more careful
navigation than in this la;itudes.
The winds are generally suddenly
treacherous and gustful, while the
coast, for some thousand OF miles,
rises in high promontories, ia many
cases suddenly reaching many mile:
in narrow strips far out at sea. No
many miles from the main land there
are various islands, but the most
prominent and well ll-kGoHn for its dan
ger are those OF the \ ucklsnds, so offer
the dread Of the mariner, refuge o.
the eastEwsy, and the careful study
of the combin governments of tho
various colonies that constitute thj
Australian group. Sixteen days from
the cate of her sailing, the ship on &
dark and dusky night, deceived BY
strong currents, plunged into hugs
cave in the iron bound cliffs OF thl:
island. The sea was comparatively
smooth, but before the high, towering
land could be distinctly seen, End iht
sure and certain destruction Of thc
! ship. with the souls On beard, sh'
was firmly embedded between th'
, rocks and bouIders, half Of her hui
penelrating the cave. Had tbr
; weather been tempes;uOus she vJal.
I have been crushed 10 atoms, and 70
a soul lett to relate the story. AZ /
was, by daylight it was contemplate
= TO lower the boats, and either sGee
, for the main land or seek the ref
!. uee Of the merciless island Bot be
, fore the welcome daylight came th
0 ses rose in anger, and the wave
a rolled aud dashed over the vessel, 8
; though eager TO snatch il from Il
q moorirgs and devour it in the deeI
The critical position of the ship le
4 hardly Any hope Of launching th
!. boats in safety, and four Of thei
q were stove in against her sides oc th
j reefs. Many passengers were was
!. ed over BOARD, many died in thei
8 cabins, and were never seen agair
> and some forty souls alone Dsnsge
4 10 get clear Of the wrecs "a the 0al
q bosts lsft. No time wss 20 be los
= ia y,tiipg cles. - the taage;oI
; sD0t, and from tae high ps-peaiicU
c lar shore ol the i=land - was deeHe
3 best, under the guidance Of the car
: tain and his Cfiicers, lhat the bOal
J. should make tor the New Zeslsn
:. main coast In the excitement
d clear from the ship, three liviu
3, souls were left on board-Ehe steWar,
l. his wife, and one man, a seamal
q Events afterEsrd showed thai the
unhappy people had 10 recourse b
r 70 seek what refuge the dreadful
in land afforded. With some diflculti
8. and many dangers they contrived