Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1874-03-25


by 100 miles. The Arcadia was then
sailing at the rate of ID miles an hour.
My friend, Mr.. Welch, whose desti
nation was South Carolina, signified his
intention to land at Halifax, and con-
tinue the rest of the journey to New
York by rail. He advised me to follow
his example; and, as [ was heartily
tired of the sea voyage. / willingly
agreed to accompany him. Other pas
sengers joined in our scheme, and dis
cussed with us the best means Of carry
ing out our intentions. But man pro-
poses, and
I retired early to my berth on the
evening of very memorable day, and
slept somewhat more soundly than I
had hitherto done. The thought of
awakening on the morrow off Halifax,
and continuing the journey by land,
was delightful prospect and / soon
began to dream that [ was already in
the bosom of my anxious family.
Long before daybreak, I was awoke
by strange noise, as of machinery in
violent motion. At first I took no no.
tice of the sounds, for [ attributed
them to the hauling up of cinders from
the furnaces below. Upon their being
repeated, however, threw afew clothes
on, tripped into my slippers, and en-
tered the saloon
Here [ was met by one of the stew
ards, who, In great agitation, informed
me that the steamer had struck. [
thought at first he was only joking, and
that he meant the vessel was &C on a
c4,,i1,o - ,nI rof,,ooI 10 oo On, He WOOL
meaning was, however, soon made clear
to my understanding. The steamer had
struck on rock, and was fast sinking.
My first impulse was to fly to high
part of the vessel, and trust in Provi-
dence for my deliverance. Recollecting,
however, that death from exposure to
the cold was said to be even worse than
death from drowning. [ returned to
my cabin for my heavy overcoat and
travelling cap. [ bethought me, also of
the old sock, which, besides my watch,
rings, and matchbox, contained twen-
ty-three sovereigns and thinking these
might prove of service, gathered them
together and stuffed them hurriedly
into a pocket of my warm overcoat,
where I found also few cigars and
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further preparations. The water was
already rushing in torrents down the
cabin stairs, and before [ had time to
reach the deck my feet were soaking.
The scene on deck was indeed terrible
The door of the steerage cabin had been
thrown open, and the emigrants were
pouring out like ants from besieged
ant-hill. Women and children were
running wildly about in all directions,
and rent the night air with their shrieks
lind piteous cries for help.
Ahghting on the quarterback, en-
countered Mr. SAINT in the act of putting
on ife-preserver, and near the wheel
house the last of the signal rockets were
being fired.
Instinctively, or, as if inspired, [
chung to the broad wooden rail on the
starboard or right hand side of the
steamer for in that moment the vessel
suddenly heaved over, and threatened
to precipitate me into the sea- [ now
fell on my knees, and, in my native
tongue, implored heaven to forgive my
sins, and protect my wife and children.
[ fancied that [ saw my dear family
standing in the centre of the deck be-
fore me, and the illusion was only dis
PEELED when [ observed that the deck
was SO much out of the horizontal that
[ was forced to hold fast to the rail in
orderto savemyself from falling forward
[ chung for very life to an iron bar of
this rail, for the steamer had keeled
over again, and stood, as they say, con
her beam ends" .s.
thought it very strange that she
should have fallen with her deck sea-
wards, when the wind and waves were
inclining her to the land side. IF, how
ever, she had fallen in the opposite
direction, every soul on board must
have persisted.
Wearied with grasping the rail of the
steamer, ventured to change my place
of safety, and, for this purpose, moved
cautiously toward the hurricane deck,
which is the highest part of a vessel.
Seating myself upon one of the iron
props of the bridge, [ felt the waves as
they dashed against the upturned hull,
and l heard voice repeatedly cry:
''Take to the rigging!' $3.50
l, however, did dot avail myself of
the Invitations, for [ could observe
indistinctly that the rigging was black
with people, audit was, besides, difficult
to approach that quarter of the steamer.
Light was issuing from the portfolios
Of the hull beneath me; but this was
presently extinguished by the waves,
as they dashed into the little windows.
[ soon became thoroughly drenched
with water, my feet and hands were be-
numbed with the cold, and my slippers
and [ parted company. -. '-~..r
Suddenly [ lost my hold and fell. I
now thought that my end was indeed
approaching but by miracle present
~ found myself seated saddle-fashion
on the wooden rail below. Again [
thanked heaven for my safety, and, as T
was uttering the words, voice near me
asked whether [ was addressing him.
"No," Ireplied, 81 am praying, and
l recommend you to do the same
"What language do you pray IMP" he
inquired.