The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1874-04-09
Aralo Of the Sea.

The bark Alice Campbell recently arriv.
ed in New Orleans, having on board Cap
tain King and the crew of the schooner
Thos. P. Barklen, from Cedar Keys tc
Key West, picked up at sea. The follow
ing account il given of the sufferings o.
crew of the schooner.
On the 7th Of February, she left Anclote
Key, wind at the time blowing strong
from the southwest and after running 8
few hours it was discovered that the YES.
ses was making water freelyT pumps were
Immediately brought in requisition, and
it required constant work to keep the wa
ter down. Shortly after the vessel began
leaking, the wind Veered to the southwark
causing the sea to run high, and culmina-
ting in the loss of the yawl, which was
fwashedf from the davits and carried be-
soud reach, asdthe stern-post jerked out
BY the violence with which the craft was
tossed about. The following day, 9Th,
about z o'clock in the morning. it was dis.
covered that the water was gaining rap
idly on the pumps, and all efforts TO keep
it down were useless. The pumps had
been constantly worked during the twelve
preeeeding hours, znd all hands were
thoroughly exhausted.
A part of the deck load was thrown of
10 relieve the vessel, bat the water con-
tinued to pour in so rapidly as to preclude
all hope Of keeping the little vessel afioat
At this time the schooner was under
reefse foresail and was beating up for Key
West Harbor, then between thirty and
forty miles distant. The prospect of be-
ing water logged did not give the crew
any great un~easiness, for they imagined
that . distance of 40 miles could be easily
accomplished in that condition, and ac-
cordingly all the stores and effects were
placed IN deck. and a platform arranged
schooner filled; and as the water covered
the deck, she gradually turned on hel
port side, and everything that had beer
placed on deck was swept away. The
crew aseended 70 the dry slde Of The yes.
sci; which remained in that position fol
about an hour, during which time the
rigging having been cut away, the main
smast worked out and she gradually
AYiehted.g From the 9th to the 18th the
men remained on the schooner, partially
submerged and suffering greatly from cold
y and thirst. ~ @AoAe4 1A S-o y
III Hunger did not assail them, for that
they relieved by small morsels from their
limited supply of pork. A few potatoes
about two doZen-Were secured from
the forecastle by the men who Owed fol-
them, and with these their thirst was par
TALLY assuaged. After being two days on
q the vessel iT was seen that she would
eventually 20 to pieces, and the construc-
ton ola raft was cammenced- out of the
spars and deck plrnks, which were work
ing loose.
On the morning of the 18th some addi-
tions were made to the raft, and during
the even:ng they showed off from the
-rnnk ard knok tha ahonaan of Q roacfro
on q .frail structure composed of light
planks and q few spare. On this the four
men remained for eleven days, several
times seeing sails in the distance, which
held forth to them the hope of a rescue,
only, however TO be disappointed. On
the afternoon of the 23d, q sail was obser-
we'd, and shortly the vessel appeared to be
bearing upon the raft. An hour of sus-
pense ensued, and the wrecked crew were
cheered by the fact that the vessel held
steadily on her course, bearing down upon
them-for were this opportunity ofa res
cue TO pass they felt conscious that none
could survive for another twenty-four
hours.
The Alice Campbell reached the raft
about seven o'clock in the evening, and
the wrecked crew were transferred from
the raft to the bark, and they were saved.
They presented a piteous sight, their
limbs being swollen to twice their natural
aize, and all were covered with sores and
blisters. and not one Of the six men was
able to stand up when placed on the deck
Of Captain Gorhan's vessel. For many
days after the rescue they required the ut
most care, which was given them by Cap
tain Gorham ana his officers, and now,
though not recovered, the u~nfortunaJes
are doing we'll, but will require weeks be-
fore they ~recuperate thoroughly.