New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-08-06
Extraordinary HerOism at Sea.

The London gazette publishes an account
of the extraordinary adventures Of part OF
the crew of the bark "Arracan," Of Green.
Ock, which, while on voyage from Shields
to Bombay with a cargo of Goals, took fire
from spontaneous combustion of her cargo
and on the 18th Of February was abandoned
by her crew, who took their boats aHd en-
deayored to make for the Maldlve Islands.
The boats kept company until the Goth, when
finding the currents too strong, it was agreed
to separate, after dividing the provisions.
The master In command of the long boat
then made for Cochin, the mate in charge Of
gig. and the second mate, David Webster, in
charge of the pinnace with four Of the crew,
viz, three men and one boy, made for the
Maldive Islands. After two days Webster's
boat was injured by heavy sea, and could
not keep up with the gig, and lost sight oi
her! From this time the pnnace was kept
working to the windward until the 9th OF
March, by which day the provisions and Wa
ter had been consumed. Shortly afterward
the crew cast lots which Of them should be
first killed to be eaten, and the lot fell Iaop
the ships boy, Homer; but Webster, who
had been asleep, was woke in time to save
the boys life. After dark an attempt was
made to kill Webster himself but the boy
Horner awoke hira in time to save himself.
On the following day, Webster, having fall
len asleep, was awoke by the crew who
were struggling for the possession OF MS gym,
with which to shoot him. Two hours later
the crew attempted to take Horner's life
again, but were prevented BY the determined
conduct Of Webster, who threatened to shoot
and throw overheard the first man who laid
hands on the boy.
The next day ore Of the crew attempted
to sink the boat, but Webster mastered hin
and prevented further mischief.
Two days later the same member OF the
crew again tried to sink the boat, and ex.
pressed his determination to take the boys
life. For this he would have been shot by
Webster had not the cap on the gun missed
fire. Soon after, putting fresh cap On his
gun, bird flew over the boat which Webster
shot; it was at once seized and devoured by
the crew, even to the bones and feathers.
During the next five days the crew were
quieter, living on barnacies which attach ed
themselves to the bottom Of the boat, and on
the sea blubber for which they dived.
The following day some of the men became
delirious. One of them lay down exhausted
when another struck him several blows on
the head with an iron Delaying pin, cutting
him badly. The blood which flowed was
caught up in tin and drank by the man him
self and two other men. Afterward they
fought and bit one another, and only LETT of
when completely exhausted, to recommence
as soon as they were able, the boy, Hornsr,
during the time, keeping watch with Webster.
On the thlrty-first day in the boat they
were picked up six hundred miles from land
by the ship City of Manchester, Hardie, mas,
ter, by whom they were very kindly treated
and brought to Calcutta.
Webster, who by his conduct was the
means of saving the lives Of all in the boat
has had conferred upon him by the Queen
the Albert medal of the second class. tie Is
now living at Broughty Ferry, Dundee.