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

life-preserver, however, proved of no
service; nor had a hfe-preserver been
of any use to George, one of the atten-
dants of the saloon, who had tried to
avail himself of one. His body was
then floating under my gaze. a..
By the blessed light of day I could
now calculate the distance which sepa-
rated us from land. The nearest point
of terra frma was large rock about
twenty-five miles from the prow-head !;
beyond the rock was small island,
which [ afterwards learned was called
Gull's Head. Many of the shipwreck-
ed passengers and crew were already
assembled on the rock, while others had
reached the island. - -t#
One unfortunate, whom, from the
color Of his skin, [ judged TO be an en-
gine-stoker, lay grooming and making
horrible contortions with his body near
my feet. The poor fellow, like many
others, lost his reason. Fearing that in
his paroxysms he might clutch at my
feet, and that we should both roll over
board, thought it advisable to shift
my quarters. ....
This was easier said than done, for I
had lost the use of my feet. I however
contrived to crawl on my knees along
the edge of the hull, holding on to the
rail of the steamer, and pausing here
and there till [ found an opportunity to
pass, for the overturned hull was
crowded with people.
During one of these pauses. [ be-
thought me of indulging in the luxury
of a cigar. [ remembered that my
matches were safely deposited in my
sock, and [ thought that perhaps the
water had not penetrated the silver box
which held them. [ accordingly ex-
tracted a cigar from pocket of my
overcoat. and placed it in my mouth.
Alas the cigar was soaking with sea
water. [ allowed it to fall from my
lips, while [ continued my Journey,
which was of more vital Importance.
When [ had reached the centre of the
steamer, [ observed boat coming from
the island. It appeared to be extremely
small, was without seats, and the fish
ermen by whom it was manned seemed
to be afraid to approach too near to the
wreck. A few minutes later larger
boat put off from the island and came
to the rescue of the passengers. [ had
now reached that part of the steamer
where the mizzen-mast is situated, and
here [ found my friends Welch and
Kew. We exchanged greetings, and [
placed myself literally, and not in the
Spanish sense of the expression, /" at
their feet"
While conversing with my friends,
some OF the passengers and crew were
being removed from the wreck by means
Of rope, which, as | afterward heard,
had, by the bravery of the first officer,
been connected with the rock, and
again from the latter to the island.
Those who availed themselves of this
means of escape were sadly beaten by
the waves, which rose higher and higher
every moment. Many of them, exhausted
by their efforts, and frost-bitten by the
cold, fell dead on their way along the
rope.
Among those who remained on the
hull, awaiting the approach of the boats,
were not few who went raving mad,
slipped into the sea- and were drowned
My frozen hands and feet rendered
me powerless to leave the wreck by
means of the rope, so [ made no effort
in that direction. Occasionally raised
my wet overcoat from my chest, to see
if my body continued warm, and [ was
thankful at the sight of the vapor which
it dispelled. r ...
The boats now began to venture
nearer to the wreck, and those who had
not lost the use of their hands and feet
passed onward toward the bow of the
steamer, and in turn descended by a
rope and embarked. ..a. ... ....
Unable to follow their example, I
patiently awaited some other means for
my rescue. Presently the larger boat
returned from the island for the fifth
time, and passed from the stern end of
the steamer under that part of the hull
where was stationed. AS it approached,
[ let go my hold, and, trusting to good
fortune that I might hook on to the
boat by an arm or leg, [ slipped down.
ward over the hnll. My left leg missed
its mark, and it was then, think, that
[ received the two gashes in my foot,
which for many long weeks afterward I
retained. I fell into the water, but in
doing so contrived to hook on by an
arm to the gunwale of the boat, and in
this condition and by swimming little
with my legs, was soon hauled in,
head foremost, by one of the fishermen.
By this means I was safely landed.
My feet we're greatly swollen and bleed
ing, especially my left foot but all
sense of feeling had long since deserted
me, and I experienced no pain.
Two men supported me in their arms,
and endeavored to restore animation.
While they were doing SO, I clasped my
hands, and thanked God aloud for my
deliverance. One Of the fishermen,
who, of course did not understand the
language in which my words were ut
tered, called to messmate and said :
g say, Johnny here's fellow talk
ing gibberish. He's gone clean mad,
you bet.'
[ soon assured him, in his own Ian
guage, that I was in my right senses.
Well, then, Johnny" said he,
take off your socks, if you have any
with you, and put them on this gentle