The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1876-06-14
TAKING TO WATER.
A NIGHT OF TERROR IN THE OCEAN
OFF THE LIGHTSHIP.

A NIGHT OF TERROR IN THE OCEAN
OFF THE LIGHTSHIP.
THE EXPERIENCE OF A SEAMAN WHO sPRANe
OVERHEARD FAR OUT AT SEA RATHEH
THAN SAIL FURTHER UNDER RUFFIAN
FIRST MATE.
The New York Sun of Saturday says:
John Graham, a stout, rosy-faced Ohioan,
q years of age, shipped as an sble-bodied
seaman in the bark Eliza Mclaughlin fol-
Antwerp on Saturday last. The bark
sailed on Tuesday. During the days tina;
interviewed Graham found himself among
a pleasant crew and thought the officers
were inclined TO be fair. Bot before the
pilot and tug quit the bark at Sandy Hook
on Tuesday evening, he had taste of the
officers brutality; for while the pilot
was yet on board Capt. Dennis
let his tongue loose, and the first
tered fouler language har even that
used by the Captain. Graham saw the
mate strike first q Norwegian and then a
Frencbmsn, and when the mate, a brawDy
Englishmaa, caught him looking, he said,
with an ugly oath, "Jsck, what kind OF q
ship do you want this to be7" Graham.
made no reply, but shipmste said that he
hoped 1t was q good one. swell you'll
find it amt, damn you," said the mate
Alter the pilot and the tug had gone,
Graham saw many of the crew kicked and
beaten by the mate and heard himself and
all the others cursed repeatedly. He had
been sloit, and was stepping on deck,
when the mate, from behind him,
STRUCK HIM IN THE EYE
and would have hit him again had he not
sprsng out OF reach. 81 would like to hear
the rules and regulations of this ship be-
fore / am punished" said Graham; II
promise to obey them" "Dsmn you'll" the
maze said; "you'll learn them before you
cross. I'll teach them to you" "There's
one of us you won't teach them to-" Ora
ham replied as the mate turned away. At
ten o'clock, nearly all hands being below
in the forecsstle, Graham shook the hand
of each of his shipmates and babe them
goodbye. Then he ran on the deck,
seized the forecastle steps, and throwing
them overheard, plunged into the ocean
after them. He had determined to risk
his life alone at sea, rather than cross the
ocean under such officers. AS he clutched
the steps and dosted past the stern of the
bark, the second mate looked over at him,
but did not say q word to either the crew
or the other officers. The night was dark,
and Graham was fifteen miles from land
There was no wind, but the water rose and
sank with a heavy swell, and when Ora
ham was at the top OF a wave he was able
to see the lightship, or rather its light. He
strove to reach her, holding to the steps
with his hands and swimming with his
feet; but the current was against him, and
be soon gave up the effort. He was being
borne towsrd land, but he felt the chill OF
the water and the night air so strongly
that he doubted his ability to hold out to
reach the shore. A small sailing ship
passed him close to the southwark.
ouOrrrun AnAIN AMI
but no one heard him. Then a steamship
that he had watched from the time when
she was black speck on the horizon grew
larger, and passed so close to HIN that re
had to look up to see the top of her high
black sides. Again he screamed until his
breath gave out, and again was left behind.
Grsbam's hands became numb, his body
chilled through, and one leg was ssizsd
with cramps. With painful exertion he
managed to pull himself upon the steps
in such manner that only his arms and
legs were in the water. He knew that In
q short time the current would change and
carry him further out to sea. An hour or
more passed, and pilot boat 19 hove in
sight and bore down on him, and he
shouted so feebIy for help that his heart
sank at the sound Ct his own voice.
keep your courage, my man." said g
you aboard in a minute" A boat was
lowered and Graham was rescued.
He vas helpless when he reached the deck.
Cramps had stiffened both arms and
one leg, and cold and hunger
had robbed him of the power
of speech. It was two O'Clock on Wednes-
day morning when he was rescued. Capt
Wolf, who was in command OF the pilot
boat, had the hsl.-drowned youth un-
dressed, rubbed warm and put to bed.
On the next morniDghe was able to tell bis
story. He arrived at quarantine at four
O'Clock yesterday afternoon. sit was moth
ing" said he, in reference to his exploit
compared with what should have ex,
perienced under that brutal mate. II /
had been drowned should have had an
easier death than to have been killed by
that fellow"