New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-10-15
CDITOR REPUBLICAN:

On the seventh of October, 1859, the
British steamship "Connsught," 1000 tons,
sprung . leak which gained upon her so
rapidly that by the next morning the water
had extinguished her engine free, leaving
her coffin for COL human beings, sinking
slowly but surely in heavy sea. In this
condition, and while $50 miles from Boston
harbor, fire (which had been smouldering
for some days, unknown) burst out, and
doubled the chances for death. She was an
iron ship, and soon her sides because SO hot
that they Kissed aud steamed a. she rolled,
deeper and deeper There was race be-
tween fire and water for all those lives,
and do the best they could the boats would
not be able to save third of them frora
enc death or the other.
The American brig Minnie Schaefer, 1873
tons, Captain John Wilson, saw the blazing.
sinking steamer. and bore down to her as.
sistanee. So slow and difficult was the
labor of getting the passengers into and
out of the boats that only 200 could be
transferred to the brig before sundOwn.
Then John Wilson said: SIT is horrible
affair to zee the sun going down and SO
many people yet on board the wreck, set
ting down and burning up will do all
in my power to save them" He nObly kept
hi, word. As good sailor as he was q
man, he came down to leeward of the
wreck made fast to her, and before mid
night the last man on her deck-the cap
tain-bad paesed into the brig safely. Try
to picture it. A great ocean steamer, with
water pouring in from without to I'LL her up
and fire roaring within to burn her down;
over 400 lives in the balance. Any lurch
she made might have been her last, and If
che had rolled over and sunk-whst hope
for the little brig! She did not sink just
then. John Wilson left her, q sheet o.
flame, and landed his priceless cargo safe 81
generous Boston"
In recognition of his courage, humanity
and good seamanship the British govern
ment gave bin q gold watch and chain.
The company to which the Connaught be
longed presented him with, $500; Boston
added q silver service and medals: test5
monials and subscriptions IN plenty came
in. Nor were his crew forgotten in the
general enthusiasm. Then came the war.
Some sums granted to him were withheld;
property in which he had invested his
money was captured OF destroyed. By
which eide z When I state that he is now
sixty four years of age, is disabled by fail.
ing eyesight from following his profession;
that his wife is a confirmed invalid; that all
his testimonial gifts have been sold or left
in pledge for bread, and that this once
self-reliart and always brave and true man
is utterly destitute-is it worth While to
ask9 When he made fast to the burning
Connaught he said nothing about politics
Humanity has no politics. Shall We not
paraphrase his own words and cay This il
a horrible affair to see the sun going down
upon the wreck with so much good yet or
| board. We will do all in our power to he Il
| him"
Before l make an appeal abroad for thii
afflicted hero, it is only fair that his coun
trymen should be given the opportunity
may almost say the privilege-of assisting
him. His residence is No. $40 Franklin
street, New Orleans, and subscriptions may
be sent to Mrs. Hill, No. 306 Baronne street
Mr.. Creevy, corner of Union and Caronde
let streets, or to
| Your 0bedient servant,
| A. DE FONBLAN QUE.