The Osceola times., 1877-12-08
TIE HURON DISASTER.

there being no quorum.
The HURON DISASTER.
arapb1e Descrlpto~n Of The Casastrsphe
BY Ensign Laciea Ysaas, Dee es the
Murea's Omeers-Acsive Enorsa
- Avert che Disaster.
The Landmark has the statement Of
the ensign, Lucien Young, which is a.
follows: Left Hampton Roads abou.
eleven o'clock Friday morning, and
steamed on in charge Of pilot the pilot
left at one O'clock had tbs afternoon
watch; stiff breeze and heavy sea running
from TIE southeast /; took our departure
at half.past one O'Clock, from Cape Henry
light, bearing west BY south, distant
about five miles, and south by east,
three-quarters east unbent chains and
secured anchors for sea about one
O'Clock made all plain sail wind hauled
more to south, and took in topsails; four
O'Clock, wind increasing, also sea ircreas-
ing, and ship rolling to leeward about
ten degrees. ! was relieved by Ensign
Dsnner about four O'Clock; about eight
O'Clock Mr.. Bonner told me that the lib
and fyjngjib stays were carried away,
and the wind was blowing a gale went
TO bed about half-past eight o'clock was
aroused about midnight by the quarter
master calling Mr.. French; heard Mr.
French ask him the state of the weather:
the quartermaster replied, "bad." |
dozed of again, and was re.aroused At
one o'clock by the humping of the ship
when she struck the bottom heard the
captain sing out, as he came forward,
4" Hard down." / put on coat and pair
Of pants, and ran on deck; found
that it was blowing a gale heard
the order to draw up the main.stay
sail, and assisted, but could not take Il
in; then asked the captain If we
should throw the guns overheard, ard
he said, " Yes, do It as quick a. posi-
ble;" got the permanent tackles hooked
70 the lee-gun. but could not remove
them because she had bilged, and could
not get 1t over into the YEA; the captain
then ordered me to burn all the signals I
could; In the meantime all the port boats
and The cutter had been carried away;
the ship was lying on her port, biIged
broadside, inclined about forty degrees,
and the seas breaking clear over her;
went then into the cabin and saved two
boxes Of lights, sent up five rockets, and
burned over one hundred signals. The
sea was then staving in the cabin very
rapidly, when ] heard word given for all
hands to 60 forward as quickly as posi-.
BILE; ] hurried the quartermasters, who
were near me, and some other men, to 60
forward; rs passed the cabin door Mr..
French asked me If that was all, and /
said Eyes" "Then," he said, 1--WE must
90 quick" We all started together; I
had TO hold on to a Calling gun, when
very heavy sea came over and washed
myself and about five others down 10
|eeward. All but myself went under
The sail, and they were drowned; I was
caught in the bag of the sail and was
hurt in both my legs against the GAIT; I
regained the gear of nine inch-gun and
worked myself forward; thought saw
Mr.. French 60 In the main rigging; saw
! number of men standing in the star
board gangwsy and on the first launch,
and a number of men underneath the
forecastle; I succeeded in get.
ling on the topgallant forecastle with the
assistance Of the men there; number OF
he men had on life-preservers, and one
mad rubber balls rugged on the forecastle;
he topgallant force 9tle was full OF men
md officers; two or three men dashed
themselves 10 the bowsprit; every
,ne was perfectly cool and showed no
'igns of fear; the majority of us got
lose together on the upper side of the
orecastle, suffering much from cold and
exposure; the seas wor Id break clear
,ver us and nearly sufocate us; Mr..
conway, the watch officer, had ono blan-
ret and shared 1t with Mr.. Bonner, Mr..
Loomis and myself; we sounded eur side
md found about six feet of water; a lit.
lie while after we sounded again, and we
rot seven and half and eight feet; saw
lights about one point ON the starboard
now, and we gave three cheers, and
epeated them several times. We then
aw that the food-tide was making In
asst, and the sea was breaking over ur
verse. We here saw the first launch, the
'nly boat left, stove in and knocked Capt.
Ryan and the navigator overheard; saw
wo men killed on the forecastle. Mr..
conway suggested that VIC make some
fort to get line on shore; ! said I
would attempt it. and called for men to
tut the balls over, when q thiee.inch
ine was made fast to the balls, and the
anne lowered overheard, but fouled with
he jib-boom foreyard and other spars,
I'D 60. down on the torpedo spar and
rorked about ten minutes to clear the
'slls, and called for some one to help me;
lr. Downer came down part Of the way.
nd said he was too weak and could not
ct on. then told him that Il was our
My chance, and be had better try; he
aid be could not or he would. In q lit
lc while Williams, a seaman, came down
nd said be wsuld 90; In about ten min
ties we succeeded in getting the balls
lear of the spars; l could get no main
Inc, and the frat lieutenant, Mr.. Simons,
dr. White and many others In the FORE
astle sung out TO me: The line h out;
nut and get ON shore, II possible, for
or assistance" had small penknite
,ut could not open It, because my hands
we're benumbed; Williams opened 1t and
succeeded In cutting the lppe; was
hen struck several lines BY Me snare.