The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1877-10-12

secrete the smallest portion in their
mouths or ears. They were not suffered
to depart after all these precautions with
out strict examination.-M,rray.
\ TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE.
The Captain Of the Lost Van Name
Tells His story.
Capt Hardy, of the schooner G. J. Van
Name, which was wrecked on the way
from New York to Baracoa August Sd,
has Just returned to his home in New
Haven He relates the story Of a won
derful experience. The particulars, as
narrated by Capt. Hardy, are as follows:
The Van Name was a new vessel, built
near this city, and was laden with COAL
Her passengers were Matilda Assurus,
aged twelve; Freddy Assurus, aged nine
aud man, who was among the saved.
At midnight on August 2d when nine
days out and three hundred miles from
shore, the schooner began to feel the
effects OF the gale. She was hove to under
short sail and all was made snug, In the
morning ali were on deck, except the
girl The waves were heavy and ominous,
the sky was black, the rain fell rapidly
aud the wind shricked. Anticipating no
danger, the lashipgs of the boat on deck
were allowed to remain. At FIVE o'clock
three large waves-large waves roll by
threes-came towering upon the vessel
and swept over her with inconceiyable
speed BY the time the second had passed
the schsOnef was keeled over on her side
and the water was rushing IN through
the cabin windows The steward, Walter
Gill, st the command of the captain,
went to get the girl out Of the cabin. The
third wave preached completely over the
doomed craft and the steward was carried
away and never seen again, except for a
moment 10y the mate, and all the crew
were thrown into the water In six
minutes from the time the first wave
struck her the Van Name had sunk
With her went down the girl and every
thing on board except an old oar and a
few pieces of scantling. The captain had
chung 10 the bsckstay, but when taken
under water loosened his hold and came
to the surface The oar was within his
reach, but it would not support his
weight and, SIS he could not swim, he
resigned himself to death, shouting q
farewell TO his mate, who was swimming
near When he came up again he had the
good fortune however, to grasp a joist,
and this held him up. The boy passenger
he saw supporting himself on two pieces
of lumber, but the immense waves swept
over the boys head, sutl6cating him.
The mate had two pieces of timber and
the sailors had each one piece. After
great toll the pieces were collected, and
fastened together with sailors clothes,
which gould be poorly spared, as the
water Vas cold, made a raft about three
feet wide and twcnty-four feet long. On
this seven men were Hoated, but TO keep
it on the furface they were compelled to
remain on their hands and knees.
No sail appeared all day Friday, and
Friday night the raft gave Indications of
breaking up, the fastenings becoming
partially loosened The idea of repairing
this damage was precluded by the presence
of the huge sharks which made their APP
pearance a few minutes after the hastily
made raft had been constructed and did
not thereafter leave it. The raft was so
low IN the water that the monsters were
on a level with the men, but only once
was an attack made ON that occasion
one of the sailors had barely time to save
his feet. All Friday and Friday night it
rained. The men spread handkerchiefs,
and thus secured enough moisture to as
susge their thirst, but had nothing to eat.
The position was very irksOme, but could
not be changed for fear of the sharks
The oar saved had been raised, and to
this shirt had been attached to attract
attentiLs. Saturday morning, after
most agonizing night, during which all
had nearly resigned hope, a steamer was
seen about a mile distant, the only one
that had been sighted save one from the
time of the departure from New York.
Although all the men shouted with the
energy of despair, they failed to attract
attention The action OF the owner of
the shirt was eloquent. He said nothing
but taking the shirt from its place put it
onand lay carefully down again. Through
out all this terrible time little had been
said by any one. Religious themes and
the impending peril were alone mentioned.
After the steamer had passed later in the
day there came in sight sailing vessel,
but efforts to attract her attention were
again unayailing. Of all the men on the
rat the captain, who Is about forty, was
alone over twenty years of age, but all
bore up wonderfully. under the eircum-
stances. In the afternoon, the schooner
Minnie Pippelier, sailing on the wind,
came as the long wished-tor rescuer. One
man had been told to keep watch, but in
their feverish anxiety each insisted that
his eyesight was the best. There was
danger of the schooner's passing, as moth
ing could be seen of the raft except the
flag and the human heads. Lungs were,
however, never more severely taxed, and
the shouts were Of good effect, although
at the last minute there was danger of
the raft breaking up. A line was thrown
to them, but in their eagerness there was
danger again, as about all stood up and
the raft sank lower, with the expectant
sharks dangerously near and on the alert.
However, one by one the men got on
board the Propeller, captain Henry L.
Burton, and were landed safely at Aspin-
wall. The captain in summing up the
terror of the time spent in mid-ocean,
said 90 You can have no idea of the feel
/ ings we had when the steamer went
/ away ~ y World.
Hard Times in Europe.