The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1877-12-01
WRECK OF THE HURON.
GREAT DESTRUCTION OF LIFE.

GREAT DESTRUCTION OF LIFE.
The United States steam sloop OF war
HnrOH went upon the rocks near Oregon
Inlet, North Carolina, early Saturday morn
ing. The boats were washed from the
davits, and those who were saved reached
the shore by swimming. The naval yes
sells P0'rhatan and S'ratraa We're near her,
on Sunday, but were unable to render as
sistance, on account of the heavy sea. The
surf boat of the wrecking steamer B and
H. BLdEe went to her assistance, and was
upset with nine men, five of whom were
drowned. The Huron bad eleven officer
and one hundred and twenty one men: of
these only four officers and thirty one men
are known to have been saved.
SCENE OF THE DISASTER.
Kitty Hawk is a signal station on the
North Carolina coast, some seventy five
miles south of Cape Henry and a few miles
north of Oregon Inlet. 1t is situated on
one of the enormous sand banks that ill.,
close the great bays of North Carolina,
and directly at the mouth of Aibema,le
Sound. Near the station. to the south of
it, is the small cape known as Nays Head
Eight miles south of Kitty Hawk the Huron
ran ashore. 1t is a dangerous coast. In
the year 1866 alone there were two vessels
wrecked near the station. Ga March 1St
OF that year the Italian bark NuOca OUagid
bound from Italy for BALTIMORE, was wreck
ed north OF the station some twenty miles
Nine of the thirteen members of the crew
were lost, and all the members of Life
Saving Station No. We're lost while at
tempting to board the wreck. A month
afterward there was another wreck; the
schooner Henry G. Fay. from Jamaica for
New York, with cargo of logwood, going
ashore midway between the station and the
other wreck. All of the crew of this yes
sci were saved, but the vessel was an utter
loss.
ENSIGN YoUNG's STORY.
We left Hampton Roads about II clock
A. NJ on Friday, and steamed out in charge
of pilot The pilot left at l o clock. |
had the afternoon watch. There was a
stiff breeze, and heavy sea was running
from the southeast. We took our depart
ure from Cape Henry at | %. the ligh,
bearing west by south, distant about five
miles, snd south by east three quarters
east. Unbent chains and slowing anchors
fos sea. About , o'clock made all plain
sail, wind hauled more 10 south. and tool,
in top sails. At four o clock, wind increaS-
ing, also sea Increasing. and ship rolling to
leeward about ten degrees. | was relieved
by Ensign Danner about ten o'clock -
About eight nc clock Mr.. Danner told me
that the iib and flying ilb stays We're car
ried away, and the wind was blowing a
gale: went to bed about $50: was aroused
about midnight by the QutrIerma>ter call
ing Mr.. French; heard Mr.. French ask lm
the state of the weather. The Quarter
master replied. Bad" dozrd of again,
and was again aroused abDu! 10 by the
humping of the ship when she struck the
bottom; heard the Captain sing out as he
came from the cabin, " Hard down" |
put on coat and IA pair of pants and ran
on deck: found that it was blowing "A fresh
gale; heard the order, Brazil up the main
staysail, and assisted, but could not take
it IN; then asked the Captain if we should
throw the guns overheard. He said Eyes.
do it as quickly as possible" got perma-
nent tackles hooked to the lee gun but
could not remove it because she had blged
and could not get il over for the sea. The
Captain then ordered zoe to
BURN ALL THE SIGNALS
| could. In the meantime all the port
boats and the cutter had been carried
away. The ship was lying on her port
broadSide, biIged, inclined about 40 de
grees, and seas breaking clear over her.
Went in the cabin and saved two boxes of
Cosron lights, sent up five rockets and
burnt over Il hundred signals. the sea
was then staving the cabin very rapidly
When | heard the order gwen for II hands
to go forward as quick AS possible. hur
red the quartermaster who was with me
and some other men forward. AS passed
the cabin door Nj. French asked ne if that
Sall ,eI Y no
We must 60 quick" We all started
together. l had hold Of the Calling gun,
when a very heavy sea came over and
washed myself and about five others down
to the leeward. All but myself went under
the rail, and they were drowned. | was
caught in the bag of the sail and hurt both
legs against the gatf, Regaiued the gear
of the nine inch gun and worked myself
forward. Thought | saw Mr.. French 90 in
the main rigging; saw number of men
standing III the starboard gangway and on
tue first launch, and number of men un
derneath the topgallant forecastle. | sue
ceeded in getting on the topsallant fore
castle with the assistance of the men there.
a number of men had on life i,reservers,
and one rubber also rugged on the fGlecastle.
The topgallant torecast!e was full of men
and officers. Two or three men dashed
themselves to the bowsprit. Every one was
perfectly cool. and showed no signs of
fear. The majority of us got close to-
gerher on the upper side of the forecastle,
suffering much from cold and exposure.
The seas would break over us. and nearly
suf1ocate us. Mr.. Conway, the watch
officer, had on blanket and shared it with
Mr.. Loomis and myself. We sounded
over the side and found about six feet of
water. \ little while after we sounded
again and got seven and half and eight
feet.
SAW LIGHTS
about one point on the starbOard bow: we
gave three cheers. and repeated them
several times. We then saw that the flood
tide making i'll fast, and the seas were
breaking over us more heavily. We here
saw the first launch. The only boat left
stove in, knocked Captain Ryan and the
navigator overheard. Saw Two men killed
III the foleca>tle. Mr.. Conway suggested
that we make some effort to get a line Oh
shore. said | would attempt it, and call
ed for one to put the balSa over, W hen three
inch liue was made fast to the balSa and
the same lowered overheard. but fouled
with the iIbboom foreyard and other spars,
and got down on the torpedo spar aud
worked about ten minutes to clear the balsa,
and called for some one to help me. Mr..
Danner came down part of the way, and
said he was too weak and could not get on.
| then told him that 1t was our only chance
and lie had better. He said he could not. and
that he would in a lrtle while. Williams
seaman, then came down and said h
would go. In about ten minutes we sue
ceeded in getting the bal>a clear of the
sparS. | could get no man line, and the
Fl st entenant, Mr. Simon, Mr. White and
many others in the foreca>tle sung out to
me: 9TH, line is out. Cut it and get on