The Republican journal., 1877-01-11
n. Y. Herald, Jan. 7th.l
At the Mercy of the Waves.

i.pSS VI LIE oCIJoNfll
ING STORY OF THE RESCUED CREW.
Those who CHANGED to see 4 little party
Of ordinary looking sailors trudging down
Greenwich street yesterday afternoon,
preceded by an officer in the half military
half civic dress of the British ocean steam
er service, hardly turned their heads to
look after them, and certainly never
thought Of inquiring who the strangers
were and what fate had dropped them in
the crowded streets OF this metropolis.
let theirs was truly eventtul history.
WITHOUT QUADRANT OR CHART.
On the 10Th of December last small
coasting vessel sailed out of the port of
st. Johns, Newfoundland, bound on a two
days voyage to Catalina, little seaport
town, siXty-three miles distant. The little
schooner was loaded with lumber and a
lew provisions in bulk, and carried crew
of six men. Immediately after leaving
port fog sprang up and Il strong west
erly gale began to blow with increasing
force. Like almost all coasters the sailors
on board knew nothing of theoretical nav
igation, could not even take an obserya
ton when the sun came out for few mo-
ments, and relied entirely upon their COM
pass and their practical knowledge of the
coast Such men are commonly skilful
managers Of their boats, and, unless they
lose their bearings, know every current
and shoal within sight of land, but are
helpless, when placed amid novel sur
roundlngS. The heroes of the present
tale pointed their schOoner's bow toward
Cantalna, but when the storm began to
drive them to leeWard they found them
selves in a sad plight. When within four
teen miles of their haven the storm came
on so tiercely that they could no longer
make head against it, and were blown
ont TO sea after a briet and Intellectual at
tempt to beat up in the teeth OF the wind.
Every hour found them further from the
shore and more and more powerless to re-
gain it, for the sharp blasts We're tearing
the thin sails to ribbons. and they were
being borne out over an unknown sea
Their old sails. which Were suitable
enough for careful running along the
shore, were now torn from their bolt
ropes and rent to rags. Nothing was left
on the little schooner but the bare poles.
The clumsy iollyboat which they had on
board was stove in, and finally picked up
bodily by an unusually heavy sea and car
ried over the side. The seas washed the
deck unimpeded, and the crew watched
their constant breaking with stolid in
difference. Not so, however, when the
cold grew more intense and the water be-
gan to freeze as it flowed off the deck
This new calamity was felt by all to be
an imminent danger, tor the pumps,
which had been kept going almost con
stantly, were liable to be choked by the
forming ice. and had to be constantly
watched day and night By constant ex.
ertion they were kept free. but it was i'm.
possible to clear the decks or the outside
OF the ship as well.
COATED WITH ICE
Day by day a thicker coat formed on
the sides and deck of the schooner, grow,
ing upon the masts also, till the vessel
was literally covered to a height of TWEEN
" feet from the deck. AT last the chill oil
the cold wind and the lev water in which
they We're compelled to stand became SO
ntolerable that the helm was dashed TO
windward and the deck was deserted, ex-
cept tor the few hours when it was abso-
lutely necessary to take Il turn at the
pumps Once the captain was swept
overheard, but he caught by chance at the
bulwark as he was borne along, and held
on, despite the terrible strain on his arms,
ill he could be pulled in by his friends.
Another man was Wrenched Off in like
manner, / ut he also was saved by the
same strange fortune which betriended the
captain Their own private provisions had
been used up before they had been three
days out, and recourse was had to the
supplies in the hold These We're princi-
pally hard bread and beef, with a few
pounds OF flour and sugar. The beef and
Hour they could not cook, for though they
could manage to keep up a little fire, they
were unfortunately without supply of
water. On setting out from harbor, they
had a few gallons of water in a small cask
but some OF this was unluckily spilled,
and the precious residue was boarded for
the most imperative need While living
in this helpless condition a few days after
leaving port, vessel was sighted bound
west, which came within mile and half
OF them. The schooner's Jack was flying
at halt-mast-a signal of distress-but it
was unheeded by the stranger. The day
was somewhat thick, but the captain was
certain that his vessel must have been
seen, though he make no complaint of
what seems cruel deserton.
The vessel was beaten about by the
winds and sea for fifteen long days The
WIND did not moderate appreciably and
the sea did not fall during all this time.
Finally, on the 5lst of last month, the long
wished for sail was sighted, and steamer,
the Anconia, of the Anchor line, bore
down upon them.
THE LONG pr
The six freezing sufferers on the schoon
Ell watched with beating hearts the great
steamer as she answered their signal and
came gradually round to windward of
their little ice bound boat A boat was
lowered without much difficulty and came
pulling up to them. When it touched the
side OF their vessel they threw themselves
INTO 1t with the impulse of perishing men,
not even going down again to the cabin to
save their few personal effects. Suffering
and frost bitten they were landed on the
deck OF the steamer, and at once received
every attention and kindness from her
officers and crew. Captain Robert Doug
lass Munroe brought them safely into port
yesterday, and they are now being cared
Tor at the British Sailors Home through
the kind agency of the British Vice Con
sui The names of the saved crew are
George Reed, master; William Reed, first
mate; Joseph Carpenter, William r. God
yer, Mark Solton, and William Steed,
seamen,
Steamship shore