Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1877-07-14
not loft my post by old Ben, and was wet
through to the skin but could not move. !

not loft my post by old Ben, and was we
through to the skin but could not move.
was powerless to stir.
"This can't last much longer said old Ben
NJ he held the wheel hard down. "This heav,
fall of water, and this constant humping
against the Ice will knock her to pieces in few
minutes, II she is iron.'
The fog now seemed to be growing lighter
and could see more Of the iceberg. As far a.
my eyes could reach in any direction there was
nothing but the clear, crystal surface, with it,
huge assures and jagged pinnacles. Every
minute the ship would crash against the fear.
ful mass, and | felt that old Ben was right
We could not stand it much longer. The rush
OF water from the berg now lessened and soor
ceased entirely, but the fall OF blocks of ice re-
commenced The captain cried out
Forward there! T.
GAY, ny, sir"
"What do you zee ahead?'
There was no answer. A deep silence reigned
along the deck for minute or two, but then
the time seemed greater to u.s. Then the reply
came clearly and slowly:
"There's clear water hundred fathoms
ahead, sir, and the fog is lifting
! Not man stirred, or spoke. The vessel
moved slowly and painfully forward. Another
moment, and We saw the end Of the terrible
mountain OF ice. Three minutes more, and
our stern was clear of it, and we were running in
open water, and the sky was Frightening. Still
not n sound s..heard until the captains voice
broke the stiffness.
"Let us pray
mvoluntarily we all fell on our knees, and
lie captain in earnest, trembling tones We
thanks to tho God OF Heaven for our deliver.
a. &C from our great danger. Yes, We were free
from the danger, and in half all hour the fog
had entirely disappeared. Then rs the sun
came out, we could see our iceberg q few miles
astern flashing aud glittering in the brilliant
light. 1t was an immense berg and We had
ample cause to be thankful that it had dealt so
lightly with MS.
We had suffered fearfully from our collision,
and now, that the danger was passed, we could
afford to ascertain the extent of our damages.
Our masts were 80 completely destroyed that
they were of no use to us at all our hull was
bent and crushed in several places, but fortu-
natcly no holes had been made in it by the ice.
The immense strength of this portion of the
steamer had alone saved the entire vessel from
destruction, but the strain Oh it had been so
great that dangerous leak had been sprung.
This we endeayorcd to stop, but with only
partial success, and during the remainder
of the voyage, the pumps were kept going con-
Htantly. The scene on the deck was fearful to
behold. Nearly all the bulwarks had been
knocked away by the collision and the falling
ice-blocks and forecaste, fancy wood and
iron work. and almost everything of the kind
had been destroyed, and there we lay wreck.
No one would have recognized the proud
steamer that had sailed so gracefully out of
port few weeks before. We were terribly
crippled, but through the mercy of Heaven we
were not helpless. Neither the engine, the
screw nor the rudder had been injured, and as
we had on board an unusually large supply Of
coal, we felt confident that we could reach
Liverpool if we had favorable weather, though
we should be several weeks behind our
regular time. All hope of a speedy voyage
was ended now. We were glad enough to get
to England on any terms.
Strange to say, during .he collision and the
scenes that followed, not human being was
lost or injured. This was all theme wonder
ful from the fact that the deck was full Of men
ut the time, and the masses of ice wero falling
the whole length Of the ship. TO the GOODNESS
of the captain and the old steersman we felt
that we owed our safety, and when the danger
was fairly over, the passengers held meeting,
and drew up set of resolutions thanking
them for their gallant conduct.
4 great change came over the passengers.
They became more serious than they had been
before the accident. Religious services were
held daily on board and were attended by
eyory one on the ship, except those on duty,
and never have l witnessed more interesting
meetings than saw and participated in there
Old Ben confessed to me that the accident
had converted " him, and that after so signal
and great manifestation of God $ mercy, he
could hold aloof no longer. 1t compelled him
to be Christian.
In due time we reached Liverpool. Our
sorry appearance, as we steamed into the har-
Dor, attracted great attention, and the story Of
our trials was listened to with wonder and
interest