Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-02-03
along the beach. 1t is understood the register
ed letters receipted for by the purser, contained
about $3.50 600 in money, drafts, &c.

ed letters receipted for by the purser, contained
about $3.50, 600 in money, drafts, DC.
Shipp, assistant postmaster at Norfolk, went
to the wreck to look after the interests of his
department, and of eleven bags containing
mail matter washed ashore he succeeded in re-
covering two, one intact, the other being used
as tobacco bag by one Of the survivors. OF
the contents nothing could be found, nor could
anything be found of the other bags or con-
tents. Parties on the beach say the bags were
cut open and rified, and the letters, after being
opened were strewn along the beach.
STATEMENT OF A SURVIVOR.
NORFOLK. Feb Flames F. Alcorn, tempo
rarily attached to the Metropolis, former officer
of the United States navy and journalist in
Boston, makes the following statement:
Wednesday at nine o'clock was called by the
mate to assist the carpenter in stopping the
leak around the rudder trunk. found the
stern post loose and so reported. Remained at
my post, using all possible exertion to stop the
leak or prevent its increase until about $50 p.
M, when 1 was called on deck and found the
ship partial wreck, of the post boats
hanging over the side by her bow tackle to the
davit smoke stack gone, and the
ship heading for the beach. Reached
the fore cutter, and in obedience to an order
from the Captain commenced to start the
| ter In Cne casks stored FORWARD, TO 1lSnLen Gle
ship, assisted in SO doing by the carpenter and
one Of the quartermasters who was afterwards
drowned. Finally the mate suggested that sail
should be made by setting the foresail, and on
getting his consent, went aloft and assisted by
Chas. Seaman, loosed the foresail and succeeded
! in setting the sail, which remained but few
minutes until carried away and it was neces-
sary to clew up the port wing Of the sail.
| Shortly after the ship struck heavily amid
/ ships, evidently breaking her back, but she
continued to drive on the beach. The admira-
BILE management of the helm, assisted by the
foresail, maintained the ships position until
! fairly beached. then took my station on the
hurricane deck with desire to assist the
commander and officers in maintaining order.
! Some raised the cry of fire, which was
quickly found to be false alarm.
Soon after this the main mast went and she
began to break up rapidly. The first seas that
boarded her having destroyed or crippled all
the remaining boats but the dingy, which was
attached to the starboard forward the davits,
upon that boat placed my chief hope of safe
ty, provided l could maintain possession OF
the boat for sending line ashore at low water
But while my attention was otherwise engaged
the boat was lowered and my purpose defeated
At length
THE CLOSING SCENE
was upon us. The lower deck beams gave way
and the starboard broadside given a few more
heavy shocks from the surf sank slowly be
meath the waves. Then the narrator, assured
that neither advice nor example could be o.
service longer, struck out for the beach anc
fortunately reached it, but in such an exhausted
state that he would have certainly gone to Sc,
a victim of the undertow but for friendl,
hands and aid.
THE GALLANT OFFICERS.
The Captain and his officers are highly com
mended. Quartermaster Poland made three at
tempts to get line ashore and only gave u
how, tlo1 tDr>c oh I,
O'Brien reaching the shore himself returne
into the water and rescued some 50 persons a
they were dashed toward him by the waves
The scattered dwellers along the coast az
given wrrm praise for prompt and munif
cient hospitality.