The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-03-17
IfEROISM or BRITISH SAILORS.
RescuiDa the shipwreckcd During an Earth
1unke.

BOARD OF TRADE, WHITEHALL, Feb. pc
Queen Victoria has hron comforting the Albert
Medal of thu, Second Glass on John Mitchell;
carpenter; William Stewart. saimaker: and
Charles Wilson. ABB. late seaman OF the Con-
ference. Of Bristol.
on the OH of May. 1877, the Conference Of
AvOninorc aud thirty other vessels were lying
ut anchor of tho village of IIuHnillos. II short
distance from the shore, loaded with guano.
The village itself stands on a platform or ledge
of the mountains. about thirty feet above the
sea lcvel and me mountains rise prccipitously
to a height 81 1000 feet According to the state
ment Of Capt. George Wiiams the late master
of the Conference. at aboutsi, J. NJ. the weather
being dark and gloomy. with II calm sna. n So
we're shock OF an earthquake was felt. The ship
tremblcd 50 much that the masts and yards
seemed to DO coming down and the stern moor
ngs parted. Tho noisn OF the earthquake, rs II
bouldcrs were rolled down the side of the noun
tains and. striking against each other. emitted
sparks OF fire. while the cries of the guano dig
Ecrs On the mountains. who were in danger OF
ther lives. increased the terror Of the scene.
The earthquake was followed by three dis,
tnct tidal waves. which rolled in from se0ward
a intervals Of about ten minutes. rising about
flity feet, as seen 10y the, marks, on the shore.
and drag their anchors aud suhmcrging the
village Of Iluanillos. The first tidal wavc drove
two vessels across the bows Of the Conference.
md carried away her bOwsDrit and jibbOOm
The second tidal wave carried away her star
board bower chains. and at IN" same time the
American vessel Geneva was driven against the
fore rigging Of the Conference, damaging her
severely. She thcn commenced to drft toward
the rocks. The Geneva was then carried back,
and again driven against the Conference. cut
ting the laitcr down amidships four or five
Dlanks below the covering board. Then YES
sci which nitcrward proved 10 bctho AVonmorc.
was seen for y moment as she was driven ut II
furious rate across the bows of the Conference.
Almost Immediately her anchor light disap-
pcarcd. and the cries 81 drowning people were
heard.
il was at this time. when. as i is stated.
everything was calculated TO destroy the
strongest nerves. when ships, ont OF the power
of human control were ranging about in all iii.
rections. the sen confused and turbulent. and
the Conference herself badly damaged. that tho
master called Tor volunteers from his crow TO
man the FOLLY boat. After somr hesitation, John
Mitchell. William stewart. and Charles Wilson
volunteered their services. They rOwcd away
into the darkness. which was then described Ms
SO great that objects were invisible AT n distance
equal 10 the ships length. and after some time
succeeded in finding and resruing the muster
of the Avonmore aud his child. the second and
third officers. and an 4. Il. Fortunately. there
was no further tidal wave. and when the boat re-
turned TO the Conference the disturbance Of the
sea had considerably ahated. but the rest Of the
crew were about to abandon the Conference in
their other boat. rs she was then close ON the
rocks with her stern and bows knocked in.
Both boats then rowed out to sea. -Four vessels.
including the ANonmorn and the Conference.
were totally wrecked that night at Iiuanilos.
five wcre uniuIured from hcin. moorcd outsi dc
Of the others, and all the rest were more or less
damaged. NNumrrOus lives were lost