Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-04-21
Lost OrerbOdrd.
A Fearful adventure at Sea.

1854, that the good ship Atlanta, Of seven
hundred tons burthen, commanded by
Captain Elbridge Gerry Colby, Of Salisbury
Mass, (han whom nobler man or better
sailor never commanded shlp). was
bound from New Orleans for Liverpool,
loaded with cotton. She was in mid ocean
about half passage over, and the incident
I am about to relate happened in the
middle watch, about two o'clock in the
morning. Captain Colby was standing
the secoud mates watch for him, he being
sick below with fever. The night was
squally, with rain. They had clewed up
the light sails and sent men aloft to fLrl
them. When the men came down from
the fore-top gallant yard, they reported
the fore.top- gallant mast sprung. Captain
Colby started aloft to see for himself the
extent of the damage.
Finding the mast would have to be
sent down, he gave the orders to have the
fore top-gallant stay and the back stays
come up with, Meanwhile he was get
ting the fore-top. gallant yard ready to
be sent down. When the stay was let
60 it caused the mast to jerk back aft
| with such quick force as to throw Cap
tain Colby off, He fell abaft the topsail
yard, struck on the toreyard down for
ward the toresail, overheard, into the sea
to the lee side He told me that he re-
membered in falling that there was no
officer on deck; he went down, down ap-
parently to great depth, but not so far
as he thought, for when he turned and
came to the surface he was right under
the lee quarters of the ship and going
rapidly astern. He had all his senses
about him, although badly injured, and
with the quick, intutitive perception of
an experienced seaman, he called out
with all his powers to the man at
the wheel, "Hard down your
| helm! Throw the life-buoy overheard p
The life-buoy, Liverpool one, was a
circle of canvas, double, and filed with
cork. Most people on seaboard have
seen them, they being behind the man at
the wheel, on the roundhouse ready for
use.
| The man quick-witted and quick
motioned one, put the ships helm hard
down. as ordered from the water, and
quickly caught the life-buoy from its
place and threw it with all his force to
his captain, then out of sight astern. Who
that does not believe in the care and pro-
violence of God watching over all, let
him explain the fact. The light IN the
pinnacle that lights the compass hung
high enough to throw its halo astern,
lighting small space with its dim light
in the ships wake. Into this magic cir
Gle Of not more than two feet in circum-
ference fell the life buoy. Captain Colby
was good swimmer. He watched with
such intense interest Gas only man
could whose life hung on so small a
chance) the receding ship, and tried to
see the buoy strike the water. He saw
it in that ray of light that alone shone
upon the water, and he determined tc
make all possible effort to reach it
Divesting himself of his overcoat, boots
and heavy clothing, he swan in the di
rection he saw the 'buoy strike. Three
} times tie seas broke over him, the last
QUE overwhelming and almost strangline
him. Injured as he was, and almost strug
Cling against hope in his apparently los
condition, he was almost gi7ing up, but
the thought of the dear wife in the cab
in, and the loved ones at home, nervec
l him to further and prolonged effort
: and Go&granted him the boon he asked
g lor-the life buoy.
He came within its reach, and was fol
$ the time being saved. Putting it ove
;, his head and extending his arms above i
g his first act was to return thanks to Coo
0 for his mercy. He low hoated upon tn,
waters in utter darkness, waiting TO
t what might come to save him. He TOLD
| us he never doubted being saved, ant
. standing on the deck of his ship again
0 He said, II knew had men there VIII,
r would do and dare all that men could d,
s to save me-" Results showed that hi
!, faith in his fellow-men was we'll placed
e and nobly was it answered.
e Turn we now to the Atlanta. Let u
digress for moment to say that year
| before, when Captain Colby vas secont
manded by Captain Thompson, Of Ports.
y mouth, she was struck by lightning il
s the gulf stream, when loaded with cotton
! While under close-reefed topsails, wine
:, blowing gale, the ship was quickly en-
e veloped in flames, driving the crew ant
;, one lady passenger to the boats, which
|, were lowered in safety; provisions ant
u water were put in them, which were al
8 ready, for Captain Thompson having hat
|, similar experience before, had his boat
It always ready for an emergency, and S,
y the crew were saved. This lesson wa
q not lost on Captain Colby. His boat
o were always ready for immediate use
+ and to that fact he was probably indebt
n ed for his life on this occasion. He hat
e some preparation of his own for the in
Simultaneous lowering of a boat. Whel
d the captains fall from aloft occurred, tn
:. steward shouted down into the cabin
e sThe captains overboard!"
/ Captain William H. Merrill, then tb
! sick second mate below, whose watcl
/ Captain Colby had been standing, spranl
! upon Geek, sick as he was, with no cloth
& ing but his shirt, jumped into quarter
:. boat, calling for volunteers. Orderir