Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1878-07-24
-Four Hours of Mortal Terror.

During a late voyage of the schooner
Louis Walsh, from Bavacoa to New
York, dreadful storm occurred, and
the first Mate O'Donnell, was washed
overheard. The incident is thus mar
ated by Capt. McDade.
"Cap'n Pm overheard Capt. .McDade
heard his brother-in-law scream. Ii
was trying moment for the captain.
His wife's brother IN the sea, and his
main boom whipping back and forth.
his vessel careeDing, and his control
over her almost gone. Ifhe tried to save
the mate his craft was gone sure.
"He's dead; it's no use, cap'n,"
Peterson shouted.
Capt. McDade did not answer, for
just then, as the vessel lurched, the
pinnacle light went out, and an instant
afterward flash of l;gfit shone from
the cabin windows. Steward Downey
saw that flash. "My God," he cried to
the captain, ''the ships afire." He
l-aped into the cabin. The three oil
lamps were on the floor. and the fire
was well under way. Dpwney sprang
through the flame TO the captain state
room. seized the blankets from the bunk,
and throwing them Oh the fire stamped
il out.
Meanwhile the crew had got the main
sail lowered. and the schooner was
eased. Mate Peterson, however, had
heard O'Donnell shout, and without
waiting for orders groped his way for
ward and lowered his yawl into the
water, and then Captain McDade heard
him shouting away behind in the
schooner's wake. Adrift in the boat,
without an oar and the schooner making
10 knots an hour. He could not even
see the schoOner's light, e.waves ran
high. Peterson had given up hope.
Suddenly he heard family away off in
the darkness
Look sharp
1t was poor O'Donnell, whom Peter
son supposed to be at the bottom OF the
sea. just then he saw the schOoner's
light. She had tackled, and was almost
sweeping over him. He made fast to
her as she scudded along, and shouted
to tile captain that he was safe. just
then they all heard again voice out in
the darkness. Downey seized the oars,
jumped into the yawl, and with Peter
son rOwed toward the voice.
When O'Donnel struck the water he
sank only few feet, and on rising to
the surface shouted TO the captain, and
then tried to SWIM. He could not use
his legs. Then he remembered the
blow that he had received in the small
of the back. He thought his back was
broken and that he might as well die.
He padded little with his hands, and
saw that it kept him ailoat, although
his legs hung like lead in the water.
Almost in despair, he was about to
cease padding. Then he saw the light
Of the vessel, and that kindled hope.
The light disappeared, and he feared
that the captain could not stop to pick
him up, but he kent up gentle pad
ding. Thus he kept his head above
the water, and rode out the great waves.
He was able to keep himself afloat with
little exertion, but the pain in his back
was eXcruciating. Now and then he
shouted, and tried to catch an answer
None came. He gave up all hope. but
padded instinctively. Then he remem-
bered the sharks that followed the
schooner in the morning. This thought
filled him with terror. Still he pad
died, half unconsciously. Then he
thought of his wife and children, now
in Europe, and that nerved him, and
putting his hands together reverently,
just using motion enough to keep him.
self afloat, he prayed TO heaven to spare
him for his wife and children. As he
opened his eyes after this prayer, he
saw that dawn was just breaking, and
far away speek approaching him. 1t
was the boat. The men did not see him
but fortunately they pulled in his direc-
ton, and when they heard him shout,
they pulled with all their might toward
him.
Downey said afterward that they were
just about giving him up as they heard
him call. O'Donnell sank to the bottom
of the yawl unconscious, and the two
sailors pulled TO the schooner, which
lay-to six miles away. He had been
four hours in the water.