The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-03
FIVE DAYS WITHOUT FOOD.

CApsrzING OF A BEIGANTINE IN THE GULF OF
AWFUL EXPERIENCE OF TWO SURVIVORS.
BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
NEW ORLEANS. La, Nov. ., 1872
The Spanish steamer Enrique, from Matanzas
brought to this port two seamen. Gustav Michel
German. and Antonio Diaz. Spaniard, the sole
vivors OF the American brigantne Sally. Captain
Jose Artgea Aharez, which capszed In the Gulf,
about hundred miles southeast South Pass light.
The Sally owned at Key West, and left Pensacola
for Havana with heavy load of lumber the
25th of October Michel, who his way to
Havana to join the British brig Florence
mate. says the crew consisted Of eight
men. 1t blowing hard at the time
they left Pensacola and the brig was found to be
leaking badly. they got to The
pumps were kept going from the start. On the 26th
the wind had increased to q terrific gale the heavy
sea sweeping the foreyard moment. Early
Il. the morning of the next day Sunday. the crew.
who had been constantly at the pumps. were only
able to get bread and coffee the last meal they
were destined to eat together.
. cApsrzED.
The next day. about eight o'clock IN the morning.
tho vessel was thrown her beam ends. and it was
impossible for her to recover her equilibrium being
now hopelessly water logged. Michel had dashed
himself to the Wheel of which he was in charge at
the time the vessel went over. and to this in all
probability, he owed his safety The steward was
killed by the falling of the mainmast. which went
by the board the vessel capsized. and the only
other survivor. strange to say. saved by
being entangled in the rigging at the time.
The two survivors were, therefore, enabled
to climb to the side of the vessel then
out of water and hold on. The captain
h. I'll,
long boat just the vessel went over. They dared
not como near the wreck for fear of being swamped
in attempting to save their two comrades. neither
of whom could swim. Ten minutes after the long
boat left the wreck it lost sight Of very
high sea was running the time and Michel thinks
1t was lost.
cLISGING
Up to the following Friday the two men held on
desperately to the wreck with nothing to drink but
salt water and the blood OF cat, which they killed
and ate dividing six spoonfuls OF the blood between
them. Diaz. who speaks only Spanish gave your
correspondent the following additional particulars.
Ho that he trying to free the longboat from
it's fastenngs at the the vessel capsized. At
that instant he lost all sense Of consciousness.
When he revived he found himself entangcd in the
main rigging from which he extricated himself and
climbed up ON the mast. AS the longboat driited to
leeward the captain called to him to jump. At that
time however. it was too far. and he dared not at
tempt it, as no could not swim.
ALMOST pEsPAIRISG.
During the Ave days they chung to the side Of the
vessel their sulcrings. both from hunger and thirst.
became intolerable The vessel, to whose sides they
chung, still rolled heavily in the swell OF tho
hausting every moment the little strength they
had. On Thursday they sighted a bark to which
they made signals of distress. She either
h.A1
so passed. on. On Friday morning. after dividing
the blood of the cat between them with tho most
scrupulous oxactncss, both agreed IL assistance
did not appear before night to relax their hold upon
the vessel and drop into tho Endurance could
20 no further, and they both reasoned that death
would be easier than tho sriferings they endured
Toward noon of that day Michel became delrious.
and Daz found it almost impossible to control him.
His mouth had become sore and swollen from the use
of the salt water, which he would persist in drink
ing, and 1t was impossible 20 understand what he
wanted to say, even when his delirium had passed
on Diaz says he that assistance would como
in tho time they agreed to wait for it, and his only
way was to keep his companion in the same hope
full spirit
succoIrp ny ENRIQUE.
Late on Friday afternoon they were aroused from
the almost despair into which both had now fallen
by the appearance of large steamer, bearing down
toward them. Darkness was now coming on rap
idly and they were afraid that their signals might
not be noticed. They made every effort that their
little strength capable of to attract attention
and shouted with all their might The Enriquc
and its gallant commander had discovered
them and they saved. Both men lost
every thing thcy had In the world except the
clothes they wore. They are profuso In
pressions OF gratitude TO Captain Do Mugco. OF
tho Enrique who kindly furnished them with
everythng--shcltcr. clothing and food. Michel
says he has been twenty-nine years at sea- but had
never experienced anything 50 dreadful his last
disaster. although he was mate of the Robert Run,
of Galveston, during the hurricane of September.
1877. Most of the time he has sailed from New York,
where he has many friends.
1t is impossible to ascertain the names Of the men
who were lost. the brigantne's papers were not
accessible after she capsized.