The New York herald., 1879-07-28
A STRUGGLE FOR LIFE.
Arrival in this City of Three Survivors
of the State Of Virginia.
A WOMAN'S GRAPHIC NARRATIVE.
Pathetic Scenes and Agonizing
Hours on a Strange Island.

The Rev. J. H. wnrheld Of Boston, and Daniel
Clark and wife, OF Buffalo, three of the survivors Of
the wrecked steamer State of Virginia, arrived in
this city on Friday by rail from Halifax The re.
maindcr of the passengers proceeded their jour
ney, ealing from Halifax in the Allan line steamer
Hbernian on Tuesday last. Mr.. warncld went i'm
mcdiaely to Boston and MIR. and Mrs. Clark started
for Buffalo last evening by the Eric Railway. Tho
last two nam ed give graphic account of their ex-
periences. 1t is the only complete story OF the
wreck and the life of the castoways Sable Island
which has yot been made public. In the Erie Rail-
way depot just before the train started. they hur-
ricdy told their narrative to the HERALD reporter.
MIR. Clark Is an intelligent person who has done
business in Buffalo for a number OF years. and his
wife is quiet looking middle aged lady OF slight
figure. who still suffering from exhaustion and
the nj sustained when she thrown into the
water from the capsized surf boat. f'
cArsIZEp IN A sURFBoAr. -n8
Whom asked to relate her experience she said. with
q good expression lit is twenty Ave years ago this
month since my husband and myself emlgrated to
this country aud going to pay first visit
to friends in the Old Country when ship.
wrecked. The shock was great that since then
whenever see a boat and water get palpitation
of the heart. do not feel like venturing
long voyage again. but it do suppose would
soon trust my life with Captain Noodle with
any one else. When the State Of Virginia struck in
the fog that Saturday night there no pauic
board the ladies' expressed their belief that
the ship would soon float. There were many Of us
in tears. all realized the danger of attempting
to land through the SURF On Sunday morning.
about ten O'Clock. there fourteen Of ms.
all women children. who were lowered into
one OF the surfboats which alongside from the
island When coming toward the breakers the men
in charge Of the boat turned it and attempted to
bring it to land stern foremost Then great bill
low struck and it seemed If the boat going
up in tho air end. The surf was rolling noun
tans high Then the boat turned right over. and we
ali went into the water together. was dszed by
the suddenncss of the catastrophe that was only
partially conscious. really cannot now describe
my peculiar feelings. 1 went under the boat. and
while in that position managed to get hold of life
preserver. When came up it was on the opposite
side of the boat, and managed to get hold Of the
keel. The next righted the boat. and imm III
atcly another huge billow struck it and swept mo
clean over. Then was carried by the waves again
toward tho lifeboat, when q man got into 1t and
New York, who struggling in the water beside
me- seized hold OF the mans other hand He dragged
us into the boat, but i'll an instant we were again
hurried out by the breakers. saw my CO mpanIons
about me struggling i'll the water, but did not see
them drown. gfhtt
A THRILLING SCENE Fl
Just before reached the breakers saw boat
behind which was my husband. have not
thc slightest idea how reached land nor have
any conception of the manner in which got life
preserver on me whilc under the keel o. the surf
boat When was able to collect my thoughts gazed
around My clothing had been nearly all stripped
from my person by the waves. Then l tue
boaies Of Mrs. Walker of Elmira. and Miss Coleman.
up by the breakers. Both were quito dead. When
was getting into the boat on leaving
anS ns 'np whose eh' aa mot know ssse
mo for a pin. / gave 10 to her ana
she pinned her money to the waist Of her dress.
When we were preparing to get into the first boat
Captain Moode's daughter, iuost interesting young
lady OF twenty years or thcreabouts was urged by
her father to enter. She chung TO his neck. and.
kissing him. refused to parted He urged her to 20
into the boat and herself Finally she reluctantly
gave her consent. Then the boat was lowered. but
Immediately MISS Noodles feelings overcame her,
and she begged piteously 10 be allowed to remain
and share her iatners ia rate. sne was pui.eo
rowed away After reaching land was unconscious
tor long time. was SO much overcome by fright
could scarcely realize what had taken place. 1t
seemed all like dream to me. supposed that the
boat following also swamped. / knew
my husband was In it, and was than overjoyed
| when him twcnty-sx hours alter
warl. When Mrs. Widestrand. who was in our boat.
| was thrown up on the beach sbc had as she sup
posed. her son John in her arms In frenzy OF ex-
citement. on struggling through the surf to the
the same time cinging tenaciously to the strap of
his little ulster TO her horror she then discovered
that the buttons had unfastcued, that in
her struggles the child had spped out his coat.
Her grief, when she discovered tnat he had fal ca
from her grasp and been dro wncd before her eyes
when sue thought him saved uncomfortable.
We did all we could in our sorry plight to comfort
the heart broken woman.
Mr. CLAltKs NARRATIVE.
| Mr.. Clark seemed the events which occur
red immediately after the snip struck vvidly por-
ship struck" said he. Captain Noodle had given
orders to alter the vessels course. lie evidently
,hs shock ~s. sirh. None Of us ,et much sisrm
as the captain thought We would float of with tho
midnight tide The fog WIS very dense. aud all this
time the engines were vcing reversed; but we were
wcdged in the sand and seemed to settle into 1t
further and further was III the second boat, fol-
lowing the one that was capsized i cannot convey
to you my feelings OF anguish when saw that boat
| full OF passengers, my wlie among the number.
| hurled into the scethns waves. The officer in
| charge OF our boat, when he saw the catastrophe
gave orders to return. When we again got on the
deck OF the ship there was intense excitement can
not begin to faithfully portray it, We sympathizcd
with those who had lost friends. and all OF emS
braccd each other ~ II brothers and sisters
time OF supreme suspense for all. I was half crazy
| IN my anxiety to know the tate OF my wife.
ION Monday. about eleven O'Clock in the morning.
we were all landed the lee siue OF the island.
Seven boat loads intending the baggage and pro-
visions. were transferred from the ship. Captain
Noodle, his daughter and myself the light
house. On the way We met ths. lighthouse keeper.
who told us to put the baggage back INTO the boat
and 20 down the shore TO Governor MacDonalds
house, which was about nine miles away. In my cx-
citeinent And anxiety walked the whole distance,
scarcely knowing why did So On the way met
| Mrs. Porteous. OF New York. who was In the cap
s.zed boat. 10 my great JOY she told me that my
wife was safe. shortly afterward met my wife.
Snail tell you that she fairly screamed with Joy.
and that both fell on our knees and thanked God
that We had been spared from the waves!
STRANGE ISLAND.
"Wo Jared we'll while on the island It il certainly
. most remarkable strip OF sand. There are no
trees, not twg OF shrubbery, oven a stone a.
| big as u marble on it. We found plenty of wild
strawberries. cranocrrics and blackberries Five
six hundred Wild horses ponies were everywhere
roaming about. We had p.cnty OF good. fresh water
Governor Macdonald has force OF men there who
patrol the entire island daily, mounted somo
OF these ponies. When lett the state OF Virgins
Captain Mooaie refused to give the scamen any
liquor he wanted the men to keep cool heads and
| steady hands. While tho island we made tho
| best OF circumstances. Tne mon slept In
| tho bosthouse and managed TO make thems selves
rs comfortable Ms possible. We christened it the
| Hotel de Comfort The ladies slept In the
Governors house. The accommodations were 40