The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1880-06-24
sNATCHED FROM DEATH.
WoNDERFUL ESCAPE OF AN ATCHIsoN
You've LADY.

The friends Of Miss Mollie Tortat, OF
this city. have waited with great eager
ness to leaen the particulars Of her es-
cape from the burning and sinking
steamer Narragansctt. Yesterday Mrs.
j. G.. Fox, Miss Tortat's sister, received
q letter from her giving the following
particulars. We may say before giving
the story, that Miss Tortat's rescuer
was the brave sailor, Henri DurOy, Of
the United States ship Tennessee, whose
name and fame will endure as long as
long as that of Grace Darling and Ida
Lewes:
NV dispatch made you acquainted
with the terrible disaster which hap
pened to the Inflated Narragansett.
know YOU have seen the papers with
all the particulars, so l will not try to
write much. as am feeling very weak
indeed. did not think. Friday night,
that would ever see or write to any OF
you again. l never can describe my
feelings. MY birth was No. Is in the
ladies' cabin did not take state room
because could not sleep, and it was
moro economical. Alas, how many dol
lars have gone down into the sea!
stayed on deck enjoying the evening
until about half past nine, then retired
perfectly contented, not for moment
thinking of danger. had not gone to
sleep but vas beginning TO feel drowsy
At half past eleven l heard the bells
ringing furiously, and then the terrible
crash, never to be forgotten to my dy-
ing day. sprang instantly from my
berth, the third and uppermost one.
Fortunately had only lOOsened my
clothing. l fastened my clothing, put
on my hat, and my comb in my hair,
put ON a life prcserver which was in my
birth, took NV ulster in one hand and
band box in the other and hurried ont
on the gang-way. The officers were
CRYING out oil the time "NOt the least
danger, only slight accident" This
did not satisfy me. wanted to aseer-
tain myself before would he convinced,
and well that did. When l reached
the galley way l found tho steamer
sinking rapidly, the water then being
over my feet. | found that l must
leave that portion of the steamer or |
must 90 down. AS was leaving met
a gentleman and said to him, "Will you
help me 2" lie said. 81 will stand BY
you, Miss, and do all in my power to
save you.' We fastened through the
ladies' cabin to the saloon. When we
reached the saloon the smoke was snf-
locating, and falling all around Us. We
managed to get through to tho promen-
AIDE deck, 1 wading through water
above my waist. SOyou may imagine
how rapidly the steamer sank. We
found we would be washed out to sea.
SO my '.sailor boy" told me how to
climb on his shoulders. He standing
outside of the railing of the saloon
climbed up-I don't know aow l did it
onto the hurricane deck. Ihad not.fi-
ing to catch hold of as the deck was of
tin. but strength was given me. We
got there just in time to jump on the
last life raft, and that was upside down.
We leaped ten feet or more not know
ing whether we should 60 into the sea
Or the boat. aimed right and struck
the boat. Another lady Jumped on my
hack, We were piled on the raft like
logs. We drifted with the tide about
two hours, aud were finally rescued by
men from q new York steamer. 1
would have been lost had il not been
for Mr.. Duroy, lie stood by me faith
fully until the last. did not loose nv
presence Of mind, aud several gentle
men hunted mo up and complimentc|.
me ON being SO brave and courageo lis.
When We reached the New York scam
or everything was done for us that
could be done. We were csrripped of
our wet clothing, rubbed in blankets.
and given stimulants, A lady very
kindly gave two ladies and myself a
state room, where we were rs COM
Portable as possible under the circum-
stances.
Such night Of horrors hope will
never be called upon to witness again.
Tho shrieks Of the drowning we're
The men seemed to be
more excited than the women. There
were few noble men, however, who
did everything they could do to help
the ladies'. The crew were the frat TO
leave the steamer. did not feel that
was safe until / was on terra frma,
and can say with emphasis that have
sounded the sound sutii GENTLY. ] do
not want any more aurf bathing during
The rest Of my natural life.
The only thing saved was my little
satchel containing my money, jewelry,
ticket and check. That Mr.. Duroy
saved for me by stufiing it in his cloth