Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-07-23
on THE WRECKED NARRAGAN.
SETT


THE EXPERIENCE OF A WILMINGTON LADY AND
HER HUSBAND, WHO ESCAPED PROM THE
SINKING AND BURNING VESSEL.
The June number of the Trade Bureau IN.
Y. contains an account of the escape from
the wrecked Sound steamer, Narragansett, of
Mr.. and Mrs. Melvin L. Hanum of New York.
This account will have special interest for
our Wilmington readers, from the fact that
Mrs. Hanum, nee Julia L. Reed, is native of
Wilmington and has many friends there, with
whom she spent several weeks just before her
marriage with Mr.. Hanum last November.
II had been asleep but awoke and, hearing
my wife close the case of her watch as she
lay in the berth under me, l asked the time,
and she said it was ten minutes past eleven
The noise Of fog whistles prevented my going
to sleep again, and presently 1 heard our
steamer give two quick, sharp whistles, an
swored Immediately by two from another
steamer, which proved to be the Stonington.
Almost Immediately came a crash, the lights
went out, and knew there had been a colli-
sion. arose at once, got my wife up, put on
her life -preserver, and started to go out /;
but she called me back and made me put on
life-preserver. then went out, and, after
looking about, thought there was no immedi-
ate danger, and returned to dress. put on
my pantaoons and light overcoat, my wife
putting on linen travelling dress. We re-
adjusted the life-preservers, and went out into
the saloon. In the room adjoining ours were
two young ladies, who had been laughing and
talking and having good time" in the ear
lier part of the evening. When we came out
they met us, and were frantic with fear.
showed them how to put on the life-preservers,
and tied one on, my wife doing the same for
another. We then-for my wife was cool and
had her presence Of mind all the time-assist-
ed several others in getting on the corks.
While thus engaged my wife touched me on
the arm and said, Look there turned and
saw volume of smoke rolling towards us,
and then q flash of flame. / saw then that
we should soon have to take to the water and
we went outside to the rail Looking up
saw some of the passengers lowering a boat,
and told my wife to jump into it as it came
down. / also told her if she got into the wa
ter to stick close to me, and be careful tC
leave my arms and legs free and she follow.
| ed my instructions to the letter. and behaved
nobly. In lowering the boat it passed close
to U.S. and she jumped in. One of the ropes
became entangled, however, and the boa
went into the water, bow first, and immedi
ately filled. / jumped into the water ant
seized hold of the boat, and my wife held OIL
TO me. We were in the water for a long time
and finding that nothing was being done t.
free the boat, which still hung by the rope
we worked our way back and once more go
on TO the burning vessel. We had been oI
board but little while when saw men low
ering a life-raft, and, telling my wife that wa
our chance, we waited till it struck the watel
and leaped on. There were about twenty
five people on it, men, women and children
We flOated a mile or 80 away, when we wer'
picked up and towed to the steamer City o
New York, and taken on board, where w
were kindly treated. Our clothes were strip
] ped of and we were given blankets, and on