The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-01-20

TERRIBLE PERlLS UNDERGONE BY THE CREW
OF THE ALICE LYNE-sTORM.BEATEN FOR
MANY DAYS AND NIGHTS-A LUCKY SALVAGE
PRIZE.
[By telegraph to the New York Herald
ST. J0HNs. n. f., January 1S.-I began
sending you at late hour last night the
particulars OF the salvage OF the bark Alice
Lvne, bound from Leth to Harber Grace,
Newfoundland, with cargo OF coal; but
was not able TO complete my account.
When discovered from the shore the vessel
was being washed by heavy seas, which at
times completely hid her from view. Her
anchor bad been let go and ber stern was
turned toward the frowning cliffs that en-
viron Sboa bay. This is one OF the most
dangerous lee shores on the coast Of New
foundland. The spectators from the shore,
looking out upon the apparently doomed
vessel and her crew, could render them no
assistance whatever. Scarcely could life
boat live among these boiling breakers.
ESCAPE OF THE CREW.
After an hour had passed from the time
the bark's anchor touched the reef an at
tempt was made 20 lower away the long
boaI, which, between the intervals OF the
seas, was successfully effected. The mate
and six Of the crew succeeded in getting
into her, and reached the shore safely, after
several hairbreadlh escapes. As soon as
the mate landed he dispatched messenger
to St. Johns for a stean-lug, which was i'm
mediately dispatched 10 attempt the rescue
OF the bark. In the mean time il appeared
to the captain 10 be criminally imprudent
to remain bv his vessel any longer. SO with
the remainder OF bis crew he prepared to
leave her to her fate. The boat was low
cred, but scarcely touched the wafer before
a sea broke over ber and she swamped
Another and the last boat was then put in
tackle, and by taking advantage Of tenn
pOrary lull was successfully launched into
the water. Captfn Curtis ard his men
then rode through, or rather drove through,
the breaking sea, and after rounding Shoal
bay entered smooth water and safely
reached the shore without accident.
SALVAGE CREW.
Some three hours after the abandonment
of the Alice Lyme by her crew sudden
change OF tide, accompanied by slight va
ration in the wind, caused the bark TO wheel
round and swing out OF the dangerous
creek in which she lay. Her position YVES
now comparatively safe. Two adventurous
crews of landsmen, comprising twenty-one
in all, put off in large cod.seiue skiffs from
Baybal's, and after several unsuccessful
efforts at length succeeded in boarding the
dereIict vessel and apprOpriating her as a
prize. They had scarcely boarded her when
the steam-tug Cabot appeared on the scene.
By means of a cable Of enormous length the
bark was connected with the steam.tug.
The chains were then slipped, and the Alice
LYME was successfully tOwed out Of her emf
nenly.perious position, and was brought
into st. Johns yesterday morning.
THE CAPTAINS STATEMENT.
Your correspondent, who arrived at st.
Johns in company with Captain Curtis,
cleaned from him the following facts /:
"The bark left Leith on the 7lh Of Decem-
Der, and had an unprecedentedly bOisterous
passage. From the Great Banks TO the
coast Of Newfoundland we have been ham,
mered BY wind and sea, and since yesterday
week we have been close upon the rocks
and every hour in danger Of going on
shore. / tried to get TO Trepassy on last
Tuesday, and only escaped by the length OF
the ship from losing all hands. tried next
day TO make Renews, but with the same
result. All along the fifty miles OF coast
from Trepassy to Shoai bay i have been
trying TO make port, but such was the Vi
olence Of the sea that 1t was impossible to
effect an entrance to any OF the harbors.
Since / landed | have learned that the
steamer Vanguard was dispatched TO my
assistance, ny vessel having been signalled
from Cape Race, but got no sight Of the
steamer, nor was it possible, without grave
danger, for a large vessel to make in on
those shoal grounds.
EXTRAORDINARY DANGERS.
"Our escape through the breakers, after
reluctantly leaving our ship, was one Of
those lucky accidents that occur only once
IN a great while. When the lOng-boat left
the vessel | consi lered that every man
would have perlshed in the boiling surf. 1t
was only the darkness OF approaching night
and the feeble chance OF getting any assist
ance from the sttam-tugs of ST. Johns that
comDelIed me, with the balance OF my
crew, to tempt fate and try TO reach The
shore. Why we did not all perish in the
fury OF the breakers will always be won
der to me. | had not been more than three
hours on shore when the wind changed a
few points, and on The change OF the tide
the bark swung out clear Of the breakers,
and allowed some shore crews 10 board her.
They succeeded, with the aid OF the steamer
Cabot. in snatching the Alice Lyme from
destruction"
The rescued bark and cargo are valued at
$40, 900, so that the heroic landsmen who
boarded and saved her at the extreme peril
of their lives have capturpd "A very hand.