Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-09-01

Statement of Captain Daniel Hlg-
gins of the Bark BrunswIck-An
EVentfuI Experience.

Captain Daniel Higgins, Of the American
bark Brunswick, who, with portion Of his
crew, were rescued about fifteen miles
north Of Tybee, from part Of the wreck OF
his vessel, By the pilot boat Belle and
brought up to the city on Tuesday night,
had yesterday somewhat recovered from
the terrible hardship and suffering they had
passed through, though his hands and
legs are swollen, sore and stiff.
We saw Captain Higgins at the
Marshall House last night and had
an interesting conversation with him. This
is the fourth time he has been shipwrecked,
and his sufferings, he says, were greater
than he has ever undergone on any previous
occasion, or that he has known In long
career upon the seas. On October Il, 1851,
Capt. Higgins, then mate Of sailing YES
sci, was wrecked of the island OF Cape
known as the great American gale, during
which the loss upon the seas was fearful.
In January, 1854, he was a passenger
on the steamship Golden Gate, which was
lost off the coast OF California, having eight
hundred passengers on board, numbers OF
whom were drowned. In November, 1879, he
was in command OF the schooner Hector,
seem that he has had considerable expert
ence In the shipwreck line, but he pro-
nounces the recent gale the severest he has
ever known. His statement Of his last mis-
fortune is as follows:
Left Pascagoula on the 10th In fine
weather; on the 18th and 16tn had heavy
northeast gale, followed by fine weather up
TO the 23d, then took squall to the north
east which turned into a gale, which kept
gradually increasing in violence until 1t
| turned into fearful hurricane. On Friday
night, the Goth, the lower maintop sail was
carried away. We then laid to
under bare poles. On Saturday
morning about six O'Clock the vessel COM
| menced to make water. l examined the
vessel and found she had split her water
ways, and at once set all hands to work
| throwing over the deck load, but as the
wind was blowing a terrible hurricane this
/ was slow work. The Mate was severely
| injured by board, and wos knocked into
/ the sea, but war recovered. The water
continued to gain fast, and at twelve O'Clock
| the vessel was thrown on her beam
ends, with her lee yard arms in the
water, and l thought she would turn
| over, so / had the masts cut out In order
| to right her: when she righted, shipped
/ heavy sea, taking the forward house and
| boat of, leaving US helpless. The vessel
| filling fast with water, we tried to get the
anchors off the bow to Tighten her up for
/ ward. Antoine Sharack, Greek sailor, was
washed overheard and lost. then found
that we could do no more, and, with the
crew, took to the afterhouse and lashed
| ourselves to the stump OF the
| mizzenmast, immense seas breaking over
us. About this time The barometer stood at
% As, the lowest l have seen in an expe-
rience on the sea Of thirty nine years. About
four O'Clock there was a slight iull in the
| nd xuo fbau xunnt work king q
raft in event we would have to leave her.
At six O'Clock the wind struck southeast
| with greater violence than ever, breaking
the raft literally into kindling wood. At
| 7:30 the sea was dashing over her fearfulY,
and we found it was breaking up the upper
works fast. At o'clock, the top Of the
| after house began to rise, and all hands
| Skinned up the mast, and dashed ourselves.
Shortly the vessel settled from under US.
| throwing the mast out, and casting us
all into the sea- Five of US jumped
on portion OF the after house, one was
subsequently, pulled on, and three were
drowned. We then dashed ourselves to the
beam of the skylight, and we were under
water frequently by the mast canting.
the top of the house clear. Then our
worst troubles. came. 1t was pitchy dark
and blowing with great velocity. There
were hundred OF boards floating about, and
as I'VE were dashed around,
by the seas, these boards were slung against
US, bruising us badly and nearly knocking
US from our places, to which we chung with
tenacity. Thus the terrible night wore
away, and with the dawn Of Sunday we were
enabled to see our peril and to work to bet
ter advantage to keep the drifting lumber
off US. We were without anything
to eat or drink, and were una
bic TO change our positions, as
lar hn
water five or six feet; on Sunday morn
ing, saw a barkentine, which Wa about
five miles off, and on the following morning
about four o'clock saw g schooner and
commenced to cry out. Our cries were
heard and the schooner altered her
course several times, and came within three
hundred yards of US, but, for some reason,
bore away from US without rendering assist
ance. During the day We saw a
barkentine and two barks. Also saw pilot
| boat, which | have since ascertained was
No. 3 Of Savannah. She spoke bark and the
bark proceed ed to Tybee. On Tuesday saw
pilot boat No. twice near enough to see
men, but she did not see US. Also saw
steamship with white upper works
and black hull, which was not
more than five miles of, which l an inform
ed was the City Of Augusta, and which
laid around there two hours. All this time
had six foot flag, made Of my OveTcoat,
flying on board twenty feet hlgh. ABOUT
10 o'clock saw a email vessel standing of
shore, which proved to be the pilot boat
Belle, No. 5, OF Savannah, which had dis
covered our signal at distance OF twelve
miles. She came to our relief and took US
on board, and we were brought up the river
aud transferred 10 the revenue launch DiE-
cover.
The sufferings of Capt. Higgins and his
men were intense, and it will be some time
before they fully recover. Yesterday two
of the men were sent to the hospital.
Capt. Higgins speaks in the highest terms
of the liberal and kind treatment he and
his crew have received, and desires to re-
turn his thanks TO Capt. James 8. Bliss Of
the pilot boat Belle, and his force, to Lieut..
John H. Little of the Boutwell,, Capt. II. c..
Barrows of the Discover, and Capt. Cathe-
rine of the City of Savannah, who did
everything in their power to make them
comfortable.
Capt. Higgins expects to leave for Boston
on the steamship Santiago de Cuba.