Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1881-02-28

more every passenger going on the Bre-
men was on deck. The gang plank was
hauled in. her fastenings cast off, the
tinkling of bell was heard, we backed
out from the dock. another tinkle. and
we were under way. l looked at my
watch. Forty-fve minutes had elapsed
since | had been conversing with the
captain in front of the hotel. Fortu-
nately the steamers fires had not been
put out from the time of her arrival, a
few hours before.
The Bremen was a staunch craft, and
oficered by hardy men of experience.
AS much steam as we could safely carry
was given her. and we rapidly left be-
hind us the shores of old England.
That night Capt. Vessels told me that
everything he possessed in this world
was on board the steamer; that he was
largely interested in the safe delivery of
the eight hundred boxes of arms; that
the Nashville was very fast; and, in
fair weather, could overhaul us with
twenty-four hours start that If she did
he would fight her with steam as she
came alongside, and would scald to
death every human being ON board, if
possible. Here l could not help but
think we stood chance of having a
broil converted into boil, with some
body cooked gratis. l should be telling
an untruth if | stated that | relished
the prospect.
For about forty-eight hours we BOOM
ed along in splendid style, when gale
of wind sprang up, which, although fa-
vorable to our prospects, nevertheless
tried the metal fastenings and cordage
of our gallant iron craft In such a
heavy sea the Nashville could not live,
the captain said, which had the effect of
consoling us for the rolling and tossing,
the loss of meals, and general discom-
fort of all around US. On the ninth
day the captain, in honor of our escape
from the Nashville, gave US 'jolly
spread" with fine old RheiDish wine,
and other accompaniments. Songs were
sung. and toasts were drank in favor OF
"Faderland, "Our Fritz" etc., for
with the exception of two ladies, my
family and myself, the passengers were
all German students, en- route to join
the Union army. On the ninth day
about noon, when on the banks of New.
foundland. there was a tremendou:
crash, which shook the vessel from stem
to stern. Steam was let off rapidly, the
vessel stopped. Orders were impera
lively given in tones which seemed tt
combat with the clements there was &
running back and forth on deck over
head. dragging of blocks and cordage
and rafting of chains. The vessel
having lost her momentum, began Il
roll and pitch and toss fearfully. The
weather was bitterly cold. our sails froz
en- and unmanageable, our machinery
disabled; we were at the mercy of tn,
elements. The good ship Bremen grad
ually settled to her larboard side, th,
seas began to roll oyer US. the matches
were battened down, the headlights Sc
cured we were in utter darkness anC
enclosed in an iron prison. A feebl
light was, after time, swung in th,
cabin. but no preparation of food wa
thought of. The cook and walters seem
ed to have stepped ashore. For hour
no one came to communicate with us
At last solitary waiter appeared, ant
placed some bread, cold meat and waite
upon the table. We questioned him
he answered not, looked frightened an
disappeared. This state Of things wa
kept up for twenty-four hours longer
when, finding things getting no worse
we began to think matters were NOR
likely to improve.
About seven o'clock on the night c
the eleventh day out Capt. Vessels, 70
the first time since the accident, entere
the cabin and took his seat at the hea
: of the table. He looked sad, gloom
J and exhausted. Although he had bee
: so long without food, | noticed he wa
not eating. Not word was uttered b
any of the passengers. | approache
, the cabin. and quietly seating mysel
at his right, said, in tones as firm as
could command. "Well, captain, no
| does it look p
( He did not Immediately reply or loo
at me. Thinking he had not heard m,
| was about to repeat the question, whe
he gently placed his hand on mine, an
!, with an expression so sad. SO mournfu
: that shall never forget it. replied:
0 Il will tell you. No small boat ca
y be launched, or can live, in such Sc
!, as is now raging. Our machinery
t disabled beyond repair. Our sails a
e frozen and unmanageable. We ha'
: sprung leak on the larboard quartz
: Our pumps are broken. The water
d gaining on US with such rapidity tha
d if the wind does not shift before mi
]. night, SO as to throw US on our sta
# board, and thus enable US to pass sa