Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-03-12

Pletro Sals. the sole survivor of the
Italian bark Ajace, which was wrecked
Friday morning off Rockaway beach,
and who was rescued by the boat of the
hfe-savlng crew of Coney Island. tells
the following story of the wrecking of
the ship and the subsequent events:
About breakfast time Friday morn
ing the ship struck. I should Judge at a
point directly opposite the life saving
station, as saw it afterward, and about
two miles and half from the land.
There was then dense fog, and 1t was
blowing hurricane from the northeast.
The sea ran mountains high, and made
clean breach over the ship. No one
thought of the boats for 3 moment. as
we all knew they could not live a second
after being launched There was dense
fog and q mist, and we could see
nothing. The ship shook from stem
we all rushed forward toward
we were ashore on the mainland, though
the Captain had taken soundings little
before. We had seen three lights the
! night before. As the waves broke over
US we were all drenched, and the water
was as cold as ice. The Captain passed
some brandy around among the sailors,
but | refused to drink. Nearly an hour
after we struck we were all gathered to.
gether in the fore-chains, when the car
penter suddenly pulled his sailors knife
from its sheath aud drew it across his
throat.
The sight Of the blood which spurted
out seemed to frenzy the other men, and
three others ripped out their knives.
caught the arm of one and said: Santa
Nirginei What do you do2 Do you not
see that we may have q chance to escape
when the fog clears away if we are near
the shoreT This seemed to have no
effect, and the man, uttering prayer 10
the Madonna, cut his throat with the
others. just then a tremendous sea
struck the ship. l rushed aft as she ca
reened, and in minute she went to
pieces. | saw the wave coming, and
as II lowered above us | held on
to the rigging Of the miZzenmast.
| found myself, do not know how,
clinging to the deck house of the poop
deck, which was carried away with
some OF the spars attached to it. Within
minute or two saw a hand raised from
| the water. l took hold of it. and, look
ing down, saw the face of one of the
crew who had cut his throat He ap
peared almost lifeless. He could do
nothing to help himself. l could see the
cash in his throat plainly, but he was
not dead. A sudden lurch of the wreck
broke the grip | had on his hand and
he fell back and sank. / saw him no
more, and l never saw any of the crew
afterward. | thought l should die of
the cold, but my only hope was
in the lifting Of the fog, and clung
to the wreck for my life When the fog
did clear / was barely able to lift my
cap when | saw the men on the shore.
Madre de Dio! l thought they never
would reach me, but when saw the life
boat put out l took courage. A little
more and l should have lost my head. l
was treated well in the life saving station,
and l shall always remember these men
with gratitude. | only know my mess
mates by their first names"
In reply to further questions Sala said
''Just before the ship broke up the Cap
tain, whose name was Morice, jumped
overheard with life belt on, and few
of the crew followed him. but must have
been drowned The total number of
persons on board was fourteen, Of whom
thirteen are lost Some of the crew were
washed overheard"