Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1881-07-09
Adventure on Chincoteague Bay.

Inst "'opeSuay moThluS party Oh nine
young ladies and gentlemen started from
this place to spend the day at the bay side
Arr wing at their destination. and partak-
ing OF the bospitality of Mr.. Shivers who
has excellent accommodations for such pur-
pos es they started for the bay 10 enjoy
sail. EmtaIking they directed their course
toward Franklin City, where they disem.
bsiktd to see the sights of the Worcester
railroad terminus. After Spending a short
time they again took their little craft ana
were soon being waited by refreshing
brezes over the waters of the Chincoteague.
Svery thing went as merry as a marriage
bell" So intent were they upon enjoying
themselves, that they neglected TO notice
the heavy clouds that were collecting, aud
which were indicative of the fearful storm
that was coon 10 burst upon them, however
they could not fail to notice then, soon, and
their little bark was turned toward shore.
H aidIy was il Done before one could see the
storm approaching with astoni shiug veloci-
~, and making out its course by clothing
the bosom OF the waters In q suit of white
foam. IN a twinkling it struck the little
boat in all its fury. Bravely did it with
stand the shock for q moment, and mo
ment only, and then the sail was torn from
its stays, the mast was rooted from Its posi-
ton, the boat turned completely around
and driven totally at the mercy of wind and
wave. The situation was critical and pitt
able in the extreme. The rain and hail was
pouring in torrents ; the heavens were one
mass of clouds and the thunder aud light
ming were awful to experience. the bay was
reused 10 u fearful pitch, and every wave
threatened 10 Gil the little craft. The occu-
pants without any shelter were exposed to
the whole, and very soon they were drench-
ed to the skin. The ladies by this time were
in mortal terror, and every moment expect
ing TO be overturned, and delivered to the
hungry waves which seemed waitin z to d.
your them. Their cries and prayers were
awful to listen to. and every effort was
made to encourage them. AS soon as the
storm had abated enough to allow anything
to be done, the pilot managed to construct
bit of sail, and in this manner managed to
direct the boat into the channel where he
knew the steamer which runs from the
Island to Franklin, must pass, and very
soon indeed she was seen making her way
toward them. II was now the sole object of
every one to try to make themselves seen
and hea I'd. Hats and shawls were thrown
to the breeze, voices raised to the highest
pitch, and every signal imaginable was Civ
en- 10 attract the attention of the steamer -
A ray of hope shot through the bosoms of
all when they realized deliverance was near,
the boat came steadily on, ind every eye
was intent on its behavior. 1t soon came
opposite to the wreck, and although incredi-
BILE to believe the captain, Mr.. Swift, steam
er Widgeon. passed by without blowing a
whistle or altering his course one hairs
breadth, notwithstanding, he was close
enough for one of the occupants to make
desperate grasp at the steamer as she pass
ed. Words fail Us to describe the brutality
OF such treatment. The men upon the boat
looked idly from their barred windows like
SO many thieves gazing from their "dun-
geon cells" and we think no one will differ
from US when we say that had they been in
the aforementioned cells they would have
been in a climate better suited to their iu-
describably diseased moral constitution
They even smiled al the party, and one
reached forth his hand in disgusting mock
cry at their perilous situation. Every trace
of humanity seemed to be obiterated from
their hearts, and they swept out of sight, as
il they had passed a picnicking party
They could not have mistaken the condition.
They could not have mistaken the terrified
ladies for fisherwomen. The mast was gone,
the sail torn in shreds. the wind and rain
tossing the skitf as if ii were a feather, and
every appearance indicated extreme peril
and distress, and yet that captain made no
effort for the succor of the wreck. Was
there ever a man guilty of murder, it WAS
he, and if there was ever q man who ought
to be held up to the execration of the
world, it is he. Did he think there was no
extreme danger, why not give word of en-
couragement7 No, he was as silent as the
"grave." We will not say more-every in-
telligent man will Judge his conduct as it
should be. We cannot pass by mentioning
one of the crew, a Mr.. VIM. Holland, who
threw line, and used his influence with the
captain in the hehalf of the wrecked party
but to no avail. The lit tie skiff after riding
the waves bravely for over an hour, was
driven upon the shore Of C hincoteague
Island. and the thoroughly frightened party
kindly taken care OF by the proprietor of
the hotel. Mr.. Matthews, who, together with
his wife, will be remembered by them for
years to come. They left the Island abont
$50 p. m. and arrived in Pocomoke about
IL p. m, much to the joy OF their distressed
friends. With one exception all escaped any
serious result, ssd we are pleased to learn
that she is recovering.
EYE WITNESS.
Tin reference to the above statement,
Capt. Swift says that at the time the
boat passed his steamer the wind was
blowing SO heavily that he could not
have stopped his boat without running