Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1881-02-12
loss Of a NGeaNl Siit,.
he following account Of tho loss I

The following account of tho loss On
steamship Josephine has been received senEer
some of her passengers who have just reach
New Orleans: The Josephine left Havana
Wednesday, February 2, a! 4 O'Clock. Her
passenger list numbered IS persons. Shc
had splendid weather up to Saturday at noon,
when the wind freshened from tho southeast
and continued to increase until it blew perfect
hurricane. Tho vessel sborsd fear!uy, and it
was 5000 discovered she was rapidly being filled
with water. Sunday morning tho purser in
formed tho csDin passengers that tho forward
compartments were nearly full and that the
vessel was sinking rapidly. The pumps we're
at once manned, add all worked with will exc
c,pt a. Italian shipwrecked crew which the
Josephine had received aboard at Cedar Keys.
They refused 10 lend anv assistance. Some of
| tho lacy pas:oogers offered this crew 500
apiece tor their assistance, bus this offer their
captain would not allow them to accept.
Sunday evening", oil bope Of safety being
abandoned, George L'so. formerly second
mate in Morgan 4 Go. 8 employ. thou passou'
ger on tho Josephine, came into tho cabin and
begged the men and women 10 como forward
| and Cs! tV,ry effort in their power 10 baog out
| tho water, as tho ti;ts wero now rapidly being
| cxlopulshed. as the water was thon pouring
| into tho engine room. The cngioeer, Patrick
Burns, e!ood ct bis post until tho water drove
| hlM Gu. Buckets wero now used for hours,
when pelcaiVing that DO effort hat was being
mado succeeded In arresting tho flood that was
then pturirg through the ships seams. tho
\ now almost desperate little band of sufferers
| prepared for the worst.
| A. . o'olonl- MopIo1 or,or,oor y eolo,,n r;
| loDoo rested through tho vcssaI, only broken
ty the bowling of tho storm. All efforts so
save tho vessel had ceased. Suddenly lady
| passenger said, will somebody pray?" A
gentleman at oIco responded. aud prayer was
offered uD with earnest elcquouco, in which
tho ac6ious grtun in tho after cabin most
earnestly jjined. Il 70 rrcsorvcrs were now
fastened upon tho ladies. A half an hour
elapsed, during which the most feaiul anxiety
prevailed. Suldonly-tbo storm had now
lulled aealn-,hc cheering ncHs came that the
crow wSs opcs more gaining on tho water and
that they wore safe. Monday afternoon. at .
O'Clock, tho wind again tresheued to gale As
night grew en- tho wind Increased Tho fires
worc DOW out snd tho pumps useless.
! AT ha!f.past one O'Clock the cIn!ain or ,eted
q muster OF those aboard. Tho boats were
lowered and seventeen ptr;ons were ordered TO
esoh boat ibis order bad scarcely been given
whom the Italians stiz,d the forward boat 90
tho port side and lowered it. Tho captain Ct
| tho Italian crew then drow his revolver aud
| threatened to shoot the first man that should
dare to interfere. The vessel was now left. tho
ttroo boats taking all tho passengers and crew.
! Tho women were now lowered and three placed
in each boat. Tho boats were now cast loose.
Whom fifty yards from the vessel it was dig
covered that tbreo of tho crew had been left
behind. Tho captain turned his boat back
and rescued them. Tho boats now stored at
random, no ono seeming to koow thoir proper
COURSE. Toward day tho red light CT Ship
lslard Light was discovered. 10 which direc-
sion tho heads Of the boats were now turned.
The smoke OF a tugbOa. was COW die overed
making toward them. and in fow moments
the entire party was safe on her dicks. Too
much csnnot b. said of tho bravery OF tho mon
CT tho heroism of tho women. Not single
scream was heard during tho trying dangers
that surrounded them.