The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-12-16
Exciting Scene in Mid-ocean.


A passenger by the steamship Dacca
from Madras, India, bound for London,
sends from Alden an interesting account of /!
an exciting scene which he witnessed dur
ing storm in the Indian Ocean. The
vessel encountered the monsoon few DAYS
after leaving Columbo, and had rough
time of it, until the gale became so violent
that canvas had to be taken in, awnings
furled and things made as snug as possible.
The correspondent describes what follow
ed: | came on deck at a. M; it was blow
ing fercely and the spray coming over the
sheets. There were three of us on deck
when the bell struck--a Miss, Mr. and
myself. We were holding on to our chairs,
which were firmly lashed to the inner cabin
skylights, under the lee of theladies' saloon.
Part of the crew were working hard to get
the star-board life-boat inboard, when a
bigger roll to the windward warned us of
what was coming, "Hold on! some one
shouted. We held on. The chairs rushed
forward on their lashings. The deck stood
upright. In came the sea over the gun
vale, over the taffrail, up to our waists,
lifted the life-boat out of its shackles, car
ried it overheard, smashing away stanchions
and davits, and out to sea. Then came the
horrid cry of "Man overheard p
The helm was put down, the engine re-
versed, and back she went on dubious
search-all the more SO as sharks had been,
seen around the ship earlier in the morning
The boat was presently seen some 200
yards off, keel uppermost. Soon after the
two men were observed clinging to it, Then
came an exciting two hours during which
we steamed after the boat, which was drift
ing rapidly toward the east, But turning
ship like the Dacea is a very slow busi-
ness, and she hung in the winds eye; a jib
was hoisted to bring her around. By the
time this was done the boat, with its pitiful
looking crew, was away two miles or more
to leeward, and we were rolling heavily and
unmanageable. At last the captain decid-
ed to lower boat, and the order was given,
"Stand by the boat" and soon after Elower. .
"Who is going in her?" he shouted.
The first officer, Mr.. ingram, sprang
over the side, caught hold Of the davit ropes
and slipped down, but just as he got near
her a great roll of the ship lifted him clear
of the boat twenty feet in the air, As he
came down again the boat drifted forward,
and he was plunged down. in the boiling sea
five or six seconds. Up he came again as
the ship heeled over still hanging on, and
missed by an ace having his skull mashed
against the small boat S side. 1t was really
a terrible sight and we shuddered as we
looked on, the boat all the while being lash
ed up and down by the violence of the
waves But at last his opportunity came;
and he dropped in the stern. At once he
was followed by the boatswain, two fremen
and two European sailors, the native crew
hanging shamefully back. One of the pass
engers, young English officer, Lieutenant
/ Wolf, of the Seventh Fusiliers, a son of Sir
Drummond Wolf volunteered at once,
But the officer in charge would not accept
a passengers services while men Of the
crew could be got At last the boat showed
off, and the oars were got out, and IN ter
rible sea they made for the missing boat.
Directed by the motions Of a man aloft, they
got along side her, and took the men aboard.
Then began hard row back.
We lost sight of her again and again,
wondering how she could live in such a sea.
But still she held on, and got at last under
our lee. By the help of ease Of, oil scat
tered over the waves they were compare
lively stilled, ladder was let down, and
when the last man stepped on board such a
cheer greeted him as told him what We
thought of his pluck, and that of the gal
liant fellows with him. Captain Burkitt
was perfectly cool the whole time, and man
aged his shi ip with great skill. When the
first officer got change of clothes and
came down to the cabin he received all
kinds of congratulations, and his health was
drank in bumpers of champagne. OnSun-
day morning we got under the lee of Cape
Guardafui, and SO ended our brush with the
southwest monsoon. g.f3 l[idu,d