Daily globe., 1882-09-19

Men OrerbOaPd IN aMOnsOon, Hith SIta3I
14bOut.

Men OrerbOagd in aMOhsOon, Wita Sharks
-4bOHt.
Manchester Courier.
A correspondent who was passenger by
the steamship Dacca, which left Madras
for London on the 1st ult., sends from
Alden an interesting account of an exciting
scene which he witnessed during a storm
in the Indian ocean. The vessel encoun-
tered the monsoon few days after leaving
Colombo, and had rough time of it until
the 18th ult., when 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 fol
lowed;
Il came on deck at a. m.; it was blow
ing fiercely, and the spray coming over the
sheets. x There were three of us
on deck when the bell struck Miss, a
Mr.. and myself. We were holding on to
our chairs, which were firmly dashed to the
inner cabin skylights. under the lea of the
ladies' saloon. Part of the crew were work
ing hard to get the starbOard life-bOat in
board, when 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 gunwale. over the taffrail, up to our
waists, lifted the life-boat out of its
shackles, carried it overheard, smashing
away stanchions and davits, and out to sea.
Then came the horrid cry of ''Man over
board'
The helm was put down, the engine re-
versed, and back we went on search-all
| the more SO, as sharks had been seen around
the ship earlier in the morning. The boat
was presently seen some two hundred yards
| off, keel uppermost. Soon after the two
men were observed clinging on 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
a ship like the Dacca is very slow business,
and as she hung in the winds eye jib was
hoisted to bring her round. By the time this
was done the boat, with its tiful-looking
crew was away two miles and more to lee
ward, and we were rolling heavily and un-
manageable. At last the captain decided
to lower boat, and the order was given,
Stand by the boat and soon after, slower.'
Who is going in herr 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, great roll of the ship lifted
him clear of the boat twenty feet in the
air. As he came down again the boat had
drifted forward, and he was plunged down
in the boiling sea for five or six seconds.
Up he came again as the ship heeled over,
still hanging ON and missed by an ace hav-
ing his skull smashed against the small
boats side. 1t was really a terrible sight
and we shnddered as we looked ON, the
boat all the while lashed up and down by
the violence of the waves. But at last his
opportunity came, and he dropped into the
stern. At once he was followed by the
boatswain, two firemen, and two European
sailors, the native crew hanging shame
fully back. One of the passengers, a young
English officer, Lieut.. Wolff, of the 18th
fusileers, son of Sir Drummond Wolff,
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 terrible sea
they set out for the missing boat Di-
rected by the motions of man. aloft,
they get alongside her ands took
the men aboard. Then be-
gan a hard row back.
I'VE lost sight of her again and again,
wondering how she could live in such
sea. But still she held on, and got at last
under our lee. By the help of cassl f
oil scattered over the waves they were
comparatively stilled, ladder was le.
down, and, when the last man stepped on
board, such cheer greeted him as told
him what we thought of his pluck and
that of the gallant fellows With hin, Cant