Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-08-15

rcoson they were not reversed, and the
(3,lou rapisl,y neared the Laxhau1. In an
instant everybody was rushing to and FRO
and cryi,g loudly for help. A Few, lou
RELIED BY fear, sprang overheard. Inc
sailors became infected with the general
fear, but were soon brought to their senses
hy the captain. who sprang upon tue
bridge and threatened 10 shoot the first one
who shirkef bis duty. When the coniu-
sion was at lis height there was shock
that hurled most Of them of their feet.
Then came n sound rs though steamsiw
was running through heavy plank, and
after that heavy suraing motion was felt.
The black shape had disappeared from The
bow. but there were quantities OF broken
timber on each side OF the vessel. The
Gijon had thrust herself clean through the
Laxham.
When the danger was greatest the chief
engineer Of the Gijon noticed woman and
q little child on the Laxham. Thinking ne
could save them, he sprang on board the
English vessel and thrust them on board
the Gijon rs she was forcing her way
through. Before he could spring after
them he was thrown overheard and
drowned. The woman and child he had
saved were the wife and two-year-old
daughter Of Captain Lothian, OF the Lax
ham. The Gijon was built with three
water-tight compartments, aud not beliey-
ing that his vessel was seriously injured.
Captain Yglcsiss ordered the small boats TO
be lowered and an effort made TO save as
many as possible OF the LaNham's pdssen-
gers and crew. In the mean time sailor
reported that the first water-tIght compare
meut had been stove IN, that The water
had forced an entrance into the other
compartments. and that the vessel was
RAPIDLY sinking. The passengers at once
rushed for the boats. They were forced
back by the sailors. Senior Perez went 10
his cabin. and, securing his iewclry and q
revolver, called to Cores, GranadOs. and
Obezo to follow him. He went TO wh'rc
the captains gig was loating In the water,
secured by the tackle with which il was
lowered. A sailor stood guard over II. lie
was driven away. and Perez and bis friends
sprang into il, and permitted eleven others
TO follow them. Among these was Padre
Pedro Mendez, the ships priest. The boat
was then cut loose, but remained within
sight Of the vessel. and picked up two half
drowned sailors Of the LaXlam.
Three other boats were lowered and filed
with passengers.
The last one remained waiting for high
Spanish official named Cazas Y Ochoa. lie
remained leaning over the rail OF the faxed
steamer. He declined TO enter the small
boat because he thought another person
would endanger TIE safety of all. The yes
sci had settled low In the wafer by this time,
and was swaying 10 and fro violently. Tue
persons in the small boat shouted gOO1-by.
He lii a cigarette, adjusted his gold-bowed
eyeglasses, and then waved his hand. 4
second later the steamer reared and then
diycd straight down into the sea. The
four boats, containing eighty persons, two
OF whom were women, were totally unpro-
visiOned. Not so much as Il drop OF drink
Ing water was IN any Of them. They soon
became separated in the fog. The men in
the captains gig kept mp their spirits
with tobacco. Senior Perez had a few eli.
gars, and he lit one and passed il around
among The others. Toward midnight
il grew bitterly cold, and the ci-
cars were kept going until the last
had been consumed. Then Senior Grana-
dos. who is son OF the collector OF the port
OF Havana, guaranteed TO keep watch
throue hout the night. He is only e'gh-
teen years Of age. and weighs about 275
pounds. The other occupants % the boat
crOuched IN the centre, aud kept their
heads Clos together for warmth. The
priest srent the night in mumbling pray
ers and smoking cigarettes. He kept his
tobacco concealed in his bosom aud re-
fused 10 share it with any OF his suffering
companions. On the morning OF July 21d
n stiff breeze lifted the log. and the faint
est glimmer Of the sun could be seen. At
about 9 o'clock sail was sighted about
mile away. The caStaways screamed aud
iranticaly waved their handkcrchefs and
arms.
The vessel SHIFTED her course, aud il was
thought that she had seen them and was
coming TO their assistance. The priest for
got his prayers, and laughed and shouted
historically. When it became apparent
that the brig was leaving them the priest
began again TO smoke and pray.
Then thirst and hunger tortured the men,
and when night fell the cold was intense.
Granados remained on watch all night, aud
was the first 10 see the smoke Of the s;cam-
er that rescued them. She proved 10 be the
hoe. in charge Of Captain Husband.
StIor Perez said that the statement that
Captain Yglosas committed suicide by
shooting himself is false. lie remained on
the vessel and went down with her. The
only officer saved was the first officer, who
was commanded by the captain to take
charge Of the small boais when they were
ordered afoat in the hopes OF rescuing
some Of the LaXham's passengers.
senior GrauadOs said that ITO persons
went down with the GiiOn, and he did not
believe ANY OF the persons on board the
Laxham were saved except the two sailors
picked up by his boat and Captain Lo;hian's
vile aud child. Seniors Perez. Cores,
Grsrados, and Obezo will sail for Havana
to-day.