Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1886-01-15
PERILoUs CONDITION.

The Schooner Sea Bird Wrecked
Saturday Morning. Duringa Blind
Ing Snow Storm-The Crew Saved
by Brave Farmer.
New York, Jan. l2.-The N. Y.
Herald prints the following this morn
ing: The schooner Sea Bird. Capt.
Haskell, of Ellsworth, Maine, which
cleared on Thursday, with a load
OF pig iron, bound from New York to
Boston, was wreckedon Gull Island
Long Island sound, on Saturday morn
ing, during a binding snow storm.
The captain and crew, which consisted
Of cook ana four seamen, were rescued
by a farmer named Corwin, and land
ed in safety at Fresh Ponds, small
settlement near Barting Hollow. The
rescued men had most thrilling ex
perience, and at one time had given up
all hope. The lirst two days Of the
voyage were uneventful, the sea being
smooth as glass. On Friday night,
when off Gull Island, binding snow
storm, accompanied by northwest
gale, set in. Waves swept over the
deck, and 1t was dangerous for the
crew to attend to their duties. The
wind, which had increased in velocity.
Whistled through the sails, and tumbled
the sailors about the deck. Towards
morning, the men, who had been on
duty all night, went below to get
some food. To their sorrow. It was
discovered that the ship had sprung
a leak; and water was rushing in at a
frightful rate. Again the men went
on deck, and the UNEQUAL
struggle between human endurance
the angry elements were renewed. All
set to work bailing out the ship. For
ty tons of pig iron were thrown over
board and an attempt made to anchor
the vessel. The huge anchors, two in
number, were lowered into the sea
and just as the captain was congratu.
lating himself on having accomplished
the teat, suddenly a terrific gust Of
wind snapped the chains. Then
huge wave carried away the yawl and
another broke the rudder. The wind
not TO be outdone put out all the
lights. So darkness was added TO the
misfortunes of the terror stricken
crew. The men did not give up all
hope; they continued to work for
twenty-four hours, the schooner with
out rudder, with frozen sails, her
yawl washed ov3rboaTd, her anchors
gone and manned by starved and ex.
hausted crew, dFifted about in the
storm and wind. The outlook was
black and the captain. although be
tried to look cheerful in the presence
Of the crew inwEfElly feit that all,
chances Of saving the ship ana crew
was gone. Bailtng Of water In the
hold was kept up all night, SO when
the day dawned the Sea Bird was still
afloat. Capt. Haskell gave orders to
have a signal of distress hoisted on the
mainmast. Luckily. for him and the
crew the signal was observed BY a
brave Long Island farmer, living at
Fresh Pond, who was on the beach at
the time and saw the signal and with
out hesitatinga moment set about con.
Structing a raft of tenders. The surf
was running high at the time and it |
required dauntless courage TO reach
the wrecked vessel in such weather,
but the brave man made the venture.
On board the Sea Bird all hands were
eagerly watching their rescuer. The
raft rode safely over the waves and
was soon alongside the ship. AS 1t
was very small, only a few of the
crew at time could Ge taken on board
and six successive trips had to be
made before all were landed on shore
safely. The crew, who had suffered
intensely from hunger, cold and ex-
were taken to Mr.. Corwin's
house and given food and shelter. The
vessel ia a wrnpk