Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-02-20
RESCUED FROM THE SEA.
Extraordinary Escape Of the Old Lady
on the COlumbine.
Eloa az M York Herald.


From The Ness York Herald.
LONDON, Feb. 1S-Intelligence mas reach
ed here this morning that Elizabeth Mou-
at, the woman who was blown across the
North Sea from the shetlands in the CO.
lumbine fishing smack yesterday made
statement TO the Admiralty Judge at sta
Yanger, Norway. She said she was 80
years old, unmarried and poor. She en-
barked intending to visit q niece, who
lives at Lerwick. Being i'll she was be-
low. but heard two sailors running about
on deck and the boat lowered Although
very seasick she at once got up and tried
to come on deck, but the ladder fell She
was unable to replace it and heard the
boat row off,
She was terribly alarmed, for the wind
was blowing hard and the sea was high.
She hoped the crew would return, ami
she attempted many times to replace the
ladder. She could look out of the open
hatchway. The craft drove along under
| a dOuble-reefed mainsail which was set.
The only food she had brought with her
was bottle of milk and two biscuits.
The provisions in the forecastle she was
unable to reach.
TRUSTING IN PROVIDENCE.
The first night was terrible one. The
vessel rolled heavily. She was in dark
ness. The seas often washed down the
hatchway, keeping her drenched. Every
moment she expected TO go to the bottom.
When morning broke no land nor sail was
to be seen. The sea was still rough, but
as the Columbine had lived through the
night, she began to hope. From this time
she never quite despaired, but put her
trust in God, and believed He would send
her rescue.
NO SLEEP FOR SEVEN DAYS.
During the whole seven days and nights
she never slept, but at intervals stood up
and looked above the hatchway TO see II
aid was in sight. she made her biscuits
last as long as possible, but for the last
four days was altogether without food.
She suffered more from wet and thirst
| than from hunger, and she quenched her
thirst so far as she could by licking the
drops condensed on the window. Gradual
ly she became weak. Her legs were so
swollen she could scarcely stand. She
therefore dashed herself close to the
hatchway, fearing she might roll away
and be unable TO get back so as to look
out.
A BRAVE RESCUE.
The Columbine grounded near Lepso,
but it was some hours before the smack
was noticed by any of the inhabitants.
When first perceived it was supposed the
crew had abandoned her or had been
washed overheard. Suddenly a violent
gust blew away the sail and rigging, and
| then a woman's head was seen to appear
above the hatchway. There was no boat
near which could be launched, but a
young man volunteered TO swim out to
| her. he succeeded in getting on board,
and found the woman almost 1nsensible
and tied up against the ladder hooks. He
passed a rope ashore, and fastening the
woman 20 this she was got to land.
CAREFULLY NURsED.
She was at once carried to farmhouse,
where she was most kindly treated and
nursed, and has since been assisted by two
English gentlemen. She is still unwell,
and complains Of pains in her chest and
in her swollen legs. The physician at
| tending her considers there is no longer
any fear, and that she will be able to start
on her homeward journey in few days.
THE FEARFUL SEA.
| When the safety of the woman was
heard here a few days ago, but nothing
else, navigator at Ll0yds was heard to
| doubt it, and to say it was impossible in
that sea that such a SMACK would not
founder in the winter gales, but it seems
like the direct Providence the pious old
! lady invoked.
The CoIumbine when it left for Lerwick
had on board the captain. two sailors, and
the old lady. The sea was very high, and
the captain advised her not to start. She
insisted, however. The captain was
washed overheard and the two sailors
lowered the boat in the hope of rescuing
him. They did not succeed, and when
| they turned back they found the smack
was two miles away going ont to sea.
They pulled after her, but found she
rapidly gained on them, and were
obliged at last to pull back to land. The
smack soon disappeared. Steamers were
sent in search, but could find no trace OF
the Columbine, and all hope was given up,
as no one supposed the vessel could live
| in auch a fearful aaa.