Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-08-29
Observation-Disclosures
twenty. two Lives in Peril on the Bark
IirGinia-A GimeIy Ee>cHc.
New York Herald

New York Herald.
Captain j. NJ. Allen, OF the bark
Virginia, abandoned at sea on August
23d, his wife and five children, and the
bsrk's crew Of fifteen men arrived in
port on the bark Allangilde, which
anchored off Red Hook yesterday. The
Survivors, were glad to see land once
more, and the sailors lost no time in
stretching their legs on terra tirma.
The particulars Of the disaster, which
caused the total loss OF the vessel and
her cargo, as we'll as most Of the effects
Of the survivors, was learned from Cap
tasu Allen by He-atd reporter yes
terday:
We sailed from Pensacola, Fla, on
July Both with big cargo Of pitch-pine
for Greenock," said the captain. " rhe
weather was fine until the morning Of
the 18th, when we were about one hun
bred miles east of Hatteras. A squall
that rapidly increased to gale came
down on us from the northwest. We
reduced sail to the lower topsails, but
about dag light on the 10Th a hurricane
struck us, and, tearing the tOpsails to
ribbons, threw the vessel on her beam
ends. The cargo shifted to port, the
rail was under water, and the brine
came in in volumes. Then | ordered
the rigging cut away. This was diff
cult ask, for the sea was piling in on
Us in mountains and the wind blew great
guns. The men managed in half an
hour to clear away the top.mast rig
glng, when, without warning, the FORE
and mizzen-masts snapped Off like
pipe stems. The maintopmast al
so broke of close to the cap,
leaving the lower mainmast alone stand
ing. Then the vessel righted. The
decks had been swept clear of every
thing movable. The pumps were at
once sounded and ten feet of water
found. The cabin was flooded, and my
wife and children climbed into their
berths while the place was baled out.
The vessel rode easier, and we managed
to keep her head up, though, having no
sails, we could not steer.
- The men were kept at the pumps.
She took in water faster than it could
be pumped out. The cargo helped to
prevent her sinking, though she began
to settle ominOusly.
1--WE drifted in this way from Fri
day, August Goth, until last Monday
morning, when the Allanwilde, Captain
Powers, bore down on US. Several other
vessels had seen us before, but paid
no heed to our distress-signals. The
whaling bark Mattafasit sighted US the
same time the Allanwilde did, and her
crew assisted in transferring US to the
Allanwilde in their whaleboats.
1--WE saved some Of our clothing and
few provisions. My instruments
were lost, with the exception of my
ehronometer. The sea had gone down
by this time, and we stayed near the
Virginia all night. About 9 P. NJ. we
saw her light up fore and aft, and in a
moment the vessel was wrapped in
flames. l suppose the whaler or some
other vessel fired her. She was still
burning when We lost sight Of her
Tuesday forenoon. We received the
kindest treatment and care on the AL
lanwilde, and owe Captain Powers
my heartfelt thanks"
The Virginia registered 1000 tons,
and was owned by Captain Allen. She
was an old vessel, having seen twenty
one J ears Of active service. Her value
was estimated at $4,000, and she was
insured for 100000. The cargo was
insured for $4,000. 1t was Consigned
to a Greenock firm.
Captain Allen has been singularly
unfortunate. Less than five years ago
be lost much larger vessel than the
Virginia on the way from Liverpool to
New York. There was no insurance.
About the same time he fell and dislo-
Gated his hip.