Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-01-26

Every effort was now made 70 get tne
ship before the wind. The foremast
was cut away as last resort, but even
this failed 10 right the vessel.
Dismantled and almost dismasted, the
craft was found TO be sinking last.
Water was pouring in through many
breaches in the bark end the pumps
were useless.
The only life-boat about twenty feet
long, was quickly cut from its lashings,
but the united strength OF the crew failed
TO turn over the boat. An immense
wave. however, overturned ii. and into II
/ the mate and one seaman jumped. Ihey
were carried away from the bark. An
other wave threw the boat again on the
vessel. when several more men got into
/ it, Again it was swept off and carried
back, and this time all hands got safely
into the boat. Before the men got TWEEN
I ~ yards away from the bark she burst, as
/ though the water which filed her hold
! had forced her timbers apart. Pieces OF
the cabin windows were seen flying IN all
directions. There Was not an ounce OF
provisions or a drop OF water in the boat.
| The sailors. however. had four pairs OF
oars aud gangway ladder. The latter
was used as a drag. While some OF the
sailors kept the boats head to the sea,
others were employed in bailiug out the
water, which the boat shipped in great
quantities. For forty-eight hours they
rowed aimlessly about in the rough sea,
attentively scanning the horizon for
passing sail. The men suffered terribly
/ from hunger and thirst.
The third night two-masted steamer
was sighted TO the westward, but she
passed them by. their signals not being
seen. Captain Hall became insane from
| hunger and thirst December 2Sth. His
/ tongue protruded from his parched lips,
and he vainly gasped for water. The
mate held him away from the sea, but
several times he succeeded in taking in
mouthfnls of salt water. which only
/ hastened his death.
Just before daylight, December Goth,
the captain died piteously begging for
water. He had given small ring and
chain to the mate to he carried to his
wife in South Dannis, Cape Cod, Mass.
The mate says that sailors who had not
prayed in years did SO az the captains
body was consigned to the deep.
The men had now ceased to hope.
Hunger and thirst were robbing them of
their senses. December 30th John An
derson died of thirst New-Year's Day
Seaman Hans Peter Peterson also died
from thirst and exhaustion. In the alter
noon it rained for about half an hour.
The men rugged an oil-cloth coat on two
oars and placed a tin can under it to catch
the droppings. In this way about three
quarts of water were caught, which the
mate equally divided among the men.
The can leaked, and the water had to be
drunk at once.
The eighth day after the sinking of
| the bark the men were seized with
cramps, and but for the mate several OF
them would have ended their lives. The
ninth day of their longvigil passed with
out a sail being seen. The sun was now
shining brightly and the imDrovised
sails were quickly carrying the boat into
some unknown place over the quiet sea.
Early on the morning of January 18th
the schooner Louisa q. Rabel was
sighted. Mate Jasper, who afterwards
proved to be an old friend of Mate Col
beth, was in the rigging and sighted the
boat. He called Captain Murphy, and
the schooner came to the rescue Of the
men. The furnished mariners, covered
with saltwater bOils, were taken aboard
the Rabel, where they were cared for.
Captain Murphy would not allow the
men to drink much water at time.
Mate Colbeth saws that during the ten
DAYS they We're in the boat their suffer
in9s and thoughts could not be told.
The days were passed in rowing and
watching for sail, and al night their
sufferings were indescribable. The mate
telegraphed last night to the owners OF
the lost vessel, j. $. Emory & Co., Of
Boston, who will look after the crew.
Mr.. Emory is expected to arrive to-day.
In the mean time the men will be kept
on the San Ma rcos.