The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-11-02
AWFUL EXPERIENCE AT SEA.
A Thrilling Account Of the
Great Wreck

Between the Spanish Ship vizcnya and the
Cornelius Hargrnvcs Clingin. to
Gang Plank for Hours, While Four Conn
pnnionsGive Way and arc Washed Into
the Scu-Saved at Last.
, NEW York, Nov. L. Spccial Tho
pilot boat Charles IL. Marshall, No. 3.
anchored off Tompkinsville, Staten
Island, ut one O'Clock this morning, hav-
ing on board five sailors Of the Spanish
ship Nizcaya and the second mato of tho
Cornelius Ilargiaves. The pilot boat
picked them up five miles south of the
scene of tho disaster ut seven o'clock
yesterday morning. Mate Walker, who
is an intelligent young Yankee, gave to
the reporter, who boarded the Marshall
this morning, u graphic and detailed
account OF tho disaster. He said:
I'VE struck the Vizcaya amidships,
and hope to God may never be wit
ness of another such scene. The IIar-
graves tore a great big hole in the
Spaniard's side. l saw our bowspirit
sweep along her deck. and q man in gold
buttons and peaked cap, whom took to
bo the captain, was knocked Off the
bridge. Then the vessels swung slowly
about until almost side by side, and for
fraction OF q second there was the
solemn hush Of death Then a chorus
of agonizing human cries burst forth.
Mon and Il
thither on the big steamships decks,
and soon heard the sounds Of their feet
as they jumped down on our decks.
"A moment after the crash caught
glimpse Of Captain Aliens face, as he
stood immovablc under the light of the
lamp. His face was white even to the
lips. Then, rs he heard the panic stricken
people dropping on our deck, he shouted
to me, Walker, keep them back: let's,
save our own CROW first; To the boats,
mon; to the boats.'
lilo himself, with II broad-aNc. cut
away the fastening OF the long boat and
jumped in. The first mate and three of
our crew followed him. In the mean
time was lighting n gang of Spaniards
who were bent on getting To our boats
Suddenly l looked around and saw that
Allen had showed oil with his four COM
panions. The boat would easily have
carried sixteen.
Il jumped into the rigging and shout
ed: Captain. you are not going to de-
SORT your second mate, are YOU: For
Gods sake. como back.
"llc shouted something in reply.
What it was. don't know but saw
him waving his hands III farewell. and
knew the coward had made Off. leaving
the rest of his crew to perish miscrably.
There were ten of us OH the IIar-
graves, all told. For n moment | did
not know what to do. | saw my com
radcs moving on the rigging with a
crowd of Spaniards ut their heels. |
felt the schooner sinking. and fearing
she would he submerged. lnasts and all.
| grabbed Il big gang-plank and jumped
overheard with ii. ! went undc- water
and when arose To the surface again
men were jumping of the schooner into
water all around me. Finally counted
thirteen Of the Nizcayas men clinging
to the garg-plank with nc. One was Il
gcntlc-faccd Spanish lad about sixteen
years old. The sea was quite calm. but
there was - heavy, long swell. We
were all sitting astridc Of the gang
plank. Suddenly and extra heavy wave
turned our frail raft bottom up and we
all with it. Down into the water
went, feeling arms and legs kicking all
about me. When | got To the surface
again climbed back on the plank and
then one by one the others came back
until counted seven.
"A minute lator another big wave
washed us all over again. When | rot
back to the gang plank there were only
five of us all told. One OF these was the
handsome Spanish lad. lie could speak
little English and he had great nerve.
! Our chances arc mighty thin he
said to me. acquiesced. and he CON
tinucd, Every time the old gang plank
turns over grow weaker and weaker; |
don't think l can last much longer.
Well, lgncss we have all got to GO
told him. but let us hold on as long as
we can. When we go under, hold your
breath; don't swallow salt water
Il don't know how long can live, but
lad returned, smiling swectly. and few
minutes later his head fell forward on
| board.
81 tried to work my way up to him, but
| before could reach him he gave great
choking sob, and rolled over into the
deep. lie seemed to sink like lead
'Therc were only four or us left
could see that the others could not last
long. They were in the water hanging
to the gang plank with their hands and
! arms, too exhausted to climb astraddle
of it. Their heads lay on the board,
and only for the conyulsive tightening of
their arms when the sea washed over
them would have thought they were
dead. One by one they slipped quietly
Off, and was left alone. The moon
rose, and you cannot imagine the terri
BILE feeling of fear and despair that took