Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1892-10-21
Misctllamenns.
STRUCK BY AN ICEBERG

by dead reckoning, SAID Capt.
Burton, of the Golden Eagle, rising
from the study of the chart, which had
lain open on the cabin table between US
for some time-"by dead reckoning
that is about our position and he in
dicated spot representing something
like fifty miles south of Cape Horn,
GLOW is the barometer p
STEADY since noon," | replied,
"Then we have seen the worst of the
gale" he added. "Let us 60 on deck !"
Under close-reefcd canvas, the Golden
Eagle was running before n fierce west
erly gale. The murky light was dark
ened by frequent snow squalls.
The waves, like famished wolves,
leaped on our ships quarters as though
they would claim their prey but she,
like a living thing. plunged into the
hollows, throwing off her foos and ris-
ing on the forward wave few on I'M
harmed.
All hands were on deck, and u sharp
lookout was kept, for moments in
attention, under circumstances such as
these, might mean instant destruction.
About midnight n tremendous squall
struck the ship, and | thought for a
moment that she was on her beam
ends; but she recovered herself, and
rose to less perilous inclination.
"All hands shorten sail p cried the
captain.
The seaman struggled aloft through
the wind-swept shrouds, but the squall
swept to leeward, and cry of alarm
rose from the lookout at the bow:
"Starboard hard a-star- board p
| ran forward, and there, like an
awful spcctcr, lowered above us huge
iceberg.
"Icc right ahead 70 shouted, as |
fed aft.
The wheel chains groancd under our
united efforts. The sailors aloft aban-
doned their work and came hurrying
to the deck. knew, as thoy knew,
that our ship was doomed. yet knowing
it and realizing in some degree all that
our terrible position involved, every
man was ready to meet death rcsolutely
and perfect discipline was maintained.
"Stand by the braces" the captain
shouted.
Before the men could obey the order
another cry arose:
Iookout she's into it !"
And the Golden Eagle, rising on the
crest Of a wave, dashed headlong into
the iceberg The impact was terrific.
The three topmasts snapped short of.
An immense block of ice fell on the
bow, crushing the fo'c'stle-head into
splintors.
Amid the roar Of the wind aud sea,
the rending of spars and the cries Of
injured seamen, Capt Burton's voice
rang out:
"Clear away the boats ~
There was gallant effort made TO
obey the order. The port life boat was
cut adrift and turned upon her keel,
but the ship gave violent roll and
men and boat fell TO leeward in a con-
fused heap.
The next molpont the Golden Eagle
trembled beneath our feet, and, without
further warning, sank beneath the dark
waters of bleak Cape Horn.
went down with the ship, conscious
only Of the cries Of the scamen, which
rang fearfully in my ears. My next
sensation was one of deadly chill, as 1
rose to tho surface, amid the tumult Of
the wind and sea
The iceberg was invisible, owing TO
the flying spray and snow, and the night
was 80 dark that nothing could be dis
tinguisbed a few feet away.
My boots and heavy clothes were
saturated, and the numbncss Of my
hands told me that could not remain
afoat much longer.
Something large and black doomed
alongside out Of the snow-squall, and
instinctivcly grasped at il II was
the gunwalo Of the released lifeboat.
Several men were clinging 10 il, and
succeeded 10 removing their sca.boots.
and we're bailiDg tho water out
AS she rose, VIC scrambled aboard,
and, finding ourselves nearing the berg.
we tore up the bottom boards, which VIC
used as oars, and managed to clear II.
We were evidently now under the leo
Of the berg, and, therefore, in comp,ra-
lively smooth water.
We managed 10 keep the boat from
drifting out to sea again, and, having
done all that was possible under the
circumstances, we waited the dawn
II came at longth--a sickly CLEAN
across the wild waste Of waters. There
was no JOY 10 it--no warmth, no com
fort; yet VIC were thankful for il. II
was daylight.