The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-10-01
Story Of Mr.. Collins and
the Cotton Ball.
Survivor of Lexington DiSaS-
ter COrrectS an Error.
He Didn't Burrow Into Bale or Stuff
Cotton in His Clothes.

The other day the Gossiper took occa-
sion to recall the story OF the disaster TO
the Lexington, the SOUND steamer that
was burned on the night of January 13,
1870, of Huntin yton and briefly repeated
tne story of second mate David Crowley,
one OF tue few survivors OF that awful
disaster and whose experience was hardly
lquslled by any of the others as test
Of endurance. The story of Mr.. Crow
ley's oriit for as hours on bale of cotton
has been occasionally repeated from time
to time uring the intervening half GEN.
trry and a traditional feature OF his ex-
perience that has crept into the tale was
recorded In the Gossiper's reminiscence
90 the effect that MIR. Crowley burrowed
into the bale of cotton to make warm
nest and further stuffed his clothing full
OF cotton to keep him from freezing.
Mr.. Crowley ran across the Gossiper af-
tor reading the account and said he de-
sired to have the story corrected in the
interest OF straight record of an event
that was not only of personal interest to
him but that would remain for many
years to come In the history of sound
steam boating, and so ought to he freed
from inaccuracies OF whatever nature.
Mr.. Crowley Is q sturdy, thick-set man
of more than so ysars, although he has
been retired from steam boating on the
sound lines but about three years. He
now lives at 271 Pine street.
Mr.. Crowley says that he neither
burrowed into the bale of cotton nor did
he stun cotton into his clothing to keep
HIM warm, strong as this tradition hung
to the storS--indeed, 1t is incorporated
in the authoritative account of the
casualty a. published by the Providence
Il stonington Steamship Company In its
literary and advertising bureau. Mr..
Crowley says that to dig into the cotton
tals or to dig cotton out of II wss the
last thing he would have done in his
senses. His life was at stake on that
cotton bale. To have cut into it would
havesthrsatened 1t with disintegration by
the waves. His chief desire was naturally
that the bale would not burst it's bands
or In any way tend to part with any of
The bale was decidedly too precious for
him to have taken an ounce of cotton
from IL to "stuff In his clothing," at the
( iisk OF giving an opening for the sea 10
work into and work bigger. Moreover,
as Mr. Crowley points out, he conla not
bave dug out the cotton II he would.
His hands were numb with the cold and
the bale was solidly crustsd with ice-for
the thsrmometer was probably ten de-
sress below zero.
Mr.. Crowley clung to his bale and sew
eral times crawlsd overheard In the effort
to push 1t thorugh the water. Then he
would crawl back again and lie down or
sit on 1t. On the second night he
actually slept curled up on top of the
bale. Slept good long sleep until morn
ing and felt refreshed thereby. That day
he hoped to make Faulkner's Island on
the Connecticut shore OF Guilford, but
the wind changed and sent him across
the sound and landed him eventually
in the early evening on the
Long Island shore. That was
lucky, for on Eaulkner's Island he could
not have received the relief and med teal
attendance that he required afte- his ter
riDIe experience. A great many persons
from all the country around about visited
him at the hospitab bic home where he was
taken In, and four young fellows volun-
teered TO hunt up the cotton bale which
Mr. Crowley knew must be somewhere
along the beach, as tho wind still
held against the shore. After two at
tempts the bale WAS discovered and
saved, too. Mr.. Crowley sold il after
wsrd, but wishes be had 1t today.
Mr.. Crowley says that he once picked
mp a copy OF the Youths Magazine where
in was a thrilling story of his adventure
written by somebody, he doesn't know
who. The artist who illustrated IL rep
resents Mr.. Crowley in his "burrow'' in
the bsic. all wrapped up in a big over
coat and fnrs about HIM. altogether APP
pearing TO be very costly, II not luxuri-
ouly situated while taxing his 50-mile
sail on the cotton bale. What MIR. Crow
icy actually hsd on that freezing night
was shirt, trousers and stockings and
boots, with mis- underelotbes OF nourse-
but no hat, no jacket, coat or even a
vest.
A friend OF the Gossiper remarked in he
course Of chat last evening tnat to his
mind there were more forgetful people
In Nsw YORK than in any other part OF
the country. When asked for an ex-
pIanation he made II in this way: "I