The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1901-04-11
vice in the Mexican War. The ship
voyaged to Savannah, and thence back

He then sailed as chief mate of the
ship Massachusetts" Captain Buntin,
bound to Charleston, and thence to
Liverpool. The son of Colonel May, of
Boston, was second mate.
When about two-thirds of the way
across the Atlantic on the way to Liver
pool, gale sprung up from the south
east. The ship was put under cloSe-reef-
ed topsails. She had deckload of tur-
pentine and boards, which came level
with her waist, and made it dangerous
to go fore and aft in the performance of
the necessary duties of the ship. May
was set to work to build barricade to
keep the men from falling overheard.
He completed his work about sunset. In
making the barricade, a space of about
eight inches was left to beckett the main
sheet and tack. 1t was Mays watch on
deck at eight O'Clock, about which time
MI Pilsbury went below to his berth.
In going forward on deck to light a
cigar, May, when he came abreast OF the
narrow space we have mentioned, i'll
heavy roll of the ship, fell overheard.
Those who have any acquaintance with
sea-faring life, know the thrill which
runs through every heart at the cry
imam overboardv Mr.. Pilsbury sprang
instantly from his berth, rushed Cd deck
almost without his clothing, seized
the wheel, put the helm hard alec,
brought the ship into the wind, jumped
into the steamboat, ordered the men to
stand by the tackles, and called loudly
for volunteer. Every seaman stood
aghast;. not a willing voice was heard
among them.
There was, however among the crew
one green hand, whose name is lost,
but who shipped from Haverhill,
in Massachusetts, who stepped forward
and volunteered his services.
Though the gale had somewhat abat-
ed. there was heavy sea on and the
night was dark as pitch. Orders were
given to lower the boat. Mr. Pilsbury
was in the stern sheets, with his hands
upon the tackle ready to unlock. The
cordage from being wet, had become
stiff, in consequence of which the bow
of the hoat got foul, and the stern tackle
was let go. The boat was thus perpen-
dicular in the water, and as the ship
pitched, would dip ten feet down. Mr..
Pilsbury crawled through the water
from the stern to the bow of the boat,
and ordered her hoisted up again, a
which was effected At the
second attempt she was lowered safely
into the water. the tackles were imme-
diately cut, and she was freed from the
ship.
They pulled long distance on the lar
board quarter the drowning man all the
time crying out, Bear hand His
voice guided them to the spot where he
was desperately, but feebly, struggling
with the waves. They dragged him on
board the boat lie lay across it like
rail, being very tall man, and only
gradually sank into the boat as the
water came out of his mouth. He was
saved.
A poor ignorant Italian also green
hand, shrugged his shoulders as the
man was laid upon the deck, and re-
marked, eff that had been me, | would
have gone down" pointing to the sea,
and meaning that no one would have
taken the pains to save him, alluding to
the fact that May was rich mans SON
Poor fellow, we have heard Mr.
Pilsbury say, 81 can bring him before
me now. There was a conviction of abase-
ment about him painful to behold"
How curious is the history of mankind
When about two thirds across the At
lantic. the ship made all sail in the
morning watch, which was Mr.. Pills
burys, and was going rapidly tn rough
the water at the rate of about ten knots
an hour. The Italian was a Catholic,
particularly neat and clearly in his
person, and regularly washed himself
every morning before he ate. In the
effort to dry himself, hanging over the
longboat, he lost his hold; stepping
backward to recover himself, struck his
foot against spar that lay on deck in
the scuppers, and pitched overheard!
The ship at the time was undera press
of canvas, carrying studding sails, and
everything that would draw.
The moment the cry imam overheard
was heard, Mr. Pilsbury rushed to the
helm and put it hard-alee. The cap
tain, running up to him, said, Are you
going to carry away the masts?' at the
same time taking from him the helm,
Fighting it, keeping the ship away, and
ordering him to take in sail. Every
thing was lowered as quick as possible.
Mr. Pilsbury then took to the boat
lowered her, and with one man to ac-
company him, went in search OF the
doomed Italian. By this time he was
perhaps more than half a mile astern.
Men were placed in the miZZen-top to
direct the boat on its course She
proceeded to windward until hat was
discovered. The coming event had cast
its shadow before. The poor Italian
had sunk to a watery grave, and the
ship proceeded on her course.
In the process Of time she arrived off
Charleston harbor An order was given
a Spanish sailor to do some work about
the anchor on the Starboard bow. In
the performance of this duty he slipped
overheard. He could not swim stroke.
Mr. Pilsbury was standing in the waist,
and saw the sailor pass him like dead
body The boat was Immediately lower
ed, and the persons in it were warned
from aloft of the drowning mans posi-
ton. When they arrived at the spot,
they found him about two feet under
water, going down for the last time.
Mr.. Pilsbury reached over the bows,
caught him by his long hair, and drag
ged him into the boat, apparently life
less. When put aboard the ship, he re-
manned in the same inanimate condi-
ton. There were six passengers aboard,
among whom was an eminent physician
of Charleston, whose name is not recol-
lected, but who may now be living, and
may possibly remember the circum-
stances. Under the skillful treat
ment of this physician, the man, in
about two hours, came to his senses.
He did not, however, recover his health
r. I.