The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-10-18
XII.

We last gave a description of the New Orleans line of elegant steamers speak ing most particularly of the substantial Cuba, commanded by Captain Herne. She was by far the finest and swiftest low pressure boat that ever touched at Mo- bile, and in connection with her we wish to relate an incident that left deep anc lasting impression upon some 300 of her passengers who were on pleasure bert.
 During the summers of '55 and '56 it was the custom to give several excursions to Pensacola, and the Cuba was usually selected for these outings, leaving Mobile at dark on Saturday, reaching Pensa- cola Sunday morning, returning Sunday night, and arriving at our homes on Mon day morning. A delightful pleasure trip it was--a sea ride with a band of music In attendance; two nights of refreshing sleep on the bosom of the gulf. pleas ant day with the good people of old Pen sacola, which was spent in fishing, sailing or visiting the historic portions of the town, the navy yard, Fort Barancas and other points of interest. The fare was only S2.50, and the best of Mobiles peo- pie often took passage.
 The writer had twice made the trip, and felt a veteran, taking much interest in telling of its attractions, and urging others to embark. One evening, on which was to occur the last excursion of the season, many rushed to secure sleeping accommodations.
 All day had the clouds been rolling from the southeast, and after dusk vivid light ming began to play along the horizon No one dreamed of danger. the vessel was new and seaworthy and strong. A trip to Havana would have been attempted on
 her with the fearless old Herne on the hurricane deck, and that unrivalled pilot, Capt William A. Deering, at the wheel. So who could doubt our safe arrival with in the land-locked bay guarded by Fort Pickens?
 The passenger list was near 300 when the last bell tapped and of this crowd were fully 200 young bloods of the Gulf City. There were between 60 and 10 ladies, most of them young, and few old men taken along for counsel For the first two hours out all went merry as marriage bell
 aboard Then the wind blew stronger. the lightning increased, the thunder roared and before Fort Morgan was reached many were visibly alarmed.
 The captain passed down the upper deck, thence to the lower saloon, occupied by men only, advised all to retire, as the voyage would be rough, especially going down the channel between Fort Morgan and Sand Island lighthouse But we heed ed him not. all wishing to be up and ready for any entertainment that might offer and we began to question the advisabflfty of landing at Fort Morgan to await a lull in the storm. Like volunteer soldiers or state militia, we began making sug- gestions and criticizing the master sano his crew. Meanwhile the squall grew more terrific. The wild lifted the great pillows and the spray was stronger thar many weather-beaten faces could endure To look out was to be pelted as If struck by sharp particles of sand. The clouds seemed to hug the angry waters, the phosphorescence glowed like the furnaces of Hades, which seemed but awaiting our coming. Passing through the narrowi
 laid many prostrate. and called forth many heartfelt prayers for the cessation of the storm or that the vessel might re- tract her course
 But greater danger yet lay in wait for these Sabbath-breaking excursionsts for with the coming of midnight the storm rose to the violence of hurricane. ant we realized that we had run into al equinoctial gale, a real southeastern, fol which our bay and gulf coast are st
 noted. The lights in the cabin grew dim not an officer could be seen. and w were a cooped-up, praying body or sin
 ners. Oh. for 10 acres of land and mule JuSt tneH WOTQ Caiuc diOilB tAS AAAAS ] terror-stricken passengers that the cnail box had crushed through the stout raii ing and plunged overheard. This was al enormous box, filled with huge chains ant iron weights, placed on iron rollers ant rolled from one side of the forward par of the vessel to the other, in order to righ it or keep it from listing over too far. / large bullock was on the forecastle. be l ing shipped to stockman in Pensacola and separated from the inside of the lowe
 deck by strong bulkhead. The wave lifted his lordship and dashed hin
 against the bulkhead passed him dowl | the deck some 100 feet and landed hin next the gentemen's saloon.
 Then there was cry that the fore ana aft hog chains had pulled out their fast enings. and the stanch Cuba was as linn
 Der as a rag on the raging sea. Fron what was learned afterwards the captail , and his pilot had concluded that al
 was lost unless they could take advan tage of Hull in the wind and chang their course from southeast to north
 west, and get back inside of Fort Nor gan. With 300 panic-stricken landsmer
 s~--- 'sss..4s.s.--s 'r .--->-s v >s--