The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1952-02-01
much more prolonged.
A Scene of Terror

much more prolonged.
A Scene of Terror
We were now in a situation
which, from the time the boat
struck, we had considered as the
most safe, and had endeavored to
attain. Here we resolved to await
our uncertain fate. From this place
we could see the encroachment of
the devouring waves, everyone of
which reduced our thinned num-
bers and swept with it parts of
our crumbling boat. For several
hours previous, the gale had been
sensibly abating. For moment
the pale moon broke through the
dispensing clouds, as if to witness
this scene of terror, and destruc-
ton, and to show the horror-strick-
en- victims the fate that awaited
them. How few were now left, of
the many who, but few hours be-
fore inhabited our boat.
While the moon yet shone, three
men were seen to rush from the
middle to the stern of the boat. A
wave came rushing on. 1t passed
over the deck. One only of the
three was left. He had barely time
to reach a large timber to which
he chung when this wave struck
him-and he too was missing. AS
the wave passed away, the heads
of two of these men were seen
above the water. But they appear
ed to make no effort to swim.
The probability is that the vio-
lence with which they were hurled
into the sea, disabled them. They
sunk to rise no more.
During this time, Mr.. Lovegreen,
of Charleston, continued to ring
the ships bell, which added, if
possible, to the gloom.-It sounded
indeed, like a funeral knell over
departed dead. Never before per-
haps was a bell tolled at such a
funeral as this.
AfiOat on a Raft
While in this situation and re-
fiecting on the necessity of being
always prepared for the realities
of eternity, our attention was ar
rested by the appearance of lady
climbing up on the outside of the
boat, abaft the wheel near where
we were.
Her head was barely above the
deck, on which we stood, and she
was holding to it, in a most peril
Gus manner. She implored help,
without which she must soon have
fallen into the water beneath, and
shared the fate of the many who
had already gone.
/ ran to her aid but was unable
to raise her to the deck. Mr..
WOODBURY. of New York now came,
and with his assistance the lady
was rescued. She was then dashed
to a large piece of timber, by
the side of another lady. The on
ly remaining place that afforded
any prospect of safety. The form
err lady, Mrs. Shredder, was wash
ed ashore on this piece of the
wreckage beside me. l had pre-
viously relinquished my place on
the piece Of wreckage and was
compelled to get upon a larger
piece of the boat that lay near
This was almost Immediately driv-
en- from its place into the breakers
which instantly swept me from il
and plunged me deep into the
water.
With some difficulty / gained the
raft and continued to cling to this
fragment as well as / could, but
was repeatedly washed from it
sometimes plunging deep into tht
water and coming up under it.
After encountering all the diff
ficulties that seemed possible to b.
borne, was, at length, thrown OF
shore in an exhausted condition.
At the time | was driven from
1.-The boat, there were but few left
OF these four washed ashore will
me, were Mrs. Shredder and Mr.
Lovegreen of Charleston, Mr.. Co
hen of Columbia, S. O., and Mr.
sVanderace of New York.
On reaching the beach, ther,
was no appearance Of inhabitants
but after wandering some distance
| saw your light and followed it.
Il left the four / have mention