Year: 1859

|
city. After taking in nm hundred and
twenty tons of coal, we started again for
Galway, with a light wind which contin-
ued two days, and that was the only
pleasant weather we enjoyed during tho
entire passage. From that time till we
made land the wind continued TO blow n
gale from the East, day and night-with-
out any interruption. On the 18th Of
November the Captain gave orders to
have the ship hove to, the paddle-wheels
taken of, and then see what could be
done with sails alone, rs we were totally
out of coal. This was at length accom-
plished, though with great difficulty, the
sea rolling heavily Finding at length
that our ship was filling with water, very
rapidly, we were obliged to keep up steam
to run our big engine to pump ship, as
the small pumps would not keep her clear.
We were fortunate in having four hun
dred bales of cotton on board which we
used in place Of coal to keep up steam,
four bales per hour only being required to
keep us afoat---the value of fifty
pounds sterling. This state of things
continued twelve days. The Captain,
seeing that his cotton and provisions
would not hold out much longer, although
we were put on half allowance of proyis-
ions and water, called a meeting of his
chief officers TO see what could be done
for our relief and safety. The conclu-
sion was to put on her paddle-wheels, to
cut away everything that could be spared
about the ship for fuel, and try TO make
the nearest land. This was tho last re-
sort, as we had been drifting backward
for the last twelve days. We then COM
menced pulling down the bcrths of the
steerage, then the officers state-rooms,
cook-houses and everything else on deck;
next paddle-boxes, bulwarks and water
closets, and, in fact everything that could
be cut away. Then orders were given to
send down top-masts and yards, to be cut
up; and next ropes and cables, TO the
amount of seven or eight tons; next, the
decks and second cabins; being still short
we then commenced taking out every 9th
er beam of the three decks. Finding we
could not yet reach land we commenced
on the grand cabin, ripping down state
rooms, saloon and everything appertain-
ing thereto, even to the furniture. Those
who had two trunks gave one to be used
in making steam. You may Justly think
the appearance of this cabin was changed
in few hours as the ship contained now
but one room. She looked more like an
old coal pit than steamer of the line.
Fortune, however, favored us. On the
morning of the 26th of November, we
made Broad Haven Bay, and about ii
o'clock we cast anchor. You had better
believe there was somo cheering rs our
anchor went down. You may guess
that by this time, our passengers and crew
were not very strong, but they did what
they were able. We remained in the
Bay four days when small steamer come
and landed us in Galway. 1t was just
forty days from the time l left New
York till i reached Belfast. We had on
board ninety-three passengers and crew
Of upward Of hundred men.


| | bad almost forgotten TO tell you that
the ship was on fire five times during the
last twelve days of her passage; thus you
can judge little what kind of a passage
we had across the Atlantic. And you
may ,surmise that l did not have very
comfortable lodgings for tho last sixteen
days. ! did not have my clothes off du-
ring that time. ] will not trouble you
further with the details of my trip, leav-
ing you 10 judge Of the rest till l see you.


HUeH Mcdowell.
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- They had ripe strawberries at Mar
4 III. a.. n Al.