Year: 1873

In yallettc. OF Bordeaux, and commanded by Cap
tain Crilette We were all very happy, and al
went wen on our voyage tin we had crossed the
Atlantic, and got into the latitude OF
about Buenos Ayres, when we experienced con-
tnued head winds and high seas, the wind blowing
from the south and southwest. This was aoous
the end OF August and the commencement OF Sep
tember. On the 18th day OF the latter month we
were struck by frigntful sea, which almost swept
our decks. one OF our four boats was knocked
into splinters and the other three went by the
board, the rail on the port side was carried away,
and on the starboard side 1t was so much sprung
that there were great holes in, through which we
could put our hands. We soon received news that
The ship was leaking SO that an nanus % Were ,t s1lS
us anu told not to be discouraged or lose nearL


ON the morning OF the 18TH, at nve O'Clock, we
were struck by another fearful sea, which smashed
in our cabin on deck. carrying me bodily with the
receding water out OF my bunk on 10 the deck.
The Captains cabin ait W is denged in similar
manner. and his chronometer, marine charts, &C.,
rendered useless. The caboose, which adJoined our
sleeping quarters was also grevousy damageos "
clothing ON board The snip was weL ana we hau
no change. The second sea which struck MS also
dapidated our remaining bulwark to greater
extent, and wave alter wave swept our decks. .lt
was impossible TO carry any canvas at this juno
ture, and in addition TO this l may mention that
during the terrible gales we had gone through we
had lost nearly all OF them. Tne snip certainly
had spare sails, but we were unable to bend them.



was gaining ON us rapidly. We threw about 60
large cases OF wine and merchandise into the sea
TO see II we could tighten La Gloire, but 1t seemed
to nave little or no erect. The water poured III
where the port bulwark'had STOOD and we could
touch the cargo with our hands .Ine captain
ordered us to nail over the hole. and we dd
so. While so engaged Lollier one or our crew,
was washed overheard, but as he mad secured
rope round his body he was saved.


We all took solemn VOW TO the virgin that IL
our lives were spared we would so IN body IN
the clothes we then wore, TO thank her for her
divine aid to us poor sailors SO lar from nome. We
drank wine, taken from the cargo, but would
sooner have drunk water; but we could not get az
with salt water from head to foot, and had natu
rally TO drink some o. it whether we liked IL or not
All our food was wet biscuits. Our watch was
divided into three sets. We pumped two hours
and slept one We were all thoroughly exhausted
and suffering terribly from the cold. About hall
our number were irostbltten, ana our hands were
swollen to twice their natural size.


After remaining three days and two nights we
were sighted by the American ship General Nc
Clehan, which was attracted by our reversed en-
sign. At first we wanted that vessel to accom-
pany us till we reached port OF refuge, but the
Captain SAID he could not as the weather was too
Dad. our captain resolved to stay by his ship to
the last and let the General Mcclellan proceed;
put that vessel stood by, and, when we. again
signalized her. boat was sent out TO take us on
board. Three OF our number had to be let down,
being too weak to use the rope.


The Captain of the American ship took us into
the cabin, and he and his wife attended to us
with the greatest kindness. The Captain dressed
the wounds OF the frost bitten men. In conclusion,
all can say is, thank God for saving us