LOSS OF THE SHIP EMPEROR, OF GLASGOW.

Southland Times, Issue 645, 18 March 1867, Page 2

LOSS OF THE SHIP EMPEROR, OF GLASGOW.

A THRILLING- DESCRIPTION. The "Daily Telegraph" contains the following extract from the private journal of a cabin passenger by the steamship Pacific, from Liverpool to New Orleans:- O ct. 29, 1866. • Calm weather, breakfast over, and the usual routine of cigar-smkoing in full course at 10 a.m., ■when Captain Holgate, as usual, is the first on board to detect a speck on the horizon, and report's "sail in sight" — an ordinary occurrence, and but little therein to change the weary monotony of our protracted voyage. Vague and careless surmises are for a moment discussed, as to who or what may be the "sail in j sight," when Captain Holgate (whom nobody has been noticing for half an hour) states his opinion, " That's some poor fellow in distress ;" and ordering the man at the wheel to alter the ship's course, suddenly imparts energy to every one on board. In a moment all are interested, and telescopes are brought into play, and the " horizon swept " to discover first where, and who is the " poor fellow in distress." Few can discover any object on the horizon, and most doubt that there is anything in the captain's eye but the top of a wave. A few minutes pass, and the captain distinguishes a flag, while few again but the officers can discover anything save a tiny speck on the verge of the horizon. Our interest now becomes attracted, and, as the ship's course is directed towards the object in view, everyone speculates, and gives his opinion as to what the same may be. Interest grows to excitement, and ere long it is evident that another marine catastrophe has to be added to the many heretofore recorded. Gradually we approach what is now seen to be a ship dismasted and rolling in the swell of the ocean, with the ensign of England hung ont, " union down," as a signal of distress. As we come nearer still, men are easily distinguished, waving their caps to us, and towing from the stern of the Bhip we see a small boat, with a man in her, and, alongside, some spars floating as if they had been making a raft. When within hailing distance, faint cheers reach us from nine men collected together on the "deckhouse." The ship is a perfect wreck, bulwarks all smashed, and decks perfectly swept ; a more pitiable sight cannot be imagined. The first •word we hear is a cry to be taken on board ; as isa,<«naa.pyiT>3 tJi«^i\i^%R f i er^ w A^^^^exaa^. lowered, and the first officer, Mr Turner, and four men put off; but already the poor wretches have pulled their own boat alongside, and we can see them hurrying into her. They are soon on board ' of us, and then such a heartrending tale we hear. The barque Emperor, Captain iiryson, with a crew of fourteen, all told, was bound from Demerara for London, laden with a cargo of sugar and rum. Ten days ago she was dismasted in a gale, lost her rudder, and sprung a leak. The whole history of distress, anxiety, hope, fear, despair, is coon told. Two days ago the captain resolved to abandon the ship, all hope being gone of saving her, and preparations were made to leave her as Boon as the weather moderated. Weary and worn ont with pumping, the leak gained oh them, and expecting her to go down every hour, they launched the boats on Sunday night. Misfortune on misfortune pursues them — their greatest hope, the long-boat is swamped, and sinks. The captain and four men, in the gig, get away, and are carried off by the sea ; two men, in their small boat, are also carried adrift before any others can get in. The captain proposes to lie by the ship all night.. Of the fourteen souls, seven are left on the ship, and in agony wait till morning to be taken off. Daybreak comes, and with it calm, weather, but of the boats only one is seen, and that the small one, with the two men struggling to get back to the ship. Ultimately they do so ; but of the captain's gig nothing is Been, and there is but one dread fear among the survivors. " She must have been swamped !" The mate and eight men remain by the vessel, in the hope of some ship falling in with them. Hundreds of miles from land, they dread to take to their boat so long as the ship floats. Two weary days pass. Even hope is abandoned, and they prepare to meet their stern fate as best they may. They attempt to make a raft, but fail — there are not sufficient spars on board, and their only chance is their little boat. The mate tells a touching incident. These poor rough sailors were called together last evening by one of the men. They all assembled in the cabin, and he prays as best he can in his own rough fashion to God Almighty for aid and help in then* desperate hour of need ; hs prays that yet some ship may be sent to their rescue. They all abstain from indulging in the spirits at their command. The 6mell of the rum is intoxicating, and yet they refuse to drown their misery in drink. They pass the night in cahn despair, softened and sabdued by the prayers they have offered up to the Supreme Huler of all. Morning dawns, and one of the men going forward to the galley, discovers a ■wreath of smoke on the horizon.. He calls the mate and points it out to him. A steamer is at hand, hope is revived, their prayers have been heard, and God has sent them help. They watch with intense interest the smoke as it grows stronger on the horizon. The steamer comes nearer and nearer, their flag of distress is hung out on the stump of the mizen mast, the weary hours pass in hope and joy, the very hour of delivery is at hand, and they thank God for his mercy. Now, but not till now, do they take spirits. Their misery has been great, and they have manfully fought against it ; but danger and despair have alike been conquered, and, sailor-like, cheer among' themselves, and take a 'glass of grog ' all round. From daylight till nine o'clock (so the mate's narrative continues) despondency gave place to hope and confidence ; but now as they have just finished a scanty meal, they stand horror-struck and speechless, with very sickness at heart. The steamer passes them without noticing the " 6hip in distress." Gloom succeeds joy, and they give themselves up for lost. They anxiously strain their eyes after the passing steamer, "which might have seen them if any one been on the look out." Poor fellows ! they forgot that, while they saw the steamer's smoke, their ship, without masts, could hardly be seen at any great distance. Weary and heartsick, they gave themselves up for lost, watching ■with weary eyes the thick smote they so lately hailed as the harbinger of relief, rescue almost within reach — to their fancy within hail. How cruel that their frantic cries should not be. heard! Another hour passes, and they notice the steamer alter her course. " They scarce gave way to further hope," some of the poor rescued fellows said, "but a few minutes more of aonbt, and they are satisfied they have

ham. At last they are saved, and they three hearty cheers among themselves again. ' By noon we were up with the ship ; and Mr Turner having shortly after returned to report that nothing could be done with her, as the ship had seven feet of water in the hold, and that she must, go down in the first gale that sprung up, Captain Holgate determined to leave her, and having taken on board the effects of the crew, we resumed our course at 2 p.m., not one on board feeling otherwise than grateful that our own I voyage had been protracted, inasmuch as we ! were made the agents of rescuing those in distress ; our position being lat. 31.48 deg. N., and lon. 39.35 deg. W.