SUFFERING AT SEA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6261, 10 December 1881, Page 7

SUFFERING AT SEA.

EriißAiM Wrr-sox, a coloured sailor aud a native of Nasau, who was landed at Falmouth on October 11, gives the following narrative of the loss of all the crew, excepting himself, of the American brigantine Annie M. Palmer, bound from Wilmington for Hayti. Tlie Annie M. Palmer left Wilmington on September 3, and on the 7th encountered a gale, which increased to a hurricane. At 11 p.m. the vessel laboured heavily, aud the crow, as the gale did not subside, cut away the mainmast (the mainsail had pcrviously been blown away) and then let go the port anchor, so as to keep her head to the wind. A big sea, however, capsized the vessel, the crew, six in number, escaping from the wreck to the mainmast, which, although cut away, was still attached to the vessel by the rigging,and lay in the water alongside. The poor follows did not stay there long, for in about about twenty minutes an old Irishman was washed over and drowned, and soon afterwards a young American followed him. Another wave carried away the captain ; two others, the mate and the cook, were washed oil' locked in each others' arms, Wilson on'-ly being left. He says that the night w>is intensely dark, and that he did not see the men after they fell into the water. The hurricane moderated at 4 a.m. Wilson contrived to fasten pieces of wood so as to form a kind of raft, and he used some torn canvas as a shelter for his head and to wrap his body in and protect himself from the numerous sharks which were constantly attempting to reach him. In this state he coutinued to live v, ithout any food until September 12, when the wreck was observed by the crew of a passing vessel, the Swedish brigantine Carl Rosennis, of Bergen, which made for the vessel to see her name. They observed Wilson on the spar, aud rescued him. He only saw one vessel before during the five days which elapsed between the time of the shipwreck and his rescue, and he made signals by waving canvas, fre, but they were unnoticed. He gave up all hope of being saved, and was in such a state of exhaustion that he was not aware of the approach of the Carl Rosennis until a boat from her was close to him.