194 WRECK OF THE ALMA. 



sition that it was no longer possible to clamber up it. 

 But necessity gives giant strength. Piling up chairs 

 and tables I managed to reach a rope, visible in 

 the bright moonshine, which hung down from the 

 elevated part of the ship, and climb up by its assi- 

 stance. 



Above I found almost the whole ship's company 

 already assembled, and awaiting with admirable com- 

 posure the development of the drama. Then faint 

 cries of women for help broke the stillness of the 

 night, and some one called out that there were 

 still many ladies in the already half -flooded cabins. 

 Everybody was ready to assist in rescuing them, 

 but this was very difficult to accomplish, as the 

 smooth deck, lying already at an angle of more 

 than 30, offered no longer a foot-hold. My rope 

 now did good service. A seaman, familiar with the 

 ship's structure, let himself down to the entrance of 

 the cabin, and fastened a lady to it, whom we then 

 pulled up. That proceeded however too slowly, for a 

 large number still waited to be rescued. Accordingly 

 with the help of further ropes a living chain was 

 soon formed, by which the poor trembling ladies, for 

 the most part surprised in their beds by the water 

 streaming through the opened cabin windows, were 

 lifted up from hand to hand. If an impediment occurred 

 anywhere the word "stop!" was given, and then every- 

 body had to sustain his burden until the furthering 

 process could be continued. At one of these pauses I 

 beheld by the moonshine in the dripping lady, anxiously 



