1030 
THE FIELD 
vessel, which it was believed must be in a sinking state. 
Immediately after the collision the propeUer passed iw on 
the starboard side, when it was discovered that her bows 
were completely stove in, and that she was otherwise ex- 
tensively damaged. Our course was instantly leased by 
orders of the captain, and we went in pursuit of the vessel, 
for the purpose of rendering her all the assistance m our 
power, little imagining that we were so much in need of it 
ourselves at the time. On coming up with the propeller 
we passed twice round her, and then saw between two and 
three hundred people on her deck. By order of Captain 
Luce, one boat, containing the first officer, Mr. Gourlie, the 
boatswain, and four or five sailors, was sent to her relief ; 
hut before they returned he ascertained the fearful extent 
of the damage to our own vessel. The propeller had struck 
her with terrible force, making a large hole in her starboard 
bow, through which the water was pouring in a torrent. 
Soon after the collision, I, with others, rushed upon deck, 
having no apprehension, however, as to our safety ; but in a 
very short time we were made aware of the terrible reality. 
The boat arrived from the propeller, but Captain Luce 
refused to take the men on board, as he knew they could be 
of no assistance, and that it was better to keep them in 
readiness to receive tho passengers. The firemen and 
engineers, driven from their post by the water, now came 
upon deck, increasing the number of the tenor-stricken 
crowd. 
“ Every one now prepared himself for the worst. The life- 
preservers were brought into requisition, and a portion of 
the crew sot themselves to work in the construction of rafts. 
The two fore-yard arms were cut down and lashed together, 
making a raft about forty feet long and three or four feet 
wide, I was engaged with the rest in making this raft, and 
Mr. Dorian, the third mate, took a most active part in the 
work. When it was finished, we launched it on the larboard 
side, and in a few minutes after there were about seventy 
persons clinging to it, four of whom were women. Several 
other rafts were made, but none of them so large as that on 
which I was engaged. Doors, barrels, and, in fact, every- 
thing that floated, was used. On some of these there were 
two and throe, but the largest could not support more than 
four or five. 
“ I remained on the vessel till she sank, when I went down 
with her. I had been employed a few minutes before with 
two others — one of them was called 1 Tom, the storekeeper’ — 
in lashing some casks together, when I was driven away by 
the water, which was now rushing in with fearful impetu- 
osity. Jumping upon the paddle-box, I sprang on the saloon 
deck, and in an instant was engulphed in the surging waters, 
which soon closed over our heads. Down, down we sank 
with our noble vessel into the bosom of the ocean, and the 
terrible thought took possession of my mind that I 
was drowning ; that I should never see my dear 
friends and my home again. I retained my consciousness, 
however, all the time I was under the water, and it was 
with a feeling of intense joy that I found, after about half a 
minute, that I was rapidly rising towards the surface. It 
was all darkness before, but now I could see a dim light 
above me, and in a few seconds I was on the top of the 
water, struggling for life. Being a good swimmer, and 
having, besides, the support of a life-preserver, I succeeded in 
reaching a door, which was floating a few feet from where I 
rose. 1 looked around me, but there was no trace of the 
vessel except a few loose timbers and the rafts which were 
floating about, some with, and others without passengers. 
Finding I could not retain my hold of the door with safety, 
I left it, and swam to a barrel which lay a few feet from me ; 
from this again I swam to the large raft which had, as I 
have said, about seventy persons clinging to it. The sea, 
though not strong, was rough, and the waves, as they dashed 
over it, washed away a portion of its living freight. I shall 
never forget the awful scene. There we were, in the midst 
of the ocean, without the slightest hope of assistance, while 
every minute one or more of our unfortunate fellow-passen- 
gers were dropping into their watery grave from sheer ex- 
haustion. Those who had life-preservers did not sink, hut 
floated with their ghastly faces upwards, reminding those 
who still remained alive of the fate that awaited them. 
“ In the midst of all this, thank heaven, I never lost hope, 
but retained my courage to the last. One by one I saw my 
unfortunate companions drop off; some of them floated off, 
and were eaten and gnawed by fishes, while others were 
washed under the raft, and remained with me till I was 
rescued. I could see their faces in the openings as they 
were swayed to and fro by the waves, which threatened 
every moment to wash me off. The raft at one time was so 
crowded that many had to hold on by one hand. Very few 
words were spoken by any, and the only sound that we heard 
was the splash of the waters or the heavy breathing of the 
poor sufferers, as they tried to recover their breath after a 
wave had passed over them. Nearly all were submerged to 
their arm-pits, while a few could with great difficulty keep 
their heads above the surface. The women were the first 
to go. They were unable to stand the exposure more than 
three or four hours. Theyall fell off the raft without a word, 
except one poor girl, who cried out, in intense agony, ‘ Oh, 
my poor mother and sisters.' 
“ When I was about eighteen hours on the raft there were 
not more than three or four left. One of these gave me 
what appeared to be a small map, but which I understood 
him to say was a sort of title-deed to his property. In a few 
moments after I took it he unloosed his hold, and was added 
to the number that floated about the raft. 
“ I endeavoured to get the paper into my pocket, but 
found this impossible, on accouut of my cramped position ; 
bo I placed it between my teeth, and held it there till I 
was overwhelmed by a wave, when I lost my hold of it, 
and it was washed away. Another, who had an oiled 
silk coat on, called on me, for heaven’s sake, to assist him, 
as his strength was rapidly failing, and he must fall off if 
not relieved. As he was about four or five feet from me, 
it was difficult to reach him ; but after considerable exer- 
tions I succeeded in doing so, and helped him with one 
of my knees until I became quite faint, when I was obliged 
to leave him to his fate. Boor fellow, he promised me if 
ever he got to New York alive, he would reward me well. 
He clung with terrible tenacity to life; but he, too, dropped 
off in his turn. 
“ I was now left alone on the raft ; not a solitary being was 
alive out of seventy ; but still my hope continued strong. 
The night of the second day was about closing on me, and 
during the whole time I had been in the water 1 had not 
eaten a particle of anything, or drank a drop. My strength 
I found was beginning to give way, and my sight had 
become bo dim that I could not perceive objects a tew feet 
off ; even the ghastly faces of the dead, that looked up at me 
from under the raft, were hardly discernible. I determined 
on making one more effort for life ; I raised myself on my 
knees upon the raft, and through the dusk of the evening 
I saw or thought I saw, a vessel. My strength seemed to 
revive and in a few minutes I heard the voices of persons in 
a boat approaching me. Ten minutes more and I, too, would 
have gone ; but Providence had mercy on me, and after 
twenty-six hours’ exposure. I was, by its mercy, preserved 
from a watery grave. The boat, I afterwards learned, 
belonged to the Huron, and was manned by Mr. Dorian, the 
third mate of the Arctic, Captain Grann, one of the pas- 
i sengers and some sailors. One of the men caught 
hold of me by the collar, and dragged me into the bow of 
the boat, where I lay in the last stage of exhaustion till I 
was transferred on board the Huron, from which vessel I 
was placed on the Lebanon, and finally on the pilot-boat 
Christian Berg, on board of which I arrived at this port. 
* CRICKET. 

(^|t« ‘n l ~y » v 
A fill 
u — va 
To the Editor of The Field. 
Sir, — With regard to your correspondent's observation on 
what I wrote a short time since, I would observe that, in 
speaking of the player who brought an over-sized bat to play 
with, I used exactly the ideas the editor conveyed, and as he 
does not say that the batsman was not allowed to take his 
innings, I did not feel inclined to write so. Your correspon- 
dent hardly can be understood by some, for an iron stand, of 
which he speaks, is a very odd concern to be used for the 
purpose he mentions. He had better refer and give us its 
proper name; we will then be satisfied. — Yours, &c., W. R. 
THE VALE OF AYLESBURY CRICKET CLUB. 
To the Editor of The Field. 
Sir, — The doings of this club this year are very desultory ; 
they beating a club which is known as a very strong team, 
and then losing a game with a small village. Aylesbury has 
always been celebrated for good cricketers, so that the young 
players could never show their faces in the field for play 
auiougBt the old clubs ; so some young members met, to 
start a cricket club at the Bell Hotel, consisting of Messrs. 
R. and H. Gurney, R. Fowler and others, when it was re- 
solved that the three above named should be stewards, that 
Mr. Thomas Thorp should be the treasurer, and Mr. T. 
Picken the secretary. Great difficulty was felt to find a field ; 
at last, the stewards agree with Mr. Bill for liis field, which, 
although a long distance from the town, was a fiue place to 
play in. A challenge from King’s Langley club was sent, and 
the first game was agreed to be played on Whit-Tuesday, the 
5th of June, on Cliipperfield-common. The V.A.C.C. gen- 
tlemen, for this match, lost Poulton and Darvill, two of 
their best men. The King's Langley gentlemen were the 
first to take the bat, to the bowling of Jones and Wheeler. 
The bowling of Wheeler was indifferent, but the fielding was 
good, with the exception of White, who appeared not to take 
any interest in the game, missing three catches. The play 
of Grace was good, scoring 20 ; the play also of Mr. J. 
Soovey was good, making some fine leg-hits, scoring 
29. There was much credit to S. Wotton, jun., for his 
good long stopping, one bye only being obtained. The whole 
inning amounted to 77. This was considered by the 
King’s Langley gentlemen to be a small score, but the 
V.A.C.C. gentlemen only succeeded in scoring 16 ; this 
appeared to astonish the V.A.C.C., aud they thought it was 
superior bowling, but in the second innings it proved con- 
trary. The King’s Langley gentlemen seemed to think they 
had met a side of miifl's. After a cold collation having been 
freely partaken of, Langley again came to the wicket, when 
the following doubles were obtained: — W. Wotten, 17 ; Dar- 
vell, not out, 39 ; Martin, 11 ; R. Wotton, 13 ; the whole 
inning amounted to 97 ; thus giving their opponents 174 to 
obtain. It was thought that it was an utter impossibility 
for tlie V.A.C.C. to obtain this number of runs, but they 
soon showed that they had a good man, Wheeler scored 67 ; 
scoring out of these 34 from 8 balls, making some very long 
aud fine hits. R. C. Gurney also played well, scoring 22 in 
fine style, playing Grace’s twisters forward and well ; at the 
close of the game 4 wickets were to fall on 26 runs, but it 
was generally thought the V.A.C.C. would have lost. The 
return-match was fixed for the 21st of June ; so, accordingly 
on that day, the above two sides met on the ground of the 
V.A.C.C. The Vale being strengthened by the slow bowler 
Poulton, who, throughout the day, bowled well, and the 
Langley gentlemen could do nothing with them. The 
V.A.C.C. were first sent to the wicket, when they could not 
succeed to obtain any double numbers, Jones being the only 
person who obtained a double 17, and not out being added 
to his name ; the whole inning amounted to 58. During the 
inning a greatmany catches were missed by the King s Langley. 
King's Langley then went in, but it was seen that they could 
not do anything with the “ slows” of Poulton. The only 
double number was Betts's 13, and tlie whole inning 
amounted to 35 : thus the King’s Langley gentlemen were 
23 behind. The V.A.C.C. then went to the wicket again, but 
this time they could stand the slow roundhand of Bone from 
Rickmans worth, and not a single double number was ob- 
tained. C. Wollen made some very fine catches in this 
inning. K.L.C. again went in, but could do nothing, and 
were eventually beaten by 18 runs. A pleasanter game was 
never played, nor a better, and we can only say that both 
Bides played as cricketers not to win, and in a gentlemanly 
way. 
They then challenged the Bierton Cricket Club, and it was 
fixed to be played at Bierton. The morning was exceedingly 
wet, but cleared up a little about twelve, when they com- 
menced ; but it continued to rain throughout the day, which 
made it very bad for both sides. On the part of Bierton, 
they lost Watkins, their best man, and their bowler was not 
well ; whilst, on the part of the V.A.C.C., they were enabled 
to bring their strongest team out. The only double numbers 
throughout the whole day on the part of Bierton was D. 
Elliott 16, and J. Elliott 12. On the part of the V.A.C.C., 
before three wickets had fallen they had headed their oppo- 
nents, so that there was no chance for Bierton. It being wet 
was very much against the Bierton, as their roundhand 
bowler could not command the ball. The double numbers 
on the V.A.C.C. were R. Gurney 34 and Darvill 10. The 
game eventually ended in Bierton being defeated by 8 wickets 
to fall. The return match was played at Aylesbury, when 
the V.A.C.C. bad hardly time to bring up eleven, but Bierton 
would play on that day, not like cricketers, so that the 
V.A.C.C. only comprised five men, whilst the others were 
not worth having, so that this game needs no comment. 
Bierton again came to Aylesbury to 'have a conquering game, 
when they brought a strong side, the best that ever came 
from Bierton, in fact only two of these players came from 
Bierton. The bowling on the part of Bierton was good, 
whilst on the part of the V.A.C.C. it was decidedly bad ; but 
it ought to be mentioned that the V.A.C.C. swift bowler 
could not come, on account of the cholera, which made up 
tho deficiency in the bowler on the part of Bierton. P. Hart 
scored double numbers of 27, 39, in hand for next year. 
Aylesbury. Yours, &c., Cochin. 
AVERAGES. 
Name. 
No. of 
Innings. 
How Out. 
Average each 
Innings 
4 
c 2, b 2 
20 
R C Gurney 
9 
r o 4, c 2, b 2, n o 1 . 
0 8-lOths 
6 
c 2 , n o 1, t o 1, b 1 . 
4 
b 2, n o 1, c 1 
7 3-4ths 
H. Gurney 
9 
b 7, t o 1, c 1 
3 
8 
1 2-Sths 
1 3-5tbs 
Jas. Simons 
4 
b 2, c 2 
i 
1 
T. Gurney, jun 
7 
no’s, b 2 , c 2 
1 l-7th 
b 4 
5 3-4ths 
c 2, b 2 
r o 1 
3 
W. Gurney 
4 
b 2, 1 b w 1, c 1 . . 
1 
1 
b 1, u o 1 
9 
b 2 
4 
Explanation— C, caught; b, bowled ; r o, runout; t o, throw n out 
1 b w, leg before wicket. 
WENN CRICKET CLUB. 
Mariued v. Single. 
On Tuesday, the 10th ult., the return match between the 
married and single members of the Wenn Cricket Club was 
played on the Castle ground. J. H. Walford, Esq., kindly 
officiated as umpire, whose sound knowledge of the game 
enabled that gentleman to give his decisions with great 
promptness aud accuracy. 
The Married eleven were the first to handle the bat, and 
very steady was the play of Messrs. Buskin, Poole, and 
Weaver, who quickly placed a good round number to the 
married score. The Single were then called in, and seemed 
determined to make a stand, though it must be admitted 
the "innocent looking” bowling of Mr. Weaver was, as 
usual, very “ insinuating ; ” Mr. Dickin made some capital 
“ away hits," aud the steady play of that gentleman and 
Messrs. J. H. Walford, Franklin, and Gough added greatly to 
rise the odds in their favour. 
The steady batting of the Rev. J. Davies, and Messrs. Poole 
and Pugh in the second innings again “told tales” against 
their single opponents. Mr. Felton made a capital catch 
from the bat of Mr. H. Gwynn, and it was soon perceived 
that a breach had been made not easily filled up. Messrs. 
Dickin, W. Lucas, Franklin, and Gough, however, in their 
second innings again played with a steady perseverance, 
endeavouring, if possible, yet to run up with their opponents; 
but fortune" appeared still to smile on “ the family men. ” 
Mr. Gough made a splendid one-hand catch, one of Mr. 
Weaver’s favourite “ drives,” which would have otherwise 
have added some three runs to the married score, and at the 
fall of the wicket it was but too evident that the married 
members had proved themselves “victors” by nineteen runs. 
The following was the score : — 
MARIUED. 
b Dickin 22 
c Gwynn, li Dickin 0 
b W. Lucas 4 
b Dickin 24 
Rev. J. W. Davies, b Dickin 1 
T. Weaver, b H. Gwynn 19 
C. Oldham, b H. Gwynn 2 
R. Buskin Poole, c Gwynn, b Dickin.. 23 
C. Felton, b H. Gwynn. 
J Allen, c Gwynn, b Dickin 
1 b w . . — 1 
e Walford, b Dickin 4 
b H. Gwynn 8 
b Dickin 0 
run out 2 
W. Pugh, not out 
J. Drury, c Gwynn, b Dickin 2 
E. Askew, b Dickin 0 , ■ , . 
R. Higley, run out ° h Dickin 2 
T. Hughes, not out £ b H. Gwynn ■•-•••• “ 
Byes, 12 — wides, 4 — no balls, 1.. 17 Byes, 10 — wides, 1 11 
Total 71 
SINGLE. 
W. Lucas, b Davies 2 
T. W. Gwynn, b Davies 3 
J. H. N. Walford, c Weaver 7 
H. Lucas, b Weaver 4 
T. P. Dickin, b Weaver 22 
J. Franklin, b Weaver 13 
E. H. Gwvnn, b Weaver 3 
H. Stockall, b Weaver 3 
P. H. Gough, not out 8 
R. B. A. Ravenshaw, b Weaver 4 
T. Higley, ran out 2 
Byes 10 
Total. 
81 
Total 78 
ran out 11 
b Weaver 4 
b Davies 4 
ran out 0 
b Weaver 10 
c Oldham, b Weaver 8 
c Felton, b Davies 3 
b Davies 1 
not out 4 
c Davies, b Weaver 0 
b Davies 0 
Byes, 3 — no balls, 1 .. . 4 
Total 49 
CRICKET IN IRELAND. 
KILBEGGAN BORDER UNION v. COUNTY 
WESTMEATH. 
A match between the Kilbeggan Border Union and the 
County Westmeath Cricket Clubs has come off, when the 
Borderers, as will be Been by the subjoined score, ha 
considerably the advantage. 
KILBEGGAN BORDER UNION. „ 
T. Nicholson, Esq., b Greenwood .... 3 c Sheal, b De Blaquifcre 
R. Willis, Esq., b l)e Blaquitre. . . . 
M. Flynn, Esq., e Sheal, b Flynn . . 
M. Tighe, Esq., st Jones, b Flynn 
T. Quin, Esq., c and b De Blaquifcre 
L. W. Cufle, Esq., b De Blaquiero 
J. Belton, Esq., b De Blnquicre 
T. Wall, b Flynn 
Mr. T. Cowell, b Flynn 
W. Geogliegan, c Sheal, b Flynn . . 
T. Geogbegan, not out 
Wides 
5 
4 
14 
1 
3 
1 
0 
1 
4 
49 
run out 
h Flynn £ 
b Flynn ° 
c Sheal, b Flynn 1" 
e Greenwood, b Flynn .... i 
b Greenwood ® 
notout f. 
b Flynn ” 
c Sheal, b Flynn 
Total 
COUNTY WESTMEATH. 
R. Browne, Esq., b Willis 0 c Quin, b 
J. Jones, Esq., e and b Quin . . 
R. O'Reilly, Esq., not out 
W. Evans, Esq., run out 
A. De Blaquiero, b Willis 
W. Greenwood, Esq., b Willis . 
W. D. Daly, Esq., b Willis 
J. Daly, Esq., b Willis 
YV. Flyn, c and b Quin 
J. Sbiol, ran out 2 
J. Flyn, st Cuffe, b Willis 3 
Wides 4 
’ £?iurui| U I i; ----- 
Wides, 11— byes, 3 « 
.. 140 
14 e Wall, b 
0 
0 not out . . 
4 
0 e Quin, b 
0 
not out... 
b Willis . 
Wides . 
Willis 
Willis . 
Willis . 
32 
Total 
, 0 
0 
3 
2 
43 
