Page:Loss of the steam-ship Orion.pdf/6

6 had been disregarded. However, there was evidently no time to be lost, and the ladies prepared just as they were to go on deck. The captain now appeared, and entreated them to compose themselves, as there was no occasion for alarm; but our informant at once gave positive assurance to the contrary, by declaring that she had seen the vessel settling down at the bows; and ample proof of the melancholy truth was soon afforded by the water rapidly making its way over the cabin floor. The panic which ensued it is impossible to describe; and much more so was the scene which took place afterwards on deck. Some persons were praying, others uttering imprecations, others screaming. The lady in question succeeded in getting into the first boat that was launched, but it almost immediately swamped. By some means or other she got hold of the helm of the steamer; but she had the greatest difficulty, in maintaining her position The vessel was swayed from one side to the other by the people rushing in a body to secure a place in the boats. The boiler she thinks now burst, but perhaps she had mistaken this for the noise occasioned by the escape of the pent up air through the skylights. Ultimately an end was put to the painful scene by the vessel gradually sinking beneath the surface, first forward, and then in the after part. However, when she again came to herself, she found that she had secured hold of a rope attached to the upper portion of the rigging, and fortunately also she observed a cushion floating past her, which she seized hold of. With this she experienced no great difficulty in supporting herself, and her usual composure returned. For some time she imagined that she would never reach the shore, but ⟨as⟩ time wore on she got rid of her fears, and latterly looked forward to rescue with some confidence. She remained hanging by the rope for about three quarters of an hour, at the end of which time she was picked up by one of the boats. She was landed in a slate of great exhaustion, but ultimately so far recovered from the effects as to ⟨be⟩ able to proceed with the Princess Royal, which arrived here on Wednesday afternoon.

The following is a list of the passengers saved as far as could be ascertained: —

Mrs Spence of Liverpool, Lieut. Maurice Jones, R.N, John M. Jones Mr E A. Marshall, Wallingford, Berks, Major John ⟨Mann⟩ E. I. C. S., Richard Price, Master D. Darroch of Gourock, Thomas Kidston, Mr, Mrs, and Miss Anderson, S. H. Napier, Liverpool, Napier, do, W. J Walker, J. Nichol, M. D., Mrs and Miss Nichol, Peter McLellan, Liverpool, Mr Valegia, John Roberts, do, Dug⟨ald⟩ Cameron, Glasgow, Lawrence Barmer, Montreal, Mrs Thomson child of Prescott, Robert Buchanan, Glasgow, Mrs Buchanan, Miss  J. Sucker, Invernes, from America, Mr Sucker, Mrs Sucker, Mrs  Miss Robby, Malvern, Wm. Anderson, Glasgow, Wm Priest, Liverpool, James Holt, R. N. Mrs Williams, Liverpool, Mrs Peace, John Archibald, Alloa, Geo. Lamb, de, John Brennan, J. Doch⟨erty⟩ Liverpool, Mr and Mrs Host, Mr and Mrs Whitehead, Miss