1839
Schooner Sevo was run down in the
night, by steamer Huntress, off Thacher’s Island, and sank
almost immediately. Capt. Peletiah Barker, Jr., of Portland, succeeded in
climbing on board the steamer. Winthrop Sargent, a lad of twelve years,
crawled out to the end of the bowsprit, and as the vessel was going down, grasped a
splitting table which floated by, and by his cries attracted the attention of those on
board the steamer, who rescued him with much difficulty.The steamer pursued her course,
and the sails of the vessel drifting ashore near Brace’s Cove, it was thought all
hands were lost.
On the return trip of the steamer, young Sargent
was brought home, and at two o’clock in the morning, was landed at Eastern Point,
and, lad though he was, commenced his lonely journey of walking to town. He reached his
father’s house at about four o’clock, and knowing that he slept in a bed-room on
the lower floor, tapped on the window. His father immediately awoke and exclaimed,
"Who is there?" "It’s your boy Winthrop," was the reply. Mr. Sargent
at first thought it must be the ghost of the lad, as he had given him up as drowned; but
young Winthrop had no idea of being taken for a ghost, and soon gave evidence that he was
alive and well, which caused great rejoicing in the family.
There were four men lost in this vessel, viz.:
Richard Triton
Nathaniel Remby,
Jonathan Osgood,
James McDonald.
Owned by Messrs. Ellery & Gaffney. Valued at $1,300;
insured for $1,150. |
