The swells increased continually, and the danger of the vessel giving way induced several of the sailors to commit themselves to the waves.  Previous to this they divested themselves of their clothes, which they tied to pieces of plank and sent ashore.  These were immediately seized upon by the beach pirates, and never afterward recovered.  The carpenter cut loose some planks and spars, and upon one of these Madame Ossoli was advised to trust herself, the captain promising to go in advance, with her boy.  She refused, saying that she had no wish to live without the child, and would not, at that hour, give the care of it to another.  Mrs. Hasty then took hold of a plank, in company with the second mate, Mr. Davis, through whose assistance she landed safely, though terribly bruised by the floating timber.  The captain clung to a hatch, and was washed ashore insensible, where he was resuscitated by the efforts of Mr. Oakes and several others, who were by this time collected on the beach.  Most of the men were entirely destitute of clothing, and some, who were exhausted and ready to let go their hold, were saved by the islanders, who went into the surf with lines about their waists, and caught them.

The young Italian girl, Celesta Pardena, who was bound for New York, where she had already lived in the family of Henry Peters Gray, the artist, was at first greatly alarmed, and uttered the most piercing screams.  By the exertions of the Ossolis she was quieted, and apparently resigned to her fate.  The passengers reconciled themselves to the idea of death.  At the proposal of the Marquis Ossoli some time was spent in prayer, after which all sat down calmly to await the parting of the vessel.  The Marchioness Ossoli was entreated by the sailors to leave the vessel, or at least to trust her child to them, but she steadily refused.

Early in the morning some men had been sent to the lighthouse for the life-boat which is kept there.  Although this is but two miles distant, the boat did not arrive till about one o’clock, by which time the gale had so increased, and the swells were so high and terrific, that it was impossible to make any use of it.  A mortar was also brought for the purpose of firing a line over the vessel, to stretch a hawser between it and the shore.  The mortar was stationed on the lee of a hillock, about a hundred and fifty rods from the wreck, that the powder might be kept dry.  It was fired five times, but failed to carry a line more than half the necessary distance.  Just before the forecastle sunk, the remaining sailors determined to leave.

The steward, with whom the child had always been a great favorite, took it, almost by main force, and plunged with it into the sea; neither reached the shore alive.  The Marquis Ossoli was soon afterwards washed away, but his wife remained in ignorance of his fate.  The cook, who was the last person that reached the shore alive, said that the last words he heard her speak were:  “I see nothing