DESCRIPTION OF THE LAKE OR LAGOON DOS PATOS—THE ENEMY
COMMAND THE LAKE—PLAN TO ENTER IT—TRANSPORTATION
OF LAUNCHES OVER LAND—RESULTS OF THE EXPERIMENT
—BREAKERS—SHIPWRECK—SAD CATASTROPHE.
The Lake or Lagoon Dos Patos is about 45 leagues in length, or 135
miles, and from eleven to twenty miles in medium width. Near its mouth,
on the right shore, stands a strong place, called Southern Rio Grande,
while Northern Rio Grande is on the opposite side. Both are fortified
towns, and were then in possession of the Imperialists, as well as Porto
Alegre. The enemy were therefore masters of the lake by water. It was
thought impossible for the Republicans to pass through the outlet which
leads from the lake to the sea, and as that was the only water passage,
we were obliged to prepare to effect a way of communication by land.
This could be done only by transporting the launches on carts over the
intermediate country. In the northern part of the lake is a deep bay,
called Cassibani, which takes its name from a small river that empties
in at its further side. That bay was chosen as the place for landing the
launches; and the operation was performed on the right bank. An
inhabitant of that part of the province, named De Abrea, had prepared
wheels of great solidity, connected two and two by axles, proportioned
to the weight of the vessels. About two hundred domestic oxen were then
collected, with the assistance of the neighboring inhabitants, and, by
their labor, the launches were drawn to the shore and got into the
water, being carried on wheels, placed at proportionate distances from
each other. Care, however, was taken to keep them in such positions that
the centre of gravity should be preserved, by supporting the vessels
laterally, without disturbing the free action of the wheels. Very strong
ropes were, of course, provided, to attach the oxen to the wheels.
Thus the vessels of the Republican squadron started off, navigating
across the fields. The oxen worked well, they being well placed and
prepared for drawing freely in the most convenient manner. They
travelled a distance of fifty-four miles without any difficulty,
presenting a curious and unprecedented spectacle in those regions. On
the shore of Lake Tramandai the launches were taken from the carts and
put into the water, and then loaded with necessaries and rigged for
sailing.
Lake Tramandai, which is formed by the streams falling from the chain of
Espenasso, empties into the Atlantic, but is very shallow, having only
about four feet of water at high tide; besides, on that coast, which is
very open and all alluvial, the sea is never tranquil, even in the most
favorable weather: but the numerous breakers incessantly stun the ear,
and from a distance of many miles their roar sounds like peals of
thunder.
Being ready to sail, we awaited the hour of the tide and then ventured
out, about four o'clock in the afternoon. In those circumstances,
practical skill in guiding vessels among breakers was of great value,
and without it it is hard to say how we could ever have succeeded in
getting through them, for the propitious hour of the tide was passed,
and the water was not deep enough. However, notwithstanding this, at the
beginning of the night our exertions were crowned with entire success,
and we cast anchor in the open sea, outside of the furious breakers. It
should be known here, and borne in mind, that no vessel of any kind had
ever before passed out from the mouth of the Tramandai. At about eight
in the evening we departed from that place, and at three in the
afternoon of the following day were wrecked at the mouth of the
Arevingua, with the loss of sixteen of the company in the Atlantic, and
with the destruction of the launch Rio Pardo, which was under my
command, in the terrible breakers of that coast. The particulars of that
sad disaster were as follows:
Early in the evening the wind threatened from the south, preparing for a
storm, and beginning to blow with violence. We followed the coast. The
launch Rio Pardo, with thirty men on board, a twelve pounder on a pivot,
and some extra rigging, taken for precaution, as I was unacquainted with
that navigation, seemed strong and well-prepared for us to sail towards
the enemy's country. But our vessels lay deep in the water, and
sometimes sank so low into the sea, that they were in danger of
foundering. They would occasionally remain several minutes under the
waves. I determined to approach the land and find out where we were;
but, the winds and waves increasing, we had no choice, and were
compelled to stand off again, and were soon involved in the frightful
breakers. I was at that moment on the top of the mast, hoping to
discover some point of the coast less dangerous to approach. By a sudden
turn the vessel was rolled violently to starboard, and I was thrown some
distance overboard. Although in such a perilous situation, I did not
even think of death; but, knowing I had many companions who were not
seamen and were suffering from sea sickness, I endeavored to collect as
many oars and other buoyant objects as possible, and brought them near
the vessel, advising each man to take one to assist him in reaching the
shore.
The first one who came near to me, holding to a shroud, was Eduardo
Mutru; and to him I gave a dead-light, recommending to him not to let go
of it on any account. Carniglia, the courageous man who was at the helm
at the moment of the catastrophe, remained confined to the vessel on the
windward side, being held down in such a manner, by a Calmuc jacket
which confined his limbs, that he could not free himself. He made me a
sign that he wanted my assistance, and I sprang forward to relieve my
dear friend. I had in the pocket of my trowsers a small knife with a
handle; this I took, and with all the strength I was master of, began to
cut the collar, which was made of velvet. I had just divided it when the
miserable instrument broke,—a surge came over us, and sunk the vessel
and all that it contained.
I struck the bottom of the sea, like a shot; and the waters, which
washed violently around me like whirlpools, half-suffocated me. I rose
again: but my unfortunate friend was gone for ever! A portion of the
crew I found dispersed, and making every exertion to gain the coast by
swimming. I succeeded among the first; and the next thing, after setting
my feet upon the land, was to turn and discover the situation of my
comrades. Eduardo appeared, at a short distance. He had left the
dead-light which I had given him, or, as is more probable, the violence
of the waves had torn it from his grasp, and was struggling alone, with
an appearance that indicated that he was reduced to an extremity. I
loved Eduardo like a brother, and was affected beyond measure at his
condition. Ah! I was sensitive in those days! My heart had never been
hardened; and I was generous. I rushed towards my dear friend, reaching
out to him the piece of wood which had saved me on my way to the shore.
I had got very near him; and, excited by the importance of the
undertaking, should, have saved him: but a surge rolled over us both;
and I was under water for a moment. I rallied, and called out, not
seeing him appear; I called in desperation,—but in vain. The friend dear
to my heart was sunk in the waves of that ocean which he had not feared,
in his desire to join with me in serving the cause of mankind. Another
martyr to Italian liberty, without a stone, in a foreign land!
The bodies of sixteen of my companions, drowned in the sea, were
transported a distance of thirty miles, to the northern coast, and
buried in its immense sands. Several of the remainder were brought to
land. There were seven Italians. I can mention Luigi Carniglia, Eduardo
Mutru, Luigi Stadirini, Giovanni D.,—but three other names I do not
remember. Some were good swimmers. In vain I looked among those who were
saved, to discover any Italian faces. All my countrymen were dead. My
feelings overpowered me. The world appeared to me like a desert. Many of
the company who were neither seamen nor swimmers were saved.
I found a barrel of brandy, which I thought a valuable acquisition, and
told Manuel Rodriguez to open it, and give some to each of the
survivors, to invigorate them. Efforts were made to open the cask: but,
fatigued as we all were, much time was spent in performing the task;
and, in the mean time, the men became so much chilled, that they might
have perished, if the thought had not occurred to me to set them all
running, in order to restore their strength by keeping their blood in
circulation. "Come, let us run!" I said to them; and then, starting off
myself and running as fast as I could towards the north, they would
follow me, until unable to go further. I repeated this until I thought
they no longer required exercise; and am sure that my own life, at
least, was saved by the expedient,—for without the effort, I must have
fallen a victim to fatigue and cold. Thus running along the shore, we
encouraged each other, to go further and further. It made a bend, at
some distance; and on the inner side is the Arasingua, which runs almost
parallel with the sea at that place, to its mouth, half a mile distant.
We then followed the right bank; and, after going about four miles,
found an inhabited house, where we were received with the greatest
hospitality.
The Seival, our other launch, commanded by Griggs, being of a different
construction from the Rio Pardo, was better able to sustain itself,
although but little larger, against the violence of the storm, and had
held on her course.
------------------------------------------------------------------------