The Rhode Island Republican

A thrilling incident. - The following brief narrative is taken from the Annapolis Republican. We would have abridged it somewhat, but every line adds to the interest.

A party of pleasure, including the family of Col. Walbach, Commandant of Fort Severn, embarked on Monday last, and after spending a delightful day upon the water, rambling over the beautiful green banks of the Severn, and partaking of a repast upon the shores of the Round Bay, the schooner was returning with the party in the evening, when a sudden flaw of wind struck her; the main-boom jibed, and carried one of the young ladies overboard.

Quick as thought, Lieut. J. J. B. Walbach, of the United States Navy, plunged into the river to save her. The spring by which he designed to throw himself as near as possible to her, owing to a sudden careen of the vessel, was the means of plunging him to a great depth. When he rose, the object of his anxiety was no longer to be seen. Nearing the spot, however, she was discerned sinking below the waves. On being brought up, she very naturally clung to the only object within reach, for safety, but unfortunately in such a manner as to deprive him of the power of motion, necessary to keep above water. In a short time, both sunk together. Rallying his strength, with an effort, he rose again with his fair charge; and not only sustained her long enough for her to breathe afresh, but with the utmost presence of mind, made dispositions to keep afloat; but entangled with clothes, and disabled from motion, his buoyancy soon, of course, became exhausted, and both again disappeared.

It occurred to Lieut. W., as he sunk, to endeavor to reach the bottom, in order to obtain an impetus for re-ascending, but the depth was found too great, there being 24 feet water. It was probably with the last remains of strength that another exertion enabled him once more to gain the surface with his fair companion. But they soon sunk again. His brother, Lieut. Augustus B. Walbach, of the United States Army, who had been at the head of the boat when the accident occurred, on perceiving those overboard, sprang into the river and reached the parties at this critical moment. In the act of bringing them up to the surface, the young lady insensibly placed her hand upon his head, so as effectually to keep him under water. In this position, however he retained his presence of mind, and by swimming under water with his brother's hand upon his shoulder, contrived to sustain both for a considerable time and to them all, a most eventful space.

All three, however became exhausted, and had sunk a full arm's length, when the captain, Charles M'Downing, of schooner Comet, having succeeded in rounding his boat to, and launching a small crazy punt from her deck, arrived just in time to reach one of the party, and bring them all up to the surface. The first breath of returning life in the young naval officer, was to sing out a direction to the raw hands thus left to manage the schooner, which was now at a considerable distance, to "haul that jib to windward, and put down the helm." One of the officers laying hold of the little boat on one side, and the other on the other, they contrived to steady it so that the captain could draw the lady on board without capsizing it; and in that posture they were paddled to the schooner, and received on board.