The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1859-05-10 00:00:00

SHIPWRECK or rue_ POMONA EMIGRANT

SHIP.
300 Live; LOST.

An inquisition was held on Sahara:ly, by Mr. John
Thomas Hrownrigg, coroner, on the body of a woman
N. 1), lying in the bost-home at 11111yronigar. Ti..,
coroner proceeded to examine several witnesses, who
proved that the vessel was descried on Hlackwater
Bank about Ti or 6 o'clock on Thursday morning, the
2fltli ult., distant nine miles east, or thereabouts, the
wind blowing E.S.E., with strong gales, and occasional
showers. The density of the atmosphere sometimes bid
the vessel from view. The body of the woman under
inquiry was found sonic time previous to the discovery
of the vessel. It was observed from shore that the
vessel's masts were cut away about 8 a.m. Large limn-
ben of people were assembled on the beach, but any at-
tempt to launch. a boat would have been unavailing.
About 2 or 3 o'clock the boats were descried making
for the shore, which were watched with the most 12E11,4
concern by those on the beach, and which providentially
indeed, almost miraculously—succeeds-d in reaching
it, where prompt assistance was rendered to those who
were so fortunate as to escape from the destruction
which seemed almost inevitable. One of the boats ar•
rived before the other, and landed 21 men, of whom 17
were acalliemi, and the remaioder emigrants. They de-
parted instantaneously, except one man, who waited to
see tie fate if tin' other boat, as it hail just overact, and
of nil persons whom it contained four sank, and the h.,-
mauling two struck out for the shore, which they suc-
ceeded in reaching, though almost exhausted.
The following is the narrative related by Philip Mules'
hey, passengers' cook :—He deposed that he left Water-
ford on Friday, the 22m1 ult., for Liverpool, and there
succeeded in obtaining all appointment as passengers'
cook on board the emigrant ship Pm,uuioi a, 1.400 tons,
Charles Merrilicw master, bound for New Yoilt, har-
ing Oh bO•rd • general aargu, and 372 emigrants, and the
crew consisting of 33 sailors, two mates, a doctor,
two stewards, and a carpenter. They sailed at 1 o'clock
on Wednesday, the 27th, and the captain remarked from
the wind being so favourable that they would reach
New York in 17 or 18 days. The wind was blowing
high on Wednesday night. He (witness) was compelled
to retire to the galley to avoid the spray which WU
dashing in, and to seek shelter at the stt-iii of the ship,
and was there about one hour, when the ship struck, and
a quantity of ropes, loose chains, kc., were flung upon
him by the rolling of the vessel ; but she again right-
Mg, there were thrown off, and he escaped uninjured,
and repaired to his hammock, whore he remained about
two hours, and at 4 o'clock on '1 liar-slay morning re-
turned on deck, being disturbed by the raking F the
vessel. As soon as lie came on deck lie beard the cap-
tain say to the chief mate, " The ship is lost." He (wit-
neas) then descended into the steerage, where the pas-
sengers, who now seemed aware of their perilous situa-
tion, were in a state of indescribable tenor. Ile sought
to encourage them, and In Id out hopes in which he
could not participate. He immediately reascencled on
deck, accompanied hy some of the passengers, who,
acting from his orders, repaired to the pumps. Many
of the female passengers came on deck, while the greater
part remained below, awaiting in dreadful anxiety the
melancholy fate which stared them in the faoc. The
weather stays were cut on one aide, as also two mast.,
which went overboard. The ship was at this time
making water fast. A boat was next lowered, contain-
hug the name of the ship, expecting to attract the notice
of any 'wising vessel. Some of the sailors were em•
ployed in " canting over" a fragment of the utast, and
witness going to their assistance had three of his fingers
broken by the tneber. The captain continued to issue
orders to the crew, who were prompt in obeying them.
The captain preservnl great calmness., but the chief
mate seemed desirous of abandoning the vessel.
At this time witness heard that a boat containing
six sailors had put off for the shore. Ile continued

to work at the runlet till ahout 11 o'clock, when lie
noticed the Grew lautichniA another boil. Wittiest;
linateittil to their assistance, &nil leaped gerund into her.
.te soon as the crew entered the boat they pudied her
out with an oar to prevent any others (mu entenug--
the lailwarka being then cniwiled with passengers, half
s•uiciiial with fear. f i.. inip,adoig
the inevitable ruin which awaited thens. No aysispathy
was dealt out to the poor eivatee,,
emanated from tbe ot the crew, who ou-i Hoed oils-
eerned fur themselves alone. This last boat load n 4
hum Nit off when the vessel with all YU hoard !milk
ink) the yawning abyss, which opened its gaping jaws to
SWAIIOW this multitude of poor creator. N, whose feelings
at this moment can be better than described.
Little wore minims to he told. Mule ihry landed wifely,
where lie was wel with trite Irbil' hospitality,
and received amid a minshitie of smiles and an OCCIUI of
taars—smiles for the deliverance of Hemet who effected
their escape, and tcars—tears of genuine and heartfelt
sorrow—fur the fate of those who were left on board.
Mulcalley is a native of Farnane, near Cappoquin. AS
Mash as his deposition was taken, a anbscription was wet
on foot by • humane and benevolent gentleman, Dr.
Carten, who attended as Admiralty agent, and before
leaving he received a liberal donation front the gentle-
men present, which proved the sympathy which was
entertained for the poor aufferer. After having exa-
mined live witnesses, the Coroner addressed the jury,
who after clue deliberation returned the following vet--
diet :—" That the deceased female. No. 1, How lying
dead in the boat-house at Ballyconigar, cause by her
death by drowning. We are of opinion that idle was a
passenger from the emigrant ship Pomona, that was
*reeked on Blackwater Bank on Thursday, the 2811,
inst. In recording this verdict we must expressi our
surprise that with a most favourable wind and tolerable
weather this ship Oswald have gone SO 111001 out of her
COUNC. WO have no proof of drunkenness, but 11104
heartily we condemn that portion of the crew which
deserted their passengers, occupying the boatel to the
exclusion of women and children. We respectfully call
for a further iiiquiry by the Lords of the Admiralty,
and recommend its future that seamen surviving the loss
of their *hip ought to be detained until due inquiry be
made itato the particulars of the ease."
The inquiry was reopened at half-past 2 o'clock on
Sunday, when the same jury was empanelled, itli the
exception of substituting Mr. M. SFCabe for Matthew
White. The inquisition was held on the body of ta
No. 2, afterwards recognised as the body of
Frederick Blair, steward on board the Pomona, and
after the exaniiiiation of the witnesses the Coroner
addressed the jury, who found a verdict the abuse as on
the previous day. The inquisition was next held on
the following bodies and in the following order
recognised as Mies Paxton ; 4, female emigrant ; 5,
ateward on board; 6, a woman ; 7, a baby, about two
years old ; said three female emigrants. Verdict in
each case the same ant that found for No. 1. No. 1. was
subsequently identified as Mrs. Paxton, widow, and i
mother to No. 2. She had another daughter on board.
The inquiry closed at 8 o'clock on the second day. The
owners of the ship presented themselves on Tuesday,
and having heard the verdict concurred in its validity.
It is stated that the captain mistook Illackwater Bank
for the Twitter light on the opposite side of the Channel