The Express.
London, England, 1852-04-08 00:00:00

REPORT OF THE MASTER OF THE SCHOONER
LIONESS.

Enclosure No. 2 in No. ritTiliiifrom Commodore Wyvill.
Schooner Lioness, Binion's Bay, Feb. 27, 1862.
Sir —I beg to report to you that when the Lioness was off
Walker's Bay, I observed a boat in shore pulling towards
me on the morning of the 26th instant, at about 10 o'clock,
which I picked up, and found her to contain 37 survivors
from the wreck of the Birkenhead. On hearing that there
were two other boats I proceeded in search of them, and
three-quarters of an hour afterwards I succeeded in picking
up the other cutter, with the women and children; but,
after cruising about for the third boat, I made for the
wreck, which I reached about two o'clock in the afternoon
of the same day, and sent the cutters away to pick up the
men hanging to the spare, by which we rescued 35 soldiers
and sailors in a nearly naked state. The wreck had din.
appeared WI but a picas of the maintopmast and topsail-
yard to which the men were clinging. Nothing else could
be saved. I observed that some had succeeded in landing
on the point, but only to the number of about 10. Finding
that I could do nu more at the wreck, I made for this
anchorage, and was towed by If. steam-vessel !Maio-
manthus, when about nine miles from the anchorage. I
was glad to have it in my power to relieve the sufferers if,
this enfortunate ship, who were on board me about
hours. The women and children were provided with snit.
able clothing, by my wife, and all that I and my Airs
company could spare was supplied to the men.
As I am desirous of prosecuting my voyage to the west
coast of Africa without delay, I beg you will be pleased to
order the provisions to be replaced, and the defects of tho
ship made good—my boat and gunwale being injured by
getting in the cutters. The unfortunate people have been
put es board the Castor, at 9 o'clock.
I have the hnnour to be, air, lite.,

(Signed)li Tiionis E..RAMSDEN.
Muter end Owner of tNe Lioness.
Commodore Wyvill, Commending in Chief, &c. dm.

LIST OF PERSONS SAVED.
Enclosure No. 3. _

This enclosure contains the last of officers, ship's com-
pany, &c., saved from the Birkenhead, which included 7
officers, 42 seamen, 6 boys, and 6 marinee—making a total
of 60 persona. /dr. Freshtield had been left at Simon's
Bay, on sick leave. This enclosure likewise contains the
following
List of officers, soldiers, women, and children, saved from
the wreck of her Majesty's late steam-ship Birkenhead.
Officers.
Wright, Captain, 91st Regiment ; Girardot, Lieut , 13rd
Foot; Lucas, Lieut., i3rd Foot; Bond, Cornet, 12th Lan-
cers ; Bowen' Staff Surgeon.
Soldiers.

Ben Itrotwawr.—PrivatesToim Moore, Michael Malay,
E. Peters, John Peters, Thomas Chadwick Hobert Page,
Henry Double, Henry Vernon, James Gildea, Benjamin
Worrill, Patrick M'Crery, A. Anthers, W. Badd,G.White,
John Bandon, John Smith, T. Oleeson, 8. Hales.
Brit Itiotsiamr.—Serjeant Toile; Privates W. Bache,
William Clark, Thomas Co., James Goldin, John lierrich,
Jamey Wade, William Welch, John Kitchen, R. Hunt,
Thomas Hortby, P. (Beeson, E. Walahe.
12TH RlGlRRNT.—Privates Daniel Waters, Thomas
Sangan, John Irvin, James Johnson, Robert Dolan, John
Yale, John Simon, Patrick Ward, C. Kerrigan, Michael
Hearty George Bridges, (Jeorge Wells, William Smith,
Thomas Higgins, John sl'Donald, G. Walker.
431 w R801341/47.—Privates John Rerin, Edward Am-
brose, James West, Harrison, Thomas Ginn, George
Peters, George Lyons, George Brickley, Michael Hornet,
l'eter Allen, James Woodward, W. Sharp, D. Bunker, M.
Healer.
Ora Ruoinnirr.—Private Adam Keating.
Germ Rirtsa.—Serjeant D. Andrews; Privates William
Burlon, Thomas Natal', Thomas Smith, William Sooter,
A. Lackic, Henry Fuss, J. Hanlon, Henry Mather, J.
Stanfield, M. Laffey.
73RD REIM RNT.—SefiCaßt Kilbtll7 ; Privates William
Busher, Thomas Cash, James Fitzpatrick, William Half-
penny, Patrick May, Michael O'Brien, Patrick Lynch, John
Sullivan, William Wood, D. Sullivan, John O'Reilly, W.
Dobson, Patrick Taylor, D. Malony, J. Mabry, It. Green.
74rn Rio M INT.—Sergeant Harold ; Privates William
Boyce, Charles Ferguson, James Henderson, D. Kirkford,
Walter Taylor, John Smith, Charles Walker, Daniel Shaw,
George Taylor, Thomas M'Mullin, Richard Hartley, John
Keifie, D. Munro, James Id'Origor, John M'Kee, A.
Nathaniel, J. Sharp.
filar REG' KENT. —Privates John Stanley, David Carey,
Patrick Mullins, Patrick Cunningham, John Cougham,
John Holden, Patrick Flinn, John Cordie, Allen M'Kay,
Mark Hudson, John Lowey, John Haggart, J. Robinson,
John Lamb, John Wamsley, Frederick Winterbottom.
12rit LANCElli.—Privates John Dodd, M. Schofield.
Ladies and Women.

Mrs. Harkins Mn.2i;sl;ii: ii;;Tiullins. Mrs. Mont-
, Mn. dulabar, Mrs. Spruce, Mrs. Hudson.
P •

rariionsh. 12th Regiment, left behind (sick) at
Simon's Bay.
Annum.
_ _

Often -----•
6
Soldiers ln
Women 7
Children

161
Of wbom 17 'Wien were left sick at the Naval Hospital.
TOTAL NUMBII SAVIID PROM WIWI.
Naval Persona 69
Military Persona 134
C. WYVILL, Commodore.

STATEMENT OF DR: BOWEN, STAFF SURGEON,

saved by the cutter.
. anfiffirnre No. 4, in No. 12 of 1832, from Commodore
Wren!.
fluston's Town, March 1, 1852.
Sir,—ln obedience to your command, I have the honour
to state that I was on the deck of the Birkenhead shortly
after she struck, about 2 a.m., on the 26th of February.
remained in the vessel till she parted in two, just before
the paddle-boles, u it seemed to me, and then seeing no
hope of the ship floating, and Mr. Balmond saying that
these who could swim had better try and gave their lives, I
lowered myself from the poop and swam. The ship went
dews is three or four minutes after I left her. As far u I
amajudge. I woe picked up by the first cutter.
Doing doe Yoe I was on deck the conduct of the officers
sod mon, both naval and military, displayed the greatest
esthises and the perfection of discipline. Mr. Salmond's
Odors were gives, answered, and carried into effect with
0 mesh quietness u if it had been only an ordinary ors-
onsim. I spoke to Mr. Salmond a short tints before
the ship parted, and he wee as cool and self-poeseseed as
poesibi.
Afterls I got into the cutter we took in se many men as
she could with safety carry, and the crew behaved with the
greatest courage and propriety, with the exception of one
marine, whose conduct was disrespectful to Mr. Renwick,
and who appeared to grumble rather than assist.
The first and second cutters and gig polled in company
for Cape Ilanglip, under the orders of Mr. Richards ; as
when we neared the shore we found the surf breaking
heavily. At daylight wo all pulled seaward for a lan
which was in sight, but after a long pull, as there wined
no chance of reaching her, we again pulled for Hanglip.
A north-westerly breeze now sprung up and freskelied,with
a sea that was rather too much for our deeply-laden boat,
and after hailing the gig which wee ahead of us, and waving
hats for some time, without being able to attract the at-
tention of her crow, we put the boat before the wind, and
pulled for a schooner which appeared to be standing in.
This proved to be the schooner Lioness, and she took us
up shout half-peat 11 a.m.
The master of this schooner then stood in shore for the
second cotter, with Mr. Richards, the womb it, and chil-
dren, and sense soldiers. We picked them up ; they were,
like ourselves, pulling for the schooner. NVhen we first
nude them out they appeared to be under sail, which proved
to be a women's shawl spread on a boat-hook. We could
see nothing of the gig, but, as she had a picked crew
from the first cutter for the purpose of chasing the schooner
in the morning, we were not in snub apprehension on her
licooant.

The eehoimer thee Mated the wreck, and took many men
fobs It. This was &NM by)dr. Renwick and Mr. Richards
sod the cutters' crews; these two gentlemen displayed the
,Clll4 courage, deteratiautiou, and intelligence in getting
1:6 groin the wreck, as well as during the whole affair.
Their eon duet was that of breve men.
Mr. Rich arils' duty in the boat, with the women and
children, de„, arduous in the extreme, and well performed.
Mr. Hire, who was on the wreck about 13 hours, dis-
phrd the greatest courage and coolness.
r. Renwick was nearly exhausted, and much bruised,
when we, in the erst cutter, took hint out of the gig fur the
purpose of lightening her to chase the schooner, hut after
sunrise he soup rallied and behoved nobly.
Nothing could exceed the kindness and attention of Mr.
Ramsden and his wife on board the Lioness; nothing was
too stood for us; and he made every effort to save as many
souls as possible. Ile deserves the highest praise.
I have the honour to be, sir, &c.,
(Signed) liontltT
Second Staff Surgeon.

STATEMENT OF MR. RICHARDS,
Master Assistant Officer in command of the Boats.
Enclosure No. 6 in No. 12 of 1862 from Commodore

Wyvill.
Her Majesty's Stearn-vessel Rhadamanthus,
Simon's Boy, March 1, 1852.
At the time the vessel struck I was asleep in my hammock
in the fore cockpit. I immediately ran on deck in my
shirt, and on lookicg down the fore hatchway Ima the
cockpit was half full of water. It rising very fast, 1 then
went aft, and heard the captain give orders to rig the eh in
pumps. I went below in the after cockpit, and with the
purser's steward and carpenter shipped the pump handles.
1 then went on deck, and aseisted in clearing away the first
cutter, and starboard paddlebox boats' falls. The vessel
was then rolling heavily, and settling down by the head
very fast. The captain then ordered the soldiers on the
poop, which was dune in a quiet manner. Ile then called
me, and ordered me to get the women and children in the
second cutter, and save them if possible. The boat was
lowered with a quantity of water in her, and nearly
swamped alongside. The women and children were then
into her, and some of the soldiers also jumped in off
the gangway, in all 35 persons. I then got clear of the
vessel, which immediately parted in two just before the
paddle-boxes. I then beard the captain calling for n boat
to save Mr. Brodie, the master. I pulled to the wreck, but
could not see him. I was obliged to get clear of the wreck
again immediately, as the boat was nearly swamping, ands
great number of men swimming towards her. I then saw
the first cutter and second gig astern of the wreck. I hailed
and asked if they were full, and told them to take in as
many as they could carry in safely. They then pulled up
towards me. I then heard Mr. Renwick call to me to pick
him up. I told him we were nearly sinking, and full of
people, and to go on a little farther to the gig, which picked
him up shortly afterwards. We stayed by the wreck about
an hour. After she parted in two, and having ea many in
the bate as we could carry, I stood in towards the shore to
see if I could land those that were In the boats. We gut in
as far as the breakers, and I found the surf was running too
high to Lind without staving the boats, and endangering
the lives of those that were already saved, especially
those of the women and children. I then hailed
the boat, to keep further out, as I was nearly in
the breakers, and should be swamped; we, however, suc-
ceeded in getting out of them, and then proceeded along
the shore to the N.W. six or seven miles, but could notice
any place where we could land. At daylight we observed a
schooner in the offing, five or six mils off. I consulted
with the other officers, and we considered it the best way
to try and come up with the schooner. After chasing her
between two and three hours, a breeze sprung up from
the westward, and she stood off the land ; the first cutter
and gig were then very nearly out of eight a head of me,
as we could nut keep up to them, only being able to pull
six oars. I found it was useless my proceeding any further
in chase, so I stood in towards the land ; we were then in
sight of the wreck, but could not distinguish any men on
it. We made very little way towards the land, and the
breeze freshening we were obliged to keep the boat before
it to prevent her sinking. We were within two or three
miles of the land when we again saw the schooner standing
towards us. We pulled the boat round, and with a woman's
shawl for a soil, succeeded in making a little way towards
her. She hove to, and picked us up at about 2 p.m., when
I found the first cutter on board with Mr. Renwick,
Dr. Bowen, and 34 men. We could not see the gig, and
therefore made all sail towards the wreck, which we hove
to off at half past 3. Mr. Renwick and myself then pro-
ceeded in the cutters, and succeeded in saving 45 men off
the topmast and topsail yard. We could not see anything
between the wreck and the shore, and thinking all that
were saved had reached the shore, we proceeded in the
schooner to Simon's Bay, having on board 116 people.
(Signed) It. D. RICHARDM, Master's Assistant.

STATEMENT OF MR. HIRE, CLERK,
Who was twelve hours on the wreck.
Enclosure No. 6 in No. 12 of 18.52, from Commodore

Wpill.

11.M.5.V. Rhadamanthus, Simon's Bay, March, 1, 1852.
I slept in the fore cockpit, and between two and three
a.m on the morning of the 26th of February, 1862, 1 was
awoke by the ship striking against something. I got on
deck and went aft to the commander, who told me to get
the books ready to go in the boar, RP he did nut think
there was any immediate danger. I did so, and went again
on the poop. I had hardly got there when she went in
halves amidships. I stopped by the commander, and Mr.
Speer, second master, at the wheel, until the poop went
down, taking us with it. I came up again close to the
mainyard, and from there to the topsailyard as Pile settled
down, where! remained. I did not see any °Nicer, or the
boats; there were, I think, about 60 men on the yard with
me, some of whom dropped off during the rest of the night,
and at daylight some went on shore on parts of the wreck.
We saw a vessel about live or six miles to windward,
which afterwards proved to be the schooner Lioness. I
tried to get one of the gigs, which appeared above water,
but could not. At about half-past three p.m. the next day
the schooner came down close to us, and the two cutters,
with Mr. Richards, master's assistant, and Mr. Renwick,
engineer, came and took us onto the schooner, where we
received the greatest kindness both from the master and his
wife, who did everything in their power to assist and make
us comfortable.

(Signed) 0. W. S. Mac, Clerk,
Birkenhead.

STATEMENT OF MR. RENWICK, CIIIEF
ASSISTANT ENGINEER,
As to tho stopping and backing the engines.
Enclosure No. 7 in No. 12 of 1852 from Commodore Wyvill.
11.M.5.V. lthadamanthus, Sfinon's Bay,
March 1, 1862.
I was awoke by the vessel going ashore and water rush-
ing from the main deck into the fore cockpit; I ran into
the engine-room in my shirt only, and found there Mr.
Whyham, Mr. Kitchingenan, and Mr. llarber ; the engines
were stopped and water pouring from the main deck
through the door, over the starbcard cylinder. I shut the
door, and, about a minute afterwards, orders were given to
go astern. The engines, after making from 16 to 20 revolu•
tions, stopped, the water rising so high as to eitinguish the
fires.

While opening the starboard injection cock I observed a
triteportion of the starboard bilge buckled upwards, plates
ribs both started, and water rushing in.
Mr. Whyhain having reported to the commander that
the water had risen above the level of the air-pump lids,
ordered all hands out of the engine-room. I then went aft
and remained on the poop until sho broke in two. On
rising in the water I swam towards the shore for about
15 minutes, but observing what appeared to be two boats,
about. hundred yards to my left, I proceeded in that direc-
tion. On nearing the first one I hailed, and was answered
by Mr. Richards, who told me to go ahead to the other
boat, as his was full. At this time I was seized by a boy,
who took me down; after struggling I rose, and was picked
up insensible by the second gig. On recovering I found Dr.
Culhane, and six or seven others, in the boat. The three
boats being full, closed and pulled in towards the shore, to
pick out a landing place, the surf breaking very heavily as
far as we could see. At break of day we saw a sail stand-
ing towards us, distant about five miles, we being then
about four or five miles from the wreck, and three or four
from the shore. We consulted together, and decided to
pull towards her, so we were unsuccessful in finding a place
to land without smashing the beat. We pulled two hours
or so after her, but made very ►ittle progress in nearing
her. Dr. Culhane then proposed to close the first cutter,
select eight good men, and continue to chase the second
cutter, at this time distant about a mile astern. We did so,
and no officer being in the first cutter, I took charge of her,
and continued to follow the, gig. A breeze sprung up, when
the vessel quickly left us. DM .h gig and first cutter pulled
in towards land ; obliged to run before tho sea to prevent
the boat swamping, there being in her 36 men. About 11
a.m. observed the vessel standing towards us on the port
tack to leeward. At 12 was picked up by her, which
turned out to be the schooner Lioness, of Cape Town, Capt
Ramsden.

I pointed out to him the position, as I supposed, of the
other boats; he immediately made sail in that direction,
and at 2 p.m., succeeded in picking up the second cutter,
with men, women, and children, in charge of Mr. Richards.
A man at the mathead being unable to see the gig, wo
made all sail towards the wreck, and arrived off the reef
about 3.30 p.m.
Mr. Richards and myself, In the two cutters, proceeded
to the wreck, and succeeded in rescuing Mr. Hire, clerk,
and 36 men, who were clinging to the mamtopmast and top-
sail yard. Having closely examined the whole coast with-
out perceiving any other persons •goat, made sail for
Simou's Bay, having on board in all 110 persons.
(Signed) CHAa. K. RINWICX,
First Claes Assistant Engineer.

STATEMENT OF MR. ARCHBOLD, GUNNER,
Relative to getting out the paddle•box boats.
Enclosure No. 8 in No. 12 of 1832 Irons Commodore Wyvill.
On the morning of the 26th of February I was aroused
from my bed by a severe shock. I instantly ran on deck,
found the ship had struck on a rock, and was rapidly
sinking. 1 was ordered by the captain to fire the rockets
and burn the blue lights, which I did. After so doing 1
went on the pert sponson to clear away the port paddle-box
boat.

Wa lied canted the boat, when the fore part of the ship
went down ; at the same time me soil Mr. Brodie (master)
were washed overboard. When rising to the surface of the
water I held on to part of the wreck. Leaving the piece of
wreck, I swam towards a truss of hay, where I found Mr.
Brodie. Finding it imposaible to hold un with the straw
any longer, I made for part of the wreck, where I found
Captain Wright, 91st Regiment, and nine or ten men ;
they assisted me on the raft, floating towards the
shore. We picked up Mr. Barber, assistant engineer, and
a boatswain's mate (Lacey James). Previous to landing on
I shore, I observed a sail in the offing, distant about
eight miles. After landing I saw the *cheesier malting for