The Express.
London, England, 1851-09-24 00:00:00

Mtn% OF THE RANDOLPH AND LOSS

OF LIFE.

The Randolph, East India trader, Mr. Dale,
master (owners, IL Dunbar and Co., of Limehouse), has
been cast ashore on a reef of rocks off the north-east part of
the Mauritius. The disaster took place on the night of the
25th of July, a day or so after she had taken her departure
from Port Louis fur Calcutta. She had received on board
at that port 250 steerage passengers, natives, consisting of
men, women, and children, for Calcutta; also Lieut. Hol-
land and Ensign Scott, of the 48th Regiment, who occupied
the chief cabin. All went well, however, until half-past 11
o'clock at night, when a cry was raised forward
of " Breakers ahead," and Mr. Dale learned, for
the first time, that he was close to • dangerous reef
of rocks, which ran out to sea some two miles
off the north end of the island. The night was
excessively dark, and there were other circumstances un-
favourable to the ship's progress. The helm was now put
hard-a-port, and strenuous exertions made to keep the
vessel off the land, but she drifted in, and struck on the
reef with great force. The crew were directed to cut away
the masts, which they did without any mishap. This kept
the ship upright for a short time, but the heavy surging
waves soon bilged her, and she fell over on her beam-ends .
As the vessel careened over the scramble fur life amongst
the crew became desperate. Men, women, and children
WWI seen hanging to and crawling up the sides of the
week. Some fell into the surf, and by clinging to floating
span preserved themselves, while others were swept
away, and met with a watery grave, Ensign Scott
being amongst those who perished. After a night of deep
suspense and suffering, daylight disclosed their actual posi-
tion. Land was observed two miles distant, the space be-
tween the wreck and the beach being studded with small,
steep, dangerous patches of rock. The captain now con-
sulted with hisofficers as to the best means to be adopted
in preserving the unfortunate creatures, nearly 300 in num-
ber, who were on the wreck. The boats happily remained
whole and safe. They were lowered, and Mr. Scott, the fret
officer, and Mr. Shand, the second,, with some of the se m,
men, set out to examine the position of the rocks, and
as-
certain whether there was any safe passage between than
by which they could land those on board. One partly press.
ticable was traced to a certain distance, where the shoes
could be reached by span and planks thrown across the
rocks. Returning to the wreck, a difficulty presented itself
as to bow the poor creatures could be lowered frees
their peculiar and dangerous poeition, as they had
clung to all parts of the ill-fated ship, to the boats. AS
length two of the sailors took their stand upon the
bowsprit, and so let them down ono by one by ropes, •
tedious and hazardous task, for the vessel was fast breaking
up, and the heavy surf which was rolling was several times
nearly dashing the boats to splinters against the wreck.
After much suffering, Mr. Dale succeeded in seeing all
safely landed, and the chief officer, Mr. Scott, was des-
patched to Port Louis, about thirty miles distant, with in-
telligence of the calamity. In the meanwhile, Mr. Dale
proceeded to ascertain the number missing of the preen-
gen, as also of the crew, and found that of the former
between 20 and 30 had perished, and that two of his
crew had been lost. Among the bodies picked up that
day was that of Ensign Charles li. Scott, of the 48th
Regiment. Ile was in his twenty-first year, and was the
only son of Mr. Charles Scott, surgeon in the Bombay.
The moment the news of the catastrophe reached
Port Louis, the governor, with every despatch, for-
warded a steamer to the spot, and on its arrival
it was found that she could render little service;
the ship was fast breaking up, and the cargo scattered in
all directions. Lloyd's agent at Port Louis, who had made
an investigation into the circumstances of the lass, thus
writes There can be no doubt that the great loss of
property is caused by the neglect of our government in not
putting up a lighthouse on that part of the island. We, as
Lloyd's agents', took advantage of the feeling at the moment
and waited on the government to request them to have a
lighthouse forthwith erected, without waiting to refer to
the home authorities. We are happy to say that the gover-
nor consented to take upon himself the responsibility, and
a lighthouse is now in course of erection, although It may
be twelvemonths before it is lighted." The loss of the Ran-
dolph and her cargo is reported to be very heavy. Whether
she is insured or otherwise is not known.