The Express.
London, England, 1847-01-20 00:00:00

WRECK OF THE SIRIUS STEAMER.

The information which we gave yesterday of the
wreck of the Sirius has been fully confirmed.
The Cork Southern Reporter states that between three
and four o'clock on eaturday morning the vessel, having
made an excellent passage from Dublin to the offing of Cork
harbour, struck, in a dense fog, on a reef of rocks in Ball
cotton Bay. and instantly a scene of consternation, not to be
described, prevailed among the passengers. Captain Moffett,
the commander, then deemed it advisable to buck the ship
off the reef, and by much exertion with the engines and
otherwise. succeeded in doing so; hut they were only a
very short time clear of the rocks when it became evident
that the vessel would not much longer remain afloat, as she
was making water fast, and had received serious injuries in
her bottom and sides. She was, accordingly, again turned
towards the land, and very soon after began to strike on a
ledge, called Smith's Rorke, about half a mile to the west of
Ballycotton, with the certainty of going to pieces in •
few hours. The total loss of the vessel being thus inevitable,
the attention of all on board was directed to the preemies-
lion of the crew and passengers. and amidst the confusion
and alarm that prevailed, the life-boat, which is usually
carried over the paddletboe, was attached to the davits and
lowered, though unfortunately on the wrong side of the
ship. This boat, we understand, was not equal to accom-
modate more than eight, but immediately she was
launched twenty crowded into her, principally deck pale
sengers, and before she was well clear of the steamer, raelan-
cludy to relate, she was swamped, and all in her meta watery
grave lave Captain Cameron, of the Prince, river steamer,
who was a passenger from Dublin in the vessel. Retaining his
presence of mind at such an awful and trying morn. nt, hts
managed to keep himself afloat, and grasped • rope, by means
of which he was hauled on board. Means bile the steamer
continued to thump heavily on the rocks, while the screams
of alarm from the affrighted passengers, and the heavy surf
breaking on her ?ides, and on the deck, rendered the scene
one of awful danger and sees- anxiety. Soon after the
Coast Guard boat from Ballycotton wation, under command
of Mr. Coghlan, chief officer, came alongside, and the ship's
boats having by this time been also launched, the remaining
passengers were got into them, and safely landed though
with the loss of every portion of their luggage.
The deck passengers who were drowned were princi-
pally policemen, some who had gone up in the Vanguard
in charge of convicts, and some reinforcements from the
constabulary depot in the Phenix l'ark ; some soldiers,
and sailors—one of the latter, a man who was coming as mate
to one of Mr. Scott's vessels, having been shipwrecked three
times within the last year.
The commander of the vessel, Captain Moffett, who had
the reputation of being a skilful and experienced seaman, is
described as being almost out of his naiad at the occurrence,
but, of course, we cannot at present form any opinion with
reference to his proceedings. It is, however, next to a cer-
tainty that to the want of a lighthouse on Cable Island,
which the shipping interests of this city have been so long
contending for, one of the main causes of this dreadful
catastrophe may be traced.
Up to the last accounts the ship was fast going to pieces,
and probably after another tide tot re will not be a vestige of
her left. None of the bodies are as yet found, but it was
thought that in the course of Sunday
washed ashore.
The number of passengers and
Sirius was, as near as can be e
seveaty-one of whom have been ta..
large and valuable cargo from Glasgow
cipally bale goods, groceries, musical
furniture, packages, dm., and amoug
oases of theatrical wardrobes belonging
Dar. Wilde, of the Olympic Theatre, 1,
the is iast.l.,l,

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