The Express.
London, England, 1866-08-29 00:00:00

THE WRECK OF THE BRUISER.

Mr. J. H. Webber, one of the passengers on
boast! tl.e Bruiser at the time she was run down by the
Haswell off the Sussex coast, thus writes of the occur-
ie:.ce :—" The descriptions of the collision are very much
exaggerated in the newspapers. To be brief, however, I
must tell you that the sea was beautifully smooth on
Saturday night, and a line moonlight night. I turned into
my berth at half-past ten, luckily with my trousers and
waistcoat on, and soy watch in my pocket ; but I went to
rest with sonic little uneasiness, owing to the engine
having twice broken down before the accident which
brought us to a stand-still. I was sound asleep in my
berth when, at about a quarter to three on Sunday morn-
ing, I was awoke by a terrific crash. It was then quite
dark, and hearing some one at that moment say that
it was one of the steam pipes which had burst, I
was not so much alarmed. Still I immediately rushed
ur,en deck, when to my horror I saw the bow of a
large screw collier standing completely over us amidships.
I even then went below to put on my great coat, hat, and
boots, not dreaming that the vessel was going down so
soon, which I think took place about seven or eight
minutes after the collision. As soon as I had secured those
articles, I rushed to the raised platform with all the rest,
and when about half-way across it, was tilted up or fell, I
kuow not which, and 1, with several others, were thrown
below amongst the baggage. Death then seemed to stare
me terribly in the face, and I gave up all hope of being
saved. My feelings at that moment can be better imagined
than described, but I must say the value of life then
came forcibly to my mind. However, I managed to get
clear, and, snaking a desperate effort, I gained the Has-
well, climbed up her side, and was hauled on board, about
• minute before the Broiser sank.. You eau imagine my
relief. The scene and agonising shrieks were such as could
only be described by those present. Thankful was Ito see
the Bruiser clear the Haswell as she sank, as I fully
expected we should be dragged down with her, as the cap-
tain backed the collier the very moment the other was
sinking. There were holes in the bows of the Haswell
that you might have walked through, but fortunately she
was built in water-tight compartments. She hailed another
' screw collier which stood by ne for three hours ; also
the schooner Perseverance. flow thankful was I when I
landed at Blackwell. It has left me in such a state of
nervous excitement and weakness that it will be some time
before I recover. Last night I sat up in bed in a fright,
with my eyes wide open, horror-striken, as I supposed the
the Caine awful scene was being repesbted. I fancied I
heard the engine stop and felt the vessel sinking. I was
staring wildly about the room, and could not tell where I
was, and it was some minutes before I felt the indescribable
happiness that I was at home in bed. You may guess the
state of my nerves. As I told you, I have lost everything
but what I stood up in. My other fellow-passengers for
the most part had nothing but their night dresses.'

PROVIDENTIAL ESCAPE.—The ship Surrey, 1,096
tons, (•sptain Dixon, belonging to Mr. George Marsh►ll,
from Calcutta on the 7th of April, has just arrived home.
On Friday list, when 15 miles from the Lizard Point, she
came in oontact with a ship called the Glasgow Advanoe,
of 1,500 tons, which is supposed to have ported her helm
suddenly through some error in distinguishing the lights
in consequence of fog. She ran at right angles into the
Surrey. The sea provideutdally was calm and the wind
light—both vessels running at a speed of about six knots.
When the passengers rushed out of their berths they saw •
large yawl towering over the bulwarks, with her bow-
stint extending right serves the ship. By a second crash
the whole of the rigging abaft the mainmast was emit down,
and the captain's cabin was stove in. A third blow
carried away the poop rails, boat, &c. The yards of the
Surrey having become entangled with those of the other
ship, it was 45 minutes before the two were cleared. The
Surrey, which is teak built, proved unhurt below the
water's edge.