The Express.
London, England, 1861-01-28 00:00:00

LOSS OT THE MO MERCY, OF BRIXHAM.

The brig Mercy, of Brixhani, Captain Janes, was
totally wrecked at Porthleven, in the Mount's Bay, on
' Friday, but the crew were providentially saved. On Thurs-
day, the weather was vem thick and foggy, and a heavy
sea running, with the wird about S.W. Duringthe night a
light was seen from the vessel, which was supposed to be
one of the Scilly lights, but was probably the Long-
ships, near the Land's End, for the vessel was out
of her proper course when daylight broke, and not far
from land on a lee-shore, and having no cargo
on board, was almost unmanageable. film was
discovered from the land about eight o'clock a.m.,
about four miles off, and it was evident that she was
in great danger, and completely embayed. The crew endea-
voured to keep the vessel off, and tacked several times, but
' the tide was running against her, sad her doom was sealed.
About 10 o'clock she was sufficiently near the land for the
people to make signals to those un beard, and the sailors
and fishermen with others who had collected in great own.
hers on the cliffs and bench, hoisted a flag at the most
favourable place which offered a chance of saving the lives
of those on board. The place was about 40i) Jails from
Porthleven pier on the eastern side of the village. The
crew endeavoured to make for this place, ao having
drifted into the mountainous breakers with mai •
topsails, and jib set, she bounded to her fate,
took the pound. Mr. J. J. &gen, M.P., was
on the spot, with Mr. Webb and others from Penrose, the
residence of Mr. Rogers. At this time, several attempts to
throw a line from the shore hulled although every effort
was made to endeavour to rave the lives of the thew.
Os board, the greatest order prevailed, and all worked
manfully sod calmly to the admiration of the excited spec-
tater'. The sea did out immediately break over the vessel,
and for an hour or more she retained a position Dearly
upright. Measures were being taken to communicate with
the shore. A small cask was thrown overboard with a
rope attached, but when nearly within reach It broke
adrift : a second attempt was more nicoessful, and the
auk was reached by the men on shore who at peat risk
ran far into the breakers. The crew then made fast
a hawser to their end of the small rope, and it was speedily
hauled to land. No time was lost in making fast the other
end of the hawser to the cross-trees of the foretopmast, and
swing a basket on it. One of the sailors got into the basket,
and was quickly hauled on shore by willing hands, the
fishermen going out among the foaming billows to receive
the unfortunate mariner. Again was the basket drawn back,
and again its living freight landed, till nine journeys were
made, and the last man was safe ashore. The Mercy had
struck between two ledges of rock, in a cradle, as it
were, but the surging waves soon lifted her up, and pride-
ally coming broadside on, she listed to seaward with
bra head to the north. The made went overboard, and
every sucareding sea shook the whole frame of the Teasel,
and in the afternoon the coast for miles was strewed with
wreckage. The heavier wood-work of the hall may remain
far some time in the shingle, but there is little of value for
the riven or owner*, as the timbers appear to be
old and broken in small fragments. The Mercy was a very
old craft, about 400 tons burthen, and was bound from
Vigo to Cardiff, for coals, having on her last voyage deli.
vered upwards of 400 tow at the former Fort.