The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-02-08 00:00:00

AFFLICTING ACCIDENT.

In the British Press of Saturday we published an ac-
count of the dreadful calamity which took place in the
county Fermanagh. The following more minute report is
from the Enniakdlen Pucka of Thursday :
We have seldom had a task of so distressing a nature as that
which this day devolves upon us, in recording the melancholy fate
of several fellow-creatures, who perished on Saturday last. A
young man of excellent moral character, named Maguire, died in
this town on Thursday, and a number of his acquaintances and
friends, anxious to testify their respect far his remains, assembled
to convey them to the place of interment, at the Old Abbey, in the
Wanda Devonish. The funeral proceeded by land to the shore
opposite the island, in the landa of Derryinch, where they arrived
about one o'clock. Although the day became stormy, the vessels
destined to convey them across, were crowded and overladen, par-
ticularly a cot in which the corpse was deposited, the management
of which was entrusted to persons not sufficiently skilled. After
clearing out from the shelter of a point of land, the wind blowing
very strong, the lake was greatly agitated, and it was necessary to
heid the cot to the wind, until approaching a certain point at which
they were to turn and run in for shore. One of the rower at this
crisis failing, missed his stroke, by which the vessel was turned
with her side to the wind, and the waves broke in upon her. This
so alarmed all on board, that a general agitation ensued, particu-
larly among the females, some of whom, together with the man act-
ing as pilot, are said to have fainted. The cot instantly tiiled with
water, and went down, and of nearly fifty persons on board, half
that number, it Is supposed, perished. A scene so truly appalling
can scarce be described ; husbands, wives, parents, and children on
the shore ; and in another vessel (that, too, struggling in the storm,
and unable to afford relief to the sufferers,) beholding in despair
and distraction all that was dear to them sinking into death, and
leaving only a bonnet, a shawl, a mantle, or a hat, on the surface of
the water, to mark their melancholy-fate. Some wereseen clinging
to an oar, or grasping at a coffin containing the corpse, which
floated of; while others who could swim were heard to cry out
most piteously in the name of all that is merciful, to be released
from the gripe of those, who, in the agony of death, were clinging
to them and forcing them to the bottom. What adds further pain
to this afflicting calamity is. that it occurred within a few perches
of the land, and perhaps not two from where a footing could be
had. Seventeen or eighteen of the bodies have been found, and
some are yet missing. During the remainder of Saturday, and the
entire of Sunday and Monday, the town and neighbourhood ex-
hibited a scene of the greatest anxiety and alarm, as the different
bodies were brought in to their respective families, or removed for
interment. It was particularly affecting to see tne mother and
daughter in two instances stretched on the same bed, and conveyed
together to the sante grave t the spectacle also of seven of them on
the street together on Monday, and the crowds assembled to ac-
company then, to their last abode, was melancholy beyond de-
scription.
Of our respectable townsman, Mr. Richard Bail, we are unable
to speak in terms of adequate praise; his humanity and benevo-
lence in relieving the persons who escaped, many of whom went
greatly exhausted, and in danger of sinking under the effects of fa-
tigue and fright, and his unrelaxed endeavours to recover the dead
bodies, though suffering himself from extreme cold and wet, are
beyond any commendation we can bestow. The consciousness of
his generous and feeling conduct, on this, as on many other occa-
sions, and the prayers and gratitude of those for whom he so laud-
ably exerted himself, will be his best reward. The attention and
humanity of Mr. Ranlrin's family, in providing every comfort for
the sufferers, are also deserving of particular praise. Mr. Edward
Rester, too, and tunny others, manifested the greatest -humanity on
the occasion.

the following ars the names of the persons whose bodies hare
ken found z

Crcily Alagutre, Alice Tulle. Anne Carroll, Edward Sweeny,
Elizabeth Coyle, Elizabeth Campbell, Bridget 51•3lanus. Marga-
ret Early. Elizabeth Keon, Philip 111`Manus, Mary Freeman,
Bernard 1111'Caffry, Coreniok Maguire, Jane Maguire, Catherine
Murphy, James Duncan, and James M`Caftly.
An inquest was held on the above bodies, by Mr. Wm. Trotter,
and a verdict given of--" Accidental Drowning."
A circumstance connected in some degree with the above
accident occurred on Tuesday last, which had nearly proved of se-
rious consequence. In the island of Devonish, a barn, used by
Mr. Rankin for the necessary operations in saving the produce of
the land, a hich was given for the temporary accommodation of the
pusuns sho escaped drowning, and also for the occasional refresh.
meat of the boatmen engaged in searching for the dead bodies, was
accidentally set On fire, and consumed, together with a quantity of
straw, which it contained. Front the strenuous exertions of Mr.
Richard Ball, the persons engaged with him in looking for the
dead, and others in Mr. Rankin's employment, avaluable haggard
was saved from destruction.

The Botanical and Horticultural Society of Northum-
berland, Durham, and Nes:cystic, has received a donation
of VOL from T. W. Beaumont, Esq. M.P.