The Sun.
London, England, 1855-05-12 00:00:00

THE LOSS OF THE JOHN.

FALMOUTH, May 9, 10 p.m.—Up tl the present time
about SO corpses have been washed on shore in the im-
mediate vicinity of the wreck. Owing to the change of
nind the vessel has not entirely broken up, as was anti-
cipated from the state of the weather on Saturday last.
She appears t•s have parted just abaft the foremast,
which still remains entire.

The Government steamer Avon, which bad been de-
spatched from Plymouth for that purpose, left Coverack
to return to that port with such passengers as wished to
avail themselves of the opportunity. Captain RObert-
son, R.N., from the Board of Trade, has arrived here •
to investigate the circumstances connected with this
chlarnitons event, and the examination on oath of the
crew and passengers commenced in the Town-hall here
at two o'clock this afternoon, before a numerous bench
of county magistrates.
The evidence of William Goodwin, the chief mate,
was to the effect that they left Plymouth, with moderate
weather and wind from the northward, between 2 and 3
o'clock in the afternoon of Thursday last. He turned in
at a-quarter before 9 o'clock, and shortly after passing
the Deadman, at a distance of four or five miles,
up to which time he did not observe any material
alteration in either the wind or weather, the course
steered being W.S.W., he_was awoke from sleep by the
ship striking violently on a rock. He immediately went
on deck, be being then told that the ship had run
against the Manacle Rocks. He supposed it was about
10 o'clock. The weather was hazy, and he did not see
the Falmouth Light. Found the master, boatswain,
and a number of passengers, consisting of men, women,
and children, on deck. The vessel soon forged herself
off, and they endeavoured to run her towards the shore,
but found the rudder was gone. After running for the
land for about three-quarters of a mile they dropped a,
anchor, and the master gave orders for the boats to be
lowered. The quarter-boat was first got out, and some
of the crew jumped into her. The deponent soon after
lost sight of her. The life-boat was then attempted to
be got out, but was stove and rendered useless. They
then tried the long-boat, but the state of the tide pre-
vented its being launched, and remained hanging to the
tackles. They had another boat, a pinnace, on board,
but deponent did not know what became of her. In
smooth water the boats would have accommodated about
95 persons. When the anchor was dropped the vessel
was full of water. She grounded in about 30 feet with
a flowing tide. The passengers got on the house on
deck, the poop-deck, and in the rigging. Those on the
poop were all washed away as the tide rose. During the
night a great many were washed out of the shrouds and1
drowned. Deponent got from the house to the main
rigging. After daylight boats came alongside from the
shore and took off the surviving passengers. Deponent
came on shore in the last boat at about 6 o'clock. The
master left at the same time in another boat. One man
was then in the mizen and two in the main rigging. The
crew consisted of 19 in all. They are saved. Did not
consider himself responsible for the vessel's course while
the master was on deck, and is not aware that the
master left. Received no orders from the captain, and
gave none to the boatswain. After the vessel settled
down the water never left the deck. Those on board
were in the water all the time they were hoisting out
the boats. Has no certificate of competency, but one of
service. They made sail after being towed outside the
Breakwater by a steam-tug, and deponent remained on
deck till half-past 8 or 9 o'clock. At 8 o'clock the
boatswain relieved him. The vessel was then off
the Deadman, and the wind a little abaft the
beam. The first boat from shore came to their
assistance at about half-past three o'clock, up to which
time they were powerless. There was a great
confusion of the boats alongside, but the captain gave
orders collectedly, and deponent did not see him get into
one of the first boats. If the ship's boats had been safely
got out a great many must have been saved. Had been
mate before, though for the first time with Capt. Rawle,
whom he considered to be a sober man. Cannot account
for the vessel's getting on shore. They had neither guns,
muskets, bluelights, nor rockets on board, and the only
signal that could be made was a light in the rigging. If
the boats from the shore had arrived earlier more
would have been saved. He did not look at the compass
during his watch. There was a light there between 8
and 9 o'clock. He saw none of the crew assisting passen-
gers. They were all sober, as far as he knew. There was
no attempt to make a raft.
Edwin Elliott, boatswain, was next examined, and
stated that he performed the duty of second mate at sea.
He relieved the deck for the first watch at a quarter past
eight o'clock. Did not look to see what course was
being steered. The master had charge of the deck,
and only left it for a quarter of an hour to go
below. There was a light in the binnacle, and James
Curry, an able seaman, at the helm. Does not know
anything about steering. Heard the chief mate come
on deck and ask Curry what course he was steerire
This was between 8 and 9 o'clock. The answer from
the captain and man was, " W.S.W." They trimmed
sails three times by the master's orders, but he does not
know for what purpose they hauled in the weather
braces. Did not notice whether the ship carried a strop..
weather helm or not. Was in charge of the watch, but
not of the ship. The master was in charge, and he
thought it would have been improper for him to look at
the compass under such circumstances. Noticed the
Falmouth Light at 9 o'clock on the starboard beam, and
the "look-out" man reported it to the captain, who an-
swered, " All right." Did not see the Lizard Lights,
a
which he considered must have been shut in. About
run thee rocks,
o vessel s e l and
the half. past 9 o'clock a sail was reported, and the captain
ordered the yards to be squared ; immediately alter
the " look-out " man reported "Fishing-boats ahead,"
doueptotnaebnrtaceranrafuornwdatrhde,
yaanrddss,
anwd
o r tbe next moment the vessel struck. Ther captain sang
shore to save the lives of the passengers, and they
did their best to do so. The conf • usion was very
great, and they could not get the boats off on account
of the number and state of the passengers. There might
have been at that time two feet of water on the
deck. The master did everything in his upper
power to assist
the passengers up the rigging
save their lives.
further examination deponent stated that n
went below after the Light was reported
altered, which was about an and the course
lour before the vessel
struck ; does not believe the mast
himself, had any apprehension of dangerer,any more than
struck. The captain, helmsman, and till the vessel
were sober ; neither were they the rest of the crew
the worse
leaving the Sound. Deponent has had for liquor on
charge of watch
seven years, and knows the compass, but nothing of
navigation, though he can take
captain order a good look-out to b a bearing ; heard the
for •
siders he behaved with coolness e kept lights.
afterCon-
the vessel struck,
arid that the boats were
and motionwhich stove owing to the confusion
prevailed. Can give no account how
Con
the accident happened. Considers
it lucky the boats
were smashed, as otherwise all would probably have
The investigation will be resumed to-morrow at 12
o'clock,