The Sun.
London, England, 1855-08-16 00:00:00

FATAL SHIPWRECK.

SOUTHAMPTQN, AUG. 15.—8 y the arrival of the Royal
mail steam-ship La Pieta we have received the particu-
lars of the loss of the Manchester, American ship, from
the captain's son, one of two survivors of the ill-fated
vessel :

" On board the man-of-war Meteoro, Don B. V. Martinez,
Commander, May 25, 1855.
" The American ship Manchester, of Nantucket, left
New York for Valparaiso on the 7th of April, 1854, the
complement of hands on board being 17, and the captain's
wife. One man died at sea before we arrived at Monte
Video, which port we put into on the 24th of July, 1854,
and again left on the 28th for Valparaiso, after having
shipped four extra bands at Monte Video.
"On the 28th of August, afterhavingpassed Cape Horn,
the ship struck on a sunken rock in about 551 at. south and
to the westward of the Cape, the land being distant about
30 miles. Not being able to keep her free with the pumps
we got the boats out, which were shortly afterwards stove,
and afterwards the mainmast cut away.
" At 12 o'clock the same night she was full of water, bat
continued to drift until 5 in the morning ofthe 29th, when,
after passing a small island, she grounded, and in less than
20 minutes broke in two parts and all on board were im-
mersed in the water. The captain and his wife clung to-
gether, but by some chance they got separated, and the
captain alone rose to the surface ; he immediately seized
upon a plank, and succeeded in rescuing his eon, and they
drifted to the stern partof the vessel which remained until
sunset, having concluded they were the only survivors of
the ill-fated vessel. They then managed to get ashore on
the island, where they found one barrel of bread and an-
other of flour.

" Four days after, the second mate and one seaman
arrived at the island on a raft they had constructed on
another island, on which they were cast, distant about 2i
miles. Here we remained while the captain was building
a boat. We all crossed on the raft to the island on which
thesecond mate first landed, where wasmuoh of the wreck
of the ship and cargo and provisions. On tho 3d of No-
vember, the second mats died, being completely exhausted-
His name was David Reese Evans, a native of South
Wales. _

" On the 19th of November, we first saw any of the na-
tives, men and three women having landed from a canoe.
We had just finished our boat, and were ready for starting.
The Indians, having first received what could be spared
to them of our clothes, &c., retired ; and afterwards re-
turned with bludgeons, and insisted upon stripping
us. Three attacked the captain and three theseaman, who
havingdisabled two of them, fled to the boat in which the
boy already was. Unfortunately, the captain received a
blow which must have instantly killed him. Theboy re-
ceived two arrows in his jacket, but 'peeped unhurt. We
landed on the island where part of the wreck still re-
mained ; we returned in the evening and found the cap-
tain's body lying naked on the rocks and quite dead. Not
daring to remain, we took two barrels of bread and jumped
to the wreck. After remaining some days, indeed several
days, we ventured along the coast in our boat. At the
end of about six weeks, we found the provisions all ex-
pended, and subsisted on such shellfish as we could gather
among the rocks. After subsisting for some time in this
way, a native canoe again hove in sight ; being then quite
destitute of any means of subsisting for a month at least,
except raw shellfish, we gave ourselves up to the Indians,
and, having nothing to excite their cupidity, they be-
haved very kindly to us, and with them we have remained
up to this present time, having never once seen a vessel
until a steamer passed a few days since, but had no com-
munication with her.
" I have only to add, that our eternal gratitude is due
to the captain of the Meteoro, who has not otily taken us
on board, fed and clothed us, but in many instances ful-
filled the promises made by us to the Indians to induce
them to take us ou board."

DIVISION OF METROPOLITAN PARISHES
INTO WARDS.

Yesterday, at a numerous meeting of the reprosenta-
tive vestry of St. Pancras, held at the Court-house,
King's-road, Camden Town, Mr. Churchwarden Smith
in the ehair, Mr. Cook, the clerk, read the following
communication from Sir B. Hall :
" Great Stanhope-street, Aug. 15, 1855.
" Sir,—lt affords me much pleasure to be able to inform
you that the royal assent was given this day to the bill for
the better local management of the metropolis. The first
duty to be performed under the provisions of the act will
be the appointment of assessors to set out the wards in the
large parishes of the metropolis. It is possible that these
persons will be named forthwith, and I should hope that
the local authorities will afford every facility for the prose-
cution of the inquiry that must take place, by giving any
information that may be required, and by offering the use
of their public rooms for the purpose of the
.c inquiry..
" I have the honour to be, &c., g,
• HeLL.
" To the Vestry Clerk, St. Pancras."
Mr. Cook was directed to send a reply to this commu-
nication, which was ordered to be entered on the minutes.
Mr. Churchwarden FARBER then proposed resolutions,
declaring the readiness of the vestry to assist in carrying
out the measure.
Mr. WELLBY seconded the resolutions, which were
adopted, and
The following gentlemen were nominated as a com-
mittee :--Messrs, Cooper, Flether, Eokett, Howlett,
Stockton, and Wellby. ' • - ' •
- The vestry, after the transaction of a variety of routine
.bueinese, adjourned for a week.