The Sun.
London, England, 1864-10-24 00:00:00

Loss of the barque Lanarkshire.

We present our readers with some further interesting
particulars of the loss of the Lanarkshire (belonging t°
Messrs M. Whitwill and Son, shipbrokers, Bristol), whilst
on her voyage to Gloucester, with a cargo of timber, from
Quebec. They are taken from the ship's journal and from
the statement of the crew. On the 9tll of September
heavy gale of wind blew from the SE, with a heavy sea;
the starboard pump was disabled, by which the crew were
only able to work one pump; Every effort was used to work
both pumps, but without effect, the ship making a great deal
of water and labouring heavily, the pump constantly work-
ing. At 630 p.m. the gale increased varying to ESE. and
the ship was kept before the wind, steering WNW; all
hands kept working at the pump until 11 p.m., when a
portion of the crew retired to rest. Sept. 10, at 1 a.m., the
remaining part of the crew were relieved, and at 4 ton'
the wind shifted to NW, the ship being still kept before
it. At 5 a.m. all hands were called to the pump, and kept
working at it till 7 30 a.m., when the ship began to wash°
heavily:that the crew made an attempt to secure their clothes,
but were only enabled to get a part, when the port forecastle
was completely washed in, and the starboard forecastle Wag
full of water. By this time the ship was water-logged, °
heavy gale of wind blowing. At 9 a.m the deck load
was washed away, together with the rails, stanchioneo
long boat and pinnance, besides their supply of water. Ad
hands assembled on the poop, expecting every moment
to be engulfed in the yawning waves, but providen-
tially the gale abated, and the crew set to work to se"
the provisions in the cabin. A cwt. of bread and some
small stores, together with a couple of gallons of water were
secured—and as night set in two of the crew kept watch
whilst the remainder huddled together to keep themselves
warm, all hands being wet to the skin. Sept. 11—SundaY
morning came, and the crew thanked God for having pro-
tected them through the night and saved them from a watery
grave. The weather was much finer, but the sky looked
cloudy. Ai noon a slight shower came on, from which they
caught half a bucket of water. The sixth of a pint WO
served round to the crew three times during the day, and
night setting in they commended themselves to God, that
he would preserve them through the night. The weather
continued fine, with an occasional shower, from which they
obtained a supply of water. Sept. 12 was passed much in
the same way. All hands mustered to try to get at the
water that was in the fore-hold. They succeeded in getting
out one of the casks, when, to their disappointment, the
bung was out, and the water salt. Their allowance of bis-
cuit and the sixth of a pint of water was served out,aud they
again assembled to ask G 'A's mercy to rest upon them
through another night. Sept. 13.—Weather Mill fine, but
ioggy. At 9 a.m. the man at the masthead reported a sail to
windward, which proved true, but the weather became en
thick, that, to their disappointment, the ship passed by them
unobserved. Sept. 14.—Thick foggy weather, with a mode-
rate breeze, Caught three buckets of water, which proved a
great relief to them. The day passed as usual, and they again
committed themselves to God. Sept. 15.—Foggy weather.
Sept. 16.—Morning foggy ; but the fog cleared away et
noon, and 1 p.m. the man at the masthead reported a BO
bearing NW. At 2 30 p.m. the ship was within hail, and
she proved to he the Bremen barque Laura and Gertrude,
from Baltimore and Amsterdam, The captain hove to, the
gig was launched, and the crew, numbering 18, together
with two dogs and a cat, were taken on board, when they
assembled together and thanked God for sparing their lives.
The statement of the crew is as follows : " We were on board
the Laura and Gertrude 27 days. Being 16 days with 611
easterly wind we got short of provisions, and on Oct. 13 a
steamship hove in sight. We hoisted signals and she came
within hail, when we stated our case to the captain, Who
took us on board. She proved to be the steamship Italia,
bound for London; and on Oct. 16, by God's mercy, we
were landed safe on England's shores." The crew gave
Captain Poppleham the following testimonial of thanks
" To Captain Poppleham, of the Bremen barque Laura and
Gertrude,—We, the undersigned captain, officers, and sea-
men of the wrecked barque Lanarkshire, of Bristol, do hereby
agree to return a vote of thanks for the humanity and kind-
ness shown to us on the 16th inst., in rescuing us from the
perilous condition we were placed in; also for the kindness
and attention received from the officers and crew whilst' on
board your ship. Wishing you a speedy success in all your
undertakings,—.T. Hopwood, master ; John Bray, first mate;
James Cladworthy, second mate; Wm. Grant, carpenter;
James Harm, steward ; John Parsons, Wm. Gregory, 11*
W. Silk, James Stephens, Thos. Dunkey, Thos. Bunter,
Charles Parsons, Edward Smalldrudge, John Dunn, A.
Shultz, Wm. Maggs, Thos. Churley, and Thomas Palmer,
seamen, Bristol Post.