The Sun.
London, England, 1864-07-26 00:00:00

Extraordinary Shipwreck,

The following letter is written by Mr Jacobs, United
d
States Consul.Gene,al at Calcutta. Its statements
be incredible were they less authoritatively vouched for :--
" Calcutta, April 20, 1861. The following is the statement
of Wm. Palmer, late second officer on the ill-fated Elves,
which left Calcutta Dec. 22, bound for Boston. Her crew
consisted of Nathaniel Andrews, Salem, Massachusetts, es
master; his brother, S. G. Andrews, mate; Win, Palmer,
G. D. Blake, James Jordan, second, third, and fourth mates,
John Tenylon, A. M. Bowden, Peter Nelson, F. Banger'
G. Paterson, J. Anderson, T. Frasier, Thomas Brown, P.
Johnson, John Wilson, Alex. Murphy, Jas. Williams, 3011 h
Lewis, seamen—and F. H. Hodges, Boston—James Sand'
ford, Boston—Campbell Weke, New York—Edward Lewis,
Delaware—Robert Willart, New Orleans—Thomas Porter,
New Jersey—William Riley, Portland—G. Chase,
Ports-
mouth—Charles Scott, Wm. Jackson, East Boston—John
Buckley, Brocklyn—Wm. Law, Maine—John Desmond,
New York Consul's men sent home to join the navy, Pair
and prosperous winds attending, moved them across the
Equator in 24 days after losing sight of the landheads. The
S.E. trades sprang up in 6 south, and all went pleasantly
till the afternoon of the 19th. At 3of the morning of the
20th the spare maintopmast broke loose from its lashings,
and, rolling back and forth over the deck, stove in the cabin
doors, the lazarette, the water. casks amidships, broke down
the istanchions and bulw arks, and finally went overboard,
pounding heavily against the side. Everything within reach
of the fatal stick was made a perfect wreck; torrents of
water poured from the huge oasks into the cabin and down
upon the lower deck. The damage was done in a moment'
The ship now listed suddenly to starboard, and would net
right, owing to the shifting of the cargo or from the water
already rushing into the hold through the opened beams,
The hull was slowly sinking, but steadily, and the crew
sprang overboard five minutes before she went down, leav-
ing the master and his brother alone, standing together.
Together they sank, and were not again seen. Gaining the
floating spars, the poor fellows rested for a few moments,
until the cabin roof was driven within reach, upon which
they clambered to the number of 11. The rest had disap-
peared. Here, tied to the spars, they lay down upon the
sails, and the seas washed over them. At 7 o'clock the
wind died away, and tearing a shirt in two they raised
signal of distress. Two pumpkins, sole relics of the ship's
stores, were seen floating nigh, but not within reach, and
they looked longingly upon them as they passed by. At
noon the gale sprang up again, blowing furiously as before,
The waves swept tumultuously over the raft, carrying awei
two of their number. One, George Chase, swam back, end
was assisted upon it, but soon turning black in the face
from swallowing sea water, died. All through that day and
night the storm continued, moderating towards morning*
The sky was overcast the second day, but the wind went
down and the sea became more calm. The sun rose bright
and clear in a cloudless sky the morning of the third daY*
and his beams beat fiercely upon their unsheltered heads.
Maddened with thirst, in their agony some of them drantc
the sea water and died. The fourth day dawned with a sun
though not so lustrous and ardent as before. Another died.
The survivors cut off his legs, and ate for the first time since'
leaving the ship—they drank their own urine. Not a morsel.
had they eaten, not a drop of fresh water had they drunl
for four days. The clouds gathered overhead on the fifth
day, but the sun burnt them off and shone more scorchinglF
than ever. That evening one of their comrades slipped
over the side, saying, lam going home, I can stay here 130
longer—l want to see my mother—come with me, we shall
net be long away, and soon return.' They were too weeic
to prevent it, and he swam away. Far as their dim eyes
could range did they wistfully watch him swimming eth
the sharks plashing their white fins by his side, till he was
lost in the distance. The sixth day came and went, and
another died. The seventh morning found them hopeless
and despairing ; too weak to stand, spiritless and exhausted
they lay feebly clinging to the spars, and another died. But
three were left now of the eleven—and through the long
forenoon did the burning rays of that terrible sun fall hog,'
upon Them. At the last moment relief came. The French
bark Claire, Robert master, discovered the raft, their sigma
fortunately flying, and despatched a boat to their assistance.
Tenderly were they lifted into it, and from thence trans.-
felled to the ship."—Amey lean paper.