The Sun.
London, England, 1863-06-27 00:00:00

EXTRAORDINARY SCENE.

One of the most painful and exciting scenes that
ever happened on this coast occurred on Thursday
evening, the 18th. The brigantine Britannia, of
Appledore, laden with coals from Wales, a few days
since, during heavy weather, ran on the North Tail
Sand ridge, outside of Bideford bar, and in the pest
week her cargo has been removed. There did not
at first appear any chance that the vessel could be
got off, as her sternpost was broken, and she be-
came filled with water, and her owners, Messrs.
Cook, claimed the full insurance. But the insur-
ance company thought that an effort should be
made to get the vessel off. On Thursday it was
known that the Britannia floated at her anchors,
and it was then deemed necessary to make an effort
to bring the vessel over the bar. A sum of money
was offered as salvage for bringing her in. Apple-
dore men, ever forward for any deeds of daring,
undertook to accomplish the job. But the chances
of being well paid called up rival crews. Accord.
ingly, about 5 o'clock, two boats started for the ves-
sel, one containing seven men and the other five.
People on shore were apprehensive that some mis-
hap would occur, in consequence of the spirit of
rivalry that existed between the crews, and a
large number of the inhabitants were out to watch
the proceedings. One boat started considerably
in advance of the other, and it was an exciting
scene to watch the struggle between the two boats
in their endeavours which should reach the vessel
first. The last boat winch started was known to
be the fastest, and the long, powerful stroke of her
crew soon gradually made her sweep up to her oppo-
nent, and the scene became as exciting as a Thames
boat race, as the long, broad gigs dashed swiftly
through the white line of breakers at the bar. The
boats reached the Britannia just together, and then
occurred a scene that baffles all description, and
which resulted in a dreadful catastrope. The crews
rose from their boats simultaneously, and wildly
rushed to the lee side of the vessel; one crew taking
the bows and the other the stern, the wind at the
time being dead off shore. The consequence was
that the vessel, being without cargo or ballast, with
the jerk and the unequal weight, heeled suddenly
over, and submerged the boats. The men who had
got on deck clung to the rigging, while others were
precipitated into the sea, and had to swim for their
lives. The anxiety felt by those who had been
watching the vessel became painfully intense. Mr.
Parkin, boatbuilder, bravely dashed out in his small
skiff, and succeeded in rescuing two of the men.
One was a considerable distance out to sea. Others,
who had held on by the rigging, were soon picked
off. Rose, a fisherman, picked up James Small-
ridge, more than half a mile from the vessel, float-
ing on an oar, and quite exhausted, and indeed he
remained insensible up to the following morning.
When the men were brought together, inquiry was
made for Tom Berry, but poor Tom was not there to
answer to his name. He had clung to the leg of
Smallridge's boot until he was quite exhausted, and
then sank. This Smallridge recollected on the
following morning when he became sensible, as
his first inquiry was for Torn Berry. The body
had not been found up to Sunday morning. De-
ceased has left a wife and eight children to mourn
their loss, six of whom are living at home. The
sad affair has cast a deep gloom over the place.
The vessel is now a total wreck.— Western News.