The Sun.
London, England, 1853-09-27 00:00:00

FOLKESTONE.

SUNDAY EVENING.—A heavy sea has been rolling
in the Channel since daybreak this morning. The
weather was calm and fine yesterday, and a great
fleet of outward-bound vessels sailed to the west-
ward. About three o'clock this morning a south-
west gale sprang up and drove most of the ships
back. A large number, probably between 50 and
60 vessels, are riding at anchor under the Ness
light ; others have been driven round into the Downs,
and two or three ships are placed in a position of great
risk and danger at the present moment. The first of
these is a corn-laden barque, bound for Havre; she came
ashore this morning near the new pier at Dover. Her
crew, consisting of a father and four sons, were saved
with some difficulty by a fishing lugger shortly before the
vessel struck the ground. From the state of the tide it
was hoped, if the ship had held together, she might
float at high water, and several steam tugboats have been
engaged in endeavouring to head her off the beach during
the afternoon. Another fine bark, bound for Quebec,
and laden with 500 tons of coal, is lying in a position
of imminent peril off Sandgate. She passed this port
two days ago, but was driven back yesterday afternoon ;
and, finding herself in difficulty from want of wind, let
go her anchor within about a mile of the beach. There
were two or three other large ships at anchor near the
same spot, and in the then state of the wind there was
no apparent danger. She oommunicated with a lugger
belonging to this port, and received on board a quarter
of fresh beef. Her captain had some conversation with
the boatmen, and mentioned that his wife was on board,
and had just been confined. Her sails were made snug.,
and she lay-to for the night. About three o'clock this
morning the wind got up and blew a stiffish gale from
the southward. At daybreak the other ships weighed
anchor and ran for the Downs. For some reason not yet
explained this ship kept her position, and, as the wind
increased, let go her second anchor. About 8 o'clock
the wind had increased to a gale ; and, as it now blew
direct from the southward, there appeared every proba-
bility of the vessel parting from her anchors and coming
ashore, in which case she would inevitably have been dashed
to pieces on the rocks. Her dangerous position was observed
from this port, and one of the coasting tug-boats left
the harbour to offer assistance to the captain. The tug
got sufficiently close to hold communication, but the
commander declined to accept assistance, and the
steamer was compelled to run back for shelter. It is
quite certain that no assistance could have been ren-
dered to the barque unless she had slipped both her
cables, and, with the sea running as it did close under a
lee shore, it is more than possible the captain exercised
a sound discretion in not trusting to the steamer's tow-
warps, the breakage of which must have been followed
by an immediate wreck of the ship. Up to 12 o'clock
the vessel continued in the greatest possible danger. The
inhabitants of the quiet village of Sandgate were greatly
excited at the painful position of the ship, and the
beach was lined with anxious groups of spectators. A
great many persons also went over from this part, and
Mr. Lathorn, Lloyd's agent at Dover, arrived at Sand-
gate to see if he could render any assistance—a re-
port that the ship had actually gone ashore having
reached him. After 12 o'clock the wind got round a
little to the westward, and the ship has since laboured
less, though she still rolls terribly. Her hatches are
closely battened down, and only the anchor watch is
observed on deck. Every sea washes over the ship, and
her safety depends entirely upon the absence of any flaw
in her cables, which up to this time (6 p.m.) have done
faithful service. If she ever gets safely under way again,
her underwriters will have good reason to congratulate
themselves. The usual communication between this
port and Boulogne has been interrupted to-day, owing
to the gale. The outward-bound packet has not left the
harbour, and the Pavilion is crowded with weather-
bound travellers. A telegraphic message was received
about 1 o'clock, via Calais and Dover, to the effect that
the usual boat would not cross from Boulogne to Folke-
stone in consequence of the weather. She did, how-
ever, arrive most unexpectedly about 4 o'clock, bringing
nearly 100 passengers, and having made the run across
the Channel in about two hours.—Morning Post.