The Sun.
London, England, 1854-12-12 00:00:00

THE SUN LONDON, TUESDAY ETENING"

-NOMINAL RETURN OF OFFICERS WOUNDED
FROM 21sT TO 26TH NOVEMBER, 1854, BOTH
DAYS INCLUSIVE.
22D NOVEMBER, 1854.
IST BATTALION RIFLE BRIGADE.
Captain C. H. S. Churchill, slightly .
2d Lieutenant F. C. Morgan, slightly

face, knowing that every wave hurled them nearer
to eternity ?

At a few minutes after nine the Progress was
dashed against the rocks. She opened, and fell
into a thousand pieces. A few of the crew were
able to cling to the sharp cliff, and dragged them-
selves beyond .the reach of tha,naxt sea which me-
naced them. Above coven vessels were now within
a cable's throw of the rocks. The bOats had been
mostly washed away, and those which were put to
sea were instantly swamped, with the unfortunate
sailors who had taken refuge in them.
The barque' Wanderer was next hurled against
the cliff. One shock transformed her into a mass
of broken wreck, amongst which could be distin-
guished human forms, struggling hopelessly in the
sea of foam. A winding road leads along the
ruined Genoese castle to the summit of the cliff,
and here were assembled many crews of the vessels
in harbour, provided with ropes and other means
of succour, which, from the immense height and
the furious wind, were rendered utterly unavailing.
A Maltese brig, name unknown to me, next met
her fate, being also dashed into a myriad of small
pieces._

24TH NOVIMBEE, 1854.
ROYAL ENGINEERS.
Lieutenant C. S. Martin, dangerously
J. B. BIICKNALL ESTCOURT,
Adjutant-General.

The Resolute, Captain Lewis, with Lieutenant
Stevens, R.N., naval agent, on board, then ap-
proached the fatal rock, against which she was
hurled beam-ends on. She receded with the surf,
and was carried by the next wave stem on, and
broke into atoms. The cargo of the Resolute,
composed of gunpowder and Millie balls, was of
much consequence to the army at the preskit
moment.

The Prince steamer was now driving rapidly to
her destruction. Her immense size and auxiliary
screw could not save her from her impending fate.
A previous accident had deprived her of two
anchors, and she had held on with her third until
it drifted. In cutting away her masts, the screw
of the 'Prince became choked with the mass of
floating rigging, and was rendered unserviceable.
The fatal moment arrived ; the devoted steamer
topped an enormous wave, and disappeared. Of
154 men and women (soldiers' wives) who were on
board, sevc.et only were saved. Dr. Spence, deputy
general inspector of hospitals, who had but recently
arrived in England, perished with the other un-
fortunate passengers of the Prince.
The divers who• had been sent out, with the
proper apparatus to render service in case of an
emergency, were all drowned. With the Prince the
army has lost' its reserve ammunition and the win-
ter clothing destined- for the troops. A sum of
200,000/. in specie, which had been brought by the
Prince from England, had been fortunately disem-
barked at Constantinople.
By those who witnessed the departure from Eng-I
land of this splendid steamer with the 46th Regi-
ment, this account of her sudden loss will be deeply'
felt. It will strike the minds of those who saw her'
in all the pride of strength, size, and power, with!
awe, and will lead them to comprehend, bettor'
than mere words can describe, the fearful naturel
of the hurricane, and the terrible scene it presented.
A few minutes after the Prince had sunk, and
while the surf was already tossing up the remains
of her huge bulk,' broken into the smallest atoms,
the Kenilworth and the Rip Van Winkel both
grounded and went instantly to pieces.
The Kenilworth next was dashed to pieces.
It was now about eleven o'clock a.m., and the,
hurricane began to diminish, but the
_sea was as!

heavy as ever. The Wild Wave had been in a
critical position for more than two hours, and
was now hoped that, with the gale moderating, her
chances of preservation would increase. She was
doomed, however, to destruction, and a few violent
seas hurled her forward against the rock. At thq
time the Wild Wave struck her masts and rigging
were erect. The crew bad deserted her before the
gale had reached its height, and arrived safely iii
the harbour. The captain and mate refused td
leave the ship, and perished in the wreck
Two seamen had stood with their officers, an
one of these was saved. The other meta most tn./
gical fate, which filled the minds of the spectator
on the heights above with horror. This unfortunate
man had contrived to cling to the rock agltinst
which he had been washed by the sea which ha
carried the Wild Wave to -destruction, and wa
holding on manfully with both hands. The shi
had been partially broken in two by the first shock
and, receding with the surf, was driven again wit
violence on the cliff. The sailor in the interval ha
endeavoured to climb higher up the rock, to avoi
the waves, which threatened to submerge him, but
before he could attain a sheltered spot, the wrec
rose on a wave, and completely crushed both th
unfortunate man's legs. For a-minute he clung t
the rock in despair, and then dropped into the su
which was coloured with his life's blood. A vessel,
the Peitowa, had gained the harbour in a sinking
condition, and before the day had passed all but her
masts had disappeared. At noon the violence a
the hurricane had lost in intensity, and the pros
pects of the dismasted ships that had outlived this
_ .
storm sensibly improied. I
In another hour the storm had ceased, and as-
sistance could be rendered to the fortunate feir
who had survived the disaster of the day. These
were clinging with desperation to the sharp rocks,
vainlyattempting to scale the heights. The officers
and crews of the merchant steamers and vessels
rendered most effective assistance, and succeeded
in saving about fifty persons. The credit of having
rescued these survivors has been given at head-
quarters to the officers and erewe of the ships of
war stationed in the harbour. For the sake of
truth I must deny this statement. The whole
credit of the act lies with the crews of the trans-
port-ships, and with them alone. Not that for
one moment I wish to deny the will on the part of
the Sanspareil and other men-of-war to rendir
every assistance possible, but owing to their crews
being actively engaged in the naval batteries, no
hands could be spared from the vessels in question.
As it is, all themerit lies with.the mercantile navy.
The Avon steamer manned a life-boat, which was,
however, unable to approach the wrecks. The
officers and men of the Gertrude and Tonning
displayed much humanity and courage in their
exertions on the heights. Captain Roberts and
Franklin, of the above vessels, were on the ground
the whole day directing their men. Mr. Rivers,
mate of the Tonning, was chiefly instrumental n
rescuing the unhappy sufferers and alleviating their
distress. He was swung down by a rope as farjas
its length would permit, and found himself o 4 a
ledge of rock. He then tied a small keg of rum Ito
a rope with which he was provided, and let it down
to a cave into which the wrecked mariners had takien
refuge. The keg was emptied with. avidity. Tjhe
greater number of these men were rescued the
same day,-the remainder on the morrow. All wore
more or less bruised and exhausted.
The ships which had been spared presented a
melancholy appearance now that all danger stag
past. The sea still ran high, but the anchors staled
good. All were dismasted more or less. The Re-
tribution steam-frigate had lost her rudder, and
was obliged to throw eight guns overboard. i\n
officer and several men were severely injur©d in the
latter operation. The Vesuvius likewise lost her
rudder, and had her bowsprit broken by the Avon.
The much-abused Melbourne bravely rode out the
hurricane, with the loss of her fore and main meets.
Her screw, like that of the Prince, became entan-
gled with the mass of floating wood and canseas,
and was rendered useless. A similar accident ;oc-
curred, it will be remembered, to the Melbourne,
en her first trip, when she put in, distressed, to
Lisbon. In a similar gale, or rather tornado, the
screw must bow to the superior advantages of the
paddle. The horrors of this sad day belong to the
Vulcan, which rode out the fearful hurricane in
perfect safety, without losing a single mast.
The following is a list of the vessels lost and dis-
abled on this fearful occasion, outside of Balak-
lava harbour :
Total Wrecks.--Progress, Wanderer, a Maltese
brig (name unknown), Resell*, Kenilworth,
Prince, Rip Van Winkel, Wild Wave, Paltowa
(sunk inside the harbour).
Dismasted—Melbourne steamer. Mercia, Lady
Valiant, Caduceus, Pride of the Ocean, Medora,
Sir Robert Sale (ships).
The Duke of Cambridge, who had left the camp
seriously indisposed, was on board her Majesty's
steamer Retribution duriiig this frightful hurricane.
At the River Katcha many vessels were wreaked,
but of their number and names I am ignorant.
You will be informed by your naval correspondent
with the fleet, of these disasters, and of those said
to have occurred at Eupatoria. Inside of Balaklava
the scene was extraordinary. On beholding, the
heights which encompass this little harbour, and
transform it in appearance into a mountain lake,
one would have deemed it impracticable for the
wind to have exercised its power even to create the
slightest ripple. The rugged 'heights, however,
served as a funnel to the wind, which seemed to
have condensed all its virulence on this spot.
Although, from the existence of the harbour, any
catastrophe within its protecting limits was ren-
dered impossible, still the damage sustained by the
shipping was excessive. The sudden gusts of the
hurricane told on the crowded harbour, and the
ships most exposed soon drifted from their posi-
tion, dragging with them their weaker neighbours.
The Medway drifted on the Gertrude and the Har-
binger, whilst the Gertrude fell against the Ton-
ning. Tho latter steamer, in her- turn, drifted on
the little Minna, and oni Lord Cardigan's yacht,
which was much injured.wThe immense Sanspareil
grounded at her stern, and, swinging round, threat-
ened two small transport ships with utter destruc-
tion. Fortunately the wind then diminished in
violence. Many of the vessels in Balaklava suffered
severely from grounding, or from the violent colli-
eiOns to which they wore subjected. ..
No words can render justice to the fearful power

DECEMBER 12,

Of the wind. Old sea captains who have grown
grey in their profession state that never, save in
the China Seas, have they encountered so terrible
a foe. That it was no customary storm was proved
by the fact of trees of many years' grovith, standing
on the quay, being laid low with the ground. The
spray was hurled over the topmasts of the vessels
in the harbeinrs and fell like rain far up on the
I eights. Boats that touched the shore, were over-
urnod, and blown alone- the quay with great
rapidity. In the town, the roofs of the houses were
lgown off, and Wes were flying
,about like autumn
leaves. Verandahs were torn away by the wind,
which forced in whole panes of glass. At the post-
office a'whole window frame was carried off to a dis-
tance of above two hundred yards, and, strange
to say, was picked up uninjured.
The storm ceased completely towards the after-
noon, and pieces of wreck, ground and smashed by
the violence of the water, commenced drifting into
the harbour. With these were trusses of pressed
bay, rum puncheons, and other sad memorials of
this disastrous day. Some drunkenness manifested
itself amongst a ship's, crew who had kidnapped one
lof these puncheons. The offenders were placed at
once in irons, and energetic measures adopted to
prevent this evil example from proving contagious.
The day succeeding the storm some of thee less-
injured vesselS were towed away to Constantinople,
and the war steamers entered the harbour. Cap-
tain Christy, superintendent of transports, who
had weathered the hurricane on board the Mel-
bourne hoisted his flag in the Harbinger, Cap-
tain Beale. Fresh masses of wreck have now
accumulated in the harbour, and will be stacked
to furnish ,firewood for the troops. Bodies of the
unfortunate,victims also continue to wash in, pre-
senting a ghastly and horrifying aspect. Never
will the survivers or the spectators of this devas-
tating tornado forget the fatal 14th of November.
`Future historians of the expedition 'to the Crimea
;will record it as one of the most trying events in
ithet campaign, and will describe with admiration
Rho energy and courage which not even so lament-
' able a loss botild subdue. I have here•described
the fearful events which took place at. Balaklava
and its shores. Let me now attempt to picture the ,
scene of misery witnessed in camp.
At about five o'clock on Tuesday morning the
I camp was aroused from its slumbers by a terrific
gust of wind, which, sweeping from the south; in-
; stantaneously levelled every tent. Gust after gust
succeeded each other with fearful violence, carry-
ing away everything before them. The heaviest
larticles, such as iron bedsteads, saddle bags, cases
of wine, &c., were driven along the 'ground by the
power of the hurricane. Nothing could face the
norm. To stand upright was next to an impossi-
bility, and the abject misery presented. by the
whole camp is indescribable.. Were it not for the
tragic issue of the day, I would attempt to picture
the many absurd scenes which were witnessed on
this unpropitious morning. Heavy sleepers, sud-
denly awakening from pleasant dreams of home to
find themselves in the midst of a frightful tornado,
with their tents, wardrobes, and effects scattered to
ihe wind. 'Then the utter prostration of the faculties
which succeeded this- sudden shock to, one's system
—the caution required to avoid the avalanches of
bottles, rum puncheons, and huge splinters of
broken arabas, which skimmed along the ground,
threatening one with instantaneous destruction.
The despair of everybody was increased by the
pangs of hunger, for no food, save a little biscuit,
was tasted that day. The araba drivers broke up
their carts to avoid being sent into Balaklava for
storese,whilst many of their oxen perished from the
cold. ' Never has an army suffered so much, in so
short a space of time, as did the Allied troops on
that day. Several pickets were brought in with
their hands and feet frost-bitten. The Zouaves
and native Algerines were the most sensitive
to this bitter wind. Several were found dead
within our cavalry lines, having perished from
cold. The greatest confusion reigned in the French
camp. Regiments were mixed up together—whole
battalions dispersed to seek shelter behind walls or
ledges. The British army grumbled and swore,
but no act of indiscipline occurred. A heavy-rain
succeeded the storm, and the roads to Balaklava
became nearly impassable. Flocks of sheep, col-
lected with great difficulty by the commissariat,
were half-driven, half-carried by the tornado into
the trenches and beyond our lines. The Russians
suffered no less than ourselves, and, from their
elevated position, were more exposed than the
Allied army. The rejoicing in camp when the
hurricane died away was delirious. The tents
whose poles had not been snapped by the wind
were refixed. The hospital marquees, which had
been all blown down, were of course the first re-
placed. Heavy dragoons were scouring the lines
for their horses, which, terrified by the storm,
had broken their ropes and dispersed over the
country. Nor were the French more fortunate
than ourselves in this respect. Two troops of their
Horse Artillery dashed past our cavalry camp.
Every horse was recovered in the course of the fol-
lowing hiay, but the loss sustained by the cavalry
has been very severe. Many horses died from sheer
cold at tether, and all suffered more or less from
the fearful trial to which they,
.as well as the men,
were subjected. May Providence preserve us from
another hurricane of a similar nature I Happily
three days of warmth have succeeded to this day,
and its terrors are already forgotten.
Nothing of much importance has occurred since
my last, with the exception of the storm of the
14th Nov. On the night of the 16th, the pickets
of the French' division, occupying the entrench-
ments to the rear of the Allied army, remarked the
arrival of a large column of Russians, who were
escorting a considerable train of waggons and pack-
homes, heavily laden. The column advanced up
the valley of the Chernaya, and when it entered
the Russian lines at Inkerman loud and continued
cheering welcomed its arrival. The French pickets
opened upon the mass, and some sharp firing
occurred. As the column advanced on the road
which leads from Inkerman to Sebastopol, our two
guns in " Sandbag battery" opened a fire upon it.
The effect could not be seen, from the darkness of
the night, -but yells and shouts issued from the
enemy's ranks, testifying to . the execution, com-
mitted. From what can be learned of the many
deserters who arrive daily we may expect another
desperate attack before long. The famine,'
which has at length commenced setting in
amongst the Russian troops, caused by the
wretched condition of the roads, and the impossi-
bility of procuring supplies for so large an army,
will compel the larger portion of their forces to
quit the Crimea for the winter season. It is not
improbable, therefore, that a final effort will be
made to raise the siege, and retrieve the laurels of
the Russian army, lost at the Alma and Inkerman.
The Allies are perfectly prepared to receive them,
and long for an opportunity to close the campaign
at once. The correspondence of Lord Raglan with
Prince Menschikoff, respecting the barbarity com-
mitted by the Russian soldiery on our wounded
officers and men, has concluded, though not in the
most satisfactory manner. Prince Menschikoff, as
might have been expected, denied the truth of the ,
statement, but he expressed his disapprobation of I
any inhumanity which might have occurred con-
trary to his knowledge.
Considerable sickness has occurred amongst the
46th Regiment lately arrived. Colonel Garrett, of
this regiment, now commands the 2d brigade of the
4th division ;'whilst th`h Ist' brigade has been given
to ColOnel Horn of the 21st. It is said that Gene-
ral Sir De Lacy Evans, whose health has been
`rapidly sinking, will be obliged to quit this trying
climate. Should this report unfortunately prove
to be correct, it will be a severe blow to the army,
with whom the gallant general is deservedly popu-
lar. Brigadier-General Bentinck will, it is also
reported, be driven from the field, by the wound
which he received at Inkerman.
The hospitals at Balaklava are sadly crowded
with wounded Russians, who evince a dedided
ingratitude to their medical attendants. No sooner
are 'Weir wounds dressed, and the surgeon has
turned bis back, than the bandages are removed
by the patients, and thrown upon the ground. I
cannot explain this extraordinary conduct, which
must 'be pronepted by some fanatic prejudices, in-
spired by their leaders. Hospital gangrene has
consequently set in with great virulence, and the
poor fellows are dying rapidly. The medical su-
perintendence of the wounded prisoners is iu the
hands of Dr. Franklin, a most efficient and ener-
getic officer. Too much praise cannot be awarded
to Dr. Tyce and his staff of hard-worked assistants
for the zeal displayed by them in Balaklava.
A Russian •forcS, composed of the three arms,
made front yesterday to the rear of Balaklava.
Evidently a demonstration was only intended.
News from England and France is anxiously ex-
pected, and large reinforcements it is hoped are on
their way. Until Sebastopol is completely invested,
and the Russian forces in the rear beaten out of
the Crimea, the town will not fall. Once invested,
Sebastopol will succumb to famine. Two mails are
now due from England and Constantinople, and
feats of their safety 'are entertained. 'lt is to be
hoped that the steamers conveying them put back
safely to the Bosphorus at the approach of the
hurricane.
P.S. The following I believe to be a correct list
of the vessels wrecked at Eupatoria and the
Katcha :
Wrecked at the Katcha—Harbinger (sailing-
ship), Asia, Her Majesty, Glendalough, Georgiana
—crews saved.
'Wrecked at Eupatoria—Lord Raglan, Rodsloy.
Pyrenees, Ganges, Tyrone—crews saved.
The Henri Quatre and a frigate are on ground
at Eupatoria, and another French line-of-battle
ship and a frigate are on shore at the Katcha.
None of our m.en-of-war grounded. The Sampson
iss baTftriers Zgliaged,