The Sun.
London, England, 1853-05-16 00:00:00

MADRAS-THE GALE.

(Prone the Overlanc Madras Ativenidaan, April 11.)
Sites our last the Madras shores thive been visited by
a storm, unusual in the time of its appearance, and ter-
ribly destrtctive in the nature of its_ravages. The wea-
ther on Friday last was cloudy and unsettled, but on
Saturday afternoon it began to show signs of an ap-
proaching tempest. A great deal of rain fell during the
night, and by noon on Sunday it was evident_ that the
shipping were in danger. The wind continued to gather
strength during the afternoon, blowing steadily from the
east. - The surf rose fearfully high, and a heavy ground
swell set in, against which it seemed impossible that
any strength Of moorings could make effectual resis-
tance. To put to' sea was beyond the power of most
of 'the vessels anchored in the roads, though such a
course afforded almost the only chance of escape, as
before an offing could be gained the ship would be
drifted so far to leelard, as to incur imminent risk of
being driven on shore. The Devonshire succeeded in
getting away, but great tears are entertained for her
safety. At sunset the gale had increased almost to a
hurricane, and the first wreck occurred while it was yet
daylight. The sloops Muddut Mowlah, Bazerdeen
Nacoda, had made sail, and was trying to get out to
sea. All that seamanship could do was, however, tried
in vain. The current drove her towards the shore with
resistless force, and the crew, finding that there was no
help for it, turned the head of the vessel to the sands,
and let her drive bodily on to the beach. She came on-
wards with incredible swiftness, but had no sooner got
within the line of surf, which extended far out to sea, than
she capsised on her beam ends. Another moment and
the doomed craft rose from the trough of waters, as if
trying to regain her natural position, when the sea struck
her amidships, and cut her completely in two, one half
drifting down towards the fort,- and' the other being as
instantly swallowed up on the spot. A few of the crew
got on shore, but the far greater number met a fate as
instantaneous as that of the vessel, which a few short
minutes had sufficed to destroy. Between seven and
eight o'clock the Aboukir, a barque of 800 tons, Captain
Carvell, parted her cable, and was seen drifting towards
the North Beach. Unhappily, she came foul of the
Serampore, Captain Hope Smitb, a fine ship of 1,000
tons, on her voyage out. The Serampore had up to
this moment, rode in safety, but the shock of the colli-
sion was so great that she too dragged her anchors and
came in. It was at first thought that she would reach
the shore without difficulty, but she had hardly got
within the surf, when she filled and went down in a mo-
ment. The catastrophe was so sudden that the people
-.n board had no opportunity to provide for their safety,
and eighteen of the European crew went down with the
vessel. After getting clear of the Serampore the Aboukir
continued her headlong course, and was soon in the
midst of the roaring whirlpool. The moment she touched
the ground her decks parted, and a couple of the crew
fell into the gulf, when horrible to relate the two parts
of the ship came as instantaneously together, and
crushed the poor fellows completely flat. The crew were
paralysed with terror, and made but little effort to
save themselves ; but three reached the shore in
safety. The Lutchmi, a barque of 700 tons, Captain Ee
Bceuf, was wrecked between 6 and 7 o'clock, but for-
tunately her masts remained standing, and the crew took
refuge in the mizen rigging. A hawser was conveyed
to the vessel, and soon after midnight, one of the poor
wretches, more venturesome than the rest, crept along
it and got safe to land. He was directed to shout, that
his voice might re-assure his shipmate-s, and a second
essaying the same feat with like results, blue lights were
burned to show their figur9s to the crew, who thereupon
took heart of grace, and:were successively transferred
from the ship to the beach without loss. A Portuguese
brig, the Senhora de Monte Captain J. N. Fernandes,
capsized while endeavouring to gain an offing, but for-
tunately 17 of the crew were saved.
Nothing could be more complete than the destruction
of the various wrecks, which were literally broken into
splinters. The shore was covered with fragments of
spars, beams, naval chests, drowned seamen, and the
miscellaneous cargoes of the various ships, all of which,
we believe, were nearly, if not quite full. The Scram-
pore had just come home from Calingapatam, where she
had taken in a large quantity of rice, and would have
sailed for England in a day or two. The occurrence of
a gale at this season of the year was so entirely unex-
pected, that it could hardly be charged as an offence
against the captains of ships in the roads, if they had
neglected to take the precautions usual during the mon-
soon months. We believe, however, that the disasters
which have happened could not have been prevented by
any amount of skill or foresight. The wind blew dead
on shore during the whole of the gale, and left scarcely
any alternative between holding on at anchor and certain
destruction. The magistrates and the master attendant
and his deputy were unremitting in their endeavours to
afford assistance ; but the merit of saving life and ren-
dering the most effectual aid must be ascribed to cata-
maran men and the Madras boatmen, who,laboured with
a zeal and intrepidity which deserve all praise. We know
not if means of alleviating those terrible and frequent ca-
lamities, more potent than we possess at present, might
not be created by the authorities ' • but it is certain that
the appliances in use were worked to the utmost. At the
time we write, five large vessels and about 15 native
dhonies have been wrecked, no tidings having been heard
of the Devonshire, the danger to the shipping not being
yet over.
Since writing the above we have received the following
from our worthy master attendant :

Sunday,yery
" The weather assumed"aappearance
last night, and the barometer was unsteady and on the
decline, although the wind was N.E. Towards midnight
unsMetatrlecidt 27, 1853.
it became more unsettled, and until daylight there were
squalls at intervals, accompanied with heavy rain ; the
ground swell and surf high, and increasing barometer at
midnight 29.96. At six a.m. barometer 29.94. The
master attendant made the general signal, veer more
cable.' At 9.30 the weather squally with heavy rain ;
made signal, Make all snug.' At eleven a very heavy
squall from the north-east, with much rain. Several
dhonies parted or slipped their cable, and stood to sea.
A Portuguese brig has drifted some distance, but all the
other shipping are riding without much strain. Only
one boat has been able to cross the surf, and catamarans
have been repeatedly driven back.
"At two p.m. smart squalls with rain. The report
from the observatory intimates that in all probability
stormy weather has occurred in the bay, but that the
astronomer is not apprehensive of worse weather here.
"At three, made signal Weather is suspicious,' and
to keep a good look-out during the night ; the weather
more threatening, and the surf breaking beyond the
breakwater buoy.
"At four, wind varied to due east ; the shipping on a.
dead lee shore ; weather more threatening and ground
swell increased considerably ; the surf breaking beyond
the Serampore, the innermost ship. Ships riding hard.
The signals have all been answered, and with a good
scope of cable and a second anchor ready, it is hoped
they will all weather this unexpected gale.
" At 4.40, Cambria made signal cannot ride
longer.' Master attendant made signal, let go another
bower anchor and strike masts.'
" It is now, with infinite regret, that the master at-
tendant has to announce the following awful and most
disastrous occurrences. About five p.m. the Portuguese
brig Nossa Senhora de Monte parted ; sail was very
promptly made, and she just stemmed the strong
northerly current and held to windward about half an
hour, when her main boom being carried away, the fore-
sail split. and weather foretopsail-sheet carried away,
her fate seemed inevitable. At 45 minutes past five a
tremendous sea threw her on her beam ends ; her masts
went by the board, and she capsized, but most provi-
dentially 17 of the crew swam on shore and were res-
cued in the inner surf. One poor man was picked up
quite dead ; every means were resorted to by a nurnber
of medical officers in attendance at the apothecary's, but
their efforts unhappily failed.
"At sever, it was apparent that both the Aboukir
and Serampore were driving, and soon after the Seram-
pore struck on the outer ridge of the surf a quarter of a
mile north of Clive's battery, and one of her crew swam
on shore— he stated that the Aboukir had drifted so
near, that, fearful of a collison, the Serampore hoi';ted
her foretopmast-staysail and broke her sheer, an a in
bringing up again the snapped her cable, and a sec oncl
anchor not bringing her up, she drove and made pail,
but could not haul off.
"That fine ship Aboukir parted both her cables I soon
after, and on striking the outer ridge of the surf she sud-
denly broke up, and her hull was shattered into g-
ments. The second mate, seaman,i a finc-sp over
lad, an apprentice, and one was washed
board, and swam on shore.
" At about half-past eight the good ship Lutcln
parted from both her anchors, and drove about if 00
yards north of Clive's battery. She hung broadside c
for some time on the outer ridge, when the surf thrv_

her stern on to the shore, and it was discovered when
the moon rose that her crew were clinging to the mizen
rigg,ing, whence their shouts were occasionally heard and
responded to by blue lights. -At low water, about one
a.m., the divers, catamaran-men and boatthen, made
most resolute efforts to board her, first by catamaran
and then with , a coir rope ; they failed repeatedly, but
encouraged, by the boat overseer, happily at 2.30 a.m.,
they succeeded, and persevering in their endeavours, to
the admiration of every beholder, these intrepid fellows
braved every obstacle, and between that time and five
a.m., they succeeded in landing, without the least in-
jury, every officer and man, one at a time, 16 in number
—wading and darting off in a most determined manner
to assist the crew—including two young lads who
with several others could not swim. Life buoys were
also repeatedly taken off and were of essential service.
About this time shouts had distinctly been heard
from the wreck of the Serampore, and although it lay in
the outer surf, yet the catamaran-men one and all de-
clared that if any living soul was left on the wreck they
would ensure the rescue. And most gallantly they re-
deemed their pledge, as before the master-attendant's
boat could reach the Serampore, at six a.m., they had
taken off all the surviving crew, seven seamen • but as
no dead body was observed of a man who had been ap-
parently crushed to death, the master-attendant offered
them a further reward to bring it on shore.
"Besides this lamentable detail, it remains to be told
that a large native brig was wrecked near the Marine
Villa ; 14 of her crew were saved, and received the most
kind attention from gentlemen residing thereabouts,
whilst every effort was made by some medical officers to
restore animation to those who were washed on shore.
It is apprehended that half this vessel's crew were
drowned.

"Fourteen dhonies were driven on shore, but happily
all their crews have been saved.

"The most prompt assistance was rendered on this
melancholy occasion, from the tow* major, the chief
magistrate and other magistrates, the mediavX',depart-
ment, and a number of gentlemen, and the rocket appa-
ratus, under Captain Little, was very soon at the scene
of the disaster. The assistant master-attendant and the
boat overseer were indefatigable. Three huge watchfires
were burning: throughout all these anxious operations,
whilst a blue light was frequently burnt, and cheered by
the suffering mariners, and no effort was spared from
dark until six a.m. to afford the most prompt assistance
to those in need.

_"From my observations last night, at Royapooram, I
verily believe the sea rose and fell at least six feet.
Several, Jiuts were actually washed away which had stood
long beyond sea reach in ordinary times. Another re-
markable circumstance was the set of the current, as,
although the wind had been from N.N.E. and N.E. all
Saturday, until noon on Sunday, yet the current was
setting throughout the whole of Sunday three miles an
hour to the northward, and against the wind.

"The ship Serampore, 873 tons.—Two officers and
six men saved, 18 men missing. (One body washed
ashore and another still clinging to the wreck.)
" The barque Aboukir, 816 tons.—The second officer
and two men saved, the chief officer and four men
missing.
"The Lutcbmi, 432 tons.—The whole of the officers
and men, 16 in all, saved.
"The brig Nossa Senhora do Monte, 163 tons.—Two
officers and 15 men saved, the captain and six men
missing. Native brigs, and 10 dhonies wrecked ;
dhonies foundered. The whole of their crews saved.
" M. A. Office, Feb. 28, 5.30 p.m. " C. B."
Wind now .S.E., and sea falling.—Athenceum,
March 29.

The Devonshire parted her best bower soon after
eleven p.m. on Sunday, the 27th inst., let go the small
bower immediately, but the cable parted, and then sail
was made with the utmost promptitude and effect.
She struck about one a.m. to the southward of the
fort, and soon after found 15 inches in the well, and she
has continued making about 1 foot of water an hour
ever since.
She got 25 minutes to the southward, then tacked to
the NE, about eight or nine a.m. on Monday. The
Devonshire hove in sight at 3.30 p.m. yesterday, and at
five made signal—" In want of anchor and cables"—
and then stood off and beat to windward during the
night.
A nine a.m. this day she brought up with her remain-
ing anchor, when, with the utmost endeavours the raft
was got ready to carry off a bower,. anchor and a chain
cable—the raft was towed off by six boats and reached
alongside at eleven a.m.
The ship Serenus, owing to the infamous conduct of
her chief and second mate, who are now in custody,
neither veered away cable nor paid any attention to the
general signals. This vessel rode out the gale in 10
fathoms, with royal yards across, and only 60 fathoms
of cable in the hawser. Her safety is indeed marvellous,
as all other ships had a whole cable out, and most of
them two anchors ahead.

. The American ship Hermoine, from Sydney, arrived
yesterday. She experienced a severe gale about 500
miles E. S.E. of Madras. The gale commenced at S. S.E.,
veered to E.N.E. to east, and thenlhauled round from
N.W. to S.W, throughout the 26th instant, with intense
heavy rain and furious squalls at times. Hermoine lay
to for eight hours under bare poles. Weather cleared
up at eight a.m. on the 27th, when the ship made sail ;
wind SSE. The gale increased gradually, and abated
gradually.

The Chrishna, from Sydney, on the 31st of January
encountered the gale on Friday„ the 25th, at eight p.m.,
in 11 deg. north, and 86 deg., v►ith severe squalls ; wore
ship at eight a.m. ; on the 26th„ at ten a.m., it suddenly
fell calm with torrents of rain,, succeeded by light baf-
fling winds from SW to S till fi )ur p.m. Wind freshened
up from SSE until nine p.m., when it commenced blow-
ing a perfect hurricane from S. E, and continued in that
quarter till daylight of the 27thL This was followed by
continual squalls till the night of the 28th. Anchored
in Madras Roads at eleven a.m., the 29th instant. All
well.

The Orestes, from Coringa, the 27th, arrived here at
eleven a.m. ; experienced NE', winds and fair weather
throughout. This proves that the gale has not extended
to the northward.

The Kestrel lost her foretop) nast about 30 leagues to
the southward, but no particular information from this
ship has yet been obtained.
N.B. The Devonshire is me )st unfortunately not in-
sured against either a total or a partial loss. This,
together with her . detention 071 account of the want of
provisions, and the expenses already incurred by the
purchase of provisions at Calcutta, which cannot be
countermanded, must involve h .3r worthy owners (Messrs.
Wigram and Co.) in very serio us losses. Her escape is,
however, a source of great comiolation, and may be con-
sidered as a remarkable event after having struck in
such a heavy sea on a hard sandy ridge, and had she
been stranded where she touche d there is every reason
to believe that more than half her gallant crew would
have perished. C. BIDEN.
Master Attendant's Office, Madras, Wednesday,
March 30, 5.30 March 31.

MEMORANDUM OF SEAMEN SAVES AND LOST, OW THE

27TH OF MARCH.

Ship Serampore, Captain Hope Smith, Crew Saved.
—H. C. Tulloch, first mate ; R. Scott, boatswain ; W.
P. Casson, able seaman ; R. Hughes, able seaman ; T.
Gribel, ordinary seaman ; A. Beck, able seaman ; J. De
Cruz, able seaman ;A. De Roza, able seaman. Lost.
—A. Stewart, carpenter ; H. Bick, steward ; H. J.
Mustoe, ordinary seaman ; J. Pearn, able seaman ; J.
Williams, able seaman ; T. Jenkins, able seaman ; J.
F. Johns, able seaman ; J. Tyson, able seaman ; T.
Turnbull, boy ; A. Clark, boy ; J. Harridge, ordinary
seaman ; P. Oliver, able seaman ; J. Rothford, able
seaman ; J. Robinson, able seaman ; S. Anthony, able
seaman ; W. Paterson, cook ; L. E. Mayon, apprentice ;
H. P. Birch, apprentice.
Barque Aboukir, Captain Carvell, Crew Saved.—S.
M. Grey, second mate ; A. Xurien, able seaman ; R.
W. Claridge, boy under the special care of Capt. Carvell.
Lost.—E. Modder, first mate ; J. Laadfort, able sea-
man • J. Duffrell, able seaman ; T. Moore, able seaman ;
J. D. Williams, apprentice. Men on Shore previous to
the Gale.—G. Brigham, boatswain ; W. Brown, car-
penter ; G. Spanner, steward ; T. Adams, cook ; R.
M`Carthy, able seaman ; C. Comnoly, able seaman ; J.
Ellick, able seaman ; M. Mein, able seaman ; H. Camp-
bell, apprentice.
Ship Lutchmi. Captain Le Boeuf, crew saved—Joshua
Pinel, mate; G. Blanfield, boatswain ; John Ab. Ask,
sailmaker ; Thomas M'Allan, carpenter ; N. T. Petit,
steward ; G. Blanfield, able seaman ; E. Le Burn, able
seaman ; Olof Abrouson, able seaman ; Olof Johnson,
able seaman ; H. Leak, able seaman ; C. Thomson,
able seaman ; E. Le Saem, ordinary seaman ; G. Fable,
ordinary seaman ; T. P. Teekqur, ordinary seaman ; J.
Preydell, cook ; G. D. W, Wildesh, apprentice.
Portuguese Brig N. S. De Monte, crew saved—
Ismoiley Solem, Hug-Ismal, Ummsebova, Era Goindoo,
Ally, Adumboy Goolam, F. Ismail, Solomen Ismail,
Ibraham Ismail, Mumming Ibrahem, Ebath Hummer-
deen, Beem Eankeer, Govindoo Khan, Tuskihan, Lewe
Almada, Sardoo, Cresen Khan died on shore. Lost—
Captain Ferdandez and six Lascars :—Woossagee
Ahmed, Cassuin Davood, Abdool Raheman, Cander,
Moorverja, Manooval.
CHRIS. BIDRN, Master Attendant.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
THE BOMBAY MARKET.
FROM THE 29TH OF MARCH TO THE 13TH OF APRIL,
1853, INCLUSIVE.
The money market for the last fortnight has remained
in the same easy state as at the date of our last nOvices ;
the various Government stocks remained unaltered, but
there is an advance in the price of bank shares gene-
rally, especially in Oriental Bank Corporation shares,
which are quoted at 88 to 90 per cent. premium, influ-
enced, no doubt, by the high price now obtained in Eng-
land. There has been a run on the Bank of Bombay in
consequence of a forgery of their notes having been dis-
covered j it has, however, subsided, a little extra trouble
to the clerks being the only inconvenience experienced.
Grey Shirtings 38 by 40,—The heavier descriptions of
these goods are still in good inquiry, and continue sale-
able at the rates formerly reported. But few imports
have been made during the ' fortnight, and it is likely
that present prices will be maintained until the close of
the season, unless large sales are are forced. The heavier
qualities have euffered a decline in price of 2 Or 3 annas

Grey Madapollams—A good demand exists for the
heavier qualities. Other descriptions are not so much
sought after.
Grey Jacconets are without change, and prices are
firmly maintained.
Grey twills are without change.
Bleached shirtings still continue saleable at the previ-
ous rates. The finer descriptions are not in so much re-
quest as the other.
Bleached jacconets are still in demand, the lower de-
scriptions more so, the others not so much.
Bleached mulls of the ordinary make continue saleable
at the former rate ; the finer qualities are neglected, such
sales as are effected being a reduction of 2a. to 3a. Per
piece.
Lappets are saleable at former rates.
Figured shirting continues to be inquired for at the
former value.
Turkey red cambrics and twills are, much neglected
and without improvement in value.
Turkey red mulls are seldom inquired for, and have
receded in vane 4a. to 6a. per piece.

Cotton Yarn—Since last report a fair amount of
business has been done. Mule, 20's to 40's, continues
in fair inquiry at former rates ; 50's and upwards is dull
and slightly declined in value. Water is in good request,
and has advanced la. to 4a. Turkey red continues to
be inquired for at former rates. Orange is not in such
good inquiry, and for green the demand is limited.
Ball thread is saleable in small quantities.
Copper continues without much change.
Iron—English bar and squarenailroad have declined
about 2r., but :•no sales [at the reduced rates have been
reported. Round nail rod is scarce in the market, and
wanted. Sheet and hoop have declined lr. and 2r. ;
Swedish bar iron sells at 50r. and 52r., and faggots at
their former rates.

Spelter is saleable at 12r. to 12k.
Lead—Pig sells at 103/4 to 101, while sheet lead has
declined about four annas.
Quicksilver is dull at 55r.
Cochineal is heavy in stock and dull of sale.
Saffron—The demand is limited ; the price is 103/4r. to
121 r., according to quality. -
Red lead is saleable at an advance of Ba. to 12a,
White lead is in good inquiry.
Pepper—Bhutcol sells at 66r. to 67r., and Malabar is
scarce at 62r. and 63r.

Ceffee—Mocha sells at 6r. to 94r. The new crop is
expected in June.
Canvas is dull of sale at 11r. to 14r. ; a sale of 26
bolts is reported lately ; No. 1 at 4r. to 14r.
Cordage has advanced lr., and is difficult to be got.
Twine is not to be got in the market at Ba,. a hank.
Linseed oil in request.
Turpentine in demand, as also white Faint.
Empty bottles in request, especially quarts.
Beer-100 hhds. Hodgson's are reported sold at 60r.,
and 40 hhds. Gosbee's at 48r.

Cotton—Since the arrival of last mail no reports of
the purchase of cotton have reached us ; the present
nominal prices are 98r. to 101 r. for Surat, Broach, and
Jamboosur ; 94r. to 95r. for Dhollera ; and 90r. to 91r.
for Oomrawutty ; 88r. to 90r. for Mangalore.
Exchange has risen slightly since the last mail, and
may now be quoted at 2s. lid. to 2s. ld. ; on China
the rate is 219 r. to 220 r. per 100 dollars ; on Calcutta,
99r. per cent. at 60 days' sight.
Tonnage is still scarce, few arrivals having occurred.
Freight is difficult to be had, and may now be quoted at
to London and Liverpool 51. per ton.