The Sun.
London, England, 1836-12-28 00:00:00

THE CITY OF LONDONDERRY

STEAMER-THE LATE GALES.

The City of Londonderry, with a large cargo, and a grea
number of cabin and deck passengers, left London on Sun
day, Nov. 27, for Dublin. As night came on the captain
did not conceive it prudent to proceed over the flats, as the
night was extremely dark ; so much so, indeed, that it was
impossible to see the buoys that mark the channel. The
next day she weighed an anchor, and proceeded on her
voyage ; but, at night, bore up for Margate Roads, where
both anchors were let go, and she rode out the gale of Tues-
day in excellent style. From this day the weather was
terrific, with occasional lulls, and we reached Plymouth,
with difficulty, on Friday. Here we took in coals, and on
Sunday proceeded for Falmouth, which we reached in
fourteen hours, and took in a fresh supply of coals. From
this we started on Tuesday, full of hope that the worst
of the passage was passed. As night however came on
the wind increased to a gale, and the vessel laboured
excessively. While off the Longships Lights it was
found that the vessel was making water fast, and
from the heavy sea then running, sailing at a very slow
rate ; the pumps were set to work, but proved useless ; and
every moment the water increased within her, till at length
the fires in the engine-room were extinguished by it.
At this moment the exertions of the deck passengers
were called into requisition, and the water conveyed in
buckets from the hold to the deck. Morning dawned
to afford but little relief to the almost exhausted energies
of those employed. Captain Bibby exerted himself in a
manner which shall loug endear him to his companions
in misfortune. From the time we left London he dis-
played a degree of caution that gave confidence to us
all. Early this morning (Wednesday) be ordered sail
to be set, but scarcely was the square foresail to the yard
when it was split to ribands ; and while employed in cut-
ting it away we found that the fore-cabin was on fire. At
such a moment our feelings may be imagined, but increased
exertion was the consequence, and the fire was extinguished
before it was generally known that such an additional
calamity had occurred. It was now found necessary to
heave the vessel to, to prevent an increase of injury to the
machinery, which had been terribly shaken by the labour-
' ing of the vessel. Still the water increased fast, nor was
it at any time really got under. Towards the evening a
tremendous sea struck her on the starboard-bow, and for
a moment all hope of escape seemed to have vanished.
In vain was the signal of distress hoisted ; we saw but
one vessel, a schooner ; but she seemed to have sufficient
to do for herself, for she took no notice of us. Night came
on, a little before which we made sail, and got one of the
paddles to work. Now our only hope was the Milford
Lights, which were sought for with much anxiety, and after
some time were descried, to the delight of the exhausted
crew and deck passengers ; for none of the cabin
passengers, though there were a good many on board,
and few of them females, but none of them men, aided in
the slightest manner, either by appearance -or act,
to save the vessel. Again we went to work, and soon
came to anchor within the haven, where, exhausted
and worn out, we sunk to sleep in our cheerless berths.
The next day the steamer was moved into the harbour,
and received a temporary repair, and an attempt was
made on Monday evening to put to sea, but, after pro-
ceeding a short distance, it was found impossible. Off the
lights we saw the Thames bearing for Milford, she having
damaged her stay-beam. On Wednesday evening there
were evident symptoms of moderation of the weather, and
on Thursday we proceeded to sea, there being but little
wind when we left, and on Friday morning reached Kings-
town, being twenty days from London. At Milford we
left the Thames and many other vessels, sufferers from
the late tempestuous weather, besides many foreign and
coasting vessels which were fortunate enough to have
obtained shelter before the gale came on. The writer of
this article cannot close without adverting to the conduct
of the crew and passengers, whose conduct accorded with
the wishes of the captain, whose example gave confidence
to the most timid. The deck passengers were composed
of soldiers belonging to different regiments, with some re-
cruits, four seamen, and some others. To the captain the
writer leaves the task of bearing testimony to the exertions
of these persons indeed he has already done so, for scarcely
had he landed in Milford, when he declared " that, but for
the exertions of the deck passengers, the vessel would have
been lost, with all •n board." Of this there can be but
little doubt, for while we laboured with success, many a
I brave fellow laboured in vain, as the shipping reports tes-
tify. Our passage brought to mind the maxim, " that
unity of exertion is the best means of preservation under
he guidance of Heaven."—Northern Whig.

Lady Cawdor left Berkeley-square to join the party I
assembled at Mr. and Lady Gertrude Sloane Stanley's,
Paultons, Hants.
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