The Sun.
London, England, 1823-04-01 00:00:00

SLUPWgECK OF THE ALERT' PACXEZ

I..tit7HElt PAItTSetItARS4
it is oulpainful duty to record the loss of oneof the sailing..
packets of this port, by the sinking of which, while on her
homeward voyage front Dublin, it is supposed, (according to
the general reportreof the few survivors) upwards of 100 of our
fellow-creatures, men, women, and children, suddenly perished.
The Alert sailed from Dublin on Tuesday night, abont
half-past eight, and on Wednesday morning made the coast
of 'Wales. The wind had been generally favourable; but,
about Ten o'clock, Aar., the Captain finding the breeze
abating, and the vessel driving towards the West douse rock,
sent the boat a-head, in full expectation of clearing it by tow.
ins. There was just before a fine light breeze, which, had
it continued, (and of which there was every appearance), the
vessel would easilY have avoided the rock. The tide, however,
at this unfortunate juncture, became so powerful as to render
abortive the efforts of the rowers in the boat, anti soon drifted the
vessel upoh the rock, which she struck, though not with very
great violence. But it was soon discovered that the shock caused
the vessel to Teak considerably, and the pumps were imme-
diately set to Work. The water, iti defiance of every exertion,
continued to gain upon them, anti in a few minutes reached the
cabin floor. All who could, now lent their endeavours ter bail out
with buckets. The' leak continued to increase rapidly, and it
was soon perceived that all efforts to keep the vessel afloat were
of no avail. She became waterlogged, anti there being no
wind, it was impossible to throw her on the shore, which was
perhaps a mile and a half distant. In this desperate situation
several individuals leaped into the sea, to reach the boat which
had been towing a-head, and which contained the greater part
of the crew. Those in the boat picked up as many as she could
contain, numbering in all 17, amongst whom was the captain,
Who, by the exertion of the mate (who was before in the boat)
was saved. The boat was but 12 feet long, and with this lead,
being nearly level with the water's edge, was with difficulty,
though in a comparatively smooth sea, rowed to the shore.—
Meantime, terror and despair seized the unfortunate beings left
on board the vessel. But a veil never to be penetrated is drawn
over the terrific scene that closed their earthly career. Those
!saved in the boat can give but a confused and imperfect
relation of the horrors of those awful minutes which preceded
their escape. One only of the cabin passengers was saved, a
'respectable tradesman of Liverpool. Ile thinks there were
about 130 persons on board : the Captain supposes not more than
'7O, exclusive of those saved. In either account we find a mourn-
ful reckoning ; and as, with the exception of those in the cabin,
the passengers were chiefly persons in the humbler walks of
life, the truth it will be perhaps impossible to ascertain.—
The gentleman saved (to whom we have alluded) states,
that when the boat pulled towards the shore, they left those
on the sinking vessel, amongst whom were three ladies,
many other females, and some children, weeping and pray-
ing ! On. reaching the shore (after rowing three quarters of
an hour), a Welshman who had observed the disaster from
a hill, informed them that the vessel had disappeared. 'The
boat returned to the fatal spot immediately, and we learn, saved
two more individuals (men) who had contrived to keep afloat.
The. rest to the nunibef of 100 to 130 (for reports are va-
rious) had sunk to rise no more. So far as we can ascertain,
the dreadful catastrophe was purely accidental ; and we have
reason to believe that, considering the immediate peril
of every one on board from the time the vessel struck, every ex.
ertion was made to keep the vessel afloat, and to draw her to.
wards the shore for preservation. The boat in which the sur-
vivors escaped was but 12 feet in length, and was loaded almost
to swatnping.—(Lfverpool Mercury.)