The Sun.
London, England, 1847-04-10 00:00:00

NO. 17,023. LON DON, SAT U R DAY DI oar I:

NATIONAL LOAN FUND LIFE ASSU-
RANCE SOCIETY.
OFFICE, 26, CORN KILL, LONDON.
Capital 500,0001.
Empowered by Act of Parliament.
The system of Deferred Annuities, originally proposed by the Na-
tional L..an Fund Life Assurance Society, for the better advance-
meat of the objects of Benefit and Friendly Societies, having received
the approbation of a considerabl, body cf the active members and
officers of those Institutions, and the Directors 01 the National Loan
Fund Solety having been urgently solicited by them to cstabilsh a
Branch °dice in connexion with those Societies and the Operative
Classes generally, in which titer services might be sitecesstn7ly, en-
gaged, a Committee has been sanctioned by the Directors to open
c.tromunication with the different S •eieties, with the viLiw of more
effectually d sseminating the valuable benefits amongst the indus
trious classes, and a pla t has been .roposed with this. object.

ADDRE,S )F THE COMNI ITTEE.
Many praiseworthy but invflectual ttenipts have been made to
bring within the scope and operation of the laws of ino,tality and
money the ravings of the Indust ruins classes, as well as various cal-
culations regulatteg their distrinution, having for their object either
immediate, contingent, or deferred benefits.
A slight examination, however, will detnoniitrate that the con-
stru,tion of there ass ciations or societies Ls defective; and that in-
stead of affording, an easy access and a free rioice of I vestment,
which should be the privilege of every one, tney confine too nar-
rowly the channel throtuh which a benefit can alone be secared ;
and, in proporion as their action is circumscribed and embarrassed,
their atility is united. For example, it is not to every individual,
or to every class amongst the industrious community, that provision
in case of sickness is an object of such importance as to call for a
pecnulary sacrifice ; .while to others such a provision appears more
&Meetly, and the loss of employment caused by sickness is a risk
against which they desire to he guarded. For this anomalous state
of things there is an effective and simple remedy ; that is to say,
Instead of covering, by one weekly or annual payment, two or more
contingent or deferred beneeits, so to arrange it that each separate
benefit should have its separate cortrihution.
It is to not having observed this rule, and to the ass,ciation of

two dissimilar fun dions, and by confounding a sick allowance and
au annuity fund in one and the sell same payment, that much of the
evils and mismanagement has arisen amongst Societies.
No mechanism can be so perfect for the management of a sick-

ess-fund provision as that afforded by the constant sectional asso-
ciation and watchfulness of the several members composing it. By
this means a thorough and constant check is mutually ~xercised, and
none but the really sick are likely to become chargeable upon it.
But the same perfection, or the same security, is seldom attainable
where a fund is to be accumulated through a succession of years,
and where results are to bear out calculations, money investment
being in general beyond the experience of the industrious classes.
For these reasons it is clear that the funds destined for a provision in
sickness should be kept entirely distinct troth the Lind intended as a
provision for o'd age :
lat. Because the laws of sickness and mortality, though apparently
connected, do not depend on the same calculation.
2d. Because there are a great number who, in order to secure a
larger provision in old age are willing to take the risk of providing
for probable sickness on themselves.
3d. Because the responsibility of managing a provision for old age,
continued to a distant period is, in a great measure, incompatible
with voluntary associations, fluctuating laws, and individual irre-
sponsibility, and more exposed to a failure in the performance of
such a contract, that when undertaken on the same principles that
ordinarily govern commercial hodie..
4th. Because the expenses of providing for sickness must, when
united in the same payment with provision for old age, tend to dimi-
nish still more this provision • nor is it wisdom or good policy to en-
danger the one for the sake of the other.
Impressed with these convictions, and with an intimate knowledge
of the discussions passing within the bosom of many of the existing
Friendly and Benefit Societies, the parties whose names are here-
unto attached, have had several' meetings, with a view of proposing
or adopting a remedy for those and other evils ; and in this manner
to give an ad litional force to the principles of brotherhood, unity,
and mutual aid, on which friendly societies are based, by guarding

them from the ricks of sudden dissolution.
After much diligent search amen .st the combinations ingeniously
proposed from time to time for the attainment of one of the principal
objects of Friendly and Benefit Societies, they have found none equal
in simplicity and comprehensiveness of design, as well as forethought
and sympathy for the wants of the industrious classes, as the plan
proposed by the National Loan Fund Life Assurance Society. It is
true that the author of that plan has furnished an argument against
provision in sickness; but, without concurring in the immediate ex-
pediency of abandoning a provision in sickness, no one can read the
other PaT tof the plan itself, without being fully salsfied that the
conven ence and safety of Friendly and liteneflt Societies will be
greatly secured and consulted, by separating the payment of a sick
allowance from an annuity for old age.
A deputation having waited on the directors of the National Loan
Fund, who met in the handsomest manner the overtures made to
them for the establishment of a separate office for the transaction of
business connected with Friendly and Benefit Societies, and the in-
dustrious classes in general, resolutions have been ewered into, con-
stituting the undersigned as a Committee, with power to add to its
number, for the promulgation of the benefits contained in the an-
nexed prospectus, under the guarantee of the Capital of the Society,
and which, without interfering with the numerous objects connected
with the institution of Benefit and Friendly Societies, will in their
opinion greatly enlarge their sphere of utility, and afford a protection
to the working classes in old age and adversity, which nothing up to
the present day has adequately secured to them.
Thomas Burthom, P.C.R., Ancient Order of Foresters.
John Fussell, C.R„ Ancient Order of Foresters.
J.dm H. Gordon, D.S., Ancient Order of Foresters.
James liale, D.C.R., Ancient Order of Foresters.
Henry Hunt, P.G., Manchester Unity of Odd Fellows.
Jo.eph Nugent, Pro. C.S., Manchester Unity of Odd Fellows.

Joseph Reeks, 8.0. F., Order of Old Friends.
Samuel Timbrell, D.C.R.. Ancient Order of Foresters.
DEFERRED ANNUITIES.
Example.-A person aged 24 next birthday, by the annual pay-
ment of 1!. Cs., or quarterly payment of 75., or monthly payments
of 2e. 2d., may secure, on attaining the age of 60, the option of re-
ceiving Annuity, 101. 19s. 23. ; Cash down, 1071. bs. ; or a Policy
on his Life, 1371. 17s.
Example.-A person aged 2G next birthday, may secure, on at-
taining the age of GO, an Annuity of 101., with the other options, by
the annual payment of 11.63. 9.1, or a single payment of 22/.17s 3d.;
or on paymen, of 6/. 14s. 3d. for disparity, he will be entitled to
the same benefits by an annual payment of 18s. 1 Id., the same as
or age 20.
Example.-A person aged 30 next birthday, by the annual pay-
ment of 1/. Gs., or quarterly payment of 75., or monthly payment
of 2s. 2d., may secure on attaining the age of 65, the option of re-
ceiving Annuity, 18/. Os. 4d.; cash down, 1481. 123. ; or a policy on
his life 1751. I Is.
Exam le. - A person aged 35 next birthday, by the annual pay-
ment of 11. 65.. or quarterly payment of 75., or monthly payment
of 2s 23., may secure. on attaining the age of 65, the option of re-
ceiving Annuity, 181. Os. 4d. ; c•.sh down, 1481. 125.; or a policy on
his life, 175/. 1 is.
LIFE,,4S'UR INCE.
Exuma*. -A persOn atifie,age of 30 next birthday may secure
the sum of 1001. payable at his death, whenever it may happen, and
also participate in the Annual Division .f Proilti, by the annual pay-
ment of 2/. 9s. 3,1.
Example.-A person at the age or 25 next birthday, by the pay
meat of 4s. per month, or Is. per week, may secure the sum of
1121 ss. payab'e at nis death, whenever it may happen, and like-
wise share in the annual profits of the Society.
F. FERGUSON C MBOUX, Secretary.

NATIONAL LO .N FU D LIFE ASSUR-
ANCE SOCIETY,
26, CORNIIILL, LONDON,
Capital £50,),000.
Empowered by Act of Parliament.
This Institution embraces important and substantial advantages
with respect to Life Assurances and Deterred Annuities. The assured
ha., on all occasions, the power to borrow, without expense or for-
feiture of the Policy, two-thirds of the premiums paid (see Table);
also the option of selecting benefits, and the conversion of his in-
terests to meet other conveniences or necessity.
Assurances for terms of years are granted at the lowest possible
rates.

DIVISION OF PROFITS.
The remarkable success and increasing prosperity of the Society
has enabled the Directors, at the last annual Investigation, to declare
a fourth bonus, varying from 35 to 85 per cent. on the premiums paid
on each Policy elected on the Profit
M scale.
APLES.

I Zg g. 7
'' Bonus Bonus to 15 g g Assured
§ Premium. : added. Cash. °
V 5. o = may
• ,' . Borrow.
. e !.
, ------
1837 £217 15 I .£lOO 011 :E1616 0 .C,X445 0 0
£ Xs. d. I r 1838 192 3 0 87 1 4 13 10 21 395 11 1
11000 3 4 1839 165 II 10 74 1 9 11 3 1! 34 .2 3
1
,1840 116 7 6 54 010 7 112 101 296 13 4
, !1841 111 6 8 4910 0, 710 4, 247 4 5

the ‘livislon or profits Is annual, and the next will tal made In
ecenal.er of the present year.
F. FERGUSON CAMROUX. Secretary.

METROPOLITAN
SOCIETY, No. 3, PRI!s:
Establishe
DIRE(

LIFE ASSURANCE
re ES-STREET, BANK.
d in 1835.
John Alicard, Esq. Thomas Henry Hall, Esq.
Richard Low Beck, Esq. Frazer B. Henshaw, Esq.
Edmund Chas. Buxton, Esq. John Francis Maubert, Esq.
Sir William Clay, Bart., M.P. Joseph Pease, Jun., Esq.
James Lawson, Esq. Henry Sturt,Esq.
Thomas Fowler, Esq. John Taylor, Esq.
Francis Fox, Esq. Joseph Underwood. Esq.
Joseph Fry, jun., Esq. George Vaughan, Esq.
Robert Grant, Esq. Charles Frederick Weber, Esq.
Annual premiums upwards of 60 0001.
Accumulation from premiums 300,0001.
This Society for mutual assurance, abates the premium, to its
members, after the first five years ; the reduction for the current
year is at the rate of 4731 per cent.
London, 1846. RICHARD HEATHFIELD, Superintendent.

CONOMIC LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY,
-
6, NEW BRIDGE-STREET, BLACKFRIARS, LONDON.
Established 1823.
Empowered by Act of Parliament, 3 Williallll IV.
DIRECTORS.
CHAIRMAN—The Right Hon. Sir T. FRANKLAND LEWIS, Bart.
DEPUTY CHAIRMAN—HENRY FREDERICK STEPHENSON, Esq.
Stephen Nicholson Barber, Esq. Thomas EdgAr. Esq.
Arthur Kett Bare:ay, Esq. Sir Alex. Duff Gordon, Bart.
Henry Itrrnett, Esq. Archibald Hastie, Esq„
Robert Bickluiph, Esq. John Mendham, Esq.
Robert Davies, Esq. William Routh, Esq.

_
AUDITORS.
Francis Dumergue, Esq. Charles Morris, Esq.
Capt Robert Gordon, R.N. I John Gilliam Stilwell, Esq.
PHYSICIAN—John Ayrton Paris, M D., F.R.S., No. 27, Dover-street.
President of the Royal College of Physicians.
SURGEON - Benjamin Travers, Esq . F. 11.5., No. 12, Bruton-street,
Vice-President of the Royal College of Surgeons.
SOLICITOR —Henry Young, Esq., No. 12, Essex-street, Strand.
BANKERS—Messrs Harkey, Fenehurch-street.
ACTUARY -James John Downes, Esq., F.R.A.S.
SEcarranit--Campliell James Downer, Esq.
The following are among the advantages offered by this Society :
Lower Rates of Premium than those of any other office, which en-
title the assured to participate in the profits, and considerably lower
than those of any other Mutual Assurance Society.
No Proprietary participate In the profits, the whole being divisible
among the Assured.
A horns is added, after the payment or the Fifth Annual Pre-
mium, to every Policy effected on the participating Scale, if a claim
accrue thereon prior to th,3 next division of profits.
The first Bonus, In 1834, averaged 16/. per cent on the Premiums paid.
The second ditto 1839, ditto 31/. ditto since the Ist division.
The third ditto 1844, ditto 36/. ditto since the 2d division.
Prospectuses and full particulars may be obtained on application to
CAMPBELL JAMES DOWNER, Secretary.

THE CITY OF LONDON LIFE ASSURANCE
SOCIETY.
No. 2, ROY kr. EXCHANGE-BUILDINGS.
This Society is established on the principle of combining all the
known advantages and conveniences of the oldest Life offices, with
the general results of their experience.
Its Premium Tables are adjusted on the most economical yet safe
scale, and emb-ace three distinct divisions or departments :

Thus, Policies may be effected on
THE MUTUAL SYSTEM, securing all its advantages without its
risks or liabilities, AN IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION TO ASSURERS.
THE PROPRIETARY SYSTEM, with the Atli benefits of its acknow-
ledged gummy', SIMPLICITY, and =ONO: CY; and
-THE ACCUMULATIVE Wt OEPOSIT SYSTEM, INTRODUCED BY
THIS SOCIETY, which perfects the principle of Life Assuran le. the
full amount of the Deposit—Premiums b eing at all times available
to the Assured.
ALSO HALF-CREDIT PREMIUMS for stipulated pelods, a pecu-
liarly advantageous arrangement for TOITNG LIVES and for all per-
sons WITH ADVANCING MEANS OR INCOMES-
And. Tal,les expressly calculated for NAVAL. and MILITARY RISES in
all quarters of the world, on the most moderate terms.
Together art.h all the usual divisional rates, accommodations, and
conveniences.

EDWD. F. LEEKS, SECarrAnT.

UNITED KINGDOIII LIFE ASSURANCE
COMPANY.— 8, Waterloo-place, P all•mall, London : 97,
George-street, Edinburgh; 12, St Vincent-place, Glasgow ; 4, Col-
lege-green, Dublin. Established by Act of Parliament in 1834.
In 1841, the Company added a bonus of 2 per cent. per annum on
the sum assured to all policies of the par' .icipating class, from the
time they were effected. Parties wishing ,„o secure the benefit of the
next division of profits in 1848 should ma ke immediate application.
When the Insurance is tor life, only one. half the Annual Premium
reed be paid for the first 5 years.
Every information will be afforded on application to the Resident
Director, E. Lennox Boyd, Esq., No. 8 Waterloo-place,
Louden, where neopectusek U., MAY be 144..

pUBLICATIos.

NEW PEOPLE'S EDITION.—Price 2s. Gd.
F ALLACIE,S OF THE FACULTY,
By Dr. DICKSON.I
With Notes by Dr. TURNER, of New York,
Sinapkin and Marshall. Stationers' Court ; J. 011ivier,
To be had of all Itooksellers, and at all the Libraries,

Just Published, price Sixpence.
BANKS AND .EXCHANGE COMPANIES:
A LETTER to AIt:NANDI:4 BLAIR. Esq., Treasurer of
the Bank or Scotland, in Answer to the Prospectus issued by the
proposed BRITISH TRUST COMPANY. By GEORGE KINNEAR,
Manager or the Glasgow Comtnercial Exchange Company.
Glasgow: David Robertson, Bookseller to her Majesty. Edin-
burgh : Oliver and Boyd. London : Simpkin, Marshall, and Co.

ENGLISH AN fIQ U ITI ES.
. In a few days will be published, in One Volume,- Bvo., with
numerous Engravings on Wood.
AN INTRODUCTION to ENGLISH AN-
TIQUITIES. Dy JAMES ECCLESTON, B. A., Bead
Master of Sutton Coldileld Grammar School.
London : LoNgman, Brown, Green, and Longmans.

EPSOM FIRST SPRING MEETING, 1847,
will take place on Dunks', 16th April. To start for the
Trio Stakes at One o'clock. Gre.tt Metropolitan Stakes at Two,
Two-Year OA Stakes at three, Railway Stakes at Halt-past Three,
and the Surrey Hunt Stakes at Half-past Form—Admission to the
Grand Stand, halt-a-crown.

THE WRECK OF THE WEST
INDIA SHIP TWEED.
(FROM AN EYEWITNESS.)
The Royal Msil Steam-packet Company's steam-ship
Tweed, of 1,800 tons, and 500 horse-povrer, commanded
by Mr. George Parsons, Master, RN., left Southampton
on the 17th of December, 1846. with mails and passen-
gers for the West Indies. She touched at Madeira, Bar-
Itadoes, Grenada, Trinidad, Grenada again, Jacmel.
Jamaica, and arrived at Havannah at six A.M. on the 7th
of February. Here she met the Medway on her way to
England. The Tweed coaled up to 480 tons, and em-
barked mails and passengers for .texico.
The passengers
numb -red 62, including two la-lies and a female servant;
and attached to n.e ship, including offic rs, engineers,
crew, and stewardess, there were 89 persons ; making a
total of 151 souls on board.
The Tweed started from Havannah at six ex. on
Tuesday, the 9th of February, for Vera Cruz, having
on board the English out mails of the 2d of January,
also 1,115 bottles of quicksilver, valued at 18,0001.,
besides other packages. She also bad on board a
quantity of coals to be delivered to her -Idejesty's
steamer Hermes at Vera Cruz. All on board were in
the best spiirts, expecting to see something of the Ame-
rican attempt on the strong Mexican fort of San Juan
d'Ulloa. After leaving the Havannah, the course
steered was W.; till 6 A.M ,on the 10th; distawce run
about 78 miles, the ship being deep During this time
the wind was light. Frem 6 A.M.of the 10th till noon
of the 10th the course was W. by S. half S., about 42
miles. when it was changed to W.S.W. The wind
began to freshen all Wednesday, and there was every
indication of a " norther " coming on Widow. 'At mid-
night it was very black, with thunder and much light-
ning, and the wind came round suddenly to the north.
It should be here obsetved that no observotion of the
sun could be obtained by the captain at noon this day.
Tretereiretr, eitetne.ll.—he aentinued to mow heaiy
from the north, with a considerible sea on. At noon
no observation of the sun could be had, it being cloudy
and obscure. To-day, at noon, the bearings of the
Alacranes were S. 86, W., 124 miles by dead reckoning.
This evening, after tea was over, at seven o'clock, the
passengers who were not seasick amused themselves in
the saloon, some playing chess, some cards, and others
reading, till about eleven o'clock, when all retired to rest,
and the lights were extinguished.
FRIDAY, FEB. 12.—About 2.30 A M. the captain went
on deck, which he continued to walk till seven bells, or
half past three, had struck, when one of the look. out
men forward called out, " Breakers ahead !" Instantly
the captain was forward with the officer of the watch,
midshipmen, and look-out men, and then as quick as
thought the orders were given to " stop the engines,"
and " turn astern full speed," the helm being ordered
" hard a starboard." The writer of this narrative was
awoke by the cry of " Breakers ahead," although not
fully knowing its purport; and when sounds of people
running hurriedly overhead were heard, he instantly
jumped out of bed, snatched up his trousers and boot-,
and was on deck in a very few seconds. He cast a
glance to the left and right, and saw the dreaded white
tops of the breakers stretching along in the gloom and
darkness. The captain was amidships, coming aft, and
was asked, " What danger, captain?" Ile replied,
" Never tear, she's going astern." He must have meant
the engines, for the ship herself never did, as, in a few
seconds more she went crash on the reef with almost all
her force, as she had been under full steam, with sails
set. She went over a little to leeward on first striking,
then uprighted, and being raised by the swell, the way
scarcely off her yet, she again crashed on the .rocks
with all her weight. This seemed fairly to des imme-
diately whole bottom in, sending the
tmeacshtienaemrye,scbaopilienrgs,
from
„
funnel up with a jerk some inches. The gin
stopped of' themselves, the
the boilers, filling the engine-room, and flying up through
the hatchways in a thick white cloud. There was then
no hope of getting the ship off the ree&nnd orders were
given about the sails, to prepare the life-boi4ts, and stand
by the others. All this was the work of a few minutes.
The passengers and crew now crowded on deck, some
almost naked, and but few dressed. On striking the
second time the ship swung broad (port) side on the
reef, and then fell over to windward. The sea then
struck her, carrying away in a moment, as if they were
feathers, the cutter, mail boat, and dingy astern. She
then reeled to leeward, and back to windward, each time
the timbers underneath being heard to tear, crash, and
give way with a fearful grating noise. The next sea
dashed away the starboard paddle box boat. The scene
at this time was truly awful The night was very
dark, and piercing cold. Everywhere might be
seen individuals clinging with all their strength.
some to the masts, others to the sides, skylights,
seats, boats, and rigging; the sea making a breach
over all. Below, w] 'e all was dark, there seemed
awful disorder, the ewer decks breaking up;`-the
bulkheads, cabins, furniture, &c., washing about ; and
screams of people in distress ! oh, it was fearful ! and
beine without power to assist made it worse ! At this
time I was near the captain, and said, " What is to be
done ?" He said calmly, " Hold on till daylight, if pos-
sible, as I hope she will keep together till Then." By
th - time the tunnel, after reeling once or twice from side
to side, fell over to windward, and the masts, as she
reeled each time from side to side, were seen to shake
like willows. Each moment we expected to see them
go, but they held on ; and the captain- gave orders to
cut them away ; but no one had a knife at first ; at last
something like a penknife was got le isleof, and the chief
officer cut the lanyards. The captain gave or. ers to
stand by the two remaining beats on the lee side, to pre-
serve them from injury as the ship rolled, but not to
lower them till the last moment, although by this time
they were crammed full of people. It was found impossible
to stand to get the lee paddle-box boat out ; besides, if
she could have been moved,she eould have been dashed to
pieces. All this time we scarcely knew where the ship
had struck. Some thought it might be the coast of
Yucatan, naturally
Supposing that the ship bad been
gradually set towards it by the fierce norther which bad
blown for two days; but no land whatever was to be
seen. On looking over the, breakers, nothing but water
met the eye, though very indistinctly,
of course, in the
darkness of the night. 'l'weie absurd to attempt to
convey an idea of our fearful condition at that moment
—so hopeless ! The ship was rapidly going to pieces
under our feet; there was no chance of the boats living
in such a sea, and even they could only save a few
souls; there was no land to be seen, and truly death
stared us in the face. All made up their minds that
short prayer to their Maker f
there was no hope. Some might be heard to utter a
pardon,
while hold-
ing on with all their strength in the midst of the tem-
pest and the crashing of timbers. By this time the
masts had gone over the side. A few minutes more
and the destruction was complete. The ship parted
fore and aft the sponsons, leaving
the machinery and
Widen standing on the reef. One or two seas tore
the deck off the after part of the ship, as the latter
divided from the machinery, At the last moment
orders were given to lower the two boats, which was
done, and they drifted a little astern; but they were
without oars, it is thought, and there is no doubt the
boats were much stove when swinging at the ship's side
full of men. One more sea sent all the after part of the
ship, boats and all, flying
in a thousand pieces, and all
that had remainedon it were scattered in the sea. The
writer recollects being seated with the captain and a few
others, on a part, of Ihe ship's side to which the netting
was attached, with the water up to our breasts. A fear-
ful cry was beard, and the captain said, " Oh, these poor
men in the boats, they are gone, God have mercy on
them!" All was still. In a moment more, it seemed as
if tons of broken wood were hurled on the top of us, and
we were scattered and buried beneath the waves. Then
came a fearful choking struggle with death. The prayer
to God, thoughts of " home," and struggles for hie, all
at the same moment!
In less than thirty minutes from the first notice of
danger the destruction of the Tweed was complete. She
was no more. The rapidity with which she was destroyed
and torn to pieces was fearful. How so many were after-
wards saved is a miracle. The writer mentions his own
case only to show the way in which many others were saved.
After beings,' but drowned, the receding waves dashed him
on a.pieceof wreck, which he found to be askylight,perched
on a piece of the stern-post, to which a few ragged
timbers were attached. To this he clung with nine
others, the sea breaching over all, and at times dashing
against us large pieces of the wreck, which sadly
maimed us. Still we clung on, until at last we found
we had been drifted inside the breakers to rather
smoother water. At length we got so tar on the reef
out on a piece of
a few feet of
water. It was joyful news to hear him say he raw many
twh(a)otdo,ns
e
people scattered about, standing on idofheoufroupnadrtyth,
eobnotsutiemp,piiengonly
the wreck, which
had gro nded inside the surf. It was then about 4.30,
U.N. A few of us crawled off the piece of wreck which
had saved us, but the injured clung to it till a little day-
light appeared, when they also crept on shore—no, not
on shore, but on the reef, anuoug wreck, water, and
stcnes. When daylight fairly came, what a fearful
picture was presented to our eyes I For at least a mile
along the edge of the reef, 1. ide the breakers, nothing
was to be seen but wreck, piled up several feet in awful
confusion—timbers, planks, doors,, crushed boats, beds,
trunks, baggage, barrels, seamen s chests, ece._ar.d all
that remained in the surf' of the once proud Tweed was
the port side from the sponson to the
figurehead, over
which still stood the bowsprit and jibboom, bend.ng as
' each ,ea covered it, like a reed. The wheel was still
attached to the sponson, and the paddle ,box boat still
covered the paddle box, all held together by the ma-
chinery and the shaft- To this portion Of the ship
there still clung about forty individuals, to whom we
could render not the slightest assistance.
We then began to think that it must be the reef called
the " Alacrans" where the shirt hid struck. This reef
is about fifteen miles long, by teelve broad, and is dis-
tent about sixty-five miles from the nearest part of the
mainland on the Yucatan coast. The course of the ship
was intended to be about thirty miles to the south of the
reef, say about midway between the coast and Alacrans;
therefore the current must have sent the Ail) bodily to
the north, and that right in the teeth of a strong
norther. The Alacran reefs are completety under water,
at low tide there being here and there small patches
where there might be about eighteen inches water, the
same places at full tide being covered by perhaps three
feet of water ; other places having four, five, and six
feet, with here and there open spaces with several
fathoms of water. When we were huddled together on
the reef among the wreck, as the latter acted as a sort of
s breakwater to keep off the surf, we found some few spots