The Sun.
London, England, 1856-03-12 00:00:00

THE LOSS OF THE POLYPHEMUS.

POLTSMOUTII, March 11.—Tile court-martial on the
foes of the Polyphemus, 5 gene, was re-opened to-day,
on board the flag ship Victory, under the presidency of
Rear-Admiral Sir R. S. Dondas, Caremander-in-enief
of the Baltic fleet. It was closed this afternoon, and we
are therefore enabled to give the following digest of the
evidence, which was very voluminous :
Lieut. Frederick Pyne deposed—l came on deck of
the Polyphemus about one bell after 8 a.m. on Tuesday,
the 29th of Jan. The ship's head was then east by north.
It Wain very dull day, but I could see a long distance.
Nothing was in sight. We went to divisions. Mr.
Tracey, midshipman, was officer of the watch, and I re-
lieved him after the drum lied beaten to divisions. He
gave me the orders—course E. by N., seven knots. We
were about half an hour at divisions ; it was then coming
on a thick fog. The captain and the master were both
looking out arter Mr. Tracey relieved me,
and I told him the orders were the same, and that no
alteration had been made in the course. Between 10
and 11 a.m. I proposed to the captain to scrub SllllO
haunnocke, as we might not have it chance again. Ile
replied, "No ; I am afraid you will have to put off your
hammocks ; we are surreunded by fog." We then com-
menced drilling the watch at great gun exercise. I was
walking forward and near abreast of the engine-room
when the ship struck. I immediately gave the orders—
" Stop her ; go astern full speed," which orders were
instantly carried into execution. I cried out to the
quartermaster to put the helm amidships. I met the
captain and the master on the quarterdeck, the latter
officer having just come up from below. I said, "We
aro on shore, sir." The ship was then striking
repeatedly. The captain ran upon the bridge,
and the master got a line and commenced sound-
ing over the stern. I stood on a gun and looked
roun I, but could see no land or rocks. It was then
a thick fog. The captain gave the order, "Out paddle-
box boats." I omitted to say there was a leadsmen in
the chains. Directly the captain gave the above order
I took my station on the quarter-deck, and proceeded
to carry the order into ...execution. The boats were
turned over, and, iu lowering the starboard paddle-box
boat, a sea struck her, and she was instantly swamped.
The port boat was lowered, the master (Mr. Herbert)
having charge of her, and he commenced taking in the
stream anchor and cable. The quarter and stern boats
were lowered to tow the port paddle-box boat. The en-
gines had'then broken down. I then observed the ship
was near some heavy rollees, and that laud was in sight
covered with snow. The anchor and cable was laid out
by, Mr. Herbert in three fathoms of water, on the star-
board quarter ; but, on returning to the ship to take in
the small bower anchor, the boat got broadside on, and
was swamped. The cutter and gig were ordered to pull
into the surf and save the crew. Two men werepicked
up, but the surf breaking over the cutter and gig, ren-
dered it dangerous for the boats. They were then or-
dered to keep outside the surf. The rest of the crew of
the paddle-box boat were drowned—the master and eight
men—although the dingy was launched overboard, and
everything that would float was thrown to them. The
ship was then filling with water ; the engines had broken
down, all the pipes and machinery being carried away,
whilst the engine-room was full of water. The pumps
were rigged, but could not be worked as the ship was
breaking up below. I got up some bread, and secured
the keys of the spirit-room and magazine, firing signal
guns of distress to a ship in the distance to call her at-
tention to the gig and cutter, which could not come near
the ship. The captain asked me if I could suggest any-
thing to save the ship, but 'Said enough had been done,
and that nothing could prevent her becoming a wreck by
night. The captain then said, " I must save the crew be-
fore night. We have a good opportunity to cut away the
mast whilst the ship has a rolling motion." By order of the
captain the pinnace, was lowered, and by his orders every.
body went before the mainmast. All the head braces were
let go, the main lower rigging cut, and the mast fell over
on the starboard side. Every one was then ordered be-
fore the foremast, the lanyards of the fore lower rigging
were cut, and the foremast fell over on the starboard side.
The ship was now striking very heavily, and making a
great quantity of water. Capt. Warren then gave the
mission for any ono to land on the hawser, and said the
sooner they did it the better. I ordered a match to he
lit, and after seeing all lights and fires out, and sentries
relieved, I reported the same to the captain, and he or-