The Sun.
London, England, 1866-09-17 00:00:00

Perilous Adventure in the Solway.

The storm-tossed Solway Frith has often, and
recently, been the scene of dangerous adventures;
but it may be doubted if any of them surpassed in
perilous interest a voyage made on Monday and Tues-
day last in la little boat. About 10 o'clock on Mon-
day morning a crew of four persons started from
Silloth for Annan. Their names were Capt. John-
son, Mr. George Stodart, and a young man named
Proud, all of Silloth ; and Mr. Thomas Johnson,
relieving 'officer, of Carlisle. The object of the
voyage was to bring back the hull of a large boat
belonging to Mr. Stodart, which is intended for a
yacht, and the sail was expected to be a pleasant
one. The morning was fine, and with a favouring
wind the little boat scudded away to the Scotch side,
and right up the river to Annan. But in coming
back the troubles of the voyagers began. The wind
was now against them, and the difficulty of dragging
the hulk behind them became at once apparent. The
wind and tide drove them at will, and it was not till
a fishing boat came to their help that they were able
to get fairly away from land. Drifting, rather than
steering, they toiled along the Scotch side, keeping
as far as possible the boat's head pointed towards
Skinburness ; but sail nor oar could cope with the
wind and ebb tide. Towards 4 o'clock in the after-
noon they found themselves being driven upon the
great sand bank opposite Silloth and about midway
in the Frith. " Pull Tom, pull Captain," shouted
the helmsman, but all the pulling at command was
unavailing, and the hulk grounded. There was
nothing for it but to make the best of the situation,
and the party quietly resolved to wait till the tide
flowed again. Their position was observed from
Silloth, and a boat, with provisions, &c., was sent
out. The men left the boat, on the edge of the bank,
stripped and crossed a big channel, and handed the
necessaries to their tide-bound friends, with the in-
timation that, as soon as the dock gates were
opened, Captain Matthew Irving would come out
and bring the boat and the hulk over with the
steamtug. So the party dropped anchor, made
merry, and awaited their deliverance. But dark-
ness came on, and with it a rough tide, a high
wind, and a downpour of rain. In a short time the
sea was rushing with a roar over the sandbank, and
preparations were at once made to start sail. A
light was carried from the hulk to the boat, with
the intention of hoisting it on the mast ; and Cap-
tain Johrrou and Proud got into the boat for that
purpose. They had no sooner set foot on the little
craft than she broke from her moorings, the tow
rope snapped, and away she flew with lightning
speed back towards Scotland. The light was seen
for a moment, like a star, and then disappeared.
Mr. Stodart and Mr. Johnson were left together in
the hulk, but in pitch darkness. She tosscd and
plunged in the hem,/ sea, threatening at every lurch
to drag her anchor. There was nothing to make a
light of, except pocket handkerchiefs, when the
thought struck them to unravel some of the rope
and set fire to it. Several bits of rope were teased,
but in attempting to strike a light, both men were
over and over again pitched from side to &de of the
vessel. At last a light was got, and one after ano-
ther the rope ends were fired. They waited long
and anxiously for the coming of the tug, dreading
every moment being cast loose without oars or sails.
Towards 11 o'clock they saw a light twinkling out
of the harbour, but whether it was that of the
steamtug or of the steamship going to Liverpool,
they could not tell. Another suspense, and they
fancied they heard the noise of the paddle wheels,
when up went ar other fiery rope end, which was
responded to by cheers, which in tt'-n were
answered by the forlorn adventurers. After a good
deal of trouble, on account of the force of wind
and tide, the tug got round, threw a double
hawser, and the hulk was safely fastened.
Then the wrecked pair had a long pull to get
up the anchor, which being done tug and hu'k
set off to find the little boat. After a long cruise a
dipping light was seen in the direction of Annan,
and the boat was found at last. Fortunately a
second anchor had been found, which was let go, or
there is no knowing what might have been the fate
of the little craft. It was two in the mornirg before
the rescued adventurers were safely landed at Sil-
loth, thoroughly drenched and worn out. The
greatest praise is due to Captain Irving and his
crew for their gallantry in facing such a storm for
the rescue of men who, notwithstanding the assur-
ance of Mr. Stodart that, if the hulk broke her
moorings she would turn up somewhere, bad, to
say the least, passed.six or eight hours in the ex-
trernest peril.—Carlisle Examiner.

INTENDED REFORM DEMONSTRATION AT LEEDS.—
The Reform Manhood Suffrage Association of Leeds
is making arrangements to hold a West Riding Reform De-
monstration on Woodhouse-moor, Leeds, early in the 9n-
suing month of October. At a meeting of the Asaoci❑.tion
on Friday last letters wore read from several members of
Parliament approving the demonstration. Among them
was Mr. E. Baines, who, while approving the intended
meeting, declined to be present, as he did not go so far as
manhood suffrage. Resolutions were passed in favour of
inviting a great number of the leaders of the extreme
Liberal party, members of the House of Commons, and
others to be present at the demonstration, and of taking
various special means to insure the demonstration being
numerously attended.
COSTOFA DOUBLE RE-ELECTION.—In the course
of July Viscount Cranborne, M.P., and Sir J. C.
D. Hay, M.P., offered themselves for re-election for St...m-
ford, on the occa-ion of their accepting office in the pre-
rent administration. It appears from an official return,
just issued that Viscount Cranborne expanded £B7 6s. ld.-
and Si- J. C. D. Hay £B7 '!s. 7d. ; agency cost each candi
date £33 Bs.; and £l5 15s. was expended by each for pro-
fessional services. The Mayo:. (Mr. 0. N. Simpson) also
delivered to each candidate an account for expenses to the
amount of £2B 9s. ld.

THE HARVEST IN LINCOLNSHIRE.—The harvest
has closed very unfavourably in Lincolnshire. In the
Spilsby district a considerable quantity of grain has not
yet been t;ecrred. About Biigg the straw of the last wheat
tatted had become discolou-2ed, and many of the ears which
had rested on the ground exhibited sprouts an inch in
length. Floods accumulated last week in the low-lying
districts about Lincoln. Much corn will be damaged in con-
sequence. A good deal of corn is stated to be still out about
Alford. In the Kirton Lindsey district heavy crops of bar-
ley are now much sprouted, and under the most favourable
circumstances the damage will be considerable.
GALE IN Tli NORTH AND EAST RIDINGS.—A
iu .:ous gale of wind, and up to noon hem y rains, prevailed
on Thursday night and Friday th-oughout those divisions of
the county of York. On Thursday the weather held fai: for
the first time during a long period, and harvest work was
pushed on till dark, the corn being secured in damp condi-
tion mostly. Ou Friday, however, the rain stDpped work in
the morning, and in the afternoon the wind wa, so high that
no leading could be done. Indeed, the stooks in the fields
were blown over in exposed positions, and the uncut oats
and barley crops will be considerably damaged by the wind.
The gale is from the not ;11-west.
The Charivari publishes a woodcut representing
Count do Bismarck sowing various pieces of linen together,
ono marked Pi dssia, and the others Hanover, Nassau,
Frankfort, Saxony, &c. Ho exclaims at, the same time,
"What a clever thing it is to be able to use the needle
so adroitly ; still the talent should not be abused."
THE STATUE OF THE PRINCE CONSOLT,—on Sa-
turday the Mayor of Liverpool received a private letter
from her Majesty, decFniug, for reasons similar to those
given to Manchester, to inaugurate the Livei pool statue of
the Prince Consort. A contemporary has stated that the
Earl of Sefton has been invited to officiate, but the report
without foundation.—Liverpool Albion.