The Sun.
London, England, 1844-01-23 00:00:00

DREADFUL SHIPWRECK.

The fallowing particulars of the wreak a vessel named the
Phcenix in a snow-storm are extracted from a letter of the
Captain (11. Turner) to the owner of the vessel (Mr. T.
Stickney), Scarborough) : —After stating that the vessel sailed
from on the 22d of November, from which time
up to the 26,h very boisterous weather was experienced, the
letter proceeds to say—" About .2 o'clock on the morning of
the 26th the wind had increased to a herricane, the ship
running under double-reefed maintopsail and close reefed
foretopsail and foresail. Shortly afterwards the land was
reported ahead, and the ship was immediately hauled
close upon a wind, but she was so close in that it was impos-
sible to clear it, and at about 3 o'clock are struck on the
west side of Langley Island (Newfoundland). It was im-
possible for us to do anything more fir the safety of the
ship ; still I entertained an idea that she could be got off,
and directed the crew to cut away the mainmast. Our
efforts proved fruitless, and at half-past 4 o'clock
the sea made such a Sweep over her decks that
we sought refuge in the cabin. There we remained till the
violence of the surf stove in the starboard side and stern
windows ; and, owing to the constant working of the rudder,
the deck and skylight were also broken in. • We now took
shelter in the forecastle, and it here appeared as if all our
lives were to be sacrificed, for the sea seemed above the
lower deck ; and, as the last resource, we were obliged to go
upon the main deck to prolong our existence. Here we were
exposed to the full fury of the storm ; and, to prevent our-
selves being washed overboard, we lashed each other to the
most secure spars on deck. About nine o'clock a female pas-
senger expired from exposure to the cold, which was very in-
tense. The sea by this time had torn away the bulwark rails..
and the vessel lay almost motionless. Shortly after the surf
swept away the jolly-boat, and almost instantly afterwards
the skiff was washed out of the longboat and turned bottom
up in the sea. All means of escape were now apparently at
an end ; for the longboat stood in a fair way of also being
washed overboard, and sll had their eyes turned upon her,
anxious to save life. A poor seaman jumped into her in
order to make a rope, fast, so that if she should be swept away
she would be still &cured to the ship. While he was perfor m-
ivg th.s gallant action, away went the longboat overboard, with
him in her, right clear of the vessel. We now considered that
our hours were numbered, and made the best of our way into
the longboat, but or, getting forward, and perceiving that the
boat was stove in, I thought it most prudent to return to the
wreck. Notwithstanding, six men, with the mate, Mr. Thomas
Smith, and a boy, get into the boat, although by this time she
was fast filling with water. I entreated them to return, but
they kept calling to the rest of the crew to follow their example,
and let go the painter. The men, being nearly perished with
cold, felt no disposition to move, either to get into the boat
or loosen the rope, and the mate immediately cut it, and
away she went to the lee of the ship, without a single oar
to conduct her through the boiling surf. The first wave
that struck the boat completely turned her bottom upwards, and
the whole of the unfortunate fellows (eight in • number) in her
immediately perished within 15 yards of the wreck. The six
that now remained on board took refuge in the after-com-
panion, but from this spot we were soon roused by the deck
parting from the larboard side, after carrying with it the star-
board side. Instantly we rushed forward, little expecting that
we should meet with another place of refuge, which we did
near the forecastle again. 13nt we were once more forced to
fly, owing to the deck breaking up, and the foremast falling
over the starboard side. At this period we saved ourselves in
a truly miraculous manner; about 25 feet of the deck abaft the
windlass parted from the wreck, and upon that we placed our-
seives, and were floated through a tremendous sea safe ashore.
We were in a most pitiable condition, and reduced to a state of
great exhaustion. We were kindly received by the wreckers,
who procured us a shelter in a house, of which there were two
or three on the island. The French Governinent have taken
charge of that part of her cargo that has been recovered, and
which they intend to sell for the benefit of the underwriters."

DEPARTURE OF TILE PRINCE ALBERT FOR NEW
YORK.—On Sunday afternoon, at half-rast one o'clock, the neat
American line bf packet ship, Prince Albert, 1,005 tons register,
Captain Sebor, sailed from the St. Katherine's Dock for New York.
She carries out comparatively' few emigrants, there being only
abou t ,thirty cabin,- I utermodiatt, and • steerage. passengers, 'The'
latter class of emigrants are poor agricultural labourers, from the
neighbouring counties of Essex and Kent. The Prince Albert,
however, takes eut nearly a- full ergo- of British manufactured
goads!