The Sun.
London, England, 1844-01-22 00:00:00

DREADFUL SHIPWRECK.

The following particulars of the wreck a vessel named the
Phoenix in a snow-storm are extracted from a letter of the
Captain (R. Turner) to the owner of the vessel (Mr. T.
Stickney), Scarborough) :—After stating that the vessel sailed
from Miramichi on the 22d of November, from which time
up to the 26th 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 hurricane, the ship
running under double-reefed maintopsail and dote 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 she 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 s'a by this time had torn away the bulwark rails,
and the ♦essel 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 all 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 secured to the ship. While he was perform-
ivg tit'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 on 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 last 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 follows (eight in number) in her
immediately perished within 15 yards of the w►eck. 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. But we were once snore 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-
selves, 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 Government 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."

ARUNDEL, JAN. 23.
(ritom A CORRESPONDENT.)
This town is expected to be unusually gay the ensuing'week,
owing to the influx of company on a visit to the Duke of
Norfolk.

The Duke of Cambridge arrives on Monday, the Dukes of
Richmond and Sutherland on Tuesday. Mr. Sloane Stanley and
Lady Stanley are also on a visit for a few days. The dinner
parties will consist of about twenty each evening. His Grace's
yeomanry band is to be in attendance. The noble room of the
Baron's Hall, it is understood, will be temporarily fitted up on
the occasion.

Lord and Ladv Arundel and Lord Edward Howard, Lady
Mary and Lady Adeliza, are also here.
The Duchess of Norfolk, Ladies Mary and Adeliza Howard,
with Mr. Sloane Stanley, Mrs. Stanley, &c., attended Divine
service at our church on Sunday morning and afternoon.
The Duke of Norfolk will be present at the great county
meeting of the Canservatives, in opposition to the Anti-Corn-
law League, to be held at Steyning, on the 29th inst.

A circumstance has just occurred in the City which
cannot fail to prove the source of infinite mortification to the
revenue o%cers of the Crown. A house in the same line of
business as Candy and Co., and on a scale nearly as extensive,
lately received notice of proceedings being instituted against it
for Custom-house frauds alleged to have been committed by it.
'The trial was to have taken place in a few days, but will now
be of no avail, as the firm shut up their premises on Thursday
evening, having previously clandestinely sold offal! their goods,
and collected all the debts that were owing them. The parties,
it is also said, were extensive proprietors of land, and of a great
many houses in Bow, but contrived to sell the whole a few
weeks ago, investing the proceeds in the French funds. The
result is, that there will not be a farthing to the Crown. The
parties to whom we allude lived in great style, severally keep-
ing their carriage, and each, it is said, realising 12,0001. a year
by the business.-- Observer.

THE SILK TRADE.—Very considerable sensation
has been created in this trade by Messrs. Christopher, of
Harp-lane, Thames-street, suddenly declining business, They
were well known Custom-house agents. A report is very ge-
neral that this resolution has been taken in consequence of in-
quiries lately made in the " silk floor" of the Customs.—
Sunday Times, _ _

Considerable surprise was yesterday excited in the
City upon its becoming known that a Custom-house agent,
whose legitimate business profits were not less than five
thousand a-year, had absconded in consequence of charges con-
nected with the Custom-house frauds. This agent had, for
years, been employed in clearing at the Custom-house silk
goods for the principal houses at the west-end of the town. It
is understood that, though he had long been suspected by the
authorities, it was only very recently that any tangible proof
could be obtained against him.— Observer.
An Eastbourne fishing boat caught off Beachey
Head, on Tuesday night, 4,600 fine mackarel, a circumstance
quite unprecedented. They fetched no less than 255. per
hundred, for the London market.—Brighton Guardian.
Since the names of the mover and seconder of the
Address in the Commons have been announced, the impression
has become universal in political circles that Sir Robert Peel
will stand by the landlords in opposition to the people and the
League on the subject of the corn-laws, and that if any allu-
sion be made to them in the Queen's Speech, it will be in de-
precation of change.— Observer.
THE SECRET PASSION.—We are requested to
state that the new work of fiction entitled " The Secret Pas-
sion," by the author of " Shakspeare and his Friends, " The
Youth cf Shakspeare," &c. in 3 vols. post Bvo. is published
this day by Mr. Colburn, of Great Marlborough-street, and
may now be had all the libraries. Mr. Colburn has also just
published the following new novels and romances :-1. The
Unloved One, a domestic story, by Mrs. Holland, 3 vols. 2.
Whitefriars, or the Days of Charles 11., an historical romance,
3 vols. 3. The Brothers, by the Author of " Oliver Crom-
well," &c. 3 vols. 4. Jessie Phillips, a Tale of the New Poor-
law, by Mrs. 'l'rollope, complete in 1 vol., with numerous
illustrations by Leech, 12s. bound, and 5. Windsor Castle, an
historical romance by W. 11. Ainswerth, Esq., complete in
vol., with 110 Illustrations by George Cruikshank, &c. 14s.
bound.

WESTMINSTER GENERAL DISPENSARY.—There was
a contest on Thursday for the electicn of a surgeon to this In-
stitution. The balloting commenced at twelve, and closed at
three o'clock precisely in the afternoon, when Mr. Ure, the
successful candidate, was found to have polled fully three
votes for one of either of his opponents. '1 he Duke of Cam-
bridge, Mr. Byng, M.P., Sir George Murray, Mr. Marjori-
banks, and many influential gentlemen gave him a very cordial
support.—Post.
The Duke of Brunswick has just presented the
St. Mary's, Bryanston-square, District Society, for visiting
and relieving the poor at their own habitations, with the very
liberal donation of forty pounds, being the fourth annual dona-
tion which his Serene Highness has presented to this useful in-
stitution, which has been in active operation during the last 27
years.