The Sun.
London, England, 1850-10-31 00:00:00

WRECK OF THE BRIG CUMBERLAND

HULL, TUESDAY. This ^ morning particulars
reached this town of the wreck of the brig Cumber-
land, of Newcastle, Humphrey Clarke master, which
took place on Thursday last at Kilnsea, near the
entrance to the Humber. Early on the afternoon of
that day the coast-guard on duty at Kilnsea observed
the brig approaching the shore, with a signal of dis-
tress flying. During the gales she had got on the
Stony Bricks at the mouth of the river, but as the
tide was flowing at the time, she succeeded in getting
over them, not, however, without sustaining so much
injury that she bad five feet water in the hold, and
was obliged, in order to save the lives of the crew, to
run for the nearest land. About four o'clock P.m.
the brig struck heavily about a mile to the south-
ward of Kilnsea, and, a sea breaking over her at that
moment, the unfortunate master, Clarke, was washed
overboard and drowned, the decks were blown up,
and the crew obliged to take to the rigging and
tops to save their lives. Messengers had meanwhile
been dispatched to the Easington station for Mr. Carte's
rocket apparatus, and on its arrival every possible
effort was made to save the crew, but, owing to the
state of the tide, it was two o'clock in the morning of
Friday before a communication could he obtained
with the vessel. The rocket apparatus from Spurn-
point, and the small tender belonging to the life-boat
there, were also brought to the spot, and the tender
being hauled off to the brig (by means of the No. 6
rocket-line only), succeeded in bringing the mate
and four seamen safely ashore. A second attempt
was then made to rescue the remaining four men,
when, unhappily, the boat upset, and one of the
Spurn life-boatmen, named John Bunton, who bad
nobly volunteered his services, was drowned. The
remainder of the crew of the tender had a very
narrow escape, but providentially reached the shore
in safety. The boat, however, being lost, no
hope remained of releasing the four poor fellows in
the rigging of the brig until another could be ob-
tained, and their cries for assistance during the night,
heard distinctly by those on land, were most heart-
rending.
Oa Friday morning a cart was dispatched to
Holmpton, another coastguard station to the north-
ward of Easington, for more rockets. The messenger
was overtaken on his return by Captain Ellis, R.N.,
Inspector-General of the Coast Guard, who, with his
secretary, Mr. J. W. Safe, and Lieutenant Smyth,
inspecting officer of the Coast Guard at Patrington,
were on a tour of inspection in the district. Captain
Ellie, on learning the particulars of the wreck, and
that part of the crew were still on board the vessel,
desired that the rockets might be removed to his car-
riage, and all haste was made to the shore. The
apparatus was then again set up, and a rocket paging
through the foretopsail, laid the line close to the m:in,
who speedily availed themselves of it. A coble and
a small fishing boat had by this time been brought
to the spot, and Captain Ellis generously offered 51.
to the fishermen to make an attempt at boarding the
wreck. The effort was made accordingly, but
the tide was running so rapidly that the boat
missed the vessel and was swept to leeward.
The rocket line was then attached to a smaller boat,
which happily succeeded in getting alongside, and
brought the poor fellows—wet, cold, and exhausted—
safely ashore. Warmth, food, and rest, however,
quickly revived them, and they expressed their
thanks to their deliverers. Too much cannot be said
in praise of the exertions of the Inspector-General of
the Coast Guard, his secretary, and Lieutenant Smyth.
The rescue of the crew also afforded an additional
testimony to the value of Mr. Carte's rockets in sav-
ing life from shipwreck. Without them on this oc-
casion, it is believed that every soul on board the
brig would have perished.
The Cumberland was a fine brig with a general
cargo, valued at 40001. The crew consisted of the
mate, eight seamen, and the captain, who, as we have
already stated, was washed overboard on the ground-
ing of the vessel. He was an unmarried man, and
belonged to Newcastle. The ship and cargo, we hear,
were partly insured. There is some probability that
the vessel may be got off, and part of the cargo is
being unshipped with that view.
A subscription has been set on foot in this town on
behalf of the wife and family (five children) of Barn-
ton, the Spurn life-boatman, who was drowned in
venturing his life for that of others.