The Sun.
London, England, 1844-01-25 00:00:00

SHIPWRECK ON THE GOODWIN

SANDS.
On Saturday night a most distressing shipwreck took
place on the Goodwin Sands, in the total loss of a fine
brig, called the Shephardess, of 200 tons burthen, Mr.
Turner, master, belonging to Bideford, whilst on her
passage from Newcastle to Plymouth, laden with coals.
When off the north sand head of the Goodwin, there
came on a tremendous gale of wind, which almost im-
mediately drove the vessel on the sands, and she in-
stantly fell over on her beam ends. The occurrence
being perceived by the crews of several luggers belong-
ing to Deal, Ramsgate, and Broadstairs, who are gene-
rally cruising about that dangerous part of the coast in
order to render immediate assistance to vessels in dis-
tress, they quickly bore down towards her, but the gale
still increasing, accompanied by a heavy fall of hail and
snow, made it utterly impossible for them to go alongside
the wreck ; in fact, it was anticipated that their boats
could not outlive the storm ; the sea running so tremen-
dously high. The crew of the ill-fated brig were at this
period in a truly appalling condition, no sooner had she
struck, than the surf made a complete breach over her,
and several of the poor fellows were nearly washed over-
board. It was only by maintaining a firm hold that they
were prevented from being swept away, and they after-
wards more firmly secured themselves by lashing each
other in the rigging, where they were not so exposed to
the full fury of the boisterous element, the sea contin-
ually rolling over the mast-head. In this situation did
the unfortunate creatures, who consisted of Captain Tur-
ner, eight seamen, and an apprentice, remain for seven
hours, and conceiving that it was next to an impossibi-
lity of being saved, shook hands fervently with each other,
and resigned themselves to that fate which apparently
awaited them, as the vessel then was fast sinking into the
body of the sand. The conduct pursued by the crews
of the luggers, who are better known as " Deal boat-
men," was of such a character as deserves the highest
commendation. They continued cruizing about the wreck,
waiting for an apportunity to run alongside of her, and
in doing which their craft often appeared as if buried
amidst the boiling surf, so tempestuous was the state of
the ocean. The cries of the unfortunate fellows, who were
still in the rigging, are described to have been of the
most heart-rending description, imploring for assistance
in the most piteous manner. At last, about four o'clock
in the morning, one of the luggers succeeded in running
so close alongside the brig as to enable Captain Turner
to jump from the rigging on board of her ; but in the
next moment the lugger was carried away from the
wreck, and thereby prevented the same means of escape
to the remaining nine poor creatures in the rigging. It
was then determined upon to throw ropes from the lug-
ger, and bid the suffering crew to tic the end round their
bodies, whereby they might be hauled on board. For-
tunately they acted as desired; and, having thrown them-
selves overboard, they were eventually dragged into the
lugger, although in a most deplorable state of exhaus-
tion. One of them, however, had a most remarkable
escape ; the rope broke, and he was carried a consider-
able distance ere he could be recovered. The lugger*
then returned to their respective stations with the unfor-
tunate sufferers, and landed them in perfect safety, when
every attention was afforded them that their destitute
condition required. The loss of the brig is stated to be
upwards of 2,000/. The last accounts received yester-
day, states that the wreck had entirely disappeared.

THE TEMPERANCE REFORMATION IN IRELAND.--
Many persons are of opinion that the change will not
last, and that a re-action against thia temperance move-
ment may soon be expected. Far ourselves, we have
great confidence in the permanency of the benefits pro-
duced. There may, perhaps, after a time, be more oc-
casional instances of drunkenness, and less of total ab-
stinence, than at present; but the harm has been broken;
the same talisman will never regain its lost influence.
The habit of drinking is rarely acquired from the mere
gratification afforded by it to the palate, or the plea-
sures of intoxication. It is the creature of conventional
usages. Working men invited each other to drink at
markets and fairs, as the higher classes of England
formerly did at their tables, because it was the custom,
and a sign of hospitality and good fellowship. The cus-
tom is now destroyed ; intoxication no longer receives
the countenance of opinion ; drinking must henceforth
be individual, it cannot be national.— Westminsterßeview.

PRICE or BEER AT BOTANY BAY.—The author of
" Tales of the Colonies" gives the following amusing sketch of
a Botany Bay Boniface :—" Glass of beer,"_ said I. " Nothing
under a bottle," said the landlord. " How much does your
bottle hold ?" said I, fur I knew it was necessary to be cautious
in dealing with these town chaps. " Just the same as in
England,' said he, showing the bottle, with Barclay's double
stout marked on the label. It's true, my heart did warm to
the beer, and quite forgetting to ask the price, I said with a
sort of glee, " Out with the cork." It was out in a. twinkeling
that drink was a prime one, I must say, if I neyeir haves
other. " Take a glass yourself, landlord," s d
pleasure," said he, and filling it slowly to thealtobroitnu,,u"salcdourt
very good health," said he to me. " Tinheeslt
time,
y
. without wait-
ingfilling another. He filled his at the
",rigievaarf
a?;:ssatoidpahye.?"
drunk better in my life, °a
saidf bottle
to be invited. " Hot doia3:iii I,ik,saeiviht
said he. Half a guinea !" I, or a
oafgubjeenera:;: Yes," said be, " and cheap too ; there's only
two dozen left in the colony, and you have just drunk oue of
them."