The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1836-10-28 00:00:00

MELANCHOLY SHIPWRECK.-DEPLORABLE
LOSS OF LIFE.

Extract of a letter from a merchant at the Havannah to a
gentleman at Portsmouth, dated the 6th of September last:—
"During my long residence in this city 1 scarcely, if ever,
remember a shipwreck more disastrous and afflicting in its con-
sequences than one which has occurred a few days previous to
my writing, upon our coast, about 15 leagues to the eastward,
and which has caused a very considerable and painful sensation
here, as 1 have no doubt it has at several ports at the west end
of the island of Jamaica. In consequence of some of the sus-
vivors of the ill-fated vessel being at present in our city, with
whom I have conversed respecting the melancholy catastrophe,
lam enabled to state particulars that may be relied on. It ap-
pears that, on the 24th of August, the Medusa' a fine barque,
of 320 tons burden, commanded by Captain James O'Neil,
sailed from Port Morant, at the east side of Jamaica, fur Kin-
sale, in Ireland ; her cargo consisted of rum, sugar, indigo,
pimento, and cedar. She embarked eleven cabin and eight
steerage passengers, the former of which were families of great
respectability; she was manned with a crew of sixteen good
hands, independent of the captain and mates. It was first the
intention of Captain O'Neil to go home by the windward pas-
sage, between St. Domingo and Marge tette, and for several days
the Medusa was beating to windward to effect her purpose, but
owing to strong north east gales, which prevail in these lati-
tudes at this season of ths year, he was unable to proceed, and
when distant about six leagues from Cape 'riberon, the western
most point of St. Domingo, he bore up, and resolved to go the
leeward passage through the Gulf of Florida, and by the banks
of Newfoundland. In the vessel's passage to the eastward of
Jamaica she encountered very tremendous weather, and the
captain endeavoured either to make. Port Royal or Bluefields,
but was unable. On the night of the Ist of September the
Medusa passed a large merchant vessel totally dismasted, but,
front the heavy sea that was running at the time, they were
unable to speak each other. The distressed vessel fired signals
of distress. On the morning of the 2nd of September no
trace of het was to be seen from the top-gallant-mastheads of
the Medusa, who was still going before the wind at 13 knots,
under a close-reefed foresail and mizen staysail. At this time
the Montego Bay was to leeward considerably, and before dark-
ness on the 2nd the land of the Grand Caymans was discerned
through the thick haze. At this time the weather had increased
to a hurricane, and the Medusa lay to with her head to the wind,
under two storm trysails, with her topgallant masts struck.
During the night of the 2nd the most intense anxiety and fearful
apprehensions prevailed on board. Captain O'Neil', not having
a thorough knowledge of this passage, greatly dreaded the
Grand Cayman, the land of which is so remarkably low that it
cannot be-seen until close upon it. Under all the critical cir-
cumstances the captain found himself in, he thought it advisable
to put the ship before the wind, and heave up for this port. At
midnight, on the 2nd of September, land was discovered on.the
starboard bow. This proved by the charts to be the Isle of
Pines, off the east end of our island (Cuba.) Considerable
consternation took place on board at this discovery, as the land
in question lay 'dead to leeward.' fhe ship was put about with
nb , thetono,
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great difficulty, and an offing was eventually gained, The ap-
prehensions of the crew and passengers were now greatly al-
layed, as the most lively hopes were entertained that no disaster
would occur before daylight, when the situation of the vessel
would be known, and steps taken for her safety. The gale
continued with unabated fury, accompanied by so heavy a sea
that it was expected the decks would be swept fore and aft.
Between two and three o'clock these fears were realized by a
heavy sea coming over the lee quarters, disabling the wheel and
carrying away her coops, carpenter's chest, and other things on
the poop. A few minutes after another of greater magnitude
came over the windward side of the vessel, nearly amidship, the
effects of which proved dreadful; the ship's carpenter and cook
were carried overboard and perished; with them went the life
and jolly-boats, also the caboose, and a number of casks; the
whole of the starboard bulwarks were carried away by the same
sea; to this was attributed the subsequent loss of the unfortunate
vessel, and calamitous results, as the vessel now became un-
manageable and drove bodily to leeward. The captain was
aware that the land of Cuba must lay close to leeward, and all
hope of escaping destruction before daylight was now given up.
The scene that followed (as described by one of the survivors)
can only be imagined by those who have been in similar dread-
ful situations—all was anarchy and horror on hoard; between
three and four o'clock breakers were distinctly discerned on the
starboard bow, and now the mere shadow of hope that previously
existed fled; all subordination now ceased on board, every one
thought of the best expedient to give himself a chance of pre-
servation. Signals of distress were fired, but they were only
wasted amidst the tumult of the contending elements. The
captain ordered the masts to be cut away, which was done by
uhselfoliharedfteenhhdadbsehnueotaycffiovdjoeCuabraidsl
judged,
et
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This eased the vessel, but she still drove towards the breakers,
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running an, rgoa. nr
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wasmat dhal they
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i avail tnathwhi
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they could not have existed through the heavy surf that was
furiously rushing over the breakers. A little after three o'clock,
satsanrt'ftrhese)(kh,:awa, bnaavleterawadewpsbohnabteforewhoewto:wnao. first taking the ground, and immediately after-
' wards she was thrown upon her beam-ends, the sea making
complete breaches over her deck. One universal scene of de-
struction took place; in a few minutes after the first dreadful
shock, only four souls of the whole ship's company, crew, and
passengers survived, and these wretched men were some of
many who lashed themselves to spars, and committed their fates
to the waves; they were picked up on the beach after daylight
by some Spaniards, in a mutilated and exhausted stale; three
of them were seamen, the fourth a steerage pessenger, of the
name of Doherty. The vessel struck upon the Cl4adoes, an
extensive sand-bank, lying about -half-a-mile off the main land.
The day after the wreck more than twenty bodies were washed
on the beach, as also a quantity of the cargo; most of the latter
became the booty of the Spaniards on that part of the coast.
The cabin passengers consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Urquhart and
daughter, Mr. M 'Lean, Mr. Murray and two sons (youths,)
Mr. Oblara, Mr. Farrell, and two other gentlemen, whose names
I have not been able to ascertain. On the night of the fatal
when near
the
CanePfn°"'Captain Douglas, heard signals of distress,
Corrientes; but, from the state of the weather,
she was unable to render assistance. She was from Jamaica,
and bound to Glasgow. The four survivors are still here. Do-
herty is not expected to live. I have not heard to whom the
Medusa belonged. She had made three previous voyages to the
West Indies."—Times.

The price of pig iron has just been reduced by the Scotch
ironmasters, 20s. per ton- The example is expected to be
promptly and generally followed in England.
BENEFIT or LA ur-; irrE rt.—Belyn re of strreit,l,yalinegn.t• trading, or
straining the head while at table. Laughter is one of the great-
est helps to ditrestion ; and the custom, p
forefathers, or exciting it at table by jesters and buffoons, was
founded on true medical principles. Endeavour to have cheer-
ful and merry companions at your meals. What nourishment
one receives amidst mirth and jollity will certainly produce
good and light blood. Never eat so much that vou feel you
have a stomach. It will be best to give over before ..;ou are
completely sated.---Mayazine of Health.