The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-04-03 00:00:00

EXTRAORDINARY PRESERVATION OF THE
BRIG MARTHA HARRISON.

The brig Martha Harrison. Captain John Green, bound from
Newfoundland to Liverpool, with a cargo of oils, bales, &c., atter
encountering the storms of the sth and 6th of February, was on
the 7th ult. driven amongst the shoals and breakers to the east of
Bunowen Bay, and within a mile of the rocks on which the schooner
Orion, from the same country, and same description of cargo, had
had gone to pieces a few days before—crew and cargo lost. During
the night the brig Harrison passed a large barque in distress; intel-
ligence of the total loss of which (crew included) has since been
received. At about 4a. m., after doing all that seamen's skill and
courage could effect in the midst of darkness and tempest, the ves-
sel having struck several times, and the sea breaking constantly
over them, the crew determined to abandon her, and trust to the
boat, and the captain, feeling that all hope was over, at last con-
sented. By manifest Divine interposition they were, at about seven
a. in., driven on shore (on a part of the estate of J. A. O'Neill, Esq.
J. P.,of Bunowen Castle) atter having rowed and scudded among
the reakers, where no boat had ever before been seen in stormy
weather; though the boatmen of Bunowen coast are notoriously
overbold.

The vessel also drifted before the wind still farther amongst the
rocks and shoals, where it was never imagined that a vessel of her
tonnage could have gone in the mildest weather. Her course can
be traced at low water some hundred -yards. In one place she
broke a large projecting piece from an immense rock, leaving apart
of her keel in a clift ; this threw her rather on her side, and in this
position a heavy roll of the sea must have carried her over a rock
46 feet long, not much below the level of high water mark ; the
pitch off her hull is to be seen on the top of this rock. Again she
was surrounded by rocks, several of which she broke large pieces
off, and wherever her keel furrowed the bottom she broke single
stones as if they had been prepared for putting on a road. The
tremendous roll of the Atlantic in its fury now lifted and carried her
from that shoal towards a short deep channel, not twice her own
breadth, and having at the distance of abpfit fifty yards from the
entrance, a large and high ledge of rockstight aerdsa, but leaving
a passage by turning at almost a right angle. At that very mo-
ment, just when the gallant brig must Have been shattered to atoms
ag iust the high ledge above described, her only remaining anchor,
which she was dragging aft, caught in a rock, and though it broke
off at the flue, which was found there, yet it so checked the head-
long career of the vessel, as to make her actually turn the angle,
and being then thrown probably on her side, she was by the next
conflicting rush of wave and tide in the Sound lifted over a low
part of the rocky ledge and settled down on the remains of her keel
on a sandbank, the sea breaking against her. In this position she
was at daylight seen by Mr. O'Neill, who proceeded to the shore,
and swore in 0 or 40 of his tenantry to protect at the risk of their
lives the vessel and property. It was not impossible, though un-
likely, that the vessel contained some living persons. Mr. O'Neill
called out eight brave fellows, two for each oar, to accompany him,
and in the midst of rocks and breakers, during one of the most ter-
rific hail-storms known since the great storm in January, 183 g—the
sea rolling in furiously, and the wind right, ahead—these gallant
men, encouraged by their landlord's presence, tried to reach the
vessel; but after having been driven about at the will of the storm,
and the waves repeatedly breaking quite over the boat, they were
compelled to give in, though Mr. O'Neill several times said, " Five
pounds a man, if you reach the brig." The exhausted party at last
reached some rocks whence they were enabled to wade on shore.—
fly this time the tide had fallen, and by passing over a chain of
rocks and swimming some sounds, it becaihe possible to reach the
brig by another way. Of this Mr. O'Neill took advantage, and col-
lectingla
rocks,il
el
dtl
et partyvsahyo
eh:r:enaaciciacdp current,tl
oh se
t.b r i
but,Ag
several horses, he mcunted his men two on each horse, and
.hsetirOjo,ngnegampaagrtotiyowdoafss washed off and car_
left by yapApl Mr. O'Neill
Whenehartgliee otfidtehfeealietshseelv—ersse
swornwlilemwfpa
was
aaernsrtiieectsug
andwei nderetedootyhttehehriee!
rocks by winding chains round them, and was watched day and
tnhi
eg
broughthmt,
more
and
etdov thealauacbdal.
ireagcoenportiont
islanddischargedi,roNuv ts
riggings,atchreos weathers
Bruosvp.
cenrßi
sails,tat ed. Part
O'Neill's store. In this state the vessel had to remain yBcunct aMtil tnhrd
e.
next spring tide, ten days oft', and an attempt was made to warp
and and tow her out, but it failed from the tide falling rapidly
her position would be imminently dangerous at the next sheas
being now lightened, Mr. O'Neill was obliged to make the second
attemwpast aittgatt
unnigdlear twideeig,
Ift.ndltb,yvams oaonmliogshtt
ionitiertehsetintgsthsigthhte.
brig
The moonlight sea was covered with the towing boats, which the
heavy roll of the Atlantic caused to appear and disappear as if by
magic. The rowers strained every nerve, yet several times the brig
luffed up in the wind, and spinning her pigmy conductors round,
seemed determined again to cope with the breakers which surround-
ed her on every side, and to draw into ruin her friendly allies. At
length, through the mercy of Providence, the last rock was passed
and the bow of the vessel pointed right for Bunowen Harbour. A
shout then rose from brig and boats which echoed amongst the
neighbouring hills, and was answered from the shore by hundreds
of all ages and sexes, and at the same moment the harbour blazed
with tar-barrel fires, prepared in case of seceess. The now pale
moonlight, the streak of morning,s eawndfotuhnediluarindgrlseaamnds ocfotnhneeshote
fires, produced a strange effect.
Newfoundlanders
dfl
isri
eteertmth
egnthe
rushed
operations,tc' the bowand oe fa
ethh emn
anbrig,grasping wh e e ahl
irs.
hand,O'Ne smtoaorda
congra-
tulated him on succeeding in what seldom before was achieved on
the coast of Ireland, or perhaps England either, namely, the pre-
servation of au abandoned vessel, cargo, and private property,
without the slightest loss, and without the aid of military, police, or
coast guards ; and to do justice to the two latter, (there are no mi-
litary,) their officers tendered their own and their men's services
when they heard of the event; and the chief boatman and one man,
and the four Urrismore police,tendered their services with a prompt-
ness reflecting credit on them, but they were not required. We
cannot conclude this article without expressing our most cordial
approbation of Mr. O'Neil of his conduct and judgment, and of the
brave and honest tenantry of the Bunowen estate, who have evinced
a respect for the laws, a spirit of humanity and a devoted attach-
Tmheenthng is to.theirlandlord, by whom they will be most liberally rewarded.
beautifully modelled, quite new, and one of the strongest
ever built.

Bunowen Harbour, on board of the brig
Martha Harrison.
Dear Sir,—l am going to weigh anchor, and sail from Bunowen
Bay, and for myself and crew I first offer our hearty thanks for
your hospitality and never failing kindness during upwards of a
month's.time.

To the exertions, night and day, yourself and your honest
tenants, who are, like ourselves, aof
the brig,
race of seafaring men, we
and private pro-
attribute (under God) the safety of
vessel was amongst the
perty of every description, cast away a, therg' cargo,
breakers, in the middle of which we we'renctrpelled to leave her at
doe.. February; her preser-
vationat honour to your
eftriom further injury
dark, duringthe tremendous gale of the
tenantry, rom
and plunderthe
measures when the
takent idteo fell,
protect
a February,m u
ro
also.to return,
from the breakers, reflects credit on you and o
On the shores of Newfoundland, to which I hopAleetirioii
Your harbour.
I shall often think and mention with pleasure the
when the brig was towed, by the men and boats under your
command, and we passed safely amongst the breakers shoals
so nearly fatal to us, and at day dawn cast anchor in
Believe me, sir, the cheers I and my crew then gave, for yourselfr.
and the boatmen of Bunowen, came from our hearts. I beg leave
now to offer my thanks to you and to them, also to Mr. John
Waugh, for his zeal and attention.—I remain, dear sir, for myself
and all concerned, your obliged and grateful,
To John A. O'Neil, Esq., J.P., JOHN GREEN,
Master and Commander of the brig Martha Harrison.
Bunowen Castle.

DESCRIPTION. IRE- COAST- FO- UNITED i
TOTAL,
LAND. WISE. REIGN. STATES.
Wheat Qrs. 1603 2580 7552 I 11835
Barley Qrs. 1505 1897 2950 6352
Malt Qrs. 2844 2844
Oats Qrs. 68;0 1 3170 10041
Rye Qrs.
Beans
Pease Qrs. 151 152
Shelled Barley
Indian Corn . .
Rapeseed Qrs.
Oakneal .. . . Loads 1720 7 1723
Flax Sacksl 357 78 431
Ditto Brls. 2 1 2
EXPORTS.—Foreign. Oats, 52 qrs. : Pease, 50 qrs. ; Flour, 4 Uri,
—lreland. Wheat, 237 qrs. ; Indian Corn, 6 qrs. ; Flour, Ili
_ _

EXPORTS.—Foreign. Oats, 52 qrs. : Pease, 50 qrs. ; Flour, 4 brls
—lreland. Wheat, 237 qrs. ; Indian Corn, 6 qrs. ; Flour, 162
sacks.—Coastwise. Wheat, 616 qrs. ; Barley, 198 qrs. ; Malt, 25
qrs.; Oats, 58 qrs. ; Rye, Is qrs. ; Pease, 27 qrs.; Indian Corn,
15 qrs. ; Oatmeal, 306 loads ; Flour, 310 sacks, 93 brls.
Average prices of Grain, for the week ending March 27, 1840.
Wheat.. 695. ld. I Barley.. 395.9 d. I Oats.. 265. Od. I Rye .. 365. ld.
Beans.. 41s. od. Pease, 401. 7d.
Aggregate average of the six weeks.
- -

Wheat.. 675. 7d. Barley.. 395. 0(1. I Oats.. 255. 3d. Rye.. 375. 2d
Beans .. 40s. 6d. Pease .. 40s. 3d.
Duty on Foreign Grain, &c. this week.
WheatlBs. Bd. Barley3s. 4d. Oats ...... 95. ad. I Rye 14s. Od
I I
Beans, 9s. 6d. Pease.9s. 6d. lndian Corn 3s. 4d. I Flourl Is. 24d
Liverpool Averages, week ending 31st March,
.1840.
. .

Wheat. Barley. I ' Oats. Beans. I Pease.
Qr 5..... 1184 44 1494 140 0
Prices.. 665. gd. 335. Bd. 245. 10d. 455. 6d. Os. Od

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.

FRIDAY, APRIL 3.—Wind E.S.E.

ARRI VED—Sanclio Panza, Smith, from Naples—lduna, Gron-
wald, from Odessa
Also ARRIVED—Formosa, Cuboe, from Cork—Charlotte, Wil-
liams, from Newport
SAILED.—GIobe, Oliver, for New Orleans—SErial, Robinson, and
Lavinia, Brown, for Mobile—lsabella, Doring, for Havre and Rouen
—l-lenriette, Claussen, for Pillau—Ambassador, Tate, for Charlotte
Town—Margarctha, Koster, for Amsterdam—Swallow, Wilson, for
Stettin—Scotland, Robinson, for New York—Britannia, Oliver, for
Halifax, N.S.—Ganges, Blyth, for Dalhousie, N.B.—Louise, Rooms,
for Antwerp—Cardova, Owen, for New Orleans—Dß-on, Le Gros,
for Caraquet, N.B.—Livingston, Salkeld, for Sydney. N.S.W.

Tiber, -, from Trieste, at Dublin
Gertrude, Black, from Leghorn, ditto
Off Point Lynas, at 7 a.m. No. 1421, Kingstown, (steamer.)
Joseph Storey, Spencer, from the Cape of Good Hope for Lon-
don, at Falmouth, out 87 days
Tweed, Lawson, fell over in No. 1 Graving Dock, this morning.
and received damage

Marchioness Bute, -, !hence to Mobile, was spoken 27th
ult, in lat. 50, long. 8
Harmony, - hence to the Cape of Good Hope, was spoken
I3th ult. in lat. 48, long. 13

Cora, Melville, sailed from Rio Janeiro to Cape Good Hope on
the 10th January
Lady Wright, Wright, hence at St. Michael's
Harriet, Beniest, hence at Antwerp

Venilia, Kranenburg, hence at Helvoet
Philadelphia, Morgan, from New York at Portsmouth, sailed on
the 2nd of March, in company with the Yazoo, Trask, for this port
Virginian, Higgins, hence at New York 28th February
Randolph, Bilton, from Pernambuco, off Falmouth