The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1847-11-23 00:00:00

THE LOSS OF THE STEPHEN WHITNEY.

The Cork Constitution supplies the following additional
particulars connected with the loss of this ill-fated ves-
sel:—

" On the 10th instant, being the twenty-fourth day at
.sea, the ship was hove to about 2 o'clock, p.m., when
soundings were taken. By this it appeared they were in
50 fathoms water, and they believed they were then in
the English channel. When the cabin passengers and
officers of the ship sat down to dinner, they congratulated
each other on the voyage they had made; and the-captain
promised that if the wind continued slowing from the
point it then was in for the next twenty-four hours, they
would be all safe in Liverpool within that time. It soon
came on to blow hard, the fog still continuing ; the ship
was then going swiftly under double-reefed topsails before
a S.W. wind, and about 6 o'clock p.m. the gale increas-
ing, the sails were close-reefed. At 8 o'clock p.m. Mr.
Allen came on deck for his watch, and he immediately
perceived the reflection of a light on the larboard bow.
He instantly called out that there was a light on the lar-
board, but he was answered that it was the reflection of
the signal-lamp of the ship. To this he replied, that if
it were the signal-lamp the reflection ought to be on both
sides. He then looked over the sides of the ship, and
being enabled to see the white foam on one side and not
on the other. it confirmed him in his impression that
there was a light on the larboard whose reflection was
diffused by the fog. Before he had power to remark on
this discovery, there was a cry of ' Breakers ahead !' and
he clearly perceived the land, to which they had run so
close that the receding surge from the rocks broke over
the larboard bow of the ship. It will be necessary, for
the proper understanding of what subsequently occurred,
to describe the locality in which the vessel then was, but
which, until after the wreck, none of the crew or passen-
gers had any knowledge of. The vessel had passed the
Mizen-head, and instead of bearing up Channel had
rounded Brow-head, passed the Crookhaven light, and
run close to the Alderman's rock, a small craggy island
at the entrance of Crookhaven. Brow-head and Balti-
more, two extreme points or arms of the main land, em-
brace a wide expanse of sea, which forms a large sea
entrance common to several harbours, comprising Crook-
haven, Toormore bay, Skull harbour, Roaring Water bay,
Ileu river, and Baltimore harbour. At the Baltimore
side of the entrance. the Sherkin Islands and Clearlsland
stretch away far into the sea. About midway between
Clear Island and Skull there are three smaller islands,
called Calf Island West, Calf Island Middle, and Calf
Island East, about five miles from Skull. hen the
hapless officers perceived the vessel so close to the rock
(` The Alderman'), orders were given to put the ship
about, which were immediately obeyed. She swung
round without touching, clawed off' the land, and, after
running about half a mile, the light on Crookhaven was
opened to the view of those on board. A question arose
as to what light it was ; they looked all round, but were
unable to discern Cape Clear light, which was then close
on the starboard bow, but invisible from the fog. The
captain gave it as his opinion that it was the light on the
Old Head of Kinsale. In this he was supported by the
opinions of all on board, and orders were given to put the
ship to sea, taking the heading S.E. by S. At 9 p.m. it
was considered that they had taken sufficient offing, and
they steered the channel course E. by S., supposing they
were going round Cork harbour, but, unfortunately, she
again ran through the sea entrances above described,
inside C'ear Island, and, at the moment when safety ap-
peared all but certain. she struck with a tremendous
crash, at a quarter to 10 o'clock p.m., upon the west side
of Calf Island West, the cliff at this side being perpendi-
cular for some forty or fifty feet above water, and some
twenty fathoms below, on which a tremendous sea beats
at all seasons of the year. having recoiled a short dis-
tance from the concussion, she was again dashed broad-
side against the rock, with a violence that clearly told she
could not hold together more than a few minutes. All
those on deck were in the utmost dismay, and the captain,
mate, second mate, third mate, crew, and such psasengers
as had got on deck, immediately removed their clothes,
expecting to have to swim for life. On the vessel striking
a third time, the immense mass of strong timber quivered,
and shook like a reed, and gave evident signs of an imme-
diate breaking up. The captain, mates' and some of the
sailors got over the lee-side, and hung by the chains for
about a minute, when the captain said he would drop
into the water and endeavour to swim to the rock, and
before the mate had time to prevent him, he jumped into
the sea, but was almost immediately killed by a stroke of
a sea dashing him against the rock. When he had dis-
appeared the mate perceived that the bottom of the noble
vessel was gone, as he felt the deck sinking down, and at
, the same time conceived he saw a ship's boat lying bot-
tom up, and forming a bridge between the deck and the
rock. - On scrambling towards it, he found it was a pro-
truding piece of cliff, which was driven some feet into the
side of the vessel, and by which he clambered on to a
place of safety. Here he turned to look on the scene of
destruction and death beneath, and he discovered he was
followed in the course he had taken by a few of his com-
panions in misery, while beneath them he saw, by the
light of Crookhaven tower, a vast number in the water
crushed to death by the timbers of the ship, as they fell
in quick succession from her sides. This dreadful scene
lasted about three minutes, and from the time the ship
first struck until every timber of her had been broken
into small pieces, not more than twelve minutes elapsed.
The mate then proceeded to collect those who had escaped,
and seeing there were no others to whom he could give
assistance, they proceeded to clamber to the summit of
the cliff. There was amongst those preserved an inte-
resting boy named Patrick Peterson, a native of Roser.ta,
in the county of Tipperary, whom it was somewhat diffi-
cult to prevent throwinc, himself down the cliff into the
surf, and who upbraided very bitterly for his want
of courage in not leaping into the sea when he perceived
his father drowning, as, his remaining parent being thus
removed, he had no human protector or means of sup-
port. When they arrived at the top of the cliff, they
descried alight on the island, and having proceeded
in
the direction of it, found a cabin inhabited by an aged
man named Driscoll and his family. his astonishment
at seeing people on the island at that hour was extreme,
and when he had heard their tale of woe he set about
making them as comfortable as his wretchedehad l
abode
turf to
and
* inserable store would permit. But
h
make' a fire, and they were almost frozen with cold and
denuded of clothing. Driscoll, however?, was determined
to do all that in him lay to relieve their sufferings, and
he ran off to where he was told the wreck took place, and
in a short time returned loaded with fragments of the
noble vessel in which an hour before they had all the
comforts of life, and, piling them in the chimney corner,
his wife endeavoured to fire them to warm her visitors,
while Driscoll again travelled the rugged island and again
returned, bringing with him two goats, whose milk was
distributed amongst the shipwrecked crew. Thus the
night passed over, and the next morning a fleet of boats
was seen all round the island, picking up portions of the
cargo that floated about or were washed ashore."

east Enbtrs.

Positively the first vessel.—To sail immediately,
and takes no coals or salt.
-
I For CALCUTTA,
..c.e
Ark = The fine English-built Ship INGLEWOOD,
- J. SMITH, Commander
A 1 for twelve years ; 460 tons; coppered ; and well
known for her remarkably quick passages, and de-
livering her cargoes in the best possible order.—For terms, &c.
apply on board, east side Prince's Docic ; to Messrs. JAMIESON
BROTHERS and Co. ; or to W. and J. TYRER.
The splendid Liverpool-built Ship THE DUKE will succeed.

WaltOt Inbtes.

To sail on the let December.
For ANTIGUA,
fert& The Ship ISABEL,
Captain WILLIAIII GRIFFITHS.
Apply to

C. W. and F. SHAND,

tenittb &tato.

Will hare early despatch.
For BOSTON,
/-'" The splendid first-class American Ship
AMA GENERAL BERRY,
J, HILL, Commander;
500 tons ; on her first voyage; coppered and copper-fastened ;
a fast sailer; and in every respect a desirable conveyance for
goods and passengers.—For freight, &c. apply to Captain HILL,
on board, Victoria Dock, or to HARNDEN and Co.
Freight payable at 4 dollars 80 cents per pound sterling.

Sailing on the Ist and 16th of every Month.

THE OLD LINE OF PACKET
For NEW YORK.

CAMBRIDGE. G. S. PEABODY 9OO tons.. Ist December.
MONTEZUMA, A. B:LowsEn 1000 tons.. 16th December.
FIDELIA. S. YEATON 1000 tons.. Ist January.
ISAAC WRIGHT, (new ship,) A. C.
MARSHALL 1200 tons. ,16th January.
YORKSHIRE, D. G. BAILEY 1100 tons.. Ist February.
COLUMBIA, E. G. FURBER llOO tons.. 16th February.
NEW YORK. T. B. CROPPER 1000 tons.. Ist March.
OXFORD, J. P. GOODMANISON 750 tons.. 16th March.

These ships are all of the first class, commanded by men
of character and experience. The Passage-money is established
at TWENTY GUINEAS, for which ample stores of every
description will be provided, with the exception of wines and
liquors, which will be furnished by the Steward, if required.
BARING BROTHERS and Co.
Freight by these packets will be collected at the rate of four
dollars and eighty cents to the pound sterling.

Aifir
'AI
To sail on the 6th of every Month.

NEW LINE OF PACKETS
For NEW YORK.

CONSTITUTION(new ship),J.BarrroN 1500 tons.. Gth Dee.
HOTTINGUER, I. BURSLEY 1100 tons.. 6th Jan.
LIVERPOOL, J. ELDRIDGE llOO tons.. 6th Feb.
QUEEN OF THE WEST, HALLET 1250 tons.. 6th March.

Goods received until Midnight of the 4th of each Month.
Freight at the usual scale of rates. •
These substantial, fast sailing, first class ships, allbuilt in the
city of New York, are commanded by men of experience and
ability. Their cabins are elegant and commodious, and are
furnished with whatever can conduce to the ease and comfort
of passengers. The rate of Cabin Passage is TWENTY-FIVE
POUNDS, for which all stores are provided, except wines and
spirits ; these, if required, may be procured from the Steward.
FIFLDLN BROTHERS and Co.
Freight payable in New York at the rate of 4 dollars 80 cents
to the pound sterling.

LINE OF PACKETS
For NEW YORK,
SAILING ON THE
ELEVENTH OF EVERY ➢iONTH.

GARRICK, B. J. H. TRASK 1004 tons.. 11th December.
ROSCIUS, ASA ELDRIDOE 1150 tons.. Ilth January.
SIDDONS, EDWARD B. Conn lOl4 tons.. 11th February.
SHERIDAN, G. B. CORNISH lOl2 tons.. 11th March.

To insure punctuality in sailing, no Goods will be received
after the 9th of each month.
These ships are all of the first and largest class, built in the
city of New York, of the best materials, and with such improve-
ments as to combine great speed with imusual comfort for pas-
sengers, and they are commanded by men of experience and
ability. The rate of Cabin Passage is fixed at TWENTY-FIVE
POUNDS, without wines or liquors, but those stores can be
obtained on board.—Apply to

BROWN, SHIPLEY, and Co.
Freight by these vessels will be collected at the rate of four
dollars eighty cents to the pound sterling.

„4” REDUCED RATE OF FREIGHTS.
Alt& NEW YORK PACKET SHIPS.
ft; NEW ARRANGEMENT.

Rail on the 26th of every Month.
JOHN R. MUDDY. LUCE 1000 tons.. 26th Dec.
WEST POINT, (new ship,) W. H. ALLEN 1200 tons.. 26th Jan
WATERLOO, E. P. ALLEN

GOODS by the above Packets HITHERTO PAYING
405., will in future pay only 30s. per ton.
305., ditto ditto 255. ditto.
255., ditto ditto 20s. ditto.
205., ditto ditto 15s. ditto.
To insure punctuality in sailing, no Goods can be received
after the 24th of each month.
These ships are all of the first class, recently built in the city
of New York, and for strength, beauty of model, punctuality
and swiftness of sailing, as well as for extent and comfort of
cabin accommodations, are not surpassed by any in the trade,
and their commanders are men of great experience.
The rate of Cabin Passage-money is TWENTY-FIVE POUNDS,
for which all stores will be found, except wires and spirits,
which can be had of the Steward, if required.—Apply to
THOMAS and JOS. SANDS and Co.
Freight-by these vessels to be collected in New York at the
rate of 4 dollars 80 cent to the pound sterling.

PHILADELPHIA LINE OF PACKETS.
,7444611,
SARAN AK, E. TURLEY 1000 tons.. 12th December.
MONONGAHELA, T. Jut tus 5OO tons..l2th January.
SUSQUEHANNA. A. TURLEY 600 tons.. 12th February.
WYOMING, J. W. MIERCKEN 1100 tons.. 12th March

Sailing on the 12th of every Month.

These vessels are all o f the first class, built expressly for this
line, and combine every quality to render them safe and expe-
ditious conveyance ifor goods and they are furnished with
spacious and elegant accolLmodations for passengers. The rate
of Passage in the Cabin is fixed at TWENTY POUNDS, pas-
sengers finding their own wines and liquors. These Packets
will take advantage of the steam tow-boats on the Delaware.
To insure punctuality in sailing, no Goods can be received
after the 10th of each month.—For terms of freight or cabin
passsage apply to BROWN, SHIPLEY, and Co.
Freight by these vessels will be collected at the rate of four
dollars eighty cents to the pound sterling.