The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1838-11-09 00:00:00

THE NORTHERN YACHT STEAMER.

(From the Shipping Gazette.)
Our North Shields correspondent has transmitted us the
following, furnished to him for the Shipping and Mercantile
Gazette by Mr. Reay, the only survivor on board the ill-tat ed
vessel:—
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SHIPPING AND MERCANTILE
GAZETTE.

"Sio,—As it is now apparent our Worst fears respecting the
safety of this vessel are realized, I feel myself called upon, in
consequence of the many contradictory reports in circulation
as to the vessel at the time I left her, to state the whole cir
cumstances, as far as they came under my observation.
"The steamer left Shields harbour on the morning of the
11th instant, about nine o'clock. There were six steerage
passengers—viz.,
.two young inert from Sunderland, about 20
years of age, one of whom was lame; two women; a book-
seller from Hatton, in the county of Durham (who expressed
an intention of landing at Eyemouth, if the weather permit-
ted, if not he said it was immaterial, as he had business at
Edinburgh;) and a cavalry soldier. In the best cabin, a fe-
male about 30, a gentleman about 60, and two others about
35 to 40 years of age. The crew, 1 believe, consisted of the
captaki, mate, engineer, two stewards, stewardess, four fire-
men, and three seamen.

"On crossing Tynemouth bar the sea was remarkably
smooth, but as we proceeded northward the wind increased,
blowing fresh from about the W., and the sailors seemed to
doubt the practicability of my leaving the vessel until her ar-
rival at Leith—the sea progressing to rise. When offUoquet
Island, the captain said he would sheer close in with the land
and there would be no fear of my getting out. In nearing
North Sunderland a flag was hoisted, and when opposite that
place, about two o'clock four pilots came off and took me on
shore in a coble, at no further risk than the getting thoroughly
wet, which we did. In my conversation with the crew they
spoke in unlimited terms of commendation of the vessel in
every respect, and when I left her the master and some of the
passengers were below dining, there being no apprehension
whatever of danger, the vessel proceeding (in all respects in
good order) at about the usual rate at which steamers go
when they have a lift of sea to contend with. I can only add,
that had my direct business not led me to disembark at the
place and period I did, there was no cause or apprehension
of fear whatsoever in existence to have induced me to leave
the vessel on her then intended passage to Leith.
"In pursuance of Inv original intention of making a pass-
age in the Yacht to North Sunderland, for the purpose of
painting portraits of the Darling family, at the Fern Islands
(for a lithographic publication,) the completion of my pro-
fessional visit has extended beyond my expectation, other-
wise it was my intention some day previous to have addresser)
von with this statement fur insertion. If I can be the me-
dium of further information to any one connected with the
persons who were on board the Northern Yacht, or Other-
wise, I will, on reference, consider it my duty to communi-
cate it. I am, sir, yours, &c.,

•`22, Wellingt on-street
North Shields, Oct. 31, 1838."

JOHN REAY."

We publish the following letter under the same head, be-
lieving the wreck therein spoken of to be that of the unfortu-
nate vessel in question :

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SHIPPING AND MERCANTILE