The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1846-02-10 00:00:00

MORTALITY

We extract the following particulars relative to the
mortality in this town and neighbourhood during the De-
cember quarter of 1845, from the tables published under
the authority of the Registrar-General :
DALE-STREET.—No particular disease has been preva-
lent within my district this quarter. It appears that there
are 7 deaths less than in the preceding quarter eliding 31st
December, 1844.
ST. THOMAS.—The deaths this quarter are 33 less than
in the corresponding quarter of last year. Of the deaths
registered, 47 are from bronchitis; &c., 22 phthisis, 3 hy-
drocephalus, 10 dropsy, 16 enteritis, &c., 37 booping
cough, 6 typhus, 8 scarlatina, 9 small pox (only 1 of which
was vaccinated,) 3 pleuritis, and 3 measles.
MOUNT PLEASANT.—Deaths 376, being 36 above the
general average. Phthisis has been most prevalent. 26
coroner's inquests. There has also been great mortality
amongst children, 150 deaths having occur red under six
years of age, principally from hooping cough, bronchitis,
and convulsions.
ISLINGTON.—My district continues healthy- Deaths
still decreasing.
ST. GEORGE'S.—Number of deaths rather above the
average, principally owing to measles ; hooping cough

and pneumonia being very prevalent. The number of
deaths of children under 5 years of age is 90.
EVERTON.-The increase of deaths in this quarter
arises principally from measles, which is prevalent in the
Industrial School, Kirkdale, in which the children are
paupers belonging to the parish of Liverpool.
WEST DelanY.-Decay of nature 14, convulsions 20,
bronchitis 2, small pox 5, dropsy 1, water on the brain 5,
dysentery 3, decline 7, inflammation of the lungs 8, pneu-
monia 3, hooping cough 4, teething 6, scarlatina 3, typhus
1, brain fever 1, gastro enteritis 1, phtbisis 4, consump-
tion 7, diarrhoea 1, intermittent fever 1, croup 2, apo-
plexy 2, cholera 1, liver complaint 2, Asthma 1, child-
birth 2, disease of the heart 1, mesenteric disease of the
glands I, premature birth 1, influenza 1, erysipelas 2,
ulceration of the bowels 2, and inquests 2. The number
of deaths this quarter exceeds the past by 28. Small pox,
scarlatina, and pulmonary complaints have been and con-
tinue to be prevaient in my district.

GREAT CROSBY.—Though the number of deaths this
quarter is more than an average, the whole of my district
is in a very healthy state, for of the number 16, there are
10 children.

TOXTETH PARK.—The number of deaths this quarter
(354) being a decrease of 19 compared with September
quarter ultimo. The principal cases are as follows—con-
sumption 2, small pox vaccinated 5, of which number 2
were adults, the one a male aged 30 years, and the other a
female, aged 36 years, both of whom it appears were va-
cinated in their infancy; small pox not vaccinated 13,
measles 2, searlatina 25, typhus 7, diarrhoea 9, chronic
ditto 2, excessive drinking 2, syphilis 1, aged 3 months,
from its birth, and inquests 9.

DREADFUL SHIPWRECKS.

FOUR HUNDRED AND FOURTEEN LIVES LOST

Port Philip and Hobart Town papers received last week
give the melancholy details of the loss of the Cataraqui,
emigrant ship, upon the iron-bound coast of King's
Island, in Bass's Straits, (between Australia and Van
Dieman's Land,) a locality in which, for want of light-
houses, it is said. the lives of hundreds are daily en-
dangered. The following particulars are condensed from
the account supplied by Mr. Guthrie, the chief-mate, who,
with his eight fellow survivors, reached the shore almost
in a state of nudity, having of course lost every thing
they possessed.
The Cataraqui, Captain C. W. Finlay, sailed from Li-
verpool on the 20th of April, for Van Dieman's Land,
with 369 emigrants, "and a crew (including two doctors,
brothers, named Carpenter,) of 46. The emigrants were
principally from Bedfordshire, Staffordshire, Yorkshire,
and Nottinghamshire. About ]2O of the passengers were
married, with families, and in all 73 children. On the
3rd August, at seven in the evening, the ship was hove
to, and continued lyingto until three a.m. of the 4th. At
half-past four, it being quite dark, and raining hard, blow-
ing a fearful gale, and the sea running mountains high,
the ship struck on a reef, situate on the W. coast of
King's Island, entrance of Bass's Straits. No observa-
tion to ascertain the ship's precise position could be taken
for four days previously, and from the dead reckoning she
was presumed to be in 141 22 E. long., and 39 17 S. lat.,
making her 60 or 70 miles from King's Island. When
she struck four feet water was found in the hold. The
scene of confusion and misery that ensued was indescrib-
able. All the passengers attempted to rush upon deck,
and many succeeded in doing so, until the ladders were
knocked down by the working of the vessel, when the
shrieks of men, women, and children, from below were
terrific, calling on the watch on deck to assist them. The
crew to a man were on deck the moment the ship struck,
and were instantly employed in handing up the passengers.
Up to the time the vessel began breaking up it is sup-
posed that between three and four hundred persons were
got on deck by the extraordinary exettions of the crew.
At this time the sea was breaking over the ship on the
larboard side, sweeping the decks, every sea taking away
more or less of the passengers. At five a.m. the sbip fell
over on her larboard side, carrying away boats, bulwarks,
&e. The captain ordered the masts to be cut away, in
hopes of righting her, and getting the passengers still be-
low on deck ; and everything was done, but without avail.
The ship became full of water, and the passengers below
decks were all drowned. Those above were directed to
cling to the wreck above water till daylight. When day
broke it was found that the stern was washed in, and
numerous dead bodies floating around the ship, some
hanging on the rocks. Several of the passengers and crew
(about 200 altogether) were still holding on to the vessel,
the sea breaking over, and every wave washing somebody
away. About four p.m. she parted amidships, at the
forepart of the main rigging, when immediately some 70
or 100 were launched into the tumultuous and remorse-
less waves. The survivors ran ridge-lines along the side
of the wreck, to enable them to hold on. The remains of
the upper deck now began to break up and wash away.
An attempt was made to get a buoy on shore, but it
stuck amongst the seaweed on the rocks, twenty yards off',
and there was no one on shore to secure it on the sand.
The waves broke with unabated violence. At five o'clock
the wreck patted by the forerigging, and so many souls
were submerged that only 70 were left, who were lashed
to the wreck. The sea broke over hem, the wind raging,
and the rain falling heavy all night. Numbers died and
fell overboard, or sank, and were drowned at the places
where they were lashed ; when day broke the following
morning, it was discovered only about 30 were left alive.
The sea was now making a clean breach into the fore-
castle, the deck of which was rapidly breaking up. About
this time, whilst numbers were helplessly clinging to the
bows and continued dropping off without the possibility
of succour, the captain attempted to reach the shore, but
was unable, and with some assistance regained the wreck.
I he lashings of the survivors were now undone in order
to give them the last chance of life. Mr. Thos. Guthrie,
the chief mate, now on the sheetsail yard, was washed out
to the bowsprit; he saw the captain, second mate and
steward clinging at the bows with about 18 or 20 dead
bodies on the fragment of the wreck. Mr. Guthrie was
now driven to a detached part of the wreck, but soon
found it impossible to live with such a sea breaking over,
and seizing a piece of plank under his arm, leaped into
the water and was carried over the reef, and got on shore.
lie found a passenger who had got ashore during the night,
and one of the crew, John Robinson, plunged into the
water when he saw the mate ashore, and partly swimming
and partly driven reached the land. Five other seamen
followed, and landed dreadfully exhausted. Almost im-
mediately after the vessel totally disappeared. Thus, out
of 423 sire's on board, only nine were saved.
The names of those saved are Thomas Guthrie, chief
mate; Solomon Brown, emigrant; John Roberts, Wm.
Jones, Francis Milan, John Simpson, John Robertson,
and Peter Johnson, able seamen; and William Black-
stock, apprentice. They had neither fond nor drink from
the time the vessel struck (Sunday) to Tuesday afternoon,
when they found one small tin of preserved fowl; after
eating which they went and lay down in the bush, almost
destitute of clothes.

The beach was strewed with fragments of the wreck,
mingled with numerous corpses. They could find no
water that night, and slept on the beach. The next morn-
ing found a cask of water, but were unable to make a fire.
Soon after they observed a smoke, which they thought
arose from a fire of the natives, and immediately a white
man approached, which turned nut to be Mr. David
Howie, residing on the island. He observing a portion
of the wreck, arranged to reconnoitre the island, but as
his own boat was wrecked he could not leave the island.
The party, therefisre, constructed a hut, and remained
five weeks, hospitably provided for by Mr. Howie and his
people, according to their means, the supplies having to
be carried forty miles over a difficult road. On the 7th
of September, they saw the Mudge bearing for the island,
which t. ok them off with much difficulty, and by the aid
of Mr. Howie, on Tuesday, September 9 They landed
at Hobson Bay September 13. Most of the ship's papers
and the mail (except 35 letters) were lost.

Loss OF THE AMERICAN SHIP SCOTLANP.--The
Scotland, Captain Snow, sailed from Liverpool 17,h Jan.,
bound for New Orleans. On the night of the 19th, du-
ring a gale, and thick weather, she struck on Arklow,
or some of the neighbouring banks of Ireland. The
pumps were tried, and it was discovered she had two feet
water in her hold. The ship was then steered up the
Channel, in hopes of gaining some port, but the water
gaining fast, and the ship steering with much difficulty,
(having five feet water in her hold,) all the after sails
were taken off to make her steer, both pumps being kept
going, at the same time baling out of the fore and after
hatchways. At four in the morning she broached to.
every exertion being made to get her again before the
wind, but in vain, her lee rail at the time lying in the wa-
ter, and having seven feet water in her hold. Orders were
then given to cut away the mainmast, which was done,
carrying the mizenmast along with it. The ship then
stood in for the Welsh coast, which they made at day-
light, and kept on till within a quarter of a mile of shore,
when the best bower anchor was let go, but finding the
ship sinking, and no one to relieve them, the anchor was
slipped, with the intention of running her on shore, but
she became completely water-logged, and would not steer.
Guns were fired, and signals of distress made, but no one
came to their assistance. The ship ultimately struck, and
the crew succeeded in getting on shore.

DREADFUL SHIPWRECKS.—On the 11th ultimo, the
new ship Montreal, laden with flour, &c., a trader be-
tween London and Montreal, was lost during a snow
storm, near Cape Chat, and all bands perished. On
shore, the bodies of the captain, wife, and child were
found, the latter being clasped in its mother's arms.
Four other bodies were after afterwards discovered en-
tangled in the wreck. They were buried in one grave.
The Saxon of 367 tons, from Boston to London, was ob-
served on the 24th ultimo, on a reef of rocks, and was a
complete wreck. Her crew consisted of twenty hands,
all of whom perished. The brig Laurel left Quebec on
the morning of the 29th of December, with a cargo of
400 barrels of flour, and twenty-eight of butter. On ar-
riving off Cacona, on the banks of Newfoundland, she
was met by a large field of ice, and every effort to steer
clear of it proved abortive. The ship becoming fixed in
it, she was shortly driven ashore on Green Island, where
she immediately became a wreck. The crew suffered se-
verely for three days. The barque Universe, of Boston,
was lost under similar circumstances ; fortunately the
crew were saved. The ship Cambridge, from Liverpool,
on the 23d of December, saw a vessel in distress, which
proved to be the Lord Lynedoch. of London, in a sink-
ing state. They took off the crew, thirty-two in num-
ber, who were in a dreadful state. The vessel foundered
shortly afterwards. The East India Company have re-
ceived information of the total loss of one of the com-
pany's war sloops, named Coote. The brig Merlin, of
Newcastle, was fully destroyed, by fire, on the 3rd in-
stant. She was laden with wine and fruit, and within
twelve hours after leaving Oporto Bar she caught fire.
The captain and crew were soon forced to take to the
boat and abandon the vessel. They were afterwards
picked up. On the books are also reported the total loss
of the. ship City of Shiras, in the Mindora Sea, with
forty persons drowned; and also the wreck of the Gus-
tave Edward, a French Indiaman, 650 tons burthen ; and
another vessel, name not exactly known, both attended
with melancholy results.

MELANCHOLY Loss OF THE BARQUE BENCOOLEN AND
THIRTEEN OF HER CREW.—The Bencoolen, Capt. Can-
but, belonging to Mr. Ripley, of this port, was totally
lost on Saturday night, she having, during the heavy gale,
unfortunately run upon Taylor's Bank, near the Formby
Light-ship. Only eight of a crew of 21 were saved by
taking to the boat. The other thirteen, including the cap-
tain, mates, and pilot, were drowned when the vessel went
to pieces, shortly after she struck. During the late strong
gales (we may state) several fine ships have been lost on
our outward coasts, including the Susannah Cumming,.
on Mad Wharf, the Mary, on West Hoyle, and the John
Horrocks, near Leasowe. The crews of these vessels were
gallantly saved by the life-boats. The Bencoolen sailed
from Callao on the 15th Oct. last, with a valuable cargo.
On Saturday morning list, at 8 o'clock, she passed Hoy-
head, and at 10 took a pilot (Harding, of No. 3)—the wind
fresh from the W.N.W. At six in the evening (having
previously bees, hove to) she crossed the Victoria Bar.
Half an hour after they had passed the Bell Buoy, the ves-
sel struck on Taylor's Bank. The pilot, aware of the
danger in so heavy a sea, ordered out the jolly-boat, and
into it went five seamen and three apprentices. The boat
twice nearly filled with water, and, the painter snapping,
she was borne far from the vessel. Her crew made seve-
ral anxious attempts to regain the ship, but without suc-
cess, and thinking those on board would take to the long-
boat, made towards Liverpool. They landed at half-past
nine at the Prince's Dock Basin in an exhausted condi-
tion. Two steamers and the Liverpool lifeboat were im-
mediately despatched to the wreck, but no signs of the ill-
fated vessel or the unfortunate individuals who had been
on board her were visible. At the time the jolly-boat was
lowered, the men were busy clearing the other boats, but
it is supposed the vessel broke up immediately after those
who were fortunate enough to reach Liverpool lost sight
of her, and that all on board were drowned. The pilot
was James Harding, of No. 7. It is supposed that, in
running up the Victoria Channel, he took the northeast
side of the Formby Light-ship, and, being to leeward, ran
on the bank. He was a steady, sober man, and much re-
spected by his brother pilots. We subjoin a list of the
parties who have lost their lives by this melancholy dis-
aster :—Capt. Claribut, Mr. Sands, chief mate, Mr.
Creasy, second mate, William Adamson, seaman, Robert
Wallace, seaman, George Spenser, seaman, M'Nicol,
seaman, Chas. Pugh, seaman, the carpenter, sailmaker,
cook, steward, and James Harding, pilot