The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1846-10-13 00:00:00

THE GREAT BRITAIN STEAM-SHIP

The following particulars, expressed by our own corre-
spondent, appeared in our second edition on Tuesday last :
Mr. Foy's Farm.-house, I)undr"m Bay,
Sunday, 4th Oct. 4 p.m.

Soon after four o'clock yesterday afternoon, (the hour
of post from the nearest postoffice here,) the people on
board the Great Britain continued to get out the coals,
throwing them overboard on the land side of the ship
from the port windows abaft, and, from two iron funnels,
one forward and another about midships, over the side.
The quantity thrown out was so great, uotwitbstanding all
that bad been before discharged, that they formed a com-
plete bank close to her larboard side. The ship appeared
to be quite high on the sandy beach, and was but slightly
sanded, drawing (in the sand) only from four to five feet.
Great hopes were entertained that the vessel would be
got off by last night's, or at least this morning's tide, but
these expectations were disappointed. The carts could
not take on shore more than a-comparatively small quan-
tity of the coals, and great part of them were cf course
washed away by the succeeding tide. The wind was about
S.S.W., blowing rather strong. Towards dusk the ap-
pearance of the horizon indicated a gale, or was so con-
sidered by the weather-wise here, and this apprehension
was verified before morning. A great number of cars with
visitors, and small carts, congregated at and near the ship
in the evening. The Cow and Calf Rocks appeared quite
naked, but the sea washing over them. Immediately a
the bow of the ship, a bank had been thrown up of sand
and small stones commingled, probaby from the action of
the tide upon her bottom.
At halt-past four the tide came round her, and it became
necessary to recede. The wind was about N.W., but
draughts were flying about in different directions. The
steam-tugs were again employed at high water to bring
the ship off, but without effect, and they had to put out
into the offing—high water being about ten. The moon
was bright, but towards morning it began to blow strongly
from the S.W. The ship had during the night forged on
a little further upon the beach, with her head much more
to the westward, being now nearly bow on to the land, or
bosom of the bay.

At ten this Morning (high water being at 10h. 40m.)
the ship had evidently forged on upon the land. It blew
fresh, with a heavy surf rolling all along the beach. The
wind at this time was about S. or S. by E., one of the
most unfavourable for throwing the sea into the bay.

The steam tugs (two from Liverpool) could not ap-
proach the ship during the tide, the surf being so high and
threatening, and the rocks around so numerous. The
vessel was nearly stern on to the sea, which occasionally
dashed over her quarters and taffrail. She appeared to
move, or float, occasionally ; but though the tide did not
retire until eleven o'clock, no perceptible difference in her
position was visible, the probability being, that (from ap-
pearances) she bad got further into the bay by about her
own length. The wind is still blowing freshly into the
bay, and the huge hull of the Leviathan steamer seems to
be so close in upon the land, that it will require the most
extraordinary exertions to• get her off. Tuesday is the
highest tide.

I have seen a Mr. Janns, sub-inspector of the consta-
bulary here, and now stationed, with fourteen men. at the
Coast-guard station-house, about a quarter of an English
mile from the Great Britain, where I was most kindly
and hospitably received. Mr. Janns did his utmost with
his men to assist and protect the passengers. Mr. Purdy,
the chief boatman at the station, went on board at the
hazard of his life when the vessel struck, in company with
boatmen, Patrick Hannah, two of his sons, and a man
named Hinds.

Soon after half-past nine o'clock, when the vessel went
on shore on the night of the 22d, Mr. P. Foy proceeded
to the beach—he residing in the immediate neighbour-
hood. He saw bluelights and rockets, and heard a gun
fired from the ship, which last was answered from the
Coast-guard Station. From the clear lights seen from
the ship, she was discovered to be a large steamer. About
three o'clock they succeeded in getting off a boat through
the surf, which was still running dangerously high, and
they with difficulty got on board. This was the first boat
that got to the ship, and was welcomely received. The
passengers remained on board for two hours, it not being
daylight, and the coast dangerous. Captain Hosken first
landed the ladies ; and, so far as I can learn, Mr. Foy was
most active in assisting to land them, and to secure their
luggage from damage or plunder. My own impression is,
from what I can learn in the locality, that the people here,
with one or two exceptions, inseparable from such
casualties. and the confusion that occurred, behaved
with the utmost kindness, honesty, and hospitality.

Another attempt to get the vessel off will ne made to-
night, but how far this will be successful remains to be

Bundrum Bay, Monday, 11 o'clock, a.tn

As I an icipated in my communication last evenincA.,the
state of the weather prevented the two steam-tugs from
coming near the Great Britain, by last night's tide. They
have not, in fact, come within sight of the shore, since
they left us, about noon, yesterday. No attempt to set
her free was, consequently, made, last night; and she is,
this morning, as might be expected, much further on the
beach—l should say, from 20 to 22 feet—than when I saw
her last evening. I came to the shore opposite to her
this morning, shortly after clear day, and although she
has approached the land by what I have already stated,
she has materially shifted round. Her bow has turned
considerably towards the westward, and her bearing is,
I should think, at the present, as nearly as possible
W.N.W. and E.S.E. Whether this alteration of her
bearing will have the effect of leaving her in a more fa-
vourable position for getting off or not, is a question
about which there exists difference of opinion ; but the
fact of her having come farther upon the beach can hardly
be said to be in her favour. She now lies in such a posi-
tion, that it is impossible, from any point along the shore,
to catch a glimpse of her larboard side; but I can perceive,
by the motions of those on the deck, that the work of
throwing over her coals has discontinued. The spout by
which the water is discharged by the pumps lies above
the tide, and I can observe a goodly column of water
proceeding from that outlet. This circumstance leads me
to believe, that she must be making more water than she
did on yesterday.
About an hour and a half ago, the fore and aft gib, and
the square mainsail on her third mast, or that immediately
abaft her funnel were set; but for what purpose it exceeds
the ingenuity of those on shore to divine. The wind is
now blowing as nearly as may be from the east • and it is
thought the setting of the sails I have mentioned, will ra-
ther have the effect of forging her further on the beach,
than of turning her bow to the south, the only imaginable
object the commander could have in having them set. The
weather during the night was more moderate than appear-
ances about dusk seemed to indicate. The breeze about
this time is pretty fresh, and the surf is very strong in the
bay. The tide is now nearly at its height, and only the
very tops of the rocks near the shore are visible. The
Great Britain is so fast, however, that scarcely a sign of
" budging "is perceptible. A large steamer with three
masts and funnel has made her appearance in the offing, but
she keeps out a goodly distance. She is supposed to be the
Sea Nymph, one of the steamers on the Warrenpoint and
Liverpool station, which was expected here to render as-
sistance, by this tide. From the height of the seaway in
the bay, however, and some indications which have been

that she will venture in near enough for any

good: I shall

not close my despatch till I see the result.
Some idea may be formed of the boisterous appearance
of the bay from the fact that it was found unadvisable to
launch to boat for the conveyance of the letter-bag of the
Great Britain ashore this morning. One of the crew, a
smart fellow, named Covney, ventured out, and swam
ashore with it to his very imminent peril He states that
he was repeatedly almost stunned, by the beating of the
waves against his breast while coming across. There are
a great number of persons collected on the beach, and a
good array of vehicles public and private. Their curio-
sity, however, is not at all likely to be gratified in seeing
her free aenin ; and, as the last of the high tides will take
place to-morrow, if the weather do not, in the meantime,
moderate, and that very considerably, it is not at all likely
sbe can ever be extricated.

I have heard that a whole troop of scientific gentlemen
have arrived here from Liverpool or Bristol, but I have
not yet seen them.

ONE O'CLOCK, P.M.—The stenmer Sea Nymph, has
just moved off, finding it impracticable to come in. The
Great Britain is much nearer the shore now. The next
full tide will be at midnight.

The following letter was received by Messrs. Gibbs,
Bright, and Co. :
Great Britain, Steam-ship, 4th October, 1846.

GENTLEMEN,—I am very sorry I cannot continue
my cheering accounts of yesterday. Last night, or
rather early this morning, it came on to blow from the
southward, which has thrown the ship further in,
losing all that we had gained.
Yesterday morning's and night's tides, had it continued
moderate, I fully believe, we should have got off this
morning. The position of the ship is decidedly better, as
she is now more bow on, and on fairer ground,
consequently will not strain at all. The tugs were
obliged to leave the buoys early this morning, and
lay off and on, till after high water. when they again
went out, and I hope are run for shelter somewhere,
as it looks very dirty. To this time (2 o'clock) we have
had no communication with the shore, but shall soon,
in time to save the post, as at low water we can walk
ashore.

As I have frequently said, all depends upon the weather.
Nothing can hold her against such wind and sea as we
now have. Three bower anchors with chain cables, and
three smaller anchors with hemp cables, some of them
well banked, and all well laid out. cannot hold her at all.
I aro, dear sirs, yours very truly,
(Signed) JAMES HOSKEN.
Messrs. Gibbs, Bright, and Co.

(Continuation in brief of our own reporter's account.)
TUESDAY, OCTOBER Ern.—This morning, at 10 o'clock,
the wind was stormy from about the S.S.W.—that is,
from the direction of the point terminating the lofty
Mourne mountains. The surf rolled heavily into the bay,
which appears to be affected. more or less, by all winds,
excepting those blowing from the land direct upon the sea.
The ship bad several of her bead-sails spread, apparently

with a view to carry her head off the rocks, if she floated.
Signal flags were displayed-at her mizen, and these were
answered by steam-tug No. 1, which was lying at anchor
or buoyed, and pitching considerably, at a distance in the
offing. The tug blew off steam soon after, and did not
venture in, no doubt in apprehension of the surf in, and
the inward suction of, the bay. Seen from the shore, the
vessel did not appear to alter her position, and nothing
could he accomplished tix extricate her from her perilous
situation.
WEDNESDAY

g7erwrrsa
ts.
r—aa,t,Tl
dohuebt
yt
di donbeeoosf
uottul
teb
fifteen
about
yards
ast
rntdhisge.
Thes h
wt
radt
wind been accompanied by a gale,.and the ship appeared to have
got further up
this mornin;h
height struck the ship, which was lying
that can blow into the bay), and the breakers of great
head on to the
land, with such violence astern, that the spray, ever and
and anon, before and after tire time of high water,. (about
one o'clock, the tide being thrown up and kept up beyond
its indicated time and height, by the pressure upon its sur-
face—dashed over her from stem to stern, and acri ss her
di,gonally from the larboard quarter to the fourth mast
from her mizen. She did not, however, appear to stir at
all this day. A considerable quantity of coal was still on
board. About high water the storm was terrific, accom-
panied by heavy rain, and the atmosphere keen and win-
try; the surge came rolling in, moreover, in breasts of
probably six or even eight feet in height ; and it must be
admitted the vessel must have been admirably put toge-
ther to withstand the bumping, and working, and dashing
of the waves which she had to encounter from her first
striking up to this time. No one could look upon the noble
ship, still apparently perfect inevery part, withoutdecolF la-
menting the casualty that threw her into so fatal a position ;-
and it is but justice to the Irish population, rich and poor, in
the immediate and even more remote parts of the vicinity,
to state, that they almost universally express their sym-
pathy,sincere. It should be stated, that she had a number of
in terms that cannot be 'mistaken for other than
strong anchors and cables out from the beginning, to
prevent her getting further on shore, but she housed them
for some days; and this day, the object perhaps being to
let her run further up for safety until the next high or
some subsequent tides, they appeared not to have been
housed taut.

THURSDAY, Bth, and FRIDAY, 9th.—The spring tides
having taken off—the highest being on Tuesday (about
24 feet), the Great Britain did not move froarher bed on
either of these days. She had still a large quantity of
coals in her bottom. She appeared indeed to lose all
chance, after Saturday night's tide, when she partly floated,
but had not adequate means to be hove off, Our reporter
left Downpatrick, for Belfast, on Friday morning. In
the coach with him was a Mr. Brown, of the Revenue
Cutter, " Royal George," who had received from Capt.
Hokin a letter, expressing his gratitude for the exertion&
made in behalf of the ship by that gentleman, and the
men under him, and adding that he (Capt. H.) would not
fail to represent the same in the proper quarters. It ought
to be added that from all that could be seen or learned by,
our reporter that the Preventive Force, under Lieutenant
Morris (who was especially active) the Coast Guard,
under Mr. Purdy, the Constabulary. and all who had au.
thority to act, gave their utmost assistance throughout to
the officers and crew to avert that crisis in the fate of the
ship, her further beaching, which has now arisen, and
which, it is now generally believed by nautical men, dooms
her no more to float gallantly on the miehty waters. Her
bottom is injured, and her frame no doubt shaken, yet
to the eye of the spectator on shore she still presents
her original and noble appearance in hull and tackle.