The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1833-12-27 00:00:00

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SHIPWRECKS.

MELANCHOLY LOSS OF THE "WATER WITCH," '•
WITH FOUR OF THE PASSENGERS.
It is with feelings of deep regret that we announce to our
readers the total loss of this beautiful new vessel, ou Wednes-
day night, off Rallyhale, on the Wexford coast, during a fog.
The more painful part of our duty is in stating that this truly
lamentable casualty was attended with the loss of life. We
subjoin an extract of a lettir received yesterday by a gentle-
man in this city from Captain Stacey, the commander of the
ill-fated Water Witch, which was considered one of the finest
models in Europe, and had been very recently built, as stated
in a very late number of the Chronicle; and we may add that a
more experienced, steady, and careful commander did not
exist than Captain Stacey. We therefore solely attribute this
melancholy catastrophe to the tempestuous state of the weather,
unfortunately accompanied by a dense fog, on the night of its
occurrence. Mr. Smith, the gentleman who is stated in Capt.
Stacey's letter to have been lost, together with his sister, another.
Miss Smith and her servant, is, we are informed, of Ileadbo-
rough, in this county. The melancholy intelligence, on being
first rumoured here yesterday, spread a gloom over the city,
the more mournful from the understood fact that Mr. Smith
(who is well known here,) and hii relations had perished; for
it is generally supposed that the second Miss Smith, who is
mentioned in the extract, was also a relative of his. It is re-
ported, but there is as vet no certainty of it, that the first mate
and three sailors, who had gone or attempted to go ashore, had
also met a watery grave. -We hope that this will prove un-
founded . they were endeavouring to reach the shore with a
kedge anchor, for the purpose, if possible, of securing the ves-
sel, and saving the lives of those who were on board. 'I he value
of the vessel, exclusive of the cargo, is about £12,000, and was
not generally insured; sonic individual shareholder; however,
may have partially insured. We join in the hope expressed by
Captain Stacey in his letter, that some part of this beautiful
vessel may be secured from destruction. The following is the
extract alluded to above:—

"It is with heartfelt sorrow that I acquaint you that the Water
Witch is no more. She ran on a ledge of rocks off Ballyhale,
on the coast of Wexford, at seven o'clock p.m., ou Wednesday,
in a haze. One boat was launched with the first mate and three
sailors, dropped astern of the vessel, and we saw no more of
them. The second boat was lowered, which immediately filled
with water, and after getting her up again, we put-four men and
two ladies into her, all of which are safe on shore. We then all
night prepared rafts, and next morning all got safe on land,
but Mr. Smith and his sister, who were drowned by the upsetting
of the raft. Another Miss Smith and her servant maid died
after reaching the shore. If the weather moderates some of the
materials may be saved."
We shall give any further particulars that may reach us, in
our publication of Tuesday next.— Wexford paper.

ANOTHER DREADFUL SHIPWRECK AT

BOULOGNE.

BouLooNE-SCR-Mari, Dec. 21.—The year 1833 will long be
remembered in the annals of shipwreck. Within the short
space of a few months I might enumerate at least 20 wrecks
which have occurred within as many miles of this harbour, and
every one attesaled with loss of human life. I regret having tp
communicate another melancholy calamity of this nature, which
it has been my painful lot just now to witness, and where, al-
though it took place early in the day, within a short distance of
the port, and in the preseuce of hundreds of spectators, it was
found impossible to render the slightest assistance to the unfor-
tunate crew, in consequence of which I deeply lament to add
that I fear every soul of them has perished. I should judge it
to have been about tWelve o'clock, when a three-masted vessel
was observed to approach the harbour, driving rapidly before
the wind, which was then blowing with exceeding violence from
the NAV., nearly into the mouth of the port. She did not ap-
pear to have sustained any previous injury, and several of her
sails were set, with a view, I presume, to keep her off the shore;
but notwithstanding the utmost exertions seemed to be made by
the crew to effect this object, she was evidently unmanageable,
and was seen to approach the port with tile most alarming ra-
pidity, insomuch that in the short space of half an hour she was
driven within half-musket shot of the 'new pier upon the bar,
where she immediately struck—it being then nearly low water.
Owing to the tempestuous state of the weather, and the gloom of
the atmosphere, it was impossible to distinguish her colours, but
she was for some time supposed to be an English trader. Se-
veral boats, well manned, pushed off from the shore with the
hope of reaching her; but the wind and tide against them, and
a furious surf breaking in shore, presented insurmountable ob-
stacles to their approaching her in such craft as this place affords.'
The English Consul, as well as numbers of the English residents
here, and a vast concourse of the inhabitants, were in attendance,
watching with painful solicitude for an opportunity to render
assistance, but in vain. About two o'clock, the foremast, which
was observed to be wavering for some minutes before, went
overboard, and was followed very soon after by the two remain-
ing masts, which, with all the standing rigging, appeared to
have been cut away by the crew in the hope of lightening the
vessel. It is probable had this not been done she would have
gone to pieces instantly. Indeed it was an event which those
on shore were in momentary. expectation of. Immediately after
the masts were cut away the sea began to wash over her with
fearful violence; the crew betook themselves instantly to the
bowsprit, which was just jetting above the water's edge, and to
which they appeared-to have lashed themselves. In this situa-
tion they remained upwards of an hour, watching, apparently,
as their sole reinainiug hope, the boats which were vainly en-
deavouring still to reach them. It was a moment of awful sus-
pense not only to them, but to all those on shore, who mani-
fested the liveliest interest for their preservation. The im-
practicability of any boat reaching them from the shore was too
apparent. One hope still, however, remained—a fishing vessel
running for the harbour, perceived them—and- at considerable
risk was observed to alter her course and hear down towards
them. Every eye was now turned towards the fishing boat,
which was for some time watched with intense anxiety ; but it
soon became evident that she could not keep her course, and
every hope was now abandoned.
As the evening closed in the vessel gradually disappeared,
and the crew (of which there appeared- 15 or 16 originally)
seemed to have diminished to less than one-half, probably 6e-
numbed with cold, disheartened, and in despair; the remainder
had let go their hold, and resigned themselves to their fate.
The strand for a considerable space was soon covered with
spars, oars, chests and other debris of the vessel; and when the
evening became a little more advanced, it was only possible to
catch an occasional glimpse of the bowsprit, to Which five or
six of the unfortunate crew still appeared to be clinging.
Up to the hour at which I write (eight o'clock) none of the
bodies have been washed on shore; but the most remote expec-
tation does not exist that. an individual will be saved.

From same papers which I picked up on the strand, I am in-
duced to believe she is a Danish vessel, of between 2(X) and 3(X)
tons hurthen, and called the l-labett's Anker, Captain Brun. I
write in haste to save the post, but shall send you further par-
ticulars. In the meantime, it is impossilyle to avoid an obser-
vation upon the shameful apathy, and recklessness of human
life, evinced by the government of. this country, which, not-
withstanding the dreadful calamities recently witnessed on this
dangerous coast, has not as yet been induced to adopt some
measures calculated to second the endeavours of those who
have shown themselves ready and willing to risk their lives in
the cause of humanity.

N.B. Intelligencehas just reached of another vessel-being
wrecked off Borgne, a few miles distant from this port ; her
name is not as yet known, but she has gone to pieces, and the
entire crew have perished.

DINNER TO THE MAGISTRATES OF CANONGATE.

On Thursday, a dinner was !given by the inhabitants of Ca
uongate to their Magistrates, in the Royal Exchange Tavern
Mr. Kinghorn, Convener of the Trades of the burgh, in the
chair, and Mr. James Scott, Moderator of the Constables,
croupier. The chairman was supported on the right by the
Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Bailie Robertson and Treasurer
Nicolson of Canongate, Bailie Salvers of Edinburgh, and Bai-
lies Veitch and Schultze of Leith, and on the left, by the Baron
Bailie Purves and Bailie Clark of Canongate, the-Lord Dean
of Guild of Edinburgh, the Rev. Dr. Gilchrist, first minister,
and Mr. Fraser, clerk of Canongate. The object of the Meet-
ing was to do honour to the resident magistrates of Canongate,
and the sincerity of this intention was proved by an assemblage
of about one hundred of the principal inhabitants of the burgh.
The evening was spent in the most harmonious manner possi-
ble, and the enjoyment of the company was enlivened by seve-
ral well:executed songs by the amateurs present, as well as by
appropriate airs performed by an instrumental band in the
orchestra. Mr. Paxton's dinner, dessert, and wines seemed to
give general satisfaction, and the company separated highly
gratified at an early hour on Friday morning.
Among the toasts of the evening was the health of the Rev.
Dr. Gilchrist, first minister of the Canongate, proposed by
Dean of Guild Macfie, which he accompanied by some appro-
pviate observations on the character and talents of the Rev.
Doctor, and on the benefits which had been derived from the
parochial system, both clerical and scholastic, of Scotland.
the toast was drank with' very great applause.
Dr. Gilchrist begged to assure the meeting of the sincerity
with which he thanked them for the kindness with which they
had been pleased to honour him on this occasion. He felt sin-
cerely grateful on his own account; but he felt more strongly
excited by the kind expressions which had been used towards
that body of which he counted it his highest honour to be a
member. (Cheers.) From his earliest life his highest ambi-
tion was to be a ministerof Jesus Christ in connection with the
Qlturclisicstland. He did not blame any one who differed
from that slandarir..—Thir was a stoiltlsof :weiskr,ss s,ot
firmity, and it was vain to expect to see unanimity in it on any
thing. He remembered, however, the time when the Church
of Scotland was the pride of a Scotchman's heart. (Cheers.)
The times were altered now; but he hoped they were not al-
tered in general. The country still stood, and the church still
stood. He was sorry to see individuals calling for its downfall.
He himself called for the downfall of no Christian Church; nor
did he wish evil to any church of the Lord. Ile desired every
where to see liberty of conscience. (Cheers.) With regard
to himself, it was a great satisfaction to find his labours valued
by so many respectable gentleinen as those now around him.
Although he considered that to please God and his own con-
science was his first duty, yet he was not inclined to despise
popularity, and he hoped-that while Cod gave him the power to
speak among them, he would be aware that in order to ob-
tain popularity it was necessary to deserve it. (Great cheering.)
[What a contrast do these sentiments afford to the violent
and intemperate language uttered against the church hy the
Dissenters over their fate centenary libations. Let them learn
Christian forbearance and moderation from-the words of one of
the ministers of that establishment which they are so eager to
overthrow.]—Edinburgh Advertiser.