The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-12-31 00:00:00

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LOSS OF THE FIREFLY.

The Dumfries Courier contains a painfully interesting
narrative of the circumstances connected with this sad
event. After noticing the crash of the collision with the
Britannia steamer, the narrative proceeds :—After orders
had been given to launch the boat, in the hope of at-
tracting the attention of the steamer that slackened not
her pace, she after a little time was discovered returning
with two lights on her starboard quarter, and then for the
first time the commander inquired whether the brig had
been damaged by the collision ; but when answered in the
affirmative, in place of despatching his boat to the wreck,
he requested those on board to send theirs to the steamer.
Although this appeared strange, the boat was launched
as speedily as possible, and when the men sent to guide
it were about to put off, the word was given that not a
rowing-pin was forthcoming. After some little delay a
piece of wood was found, fitted, if split, for the purpose
required ; but, unfortunately, every exe was missing. In
this way half an hour elapsed, the steamer in the mean-
time plying round the Fireflv. going off perhaps, out of
sight, and again returning, recalled by the outcries of the
sinking crew and the lights exhibited on the starboard of
the wreck. :Such indeed were the panic and confusion,
heightened by the darkness which brooded around, that
every oar for a time was missing, until the surgeon picked
up one among the crew's feet. Calls were again made
for the Firefly's boat, and an answer returned that it was
out of order. By this time the carpenter had announced
six feet of water in the hold, and, the steamer being then
at some distance, Mr. Dick jumped into the longboat to
essay whether it could not be got afloat ; but in vain,
from want of an axe to cut the fastenings. At length the
steamer's red lights were perceived at the distance of 400
or 500 yards, twinkling dimly through the haze, and bear-
ing down on the Firefly.
At this juncture the men had abandoned the pumps in
despair, on finding the vessel filling so fast, while the
helmsman, who had similarly deserted his wheel, was seen
under the dim light of the binnacle tearing his hair, and
exclaiming unceasingly, " Lost, lost, lost !" By persua-
sion, however, he was wiled back to his post, and then the
Kroomen, six in number, resumed operations, in all pro-
bability at the most critical moment since the collision.
It is astonishing' what willing arms applied to pumping
can effect in the case of an accidentally disabled ship, and
again there was a momentary gleam of hope when the
steamer reappeared within 40 or 50 yards, and at length
alongside, although not until the main deck was level with
the water. Thus favoured at the eleventh hour, or rather
beyond, the boat was got round ; but, when at length
afloat, from the want of gearing, seemed to be little, if at
all, under the control of the crew. Never can the writer
who communicates this forget the heart-rending cries
simultaneously raised when the steamer for the last time
stopped short at a distance of about 15 yards, as if those
who manned her dreaded the consequences of a second
collision, and durst not risk it for their own safety.
The steamer at length came within grappling distance,
the surgeon lost no time in springing into her rigging;
and then commenced a fearful struggle to get over ber
bulwarks, rendered the more difficult from so many
clinging to the same points, and the terror of cattle close
at hand, threatening amidst the darkness to toss every
adventurer overboard. The horned snimals cleared, Mr.
Dick immediately made for the quarterdeck to survey.
the wreck ; at that awful moment not a sound was ut-
tered, although shortly after the wail of wo was distinctly
heard. Again all was still for a few moments, when a
gurgling sound again smote the ear ; and though the gulf
between the two vessels was then 50 or 60 yards, a rope
was instantly thrown overboard. As near as may be at
the same time, the commander of the steamer exclaimed,
" I'll go no nearer at so great risk, for the sake of a sin-
gle individual." On this Captain Kerr said the surgeon
should take a note of this determination ; surely even one
life was precious, and a life-buoy in consequence was
thrown overboard, the steamer's master remarking that
to approach nearer might risk the foundering of both
vessels.
The cries of distress had now became fainter, although
gurgling sounds were still audible, as if proceeding from
some persons struggling in the water. Cessation, however,
quickly followed, and then the commander of the Brit-
tannia steamer, of Dublin, inquired of Captain Kerr and
his friend whether there was any necessity for tarrying
longer? To this question Captain Kerr having made no
answer, the surgeon said he feared all hope was lost, but
expressed, in the same breath, his conviction that a boat
might have been despatched in time to save them all. To
this the ready answer was, thatno sooner had the collision
occurred than they became all masters on board ; that his
crew refused to obey their head officer, and that one man
in particular averred that if they ventured to go alongside
the wreck, every soul on board would jump into the boat,
and infallibly swamp her ; and not only this, but that his
venturing to return in the first instance was contrary to
the wish of all on board—acircumstance which accounted
for the numerous returns and departures of the steamer.
Out of 23 individuals that embarked in the Firefly all
were eventually saved except the chief-mate, the individual
who was beard struggling in the water. But he had been
somewhat wilful, as was afterwards ascertained, by main-
taining that his vessel was not much damaged; that she
would still float ; and that in place of a boat, it would be
better to crave a tug from the steamer into Beaumaris
harbour.