Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1811-10-23
CHARLESTON, October IA.
Loss ef.he schooner Efzabefh-CWy cCt:.,
merriam, of Ills fart.


Mr.. JcsEPH D. BRoADBRooKs, mate d
the schooner EiizSbeth-City, arrived here On
Saturday evening, in the sloop Eliza, from
Savannah, and has furnished us with the f.!
lowing melancholy particulars of the loss Of
that vessel, together with the Captain, tire.
Passengers, and three Negro Seamen. Sic
sailed from Nassau, N. P. bound for this port
ON the 25th OF September, in ballast, and hay
ing about 10000 dollars IN specie on boar
on the 29th experienced violent gale
wind, in which the schooner was thrown upoa
her beam ends, and while in that situation
her fore mast went by the board-The gale
continuing with very little internnssion, Cap.
tain NJ concluded il most prudent to endeav.|
or TO make some port to the southwark, and
on the morning Of the second inst. fndingI
himself of 81, Sinons' harbor, and it still
blowing gale, he endeayored to run into
that place. but the vessel unfortunately struck
upon the North Breaker, and after betting
for about three hours, during which time she
knocked Off her rudder, She worked over, aid
imm ediateiy filled and sunk, in fathoms
water, and about eight miles from the near.
est shore. At this dreadful moment, when
inevitable death appeared to await them al
an attempt was made to launch the boat, bu,
she was drawn down in the whirlpool occa.
stoned by the sinking vessel. Mr.. Broad.
brooks saw his companions sinking around
him, but being good swimmer. he determin-
ell, notwithstanding the fury of the storm. 10
attempt to reach tie shore; Mrs. FLEMING,
a lady passenger, In the act OF sinking, caeghi
him by tine lapel of his Jacket, and would
inevitably have Carried him to the bottom
with her, had he not had the presence OF
mind to d.sengage himself. by tearing oil that
part of his Jacket to which she had fastened
herself; he saw her six beside him, her arm
extended above the water, with part OF his
Jacket fast clenched in her hand. Alter
swimming and drifting before the tide and
wind for about 10 miles, Mr.. B. landed upon
the marsh, nearly up to his middle III water
III which situation he remained through the
night, when he WIS fortunately relieved. Two
Negroes likewise saved themselves by swim.
ming, and reached the shore. The following
are the names OF those who persisted z In
number viz. captain John NJ. Merriam, form
criy OF the mouse CT Merriam < Perry, OF ih.
city, master of the vessel; Mrs. F!en,ming,
formerly OF Philadelphia, but who bad been
residing ct Nassau, where her husband had
lately died; having sold off her effects at ttat
place, she was returning to her friends at
Philadelphia; Mr.. Uriah Noah, native Of
Philadelphia, but who had resided for few
years past in this city, and was the SUPERIOR
so OF the Elizabcti-City Smith,
a native of Ireland, bnt lately a resident Of n.
Orleans, had about 1000 dollars in specie
with him; and three Negro Seamen, part o.!
the crew. The BODY of Mrs Flemn.iDg VS.
found in about four hours after being drowned
and buried on St. Simons' Island. A boat
had been sent to the wreck from che OF tie
y. States Gun-Boats, after tie gale. but NC
thing had been saved when Mr.. Broadbrcoks
came away. Mr.. B. got on to Savannah, in
the sioop Polly, captain Baker, from st. Nj
rvs. Capt. B. saw off St. Sinons' ship <
brig, which appeared to be in distress, as
they fired signal guns as far as he could bear
them; but the violence of the wind prevent
ed him from assisting them, or learning vh0
they were. Courier