Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-09-10

zen TO eleven knots an hour till, A. Nj l,
when. as expected to be, we were in 70
tathoms water. Our estimated distance
from Cape Ann 60 miles. At4A NJ. while
~ the act of preparing for sounding again,
tue lookouts forward announced breakers l.
ahead, and ina moment after the hip struck |
upon rock gong ten aud a half knots.-l
believing 1t impossible she could bear such
shock, the prisoners were FIRST released from
their confinement below, that they might
nave chance to save their lives in COM
u.on with ourselves upon the rocky shore,
winch was now visible about 80 yards dis.
'ah.. YIN sounding the pumps No unusual
quantity OF water was at first discovered. &
all sails were laid absck, In hope of forcing
the snip Oft. II was, however, discovered in
a lew minutes she was leaking so fast that it /
vas deemed proper to re main on he rock !
until daylight. We accordingly furied the |
iignt salls, and clewed up courses and top,
sails. Day 5000 enabled US to distinguish |
OBJECTS through the fog at2 or hundred
yards distance, and TO ascertain the hone
iessness OF saving the ship. Her cutwater
was entire,y destroyed below the foot
mark the depth of water under her fore
foot between and 6 feet, forward Of the
starboaTd main chains 10 feet, astern fa-
thoms into which the ship from the s;tuati
on OF her bows was depressed below her
stern ports. The wind fresh and number
OF rocks just to leeward--a considerable surf
From the small portion Of land thai was vi.
sole, Il was generally believed to be the
hubble OF Cape Neddcck, not far from
rortsmputh. Hoisted out our boats, sent the
s'nah ones 10 seek place where landing
might be most safely effected. In the mean
time engaged gst,iRg our sick into the lar
| ger boats, with their bedding. clothes. and
provisions ready for landing. The boats
soon returned, having fortunately discovered
a small chasm in the rock capable Of sda,it-
ung a Doat, and a ravine connected with II.
IN winch the sick eiight be sheltered in some
negree from the weather. Having secured
the safety ofthe sick. it was determined from
motives OF humanity to send the prisoners
| next, with every thing belonging to them.
ana wi,h sails, tarpaulins and medicines for.
the further comfort of the sick. A surgeons
maze was also sent, and the charge of the
whoie Committed to the Purser, Mr.. Rod
gers. knowing it to be near low water
when the SHIP struck, I determined to make
every effort with the remaining porica al
our crew, 60 get her off when the tide
T. should rise. though with little hope that
sue Could be kept long above water, as we
nad ascertained the leak to be about feet
ar hour. Our only kedge had been earlr
'aia Out oc our weather quarter to keep her
as nearly in the same position as possible
and our only heavy ancher was now let 90
rom the waist TO prevent her swinging into
very deep water should she go of, aud to
Keep hcr from the rocks and reefs to lee \
waru' should she float. At 10 A. M il be-
came evident that the tide would light her
ON iuried the topsais and light squaresails;
carried the kedge out from the bow Two ca,
oies lengths Oft shore. and continued to send
| such artlcles ont of the ship as we could most
cosSnlenty spare in case of floating. Alter
some heavy strains, at half past ten the surf
iIsed her oil, and she swung to her anchor.
Manned all the pumps and found we could
gam upon her. The food tide being nearly
uone,N was necessary TO get under way in.
4 10 reap .ie advantages OF MS We ..
incl carre eat, tiie rocks astern and to lee
ward not being half the ships length dis
fant- Hove up, canted her off shore with
the kedge and head sails, setthe courses and
all her fore and aft salts, and fortunately
passed from 10 to SO yards to windwa,d Of
me rocks and reefs which extended about
5'4 OF annie from the land. BY the utmost
exertions we kept the ship free, and by four
O'CLOCK got her under topsails and clear from
the land. All hands were employed at the
pumps and sails during the night, in the
hope OF being able TO reach Portland the ne xt
day. 49, "S'
At day light the weather was clear and
you may judge our surprize at discovering
our ourselves near the Island Of Mount ne
sart. This discovery excited the yrea feet
anxiety for the fate Of our conipgnions.
Many OF the Islands in the vicinity were mn
inhaelte 1--we were ignorant on which thew |
were and they were probably exposed TO
all the inclemencies of the weather. while
suffering the pain OF that dreadful disc se
the scnryy. ] soon fell in with two fishing
boats, both OF which i dispatched in search
ottnem, and then used every possible dill. |
gence to get into Penobscot BAY, which we
fortunately effected during the night and !
had the happiness to near the next morn;pg |
that our sick companions had all been safe.
~ conveyed to Camden with the execution
OF one who had expired. Ny first Intention
was to have stopped at Castine, but was in |
ucedto proceed 10 this place, as one much
better calculated fora vessel in our situati |
on. The extent Of the injury which she has |
received cannot yet be known. Our puunns
are continually in motion. Ihave procured
A h, ship, and shall take every thing ont
Of her and then lay her on shore, as the only
means of ascertaiuing her damages at This |
place. cannot conclude this Communities |
ton Without recommending in the st. oneos,
terms the uncommon good conduct 81, = ths- |
ctl:eess, seatnen and marines oil this shin on |
this occasion. Never we're MY orders exc.
cu'ed with more prcmptiade or less confu |
sion. Their Goodness during the time the
ship was upon aid among the rocks, could |
only be surpassed BY their cheerful endur |
ahce OF unremitted and the most fatiguine
labor since Nothing but the former cou,d |
have reeCiIcd hor her .or,t
ON, and but for the latter she would have been |
re scued in vain tlf