Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-09-23

rative, although far short in description Of
what may be said ON the subject of our suf
terIngs. Forty seven men and boys de
serted when they got on shore from tn.
wreck, many of whom (from the report ii
the Canadians have since been found dead
in the snow. -f
g We sailed from Spithead on the S1st
March, and had a favorable passage to the
Banks of Newfoundland, where we met
with immense quantities of ice, thick fogs
and strong S. f. winds, the ice increasing
as we drew near the Gulf, and at length,
we we're frozen up ID hours near Cape
North, and the thermometer IS degrees
below the freezing point. When the ice
loosened- to permit the ship to move, all
sail was set, and we got her out; the frost
was frequently so intense as TO preclude
all possibility of working the ship ;-the
ropes were so enlarged by the ice, that the
sails which were not set were completely
frozen into solid body. On the eth we
had moderate weather, the frost was
considerably gone, and we entered the
Cult of st. Lawrence. On the 28th we
passed between Brion and Magdalen Isl
ands; on the 29th, sailed through quanti-
eASo vi hSltt lSts tilC SCd Ut lllC SuUle Ilille
appearing as one entire sheet, but not suf-
hcently strong to stop the ships way
We soon after saw the coast of Lower Ca
NADIA about Cape Rozeare, wind north.
g On the S0th we stood to the eastward
till the ship broke off to the southwark of
east; at p. NJ. we tackled and stood for
the Canada shore, at sunset laying a good
course to clear all the land, which was set
by the master and first lieutenant; the sup
posed distance or leagues; the weather
thick and cloudy, inclinable to snow and
very cold; the lead was kept going, the
master was ordered not to quit the deck,
and to make all the watch keep good look
out. At p. NJ. we sounded TO II faith
oms at hail past 8, while the line was pas
sing forward, the captain and first lieuten-
ant were looking at the chart, the ship 90
ing about four knots, when she was felt to
strike the rocks, the atmosphere extremely
dark and snOwing-The helm was imme-
dlately put down, and the sails thrown a
back she came to about two points, and
remained fast 4; the boats were Immediate
ly lowered down and the stream anchor Ia
ken out, on the starboard quarter, and let
60 in six fathoms, which was effected with
great difficulty, owing to current (un-
known to us) setting in from the southeast.
We cut away the bower anchors and
threw the foremost ones overheard, there
being thiee and half fathoms aft. On our
heaving round we found the anchor did
not hold. the wind too increasing from the
north with heavy snow, and extremely
cold.
"The crew, with great difficulty and
exertion OF the officers, were kept at the
necessary works some of them actually
got into their hammOcks! The topmasts
were now got over the side, and six pigs of
ballast at their heel, to keep the ship up
right if possible, but the motion was so vio-
lent the lashings were soon carried away.
Great hopes, however, were entertained of
getting the ship off in the morning, had the
sea kept down, but unfortunately it in
creased fast by IL at night she was strik-
ing very heavy, and making water rapidly.
Provisions were ordered to be got up, but
before daylight the water was in the lower
deck. All hopes saving the ship being
now given up, the masts were cut away to
ease her, they fell in shore, which prevent
ed the hull from heeling out. The master
was now sent away in the cutter, with
small hawser to make fast to the shore, if
possible, but the surf was so great, and it
breaking over large ridges Of rocks, the
boat was swamped and stove long before
she got near the shore, and the crew with
great difficulty were saved. Three sue
cessive attempts were made with the other
boats, one of (which was the life boat,in which
the purser was sent with the public des-
patches which were saved AS none of tile
boats returned, the prospect Of those on
board became very alarming; the ship by
this tune May the lstl striking very heavy,
twas impossible to stand on the deck the
quarter deck beams were giving way. and
the sea was breaking into the Captains ca
bin, which destroyed the few bags of bread
that were slowed there for safety. The
pinnace being the only boat alongside. g.
in great danger ofLcing stove, the captain
was advised to 90 in her: he appeared
much exhausted and fatigued, and appar-
emily unable to assist himselfinto the boat,
from severe rheumatic pains. He was low
cred out OF one of the quarter ports, & with
as many men as she could safely carry. |
took another rope to try and reach the
shore but she had scarcely cleared the
lee OF the ship, when a sea half filed her
the next sea threw her upon a rock, when
all was thrown out of her but with the
assistance OF OARS, and by SWIMMING,
they ALL GOT TO THE SHORE the suoV to