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

A"e Johy oodt nelnp on tne DOOmS
could not be launched about forty of the
crew were still on board and when they
saw all hopes of being saved cut off, by
the boats being all swamped on shore they
made most la,hentable cries. We had
still hopes OF some of them being saved,
by getung on shore on pieces of the wreck,
which some attempted but persisted :.our
prospectson shore were truly miserable
nothing to be seen but high mountains, CO.
vered with snow. Some hands were en-
ployed collecting wood 60 endeayour TO
make "a nre, which was accomplished after
some hours perseverance the consequent
ces must have been fatal had we not sue
ceeded, as the clothes on our backs were
actually freezing. Many of the men were
frost bitten Sc Tie feet and hands, some
have lost their toes, and ten have been iii
consequence left at the hospital at Quebec.
A party was employed in making tents
with branches OF trees and wet blankets
Others looking for provisions sEbout sixty
pieces of pork were found, and that, with
melted snow, was the only meat aud drink
to be obtained. Several cases Of wine,
whlch>were slowed in the ward room, be-
longing to Maj. General COnran, were
driven ON shore, which some of the crew
found, and they drank to such excess that
they were discovered almost frozen to
death.
{: The whole of that day we were truly
miserable /; the cries of the poor sufferers
on the wreck were beyond description,
and when night approached it was still
more dreadful they were often heard to
to call the captain and the several officers
by name. to send them assistance which
am sorry to say, it was not in human
power to give. Abont IL P. M. three tre+
mendous crashes and loud screams were
heard, and shortly after all was silent at
daylight the ship was observed to be in
three separate pieces. and all On board pc
rished, except David Bruce, 5eaman. who
with great difficulty, got on shore almost
lifeless. The wreck appeared one entire
body OF ice, so severe was the frost that
night nothing but very large fires saved
us from perishing, having no dry clothes
on. The ship heeling up, the spirits float
ed on shore, which the crew soon found,
and before the officers knew it, there was
scarcely sober man to be seen : many
had drank to such a degree that they laid
lifeless ON the snow. All the rum that
could be found was stove, preserving q
sufficient quantity to be used in proper
manner.
g On the next day about 48 men desert.
ed, after plundering SHINE of their Ship
mates and every trunk that was washed
on shore. Some of the men have since
been f0nnd dead by the Canadians. With
the remaining part of the crew the boats
were hauled up, which we began to repair
in the best way we could sails were made
from lower and tupmast studding sail,
which were fortunately drove on shore a
cask of flour was also found. a part Of
which was made into dough, and every
preparation was making to proceed to
Quebec. On the third dav Canadian
boat was passing when the Captain order
ed her to be detained they informed me
Ofthree transports laying in Gaspee bay,
and the captain determined to proceed to
that port. With the assistance of the
cooking utensils found in the Canadian
boat, all the pork that could be found was
cooked, and served out to the different
boats, which was very short allowance for
two days.
" On the sixth day of our misery 1.-THE
weather moderately the boats were launch
ed, and all hands embarked. 6S persons In
all, including two women the wind was
favourable, but light with rowing and
sailing we got to Great FOx-river that
night, where we were Hospitality enter
tanned with potatoes and salt at Cana
dams hut. Next morning we sailed for
Gaspee-Bay, and reached Douglas town in
the evening. The captain and officero
were accommodated at Mr.. Johnston's,
and the crew lodged in different huts about
the place. After three DAYS rest, we walk
ed nine miles over the ice, to where Il G
transports lay, leaving the sick at Doug
las town, The captain hoisteG his remnant
on board the Arm transport, and nut a
lieutenant in each of the others. and am
equal number of men when the ice broke
up, which was seven days after we cot on
board, we dropped down to Douglas town,
and embarked the sick, one of whom had
died, and two deserted. The next morn.
ing we sailed for Quebec, where we arriy-
ed on the 23d, many Of Us not having a
change of clothes of any description. Sc
venteen Of the crew that deserted rot on
board the three transports at Gaspec, but
hearing Of the captains arrival at Douglas
town, they set off again IN equal number
had returned TO the wreck, and it was eur,
rently reported that fifteen of them we're
found dead on the snow buried by the Ca