The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1816-10-30
FOREIGN NEWS.
PARIS, Sept 10.
Lose orMe French jtgate Medusa.

Medusa was wrecked near cape blant,
on The coast of Africa, IL or S leagues
from land. Many OF the officers anu.
seamen embarked in the boats, and the
residue, l47, were placed on raft, the
officers in the boats promising 10 tow it
to the shore. On the s,h of July, they
left the wreck On the raft there were
barrels OF wine. 2 OF water, anc 60
wt. Of biscuit Some CT the persons o..
the raft were up TO their middle H. wa
ter. They expected TO gain the land in
less than three days. But Immediately
alter leaving The ship, the tow.cabls
was cut, and the boats abandoned the
rat The night following, 20 persons
were lost from the raft. or were press
| ed to death between its divisions, Inc
second night several persons were
washed off from the eXtre mites OF the
| raft, and tbs survivors crowded 10 The
| centre. overthrowing one another At
length the soldiers ..ot al the wine aud
intoxicated themselves. In this state
! they manifested disposition 10 dasiroy
heir ofiicers, and 10 break up the rali
by cutting the ropes which bound it,
| One of them, who began 10 cut with a
hatche;, was killed by on officer. The
revoiteis drew their s.bres, and those
who had none, armed themselves with
knives. One OF them raised his sword
! against an officer, and vas Instantly put
| 10 death. The seGi,ious Then withdrew
TO one end Of the raft. O..e .ciSUing TO
be reposiDg, had already cot some OF
the ropes. The officers rushed upon
ti:l; I: soldier assumed lis defence :
they were boh thrown into the sch -
The combat became general. Tho mas;
broke, and in falling wounded Captain
| Dupont SO that I've remained insensible.
He was seized by the soldiers ant
| thrown overheard. He recovered a
gain and a mu,ineer afterwards en-
deavo'ed 10 Gu: ont his eyes with pen
| knife, after a desperate Struggle this
nutiny appeared suppressed, but ii
broke OF, again in al hour and very
| soon Tie rait was s,fGwed with their
| bodies. There were no. more than ~
or IS chiefs and passengers to resist ali
! their fury,
At lest daylight came, to show a
scene ot horror. a great number OF
tue seditioCs had thrown themselves o.
yerboard. 20 or Is men had perishec
| nur!ng the night; fourth part oil whom
had drowned themselves In despair
| On our side We had lost but two. The
rebels haL thrown barrels of wine in.
/ 10 the sea, and all our wafer. There
now remained only Que cask OF wine,
and there were yet 81 men We were
! obliged 10 resort 10 extreme means TO
maintain existence. Those whom death
had spared in inc disastrous night,
threw themselves greediiy on the DO
dies which covered the raft. and cut
| pieces lrom them, which some GevCur
ed immediately, i he 9Th morning all
ter leaving the wreck, 10 OF IL more
| persons were seen dead on the raft -
These were committed TO the deep,eX
cept one, who was reserved tor !Cod.
| towards evening The survivors caught
upwards OF 200 aying fish. A FIRE was
made, end the fish and some human
| flesh was cooked. 4 new mutiny was
attempted this night out the leader, a
Spauiord, was thrown mo the sea, and
order restored.
On the morning Of the 6th day, Il was
| found that only 30 persons emained.--
| Those who survived were in most de-
| plorabie slate. 1'hcir ieet were swell
ed, and they we're covered with wounds
and bruises, which compelled them at
| lines 10 utter The most irightful cries.
There only remained WING for & day
I and hardly a dozen Esh. Two soldiers
| bored the wine cask behind, and drank
| ill discovered Il law had been made
That such conduct should be punished
| with death, and they were immediately
| thrown overheard
| Thus we were but %; OF these only
Is appeared likely TO exist number OF
| days. he other Is were covered with
wounds and hal lost their rtasoni yet
they consumed our wine and fish. A
council was held, end 1t was agreed to
throw them into the sea, which was
done, and secured fOr the survivors six
days OF provisions. On the Atb Gay af-
forwards, these 5 were saved by the
French brig Argus.
The Medusa was conveying TO Sene-
gal the new French Governor. The
boats Of the ship reached the shore
The Governor was on board one of
| them,
They had on the raft no means of ri.
wing itprogtess. Ii went as the winds
and waves carried it.