Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1816-10-29
PAIRS, Sept. Is.
Loss OF THE FRENCH FRIGAIR
hfEDJSA.

Loss OF THE FRENCH FRIGAIR.
kiEDUSA.
On the Sd Of July the French ffigate
|Medusa was wrecked near Cape Blanc,
lon the coast OF Africa. 1 2 or Is leagues
from the land. Many of the officers and
|seamen embarked in the boats, and the
residue. l47, were placed on a raft, the
officers in the boats promising TO tow i.
Ito the shore. On the 5th of july they
left the wreck. On the raft there ere
S barrels Of wine. of water. and 90 w.t.
of biscuit. Some of those persons on the
Trait we're up TO their middle in water.
They expected 10 gain the land in less
than three days Bnt Immediately after
leaving the ship the tow cable was cut,
and the boats abandoned the raft. The
might following 90 persons were lost
from the raft or aere pressed to sath be.
tween its divisions. The second night
|severaI persons were washed of from the
lextremities of the raft, and the Survivors
crowded to the centre ogerthrowiEg one
another. At length the soldiers got at
1.-THE wine and intoxicated themselves, In.
this state they mauife>! ed a,dispositiOn
ITO destroy their oaicers. AVID 10 break up
i,he raft b. cutting the ropes which bound
lit. One of them, who began to cut with
Ia Ratchet, was killed by an officer. The
reyolters drew their sabres, and those who
had none, armed themsclvs, with knives.
|One of them raised his sword against an
officer. and was instantly put 10 death.
The se1itious then Withdrew to one end
of the raft One feigning to be reposing
had already cut some Of the ropes. Tbs
|otficers rushed upon him. A suldier as
launed his defeuce. They were both
|tarown into the sea. The combat became
general. The mast broke, and in laihaS
wounded captain Dapo9t so that he re-
manned insensibie. lie was seized BY
the soldiers ard thrown serboard, but
recovered again. But a a,niiEesr after
wards endeaYored 20 cut out bis sye'
WITH a penknite. After Desperate
struggle this mu!iny appeared suppress,
ed, but it broke ont again in an honr, ana
very 500: the raft WAS .treS?ed with tier
bodies. There were not more than -
or IS chiefs and passengers to resist all
their fury.
Atlast Wight came, to shew scene
of horror. A great nur.5er Of the sen
tious had THROWN themselves c'erboat'.
go or IS men had persisted during the
night. A fourth part Of whom lad drown.
ed themselves in despair, On eur see
we had lost bat two. !hc rebels laa
threwn bbls OF vine into thc seq, ana
all cur water. There nca ychlalEcd &C.
ly one cask Of wine, an;. theic v:re get
67 men. We we,ea5lised =, resort "
extreme means toS mainr,in existence
those whom death ~, spared in this dr.
astsrous pisht tr";ev themselves slcedi!y
on the bodies which covered the raft, aid
cut pieces from t5seai. which some ds'
you, cd Immediately. he 9Th Eso'.ps
after leaving tie wracs, Stew u OF i
more persons dead onthe ra't lhese
were committed 10 tbe deep. Oily che
was reserved fei tool. Topa.is evening
the survivors caught NV ards Ct sto n.y.
ing fish. \ fise WIS ln.,.s, the fish a'V
some human gesh was cidSed, A new
mutiny was Attempted this night; int
the leader Spaniaid. was drown ih''
the sea and order, restosel:.
On the ms,niDg ofiae 9th Gay. It ~as
found that only thirty persous remalsea'
These who surYiyea wetc IL a most depfa,
rabie state. Their tset 2eic swelled, aha
they were covered with wounds anu
bruises. WHICH compelled item 1t tines
to utter the most !right.ul cries. heIe
ouly rema nei wing loi 4 days and iafa.
y a dozen fish. Two soldiers borea t''0
wine cask nenind, ana crank till alacI
pered. n law had bevn made thai saSA
conduct should be punished with dea'h
lnd they were immediately thrown ose'- :
,oafd,.
ihgs We were but 90 /; Of these. CRY