The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1816-11-06
foreign.
LOSS or The FRENCH FRIGATE
MED USA.

PARIS, SEPT. ls.--On the I'd OF July, the
French irgate Medusa was wrecked near
Cape Blancc, On the coast Of Africa, l2 or IS
league, from the land. Many Of the officers
and seaman embarked in The boats 'apd the
residue, i47, were placed on a rsfi, The Of
hcer, 10 the boa, promised 10 tow it to The
shore. On the s,h of July they left the
wrcck.-On the raft there were 5 BARRELS OF
wine, ot water and 90 VT of biscuit.
Seine Of those persons on the ruff were up TO
their middle in water. They expected TO
gain Tho land in less than :hree days. But
Immediately after leaving the ship, the tow
C,s.e was cut, and the boals abandoned the
ratt.--The night following 90 persons were
lost from The raft, or pressed TO death between
rs divisions. The second night several per-
sons were washed off from the ex,remi,ies
Of the raft, and the survivors crowded to the
centre overlhrowing one another. Al length
the soldiers got al the wine and intoxicated
themselves. ln this state they manifested a
disposition 10 destroy their officers, and TO
break up tho raft by cutting Nc ropes which
bound it. One OF them who began 10 cut
with Ratchet Wa, killed by an eficer. The
reyoltcrs drew their ssbres, and those who
had n6nc armed themselves with knives.
One Of them raised his sword against an off.
Ger, and was instantly put to death. Tire
seditious then Withdrew TO one end OF the
raft. One ieigning to be rcposing had alrea-
dy cut some OF the ropes.--Tbe officers
rushed upon him. A soldier assumed his
his defence. They were both thrown into
the sea. The combat became general. The
mast broke end in falling wounded captain
Dupont so that he remained insensible. He
was seized by the soldiers and thrown over
board. Bu,reeovered again. But mutt
neer sGerwal ds cndosvored to cut out his
eyes with . psnknife. After a desperate
Struggle this mutiDy appeared suppressed,
but 1t broke out again in an hour, and very
soon the raft was strewed with their bodies.
There was net more than - or IS chiefs
and passengers TO resist all their fury. AT
last day light came, TO shew the scene Of hor
ror. a great number OF the solutions had
thrown the emsclves overheard. Sky or sixty
five men had perished during the night.
A fourth part of whom had drovncd them.
selves 10 despsir. On our side we had lost
but two. The rebels had thrown bbls Of
wine into the sea, and all our water. There
now remained only one cask of wine,
snd there were yet 81 men. We were obig-
ed to resort to extreme means to maintain
existence. Those whom death had spared
in the disastrous night ,hrcw themselves
greedily on the bodies which covered The raft,
and cut pieces from them, which some de.
devoured Immediately. The Al Morning
a1cr leaving tho wreck shew 10 OF IL more
persons dead on the rsft.-These vae com.
miiled to the deep, onIy one was reserved
for food. Towards evening the survivors
caught upwards Of 500 flying fish. A fire
was made, the FISH and some human flesh was
eseked. A new mu,iny was attempted this
night; but the leader, Spaniard, was thrown
into the see, and order restored.
On the ,norning OF the e,h day, it was
found that only so persons remained. These
who survived were in mos, deplorsble state.
Their feet wete swel.sd aud they were COW
cred with wounds and bruises, which com.
PEELED them AZ times to utter ,hc most f>ight-