Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-04-25
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i.i!""lng account OF the loss OF that valuable
ship:-
Tie ship Governor Strong, under my COM
mGnd, sailed from l'ortsmoutii, England, on the
18th OF iaunary 1917, in excellent trim and
condition, bound to Canton. On TIE 9th of
February, wind east and weather hazy, ran
for, and at p. NJ. made the Island ,one OF
the Cape-de-Nerds; il beirs intention to go
through the channel lstween Mayo and st.
JaSo, aud, II good opportunity offered, to fill
up my water casks at Port Drava LII order To
have n short and shore run. lowered under t,e
lee of Sal Till six O'Clock. Bird Island near tue
west side OF Sal, then bore T.. ). L. about three
miles distant. / directed such courses us
would head the ship well to ieevarl Of Ieton
Rock, y enter the above channel bout midway
between Mayo and st. Ja@O, incliDi'- n little
towards Mayo, il being to wiudward * l had
exiericnced the current to set south westerly
Ine breeze was Just sufficient 10 carry all sail
rent setting TO lesward. At midnight, sail was
rcdGced-the wind about the sane ti6e yeer-
ell 20 Z. n. z. and the haze had cleared cun,i-
derably away. Ats, "A. NJ. sail was further re-
duceG By hauling Up The courses, lowering and
slightly tnflng The niizen, IS bracing The main
top-sai sharp i.y, roHncilg the velocity to the
rate otf've miles per hour. had been walk
ing the deck trom = O'Clock oxccpt a few min,
cteS whilst mErSins OH the ships place: and
Though every allowance was made tor devia
iiOn, her situation appeared to be Gar from dan
gerous. itwaS my intention at four O'Clock TO
lay her head to the nortl,ward and DELAY tn
on ~ or before o. The moon had been up from
raft an hour after midnight, and shone bright
except AT times when her RAYS were nierceD-
ted by flying clouds. At 4. land ami break ers
instantly and lay upon the starboar,l, or oppo
safe tack, within points OF the track which led
her on soing at tie rate OF ). or > knots. |
had not ans doubt but the land and breakers
we're ahoUi the north part of Mayo; 5ut L was
ont al al calculation that the ship should he so
TAR To the eastward as ~ he in daiigerwith a n
D. ". course. ! WAS therefore perfectly easy
after wearing. when at ten minutes past 1 she
Struck the greunl-frst gently, and instantly
harder.-Ihe wind had increased and the sea
risen, SO that breakers which did not show
themselves few minutes before, were now
seen on bo II bows. The ship striking freuueut
andhari, WAS soon fatally convinced Size WAS
entang.ed ina labyrinth f'oin wlil;'ll o human
ski or eXerticn could extricate her. She soon
lOst her WAY by being, rs IL were, wedged among
the rocks-nearly still at short Intervals but i'm
general beating, wallowing and grinding. with
such vlolonce that teare,. She would 90 to
pieces before any of the valuable property
conid be placed above water mark.
! directed the specie to be g0t up Immediate
~, and whilst the first officer. who was very ac
uHe, with part OF the crew were engaged OF
mat important service, "a boat was lowered from
me starDoard quarter, with the boltSwoI All
three C.hCrs in her. TO sound round The slin-
a current OF two knots setting T. s. T. car
red the boat clear of thcsea which was break
ing over and she was conducted into 3 faith
oias =, 30 tathomS W. by S. and two fathOms
:. " the same distance. The boat in cam
ing along side, was shattered 70 pieces s. two
on the men narrow y escaped drowning. The
boat vas then veered astern, and lav well clear
OF the starboard quarter, b. the strength OF the
current. A little wine was now given to each
man, and strong remonstrance against the
use OF quors, except when given them for re.
lteShmcbt Encouragement was held out TO
mem Tor eNeruon, ard the danger tGev were in
OF losing life pointed out in case of relaxation
D q r Ipl 81,
cabin floor; and whilst the other boats with G.
very possible safeguard we're preparing, a good
breakfast was ready, and, as nOnristment
strengthens both body and mind, every man
was III condition toperform bis task iiV the
time daylight gave chance to act delibera te-
~ The ship bilged at half past ,, and Gllea
nearly up TO ihe lower deck. The long boat
about o'cloCl. was suspended aionesi lie nearly
tie height of the rail- small anchor aud
warp were put in her 10 moor by, and one end
OF another line made fast to her, the other eud
beng isss Z 10 the ship as lauiiDg liue. Some
provisions were also put in her. The second
officer and four men were then placed in her
with orders to pull quick into ttlIoms * iet
go tile ancn0r, and there waitfor further orders
\ SMOOTH interval was watched and The i0n-
boat got safe 10 her mornings. The shattered
boat was then lois!ed in and lhe carpeiiter with
me assistance OF one man employed repairing
tier. The stern boat was lowered and safely
suspended by the same tackles which held The
long boat, between the fore and mizeu rigging
sides, and in at thest of the ship, and no
boat could lay alongside for ten seconds the
smooth intervals beng very sUri The boat
was teen loaded WITH specie, provisions, and
some cioaiisug. The crew were directed 10
send some of fheir cloths each turn. a slnsa 9th
time was watched. kneeand Curtis, the boat
swain, very faithful active man, and four
others were lowered ~ her. She rot safe 10
the long boat, WAS ulloaGcd and returned
ne same process Was reported SX tiues--
ihe hauling line was calCUiSied for doubie
purpose. ~ every man ia the passing boat
could get hold off had shC been Overwhelmed,
(Which was often nearly i'ic case Tile men
might have saved themselves By Hauling either
Ia The shipor long boat. "A casl Of water had
with olincuity beenhDlsied ont Of the hold, {,
some Kegs filed from It, which were also seat
to the long boat The i0th, bv / o'clock T.
NJ. the long boat was sufficiently deep 4 III she
specie and many other necessary articles were
on board oi her. The passing beat was 30 much
shattered, that considered il dangerous TO LEI
her come again My instruments and some
charts were sent in the last boat, together with
thfee cOmrasses and some arms i directed
the boaiswain to keep her about half way be
tween the slip AID ION; boat till lie saw us all
clear OF the wreck. The quarter boat BY this |
time was partially repaired and suspended the
same as the other bOats.-Ihe masts, which
had heen the oaiy means 81 saving 80 much,
Were tOttcrinr and feared annoyance from the
top mas Is had they been cut away.
W. mind had been so much occupied in the
method ofsaving the lives Of The crew aud Sc
CURING The treasure, that, with the exception OF
instruments, cliarts aud papers, nv own pro
perry never gave me moments thought |
am indebted to the fidelity, vigilance and aCti-
witty of Henry Clarke. WHO has been many
years steward with me. for saving the principal
part Of my clothes. He, aftcrthe specie Was
all safe to the long boat, had many Ct Try artI-
Clcs ready for The remaining DOat.--Jhe day
was far advanced. | considered it dangerous