The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1822-08-14
SHIPWRECK

The Quebec papers contain a letter
from 81. Johns, Newfoundland, giving a
cIrcumtantial detail of the loss of II. b.
M. brig Drake, on the Esd June last. off
Cape Race, which has alread been no,
ticed in this paper. 1t appears from this
account that afte. the brig got among the
breakers "she Immediately fell broad.
side in, the sea beating completely over
her; the masts were Immediately cut
away, with the view of Tightening the YES.
sell as well as affording, bridge to save
the crew, but without success in either
point, tor IN few moments she bilped
at which time there did not appear the
slightest hope of saving a man. The cut.
terSawas launched over the eanpway. bu,
Immediately sunk a man attempted with
The lead line 10 swim on shore, but the
current setting strong to the northward,
he was nearly drowned in the ATTEMPT
ne only hope remained 10 the gig, 1.-THE
Jolly boat having been washed away,)
which was launched from the forecastie
win the boatswain and lead line, heavy
SURF washed her upon rock not commu.
nlcatlng with the main, and was dashed
to pieces and the line carried awav. bu,
me ooa'swain succeeded in scrarnbline
up the rock with few fathoms of the
line; the sea at this moment making
heavy breaches over the ship, the crew
were on the iorecastle hanging by ropes,
and each succeeding wave appearing to
bring with it total destruction. when a
tremendous sea lifted her quarter over
the rock on which she first struck. and
close TO another comparative shelter.
The torecastle, hitherto the most shell.
tered part OF the ship, was now abandon
ed tor the rock. and all hope Of the YES
sci being gone, it was determined, if pos
slble, to quit her. The people seyerally
stepped from the poop to the rock, in
attempting which few (among which
was Lieut. Stanly) were washed away,
and dashed with tremendous force, a.
gainst the wreck. Captain Baker, after
seeing the whole Of the crew on the rock
followed, but it was now found that the
rock was insulated, and that the rising
ide would cover 1.-THE boatswain OBJ
serving this. swan with the piece of line
IN his possess:on--and in spite of the
surf, succeeded in reachiDgit; and CO.
ming opposite 10 the rock on which we
were, threw the line across; it was found
just long enough for one to hold It on the
main and one Oh the rock, at arms Il!
lengthy by this trifiing assistance. ii out
of SO, who landed on the rock, succeeded
IN gaining the main, and it is probable all |
would, had not man and a woman al.
tempted to cross together, which took
the line out of the mans hands on the
rock, and in the attempt to get it back, it |
was washed away. Capt Baker was re-
pcatedly requested to cross, but every
time resolulely refused and throughout |
the whole unfortunate occurrence, to save
the lives Of the crew appeared to be his |
principal object, regardless Of his own
Every instant the water rose and surf in |
creased, when the officers and ships crew
used every endeavor by tying handker
chiefs together, to- make another hold
fast. but proving TOO short, we were soon
after reluctantly compelled 10 abandon
them to their fate--aDd at day.break |
there was not the slightest trace Of the
unfortunate sufferers