Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1823-02-13
I.oSDox Nov &c.
nREAnFrL slllpWREcK.

pin. sailed from Qaebsc with a cary
OF timber, tor Gfeenock. on the 18th o
September last, With crew coasis,in,
oil nine persons. besides three passcn
gers. Early IN the morning ct the 6tl
OF October. she was oyeriaken by n yio
lent storm. which continued without in
PERMISSION during the dav towards sun
set the gale increased. and the vessel
became quite unmanageable. At two
| o'clock the following mornisg. a ire.
mendous sea broke over her. and swept
away three oi her best hands, with the
| companion pinnacle, q cable and boom.
and greatly damaged the hull all hands
were then called TO the pump but only
three were able to render aay assistance.
At 6 o'oclock, they fond the vessel to
he water logged--nothing then remained
but 10 endeayor to gain the main top,
which With immense difficulty they ac.
complIshed. carry with then, que bag of
bread, about eight pounds of cheese, two
dozen of wine. with small quantity
of brandy and rum. Before they had
time to secure themselves in their per.
lious situation. the vessel fell on her
beam ends !; but within half an hour the
patches blew up, and she again riehted.
Their scanty stores were now examined
when. to Z cir utter dismay. ali had been
washed away except the bag OF bread
At tais period a distressing scene occur
redin the midst OF their Affections, one
Of the passengers had bis wife on board,
and a child Is months old. which he
carried in his arms; the infant however
he was compelled to abandon to the mer-
CHESS waves. in the view Of its distract
ed mother ?--The malnsai was now let
down to screen them from the severity
Il the weather. which continued tenn
pestuous until Friday the 18th when
they were able once more to go upon
the deck. i'heir thirst had now become
excessive. and nothing but salt water TO
BE- procured. Having found the carpen-
ter's are. they cut hole in The deck
near To where water cask had been stow
ed but alas the cask had been stove,
and nothing was to be found either for
support or convenience, bat an empty |
pump can which they carried with them |
to the main-top This night the female |
passenger became insensible and neat |
day Saturday the l2th, she died. This
poor woman, whose name was Joice Rae
came With her husband from between
Belfast and Larne, in Ireland. The un.
happy survivors were now reduced by
raging thirst, to support nature by suck
ing the blood OF their deceased compsri-
ion. and shocking to relate, the m,sera.
bic husband was necesslated to partaks
oil the unnatural and horrid beverage
Their sufferings, however, met with lit
tie alley from this temporary but dread
ful relief; they were now assailed by the
most acute and ungosernable hunger
and to preserve existence were compelI-
ed to distribute the flesh Of the deeeas-
ed Among the furnishing survivors -
While IN the very acme of their suffer.
ings ship hove in view; but this loyful
sight was OF short duration for it beng
nearly dark they remained unperceiyed
by the vessel, which continued her own
course and was soon out Of their reach.
This fresh misfortune threw them into
greater despair than they had yet ex.
perienced From this time to the 23th
the following died : John Lamont a
boz John Mckay, carpenter; George J
Mcdowell, passenger; Collin Mckeeh-
me /; and the steward, Gilbert McGiiv-
ray. Part of the flesh Of these wretch
ed sufferers was also dey0ured like that
OF the woman. The whole number was
now reduced to the captain and one OF
tie seanen. who, by the help of the
maia-sall and the can already mention
ed, contrHcd to supply themselves with
water till the 18th of November, (hav
ing been SO days Oh the wreck when
they we're proyidentially discovered BY
captain Hudson, of the saltom, of Car
lse but they were yet fated TO suffer
another shipwreck though of minor inn
portance. Gin Tuesday, the 10Th in
slant, this vessel, whilst riding o.
beckfort, on the Cumberland coast. il
blowing gale, broke her chain cable,
when she drilted too near 10 Maybp-
rough and was considerably damaged
but all hands were saved, including the
two unfortunate sufferers, who arrived
at Amman on Wednesday evening last.
and what is very remarkable, apparent
ly in good health.
From 81 SalvGdor-Acoounts from st. Saliva
dor to the 9th of December, are sceenedhy the
schr: Union, which states that the place was
closely besriged, and, there was llstle doubt,
,ro,,ld ne oidioAd 10 surrenfer at discretion in