Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1823-05-27
Loss OF THE ALERT PACKET.

LONDON, April j The following paisr,Hv ;utcv
esnnS particulars oi rus most melancholy catastro-
phe hTe derived from the oral relation Of one of the
cabn passengers, respectable tradesnian in Live,
pool who was fortunately saved. The account thus
uraWn up was published IN the Liverpool Courier,
OF nruhesnay i'St II rs y mOurunful detail
We sailed from The Pigeon house, Dublin, at
HALL past eight O'clock ON Tuesday evening
lhere were, as neally as can Judge, about fifteen
passengers, including myself, IN The cabin Among
them were three ladies, one of whom, had an ;nfani
about eleven months old with her The appea,nnre
0i the cabin passengers most respectable We
hal favorable breeze through the night AVID made
me welsh coast early ~ the morning. Abont ten
o'clock however, Gas have since undPrstood1 the
breeze died away, aud the packet was driven Nv the
nrce OF the current, towards the West Mouse rock
Capt Morgan Immediately ordered The boat ahead
~ me wv confidence that II would succeedin towing
the packet out OF danger. But in this he was nm.
happily disappointed, the unfortunate vessel being
uYeh by The strength Of the ide on the fatal rock
" was about half past ten o'clock when she struck
was ~ my birth, IN the cabin, NJ the moment The
shock, though not very violent was sufficient 10 rouse
me. started up instantly, and found the passen-
gers IN the cabin in state Of confusion returned
TO the cAbin, and discovered, with feelings not 10 he
described, that the water, had, in the mean time
made its way into il. The confusion and alarm
among the passengers increased with the increasing
danger. i I've ladies were screaming with alright
anu even The gentlemen we're alarmed at the inimi
nency OF the danger which threatened them. I i'm
medmtely quilted this of horror, and making
my way upon deck, ran up The shrouds st this
moment the water had risen 10 considerable heiyEt
in the hold, and baffled every exerfinn which was
made toy the passengers and such nj the crew as re-
mained on board, To bale il out now saw for the
hrsi time, The boat ahead, Short distance from the
extremity OF the bOwsprt, with several Of the pack
cts crew ~ II. ! came down the shTouds and max
ing my way towards the bowspfit, endeavoured 10
gel INTO tie boat ] was, however, prevented by
some persons belonging TO The packet around me
who stated, that IL we're allowed To get into the
boat, there would be general rush towards H. 6y
which means IL would run the risk Of being swamp.
I'd, and thus cot % The only chance Of any person
being saved. DE etmIued however, 20 renew the
attempt At y favourable moment, remained conceal
Ell IN the fore part Of The vessel.
E~pying my opportunity when the boat WAS y yard
mr. two from the extremity Of the hOwsprit aud when
had seen the last seaman get into H. ran along the
bowsprii, bot 20 attempting 10 get Into The boat ]
unfortunately fell into the sea 7 was taken np Nv
one OF the crew, who pulled into the boat, being
me FIRST passenger who was received into IL. Al
is mOment several passengers made their way along
The bOwspri IN endeayor 10 get intu the boat some
Of whom succeeded in gaining IT, whilst others fell
Into the wafer, and were drowned. The boat sGu
remained q short distance from tic howspTii Of the
vessel, those already on board deening unsafe to
come too near, Tor fear Of y rush being made by the
crowd left on board the packet, 10 get IN. The
Captain next made attempt TO reach the boat, 10y
slunging into the from the bowspri and swim.
ming towards u. rope thrown towards him
by QUO OF his crew, which he 50 fortunate ~ 10
gasp, and was pulled into tie boat As soon ne he
caught hold o. ibe fopc several unfortunate passsp