Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1825-03-03

or the loss of the u. >. schooner Ferret,
L.. Com. Charles II. Bell. The ihtor-
nations brought by Lieutenant Nc
Cauley, Of the Marine Corps, who arr
rived at New York on Saturday, in the
brig Zephyr, in eight days from Ma
tanzas, and was communicated IN hlm
by several officers OF the Ferret:
The Ferret sailed from NatanZas on
the morning 81 The 9TH instant, for Ha-
vana and Key West. When off the port
of Canocoe, (about 90 miles west of
Matapzas) at 8 P. NJ. was struck with
a white squall, and, although every ex-
ertion was made TO LET 90 the fore-sheet,
SC. she instantly cspsized. Orders were
Immediately given TO cut away the masts,
but, unfortunately, the axes were to lee
ward the lanyards of the wrigging were,
however, cut, and the smallest boat, be-
ing to windward, WAS cleared and brought
alongside. Acting Lieutenant Glynn,
Midshipman Alden, and two men, then
volunteered their services to proceed
to Canocoe to procure assistance. They
accordingly embarked in the small boat,
and, Mt the risk of their lives, succeed
ed and reached the port. They inform
ed the inhabitants of the situation of
the Ferret, but, not being able to pro-
cure assistance, Lieut. Glynn procured
a horse and guide, which were kindly
offered him, and proceeded to Matan-
zas, where he arrived at two o'clock in
the morning, and communicated the dis
tressing particulars to Lieutenant Com
mander MKeever, of the Gull who in
stantly directed Lieut.Engle to proceed
in the Jackall in search of the wreck.
He accordingly repaired on board, got
under weigh, ard, with much difficulty,
owingto a heavy ea,succeeded in reach
ing the wreck at half pastll o'clock,and
was fortunate enough to rescue all OF
the officers and crew, except five men,
who were drowned, and the vessel went
down shortly after. The Sea Gull also
got under weigh, as soon as the steam
could DO raised, followed The Jackali,
and received the ransoned persons,where
they receivedahe professional attentions
Of DR.. Dubarry. They we're all very
much exhausted. having been twenty
one hours ON the wreck, the greater part
of which tune she was nearly under wa
ter.
After The vessel eapsized, every mar
succeeded in gaining the weather side
of the side ofthe wreck, except the war
droom steward, (Jobn Gregory who
was asleep below, and consequently
drowned. AS it was expected that the
vessel would Immediately sink,exertions
were made to collect all the sweeps and
spars, as well as the boarding pixies,
to defend themselve. in case of getting
ashore; but, owing to the sea running so
high, they did not succeed. A raft was
construed, but was soon washed away.
About 5, A. NJ, the vessel began to set
tie very much, and they every moment
expected to go down. The foremost
shcrty after sent by board, which came
in contact with a rail, and the officers
and crew, who were all dashed to the
wreck, were in great danger of being
dashed to pieces. At daylight, the
wreck was fast drifting towards the land
Gan iron-bound coast and the unfortu-
nate sufferers had given up all hopes of
being saved. The officers, however,
themselves to keep up the spir-
its OF the crew, who behaved remarka-
blv well. As the wreck continued to
approach the shore, several of the men,
who were good swimmers, after flashing
the mainboom and foremost together,
made for the shore, at which moment
the Jackall hove in sight, when they re-
turned, and were rescued, as abovemen-
The crew of the Ferret consisted OF
FIVE officers aud % men together with a
sick gentleman, a passenger, bound to
Key West.
The following persons were lost
John Gregory, Peter Wheeling, and
George Gordon, ordinary seaman; Ste
phen O'Corner, landsman, and Joseph
Cambel, seaman.
Commodore PORTER was to sail in
the John Adams for the United States,
as soon rs the barSes returned Wnich
were on a cruise on the south side Of
Cuba. Captain WAaRINeToH had ar
rived at Key West, and taken command.
The Columbian armed schooner Cla-
IA had been captured by a Spanish mer-
chairman of 30 guns. The Captain of
the Clara supposing her to be an En-
glish man of war, boarding her with his
papers, where he was detained-they
had both arrived at Havana.
No piracies or depredations had been