The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1831-12-14
From the .Yeso York Commercial .fdpert iser
WRECK OF TIE CHARLESTON PACK.


HlSENk Ot' It1fs tON HAl,K-l
EFT PRESIDENT.
Thu wrock of the ship President Cspta;n
Wilson, on the east branch OF the Romcr
breakers, on Saeday night, was accompanied
with circumstances truly OF al appalling and
almost hopeless nature. The wind had Seen
and was blowing violently from the N. w. and
although every precaallon was used by the p,-
lot (who was taken on board in the afternoon,)
to got sure and safe anchorage, the violence
of the tempest increased TO that degree BY 3
o'clock Monday morning that she dr;fted
with two anchors for some distance, aud then
FIRST struck. The nigh; was remarkably cold
and dark, aud the deck, rigging, spars aud sails,
were entirely covered. with ice. At about
o'clock, the water burst through the bottom,
and in the space of half an hour, the cabin was
filled to the sky lights, and every individual on
board, (tweniy in nunlber) was driven 10 find
safety on deck, and seek protection from the in
clemcncy OF the weather under the roef over
the stern part of the ship. By this time, the
main, mizen and toremast had been cut away !;
they had fallen with crash, the effect of which,
at period so pcrious and awful, cannot posi-
bly, be described, and at which the stoutest
heart would have trembled. The wind contin-
ued uaabated; the deck one complete
sheet of ice the spars and rigging that re-
NAMED increased in bulk tenfold by the thick
incrustation with which the severity of the
dividual benumbed with cold, slap ding statue.
like, with clothes entirely frozen and covered
with sleet and ice, under The root upon the
quarter deck, anxiousy gazing towards the
eastern horizon, and ready to catch the first
Light of the morning. The light of the rising
sun was never more ardently and sincerely an
ticipated; for it was hoped that discovery oil
the wreck early IN the morning, would bring
immediate r..ief
The ouiy remaining hope under Providence
during this period oil intense anxiety, was lhe
substantial character of the ship, and that she
would not part until all gu board could be rescu-
ca. lhank Heaven, ne hope was realized
Aitnough the VIM had rather increased than di-
h''Hisned, Ard wave after wave had tumuiiu-
Dusty .oiled over the ship for several hours,
p.dnging her more and more upon the break
ers, and with violence that seemed to force
even the timbers from their places, she still
kept together, but her sides were breaking in
on her larboard and starboard quarter. The
situation ofthe individuals on board at this time
was truly awful. The violence of the wind !;
the darkness of tho night; the occasional
crushing of spars; the continual sweeping OF
the sea over the whole length of the ship, and
that indescribable moaning sound of the wind
as it swept through the ice-bound rigging, can
only be appreciated by those who have expert
enced similar situations When day light
UTOhc, tut ieuiitJ was iiiuocu tuo ouh-
ger could now be conceived; the wreck was
! truly such one that with less than the m'rac-
1 ulous intsrpositjoa of kind Providence, all
must inevitably have persisted.
| At about 10 clock, A. NJ. the Jolly boat was
got ready, and party of seven embarked and
| made for the land, -which, fortunately, they
4 reached Ii was periIous, but equally so TO re-
main on the wreck In the boat were Capt
Wilson, Mr. Chisholm, passenger, and several
of the crew. II is due TO Captain Wilson to
stale, that his sole object in leaving the ship,
and can add, a praIseworihy object, was, to
! hasten 10 the city, should the boat succeed IN
! reaching the shore, and to despatch with all
! possible speed some efficient means 10 rescue
those relnaning on the wreck. The conduct
of Capt Wilson was throughout every way
commendabe, and actuated by deep sense of
the responsibility that devolved upon him dur
ing this critical period.
The situation Of those remaining on board,
became every moment more periious; the wind
increased, the was necessarily dashing vio-
lently over The ship, and the weather was be
coming if possible more cold and severe The
only hope that could reasonably be entertained
was relief from the city. This state of feeling
continued until nearly 2 O'Clock, p M, and un-
til nearly hope itself could no longer be sustain
ed Whan it is considered how much was suf-
fered under the several trying circumstances Of
the wreck from its commencement, it could
hardly be expected that much physical or men
tai energy could be exercised. As the " last
fond hope was glimmerIng 10 its final cxtn-
guishment." u sail was soon discovered bearing
down for the wreck, from Staten Island The
effect was electric. moment before almost
every one seemed more ready to yield, TO fall
without struggle, than make one effort to be
saved. The havoc and tumut around had been
gazed upon with peculiar apathy. But now
every thing appeared to renew life and ANNA
ton. At about O'clock, P. NJ, the schooner
anchored within three quarters of mile of the
ship, as near as she cpuld possibly venture,
among the breakers and shoals. BY one of
those extraordinary efforts that in trying times
can sometimes be accomplished, the long boat
was launched at nearly the same time the schoon-
err cast Ter anchor. In the morning with all as.
sistance on board, it could not be accomplished
Every individual soon embarked in the
boat, and with continued bailing out the water,
she was enabled TO reach the schooner at about
5 clock, P. NJ.
The ship is insured at two officss in this city
fer $1,000, was worth $4,000 or $1,000 She
had cargo Of rice and cotton 200 tierccs of
the former, which will be totally lost The
cotton will probably be saved in a damaged
state. The amount we cannot state, as The
captain left his papers in the cabiD, which is
full of water. Part of tho rice WAS insured