Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-04-03


On Saturday, the 4th inst. at 90 minutes past
6 p. NJ blowing a strong gale from the south.
ward. and heavy sea running, while the vessel
was on tie Iarboard tack, the captain directed
the chief mate 10 heaye the ship. He had hardly
gwen the word Of command when the vessel
struck and so situated the scene on board where
in was crew of 81 persons, must battle descriP-
ton, and be awful in the extreme Suffice 1t to
say, that minute guns from the vessel, and lights
of distress, showed that she had been wrecked on
the Great Rusk Bank. between Galore and Nor.
riscastIe, and these signals were promptly answer
ed BY the coast guards at Cahore and Morriscas-
tie. Blue-li2hts, rockets, and a succession OF
flashes were kept up. and brilliant light placed
in the tower window, showed distinctly to the
wrecked crew that persons on shore were ready
to assist, should opportunity allow Of their SO do
ing.
In cases of shipwreck and extreme danger, all
order of command is generally lost and to save
life is the natural and chief aim Of all thus unfor
tunately situated. To get the launch over was
their first endeavor, but the purchase blocks were
not properly secured, and when hOlsted high
enough to bear the sides. the fore-fall broke
and the boat fell on the ships deck, parting from
! the stem to the keIson; a blanket was stuffed in
the hole. the boat was got over, man was sent
| IN her, and she was tOwed astern along with two
smaller boats, in one of which was placed men,
| IN the other one, all to be ready to take In the
| crew at a moments notice. On the boat being
dropped astern,the vessel had beat over the bank
The anchor was let go on the tail of the Rusk or
Great Bank, and the vessel foundcred with the
greater part Of the crew on board. AT this time,
(abou, half past nine,) they judged from the shore
| that the vessel had sunk, for the minute guns
were heard no more, and the light on board had
disappeared in moment.
The captain, who was abaft on the poop, found
the vessel sinking he called aloud tn the boats;a
heavy sea was coming. the mate and two others
near the captain fled into the lee mizzen rigging,
and the unfortunate master. neglec,ing to secure
himself, was carried awav ON the swell; faint
crv was heard from him, but he was seen no more.
The steward in getting rum out of the cabin,
was drowned at the same time, and the ID mate;
and the two other boats, which were placed on
the poop. and the expe taton OF the crew, broke
adrift at this peTiIous and fearful moment leaving
fifteen persons trusting to the masts OF the vessel
for safety, as all the hull. IA part of the bow ex
cepted,) was under water.
The men in the two smaller boats must have
persisted shortly, for one boat was picked up by
the coast guard at ten o'clock p. VI. on Galore
strand. and the other was found more north, with
no living soul on board; but the person in the
launch, who was cook of the vessel ,came shore
safely, although he had been hurt on leaving the
ship He stated he felt most awfully his DESC
late condition when the boat broke adrft, and
that the cries of his shlpmates Un board. when
they found the boat going, were most awful and
distressing; but he mad no power to assist them.
as the boat drifted away, and his utmost endea-
vor was necessary for his own preservation. lie
first went forward and secured more perfectly
the leak. He next got al oar and steered the
boat for the light on shore before the wind at sea.
He saw the light with ease, and repeatedly, till
he came to the outside bank or ridge of break.
ers, when the oar was washed away and himself
thrown down; he again took another and lashed
it, but il too was carried away. He then lashed
himself and also third oar securely, and. under
Providence reached the shore in safety, at
time the surf was raging, and it was deemed i'm
possible to do SO.
Meanwhile the crew, of Is, remained in the
masts of the vessel or seeking refue in the lee Of
the tops. while the storm howled fearfully round,
and the spray was directly over them. In this
deporaDle situation the crew awaited the dawn
of day IN awful suspense and anxiety
Morning came. but it only showed more plain
ly the perils by which they were surrounded, and
the eporabe situation they were placed m
The land indeed was but mile and half dis
tant. but then the sea broke from the vessel to
the shore, near which ridge of heavy breakers
beat in furious manner, rendering all assistance
from the shore hopeless, and their own escape, in
all human foresight, quite imPracticab'e.
When the day cleared, the chief officer OF the
coas, guard, Mr.. JawteI. under shelter OF small
headland, where his boat lies, launched ahoat;
but in pulling round the point the gale was so
strong, and the so heavy. that the boats could
hardly live. much less make headwav. and he
was compelled to return, which he did without
accident. except that the galley was seriously
stove and damaged.
Notwithstanding this unsuccessful attempt on
the part of the coast guard the chief officer got
a crew of volunteers, aad, in a country boat,
again launched aaoat. for the purpose Of saving
the shipwrecked crew; but, after an Intellectual
attempt to round the point. the boat was beaten
back and compelled TO make the land, which for
tunately she safely effected.
The unhappy crew with painful feelings saw.