Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-05-03
NARRATIVE
OF the Wreck of the Isabella, off Hastings,
Eng by one Of the passengers.

(Eng by one Of the passengers.
EAsrBouRNE, March Is.
This wreck is still visible; she.was fine ship,
and offers awful evidence of the power Of nature
over the noblest works of art. NV heart still
siekens with dismay at the recollection of the
dreadful trials have passed through. have
not before had health aud strength enough to give
you an outline OF the particulars, and even nov
remble as they pass In review before me.
All our valuable furniture, plate, books, ma
nuscripts, outfit and hecessaries had been put
down on board the Isabella IN the docks, when
she dropped down to Gravesend, where joined
her on the evening Of Saturday, the 10th Of Fee
bruary, with INV wife aud three children, a girl
of IL months, and two boys Of four and six
years We we're opposed by contrary winds,
aud put our pilot on shore, to our great concern,
on Monday evening. On Tuesday the wind fresh
ened into gale; and that dreadfuliy ener,atius
sickness usually attending these scenes disPos-
sessed my wife and myself Of all energy and
strength. The wind was now directly against
Us and every hour increasing its fearful power;
but our captain. Wildsoose, commanding a very
fJence. determined to proceed, although he left
behind a feet Of perhaps 100 sail. As night
closed, the tempest ragged We, more feaffully.-
Oar gallant ship was but as feather on the
waves surface. and all was fearfully dark az anv
night in the black catalogue OF tempests; the
wind right ahead: yet there was equal peril now
in advancing or recedng; the captain, however,
gave his orders With as much precision as If
be were exhibiting in state pageant The
loud voice of the speaking trumpet was the on
only sound tina, could be heard amid the Wild
roar of contending elements. No one talked of
danger, but Mrs. L., with ENDURING looks
had observed it might not be prudent to undress
but to lie down in her day clothes-our dear in
infants at this time enjoying their usual sIum-
bers, happily unconscious of their real condition
and seemingly gathering strength for the dread
full impending trial. Between and o'clock,
our captain entered the cabin; he spoke little
saw the distressed workings Of his manly mind,
too big with thought for idle utterance, and one
or two questions constituted all the Interruptions
I offered. He took brandy and water, threw off
his saturated dress. and having sat little in dry
clothes, retired.
From this time the ship seemed to me to labor
and strain mere than before, and the hurricane
TO drive and Law down the ship lower on her side;
but as the captain was takin z rest, had fancied
more security, and had laid myself on tie floor
Of the cabin in the hope Of gettiog also some re.
pose. had been lying there I suppose thirty
minutes, when thought heard or felt ;ae keel
of the ship drag. had been to this time sick to
death. vas exhausted and listIess, almost lie.
less, when the dreadful suspicion and announce
meDt of ashore" alarmed nc. was i'll no more
Jumped up and was rushing through the cabin
10 mention my fears, when the ship beat twice
on the rock. and heard the cry Of The ship
has struck" | called the captain. The dread.
ful shock and loud cries Of alarm combined to
summon all on deck, excepting the ladies and
the poor children. who we're reused at last BY the
generai crash and these would not ALLOW to
leave their bsrths lest they might interrupt the
exertlons making above. Here, indeed, was re.
doubled energy. The rudder vas unshipped
when we hrsl struck, and was abandoned. Nov
was the loud cry for the speaking trumpe,,-now
Tor the Ratchet, which for time could net be
found Il what Ratchet when found! Never did
see more diminutive, illcon,iitioned. useleas
article. I asked if there were no puns n FIRE
signals Of d,stressf No guns. No rocker. IN
let OF to acqusint the coast guard with our con.
ditions No rockets. 1t was manifest our can.
tain had been. as Napoleon said of Massena,
spelled child Of fortune! Always happy and suc-
ce>sfui in his adventures, his voyages deservedly
fortunate, had superseded all contemplation Of
disaster. Every effort was nov made, by ma.
noeuvering the sails, to force once to sea,
and made in vain. were constrained to wait
unu! daylight enabled US to appreciate our real
situation and condition. and procure for Us from
the shore the necessary assistance.
II Is difficult to Judge Of distance on water, |
but believe welay nearly half . mile from the |