Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-06-04
ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE.
RI Extract from the April Number Of Blackwood's Ma
gszine
tom CRINGLE'S LOG.
THE fRIoArE SINKING.

THE fRIGATE SINKING.
"Next morning we we're all carrying as much
sail as we could crowd. By this time we had
gotten our jury foretopmast up, aud the Rayo
having been kept asfern in the night, was now un-
der top sails, and top gallant-sail, with the wet
canvass at the head of the sails. showing that
the reefs had been freshly shaken out-rolling
wedrelike ON the swell, and rapidly passing u.s.,
to resume her station ahead. As she passed US
She made the signal to make more sail, her object
being to get through the Caicos passage. into
which we were nov entering. before night-fal.
1t was eleven O'Clock in the forenoon. A fine
clear breezy day, fresh and pleasant, sometimes
cloudy overhead, but always breaking away
again, with bit Of a sneezer, and small show
err. As the sun rose there were indications OF
SQUALLS in the northeastern quarter. aud about
noon one of them was whitening to windward.-
So, HANDS by the top gallant clewlines, was
the word, and we we're all standing by to shorten
sail, when the commodore came to the wind as
sharp and suddenly as il he had anchored; but
on second look, | saS his sheets were let n.y.
haulyards let go; and apparently all was coniu.
sion on board of her. ran to the side, and
luaked over. The long heavins dark blue swell,
had changed into light green Kissing ripple.
IS. BOUNDS, Captain Crowtuoi. shoai water
Nhv, II Oredks-We Sudii Oc dS"OiS'
T.Down with the helm--brace round the
yards;' shouted Crowfno that's it-steady-
iut. nv man;' and the danger was 80 imminent
that even the studdingsail haulyarls we're not
let 90, and the consequence was, that the boons
snapDed off like carrots, as we came to the wind.
..Lord- help Us. we shall never weather that
foaming reef there-set the spanker-haul out =
haul down the furetopmast staysaii-so, mind
your luf, my man.
The frigate now began to fire right and left,
and the hisslns of the shot overhead was fear
frl ausury Of what was to take pace-so sudden
was the accident that they had DOT had time to
draw the round shot. The other transports were
equally fortunate with ourselves, in weatherlng the
shoal, and presently we were all close hauled to
windward Of the reef, until we weathered the
easternmost prong. when we bore up. But poor
Rayo! she had struck OF a coral rect, where the
Admiralty charts laid down fifteen fathoms wa
ter; and although there was some talk at the time
of an error in Judgment, in not having the lead
going in the chains, still, do | believe, there was
no fault living at the door of her gallant captain.
By the time we had weathered the reel the iri-
gate had swung off from the pinacle OF rock on
which she had been in manner impaled. and
was making all the sail she could, with bothered
sail under her bows, and chain.pamps Changing.
and whole cataracts of water gushing from them
clear white lets spouting rom all the scuppers,
fore and aft. She had made the signal to close.
Ii was answered. The next, alas, was the bH-
tish ensign, seized. union down in the main rig
cling, the signal Of the utter most distress Sui
we all bowled along together, but her yards were
not squared; nor her sails set with her customary
precision, and her lurches became more aud more
sickeninc, until at length she rolled so heavily,
that she dipped both yards arms alternately III
The alter, and rerlcd TO and fro like a drunken
man.
"sWhat is that splash?'
q. II was the arbuard bow eighteen pound gun
hove overheard, and watching the roll, the "ao'e
broa,is.le, one after another we're cast into the
sea. Tue clang of the chain pumps increased,
the water rushed in at one side OF the main deck,
and out at the other, in absolute cascades from the
ports. Al this moment the whole fleet OF boats
were alongside. keeping way with the ship, IN
the lieht breeze. Her mainlopsall was hove
aback, while the captains voice resounded
through the ship.
Now, meu-all hands-bags, and ham.
mocks-starboarL, watch the starboard, SIDE
-larboard, watch the Iarboard side--n0 rushing
now-she will swim this hour to come.
The bags, and hammocks, and oihcers' kits
were handed in the boats; the men were told Oh
over the side. quietly by watches as 1t at mus
ter, the officers last. At length the first ieuten-
ant came over the side. By this time she was
settling down percepibly in the water; the old
captain stood upon the gansway, holding by the
iron stancheon, and, taking off his hat, stood IN.
covered for moment, and with the tears stand
ing in his eyes. He then replaced it. descended.
and took his place in the ships launch-,he last
man to leave the ship; and there vas little time
to spare, for we had scarcely showed of few
yards, to clear the spars Of the wreck, when she
sended foaward heavily and sickly. on the long
swell. She never rose to the opposite heave OF
the sea, but gradually sank by the head. The
hull disappeared slowly and dienfiedy, the ensign
fluttered aud vanished beneath the dark ocean,
could have fancied reluctantly as it It had been
drawn down througha trapdoor. The toPsaiIs
next disappeared the foretopsail sinking fastest,
and last Of all, the white pennant at the maiatoP'
gallant mast head. after Pickering and struggling
in the wind, few up as il imhued with life, like
a stream Of white fire, in the setting sun, and
was then drawn down into the abyss, and the