Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1837-01-12
MORE PARTICULARS OF TIE WRECK
OF THE MEXICO.

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We are indebted to Mr.. james Bergen, a.
gent for the underwriters who has Just return
cd from the wreck, for further particulsrs.-I
He states that the number perished is 104
passengers, and l2 Of the crew, making in all
ll6!-a greater number than Was ever lost at
one time, either on the Jersey or Long Island
coast. (By the dreadful shipwreck of the
English sloop Of war at East Hampton, during
the last war, l08 persons out Of l2 perished.)
The loss Of the Mexico was owing to two
causes:-First, the want Of Pilot. If the
Pilots had been of, she would have reached
the port in perfect security. The second
cause was the short allowance Of provisions.
The number of passengers was altogether too
great for the provisions put on bonrd, as the
result has fully proved. The captain could
not put his ship 10 sea for fear Of starvation,
and was consequently compelled to continue
OH the coast.
Even after the ship struck many would
have been saved if the hawscr had not parted,
by which the long beat was lost. The suf-
ferings Of the victims before they pcrshed,
were beyond all description. For eighteen
hours they were seen holding on to the
shrouds and different parts Of the wreck, COW
cred with ice. until one by one, man, woman
and child, were dropped into the ocean, where
their pitcous cries ceased forever One old
gentleman. by the name of Pepper. who had
six children and large quantity Of gold on
board, floafcd on shore locked in his wito's
arms and they were buried in This situation.
Thirty-seven of the bodies have come on
shore; six Of them females. thirty men, and
one young lad. Every arrangement had been
made for the decent interment of the nnhnp-
py eufeIers; and we have melancholy plea
sure in saying thnt the ladies' of the vicinity
have hasteDcd to give assistance in paying
the last sad Offices to the bodies Of the te-
males.
Mr.. Bergen, the agent of the Insurance
Company.with the agent of the wreckmaster,
boarded the ship yesterday, but found moth
ing on deck or in the cabin, which they made
out to enter Every thing Ind been washed
out-no bodies were found in any part Of the
ship Some of the bodies which have dritled
ashore, had the appearance of having been
lashed to the vessel, as ropes were tied round
their WRISTS, &c.
The Captain reached the city last evening.
The ship remains much in the same situa.
tion as yesterday-and there is prospect Of
saving most of the cargo, when the weather
becomes more moderate.
The captain having been censnrcd for lcav.
ing the ship, we are requested to say, that he |
wns almost compelled to do so by the passen-
gers, in the hope that he would be able to ef.
feet something for their rescue.
A report has been circulated that the ship
was short of water-lhs is incorrect, as she
had more than 1900 gallons on hoard at the
time of the wreck. .. i
The ship is on Long Beach, about five
miles from any house. The inhabitants have
conducted themselves in the most praisewor- II
thy manner; they have decently inferred the
sufferers, and have with great fidelity placed
all the money found on the bodies in the
hands of the Wreckmastcr. Il
How the Pilots can escape just Indignation,
we cannot Imagine. Many Of them are re.
epectable men and most estimable citizens,
1t Is true; bnt this does not excUpate them.
The system is bad. Ii is an odious monopo.
ly,which shuts out all competition,and bribes
men, as It we're, to neglect their duty. The
indignation of the inhabitants at Hempstead
was 50 great, cxasperated as they were by
the frightful spectacle before them, that it is
sad they would have committed the greatest
violence on the persons of the Pilots, if any
OF them had been within their reach. Not
less is the Indignation in this city, though it
Is to be hoped that it will not break forth in
any outrage Of the law.-.Ntp York Express.