The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1840-09-09
DREADFUL SHIPWRECK. OF TIE
FLORENCE OF NEW YORK.
FGy L1rsS Lost +!

fLOhENIE Ot NEW OKk.
Fifty L'res Lost
By Capt. McCurdy, Of brig Attention, which
arrived at Boston from 81. Johns, Nevfound-
land the Messrs. Toplff received the following
melancholy narrative Of the loss Of the Flor
eHce Of n. York, with fifty lives The partic-
nlars were furnished To Capt. McCurdy by some
person on board the lost brig, and are authen-
tic. The chief mate Of the Florence arrived
in the Attention. The Florence was, we he
lievc, new brig; she sailed from Eos;ou la-'
spring for Rousruam, and was sn her return
VOYAGE:
Narrative. The brig Forsace, or and for
New York, Samuel Rose. master sailed from
Rotterdam Jsne 80, with a crew Of eight per
sOrs, and sesesty nine passengers, Cargo bal
last and few casks Of wine. They were favor
ed with pleasant weather until nearly up with
the eastern part Of the banks Of Newfoundland
when they were assaed with n succession Of
gales. attended with fog and rain, up to the
time OF the shpwreck.
On Sunday morning; August Q, the man on
the lookout cried "hard down the helm,
breakers ahead The helm was Immediately
put alec, but before the sails were aiken abaek,
the Dfig stfucU lUs f0rkS on Def stdfDodru slne
A moment before she was going at the rate Of
seven or eight miles the hsur. She Instantly
filled and fell over on her side. when a scsne Of
confusion and terror presented itself, the horror
Of which can better be imagined than described.
Hero were the wife and the husband bidding
each ether a last farewel--the frantc mother
ciaspiug her infant 10 her bosom, as even
death itself should not separate them--whe
some few, who had relations on board, wero
endedvoring TO secure what money they had,
by fastening IL TO their bodies, hut which, also,
proved the rpeaus OF their destruction. For
that which they vainly though would secure to
them comfortable home in The fertile land, of
the far west, changed their destiny to an eternal
home in death. On attempting to swim to the
land the weight Of the money sunk them TO
The bottom.
Captain Rose with admirable GOODNESS, com
manded all to remain by the wreck, uotil ssmG
means were devised for escaping with safety.
For this purpose. Mr.. William Robb, Of
Spring gfeld, Mass, took the end of a line and
sprang from the vessel TO ledge which lay be-
tween her and the shore. An overw he lining
wave, however, overlook the devoted sailor, and
dashed him against the rocks a mans led corpse.
Captain Rose next attempted this, tho only
meaps Of saving the lives Of those on board.
in safety. The crew were sll saved except the
second mate, but only 80 Of the 20 passengers
were saved, and OF these, many were saved by
Captain Rose and Mr.. Sehoheld, chief mate, at
the emmncnt peril of their own lives, and by
The time these we're saved, about three hours
alter the brig struck, there were scarcely two
OF the planks together All were literally in
splinters.
Thus thiriy-.evep persons were thrown ashore
on barren and 10 then, uuk uo~n part Of the
coast. Many Of them were but hall clad d. and
most Of them were without shoes. Not a soli-
tdry biscuit was saved. 10 this ptiable con.
dtlsn they commenced their journey through
the ihiek woods and s~amps, ard over black
and rugged bills in hopes OF finding some hu-
man ha5ltation.
For four days they continued their course
governed chiefly by The wind, the sun, moon
and stars being obscured nearly all the time BY
the fog and rain squalls, which latter were very
frequsnt-somstimss eating the bsrk from the
trees, and Whist few berries lhey eonld find
Early on the mernin. Of the l2th, C,p,. Rose
aud Mr. Schefeld ssoe eDded hill. in hopes the
fog might clear off, and afford thes, a view Of
the surrending country. At nine o'cIock the
weather cleared llttle and they were able to
see the harbor and village Of Rensusc. The
happy intelligence was soon communicated TO
the rest, and they resumed their march with
lighter hearts. When they epferrd the village,
Its hospitable Inhabitants welcomed them with
every thing which their need demanded. Mr..
Goodrich, OF whose bcnevolenco the crew and
passengers speak IN tn. rarnsst gratitude. gave
muuey and clothes t- tnen, ami furnished
vessel to convey ih.m 10 St. Johns. the resi-
dence Of the Unitsd States Consular agent.
At Z. VI. on Saturday, the 18th, IN ey were
landed al 81. Johns. The news Of their arrival
sson brUu. ht TO the shore ricn asd poor, old and
Young. Nothing was spared which pity could
suggest. TO alleviate their wants and suhsriugs
The next day being Sunday, nothing was pub.
licly done for them; bat on Mosdsy hsrdbill,
were posted up, requesting meeting 10 take
place st the Chamber sf Commeree. TO devise
means TO relieve the necessities oi those ~ho
had been unfortunately thrown upon Their
shores. Some seventy or eighty pounds ~es
collected in a short lime. and rrsoui'ous we're
passed TO raise q sufficient sum Whereby the en-
grants might he eDsbled TO reach the place oi
their ossiinstiou. A committee .ss appointed
TO receive eloihing aud money from all who
felt disposed 10 give. Capt. MeCsrty did not
bear the r..alt. as he sailed on the following