The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1840-11-07
THE NEWS.
nREADFuL sHIpwRECK

DREADFUL SHIPWRECK.
The Foreign news at New York, per the
Alexander, comprises nothing more inter-
estng than the following details of the loss
Of the Lord William Bentiack, East India
man, off Bombay. Indeed it was one Of
the most melancholy and hear,rending
shipwrecks, which has ever come under our
notice.
The lord William Bentack, Captain
Ord, with one hundred and fifty troops and
passengers on board, had been beaten off
the mouth of the harbor for two or three
days, but was prevented entering by the Vi
olence of the weather. On the afternoon
Of the 18th she was seen standing across
the opening Of Back Bay in gallant lyle,
and every hope was entertained, if she could
stand on five minutes longer, Of her wealth
ering the S. w. prong of the lighthouse.-
Unhappiply an immense sea forged right
over her, and popped her, and she struck
heavily on the rocks at ten minutes past four
p. M. Previously, Capt. Hayman had fir
ed two guns from the lighthouse to warn
her of her danger, and before third gun
could be discharged she was on the rocks.
Heavy squalls of wind and rain soon drove
her masts over her side, and quarter of an
hour after the commencement of the occur
renee, she was complete unmanagebe
wreck. The crew and passengers were
seen to crowd forward to the forecastle.-
Three ladies were on board, Mrs. Frazer,
Mrs. Eckford, and Miss Robertson, also a
maid servant, and some soldiers wives and
children. Captain B. Benbow was in COM
mand of the troops, and DR.. Fraser, Mr.
Mason, Ia cadet and several other passen-
gers whose names we are not able TO learn,
were on board. She kept firing guns and
showing the signals Of distress, but alas,
little aid could be afforded. The sea was
TOO violent Gor a boat 20 live in, and the most
dismal apprehensions were entertainsd.-
She first hoisied out her gig, which rode
gallantlv for while, but was soon en-
gulphed. Her launch was then got along
side, and some men were seen to enter her.
One gentleman was observed before he de-
scsnded the side, to elevate his hands TO
heaven, as if in prayer, he went into her,
but in a moment she shared the fate ol the
other boats.
Having nothing 30 hoist her out by, the
long boat appeared 10 be pushed over the
side by main force. She also sunk never
10 rise. The cries OF the unfortunate were
distinctIvl audible in the luls OF the Wild,
and filled every spectato on shore with hor-
ror and distress. No hand could be held
out to save.
After much delay boats were brought
from the dock yard by coolies, and every
means were tried to float tkem and steer
them TO the wreck. Captains Saunder:
and Hayman ofth Indian navy, were es
pecally conspicuous in their exertons
leaving nc means untried; while Captain!
MGregor, Baxter, and many others, ,attemp
ted in vain to reach the ill-fated craft. Sht
tried 10 fix a sope from gun after Captain
Manby's principle, but failed. Meanwhile
the superintendent of the Indian navy hat
ordered the Victoria steamer TO proceed al
near as it could TO the spot,bu it was evenin!
before she could get the steam sufficiently VI
10 move, and even then she conld not ap
nroach the wreck with the smallest chanct
Of success. Thousands of anxious specta
tors were assembled at the lighthouse during
the evening, and perhaps a more palniu
and intense interest was never excited II
the society of Bombay.
Nlgnt, uaTk anu loN0IiuS5 lCliioHH w w
ieve that many heartfelt prayer was offer
cd up to the throne of grace for those wh
were so near on the brink of eternity. Th
moon rose about o'clock, and hopes wer
entertained that she might hold togethe
until morning, but the gale still conIinue
violent. By twelve o'clock at n ght raj
with ten men had by great exertlOn reach
ed the shore; but at half past three the yes
sci finally went to pieces, another raft ha
been prepared, on which the ladies, seve
children, and the passengers were placed
Hopes: however faint, were brealhed tina
she might bring her precious cargo safe
land, but alss lofty wave struck her, an
when she rose from the shock, neither tn
ladies, children nor 10 of their comrade
could be described by the survivors,
Those who remained reached land make
and shiyerng. Captain Benbow, DR. IRA
zer, and MIR. Monson were among the sun