Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-07-01
From the Boston Morning Post.
THE SHIP WILLIAM BROWN

John MeSser, one Of the crew Of the ship William
Brown, Capt. Harris, which wrecked in the ice
or The lSih of April, called on us on Friday and
furnished with follow ing statement reiaiin,
10 the loss OF the ship, and the circumstances con
nccIed with the heart rendng affair in the long-boat
II contains many facts which have not seen pub.
llshed before. lie spoke in the highest terms of
Capt. Harris, as on able, experienced commander,
and generous, noDle-helrted man. His statement.
It will be seen, does not relieve the mate from any
Of the oGiIm which public opinion has placed upon
HIM Tor his barJdrOus, and, It would appear unius.
Unable treatment Of the unfortunate passengers MIR
Mes'er Is still IN very weak state OF health, from
ms suiicrngs IN the boat, and he feas that he Will
never perfectly recover:
STATEMENT OF JOHN MEssER.
belonged TO the mates watch, and was below Il
the time the ship struck, therefore, am unacquaint
cd with the particulars relating to the fatal co Ision
which caused the loss Of the WIN. Brown We C.It
the collision below, but DID not think of hurrying on
deck, especially we were not called. Nearly
twenty minutes, | think, elapsed before we were
calitd-and then the not unusual cry Of all hands
shorten sail, reused us deck. The topgalant
sais ioreopmlst studding sail, and other light sails
were token 10, aud the tOpsaIls cewcd down and
rect tackles hauled out. The captain then went
down IN the iorcchslc in order TO ascertain what da-
mage had been done; and upon ascerlaining he ex-
colmed-"My God, we can't save the ship, IFS of
no usc-clear away the long boat" The pumps
h'd previously been rugged, and every effort used
TO keep her aholt, bu! without effect. The passen
gers also rendered every assist nee in their power
and were willing TO do any thing for the safety OF
the ship.
The long boat was cleared away, and provisions.
water, compass, quadrant, and several other arti.
ces were put on board Of her One or two Of the
passcnscrs secrccd themselves in her while she was
yet on board, and wege hoisied out in her. When
she was IN the water the passengers made rush
and believe that several Of them persisted m their
haste to get on board. To- the near time the Stern
boat was also lowered down, but as did not see
what trlUspIred, | will not state anything upon
hearsly. The boats both dropped ustern, where
they remained fast by their painters to the ship IN.
tll she was on the eve Of sinking, when thew were
cut adrlit. The ship went down in about three
hours, think, after she struck. There were forty-
two in number IN the long boat
At daylight, Capt Harris told the mate the lnti.
tude and longitude, and advised him 10 steer ~ w
The captain then took the names Of the passengers
and crew, after which the mate told him that the
long boat was very lclky, and could not i've Some
communication, which, Did not distinctly hear, then
pissed between the captain and mate, to which the
captain replied, ~ viii not hear such talk" The
mate then distinctly sad--"wc must cast lots we
can not all uye-sOme must die, the boat is 50
Icnky" The captain again demonstrated with the
nate urging him to do the best In his power before
he rcsoucd 10 such measures.
fore leaving US, the captain addressed the boats
crew CncOuragugIy, desiring us TO keep our hearts
up, not 20 quarrel or fight among ourselves, but 10
be advised by the mate, and to do wba, he should
minutes or 80 he WIS out Of sight
During the whole Of tho day, the weather was
oK,roms y cold, and the sea very rough. We rigred
a drag with our oars IN order 10 keep the boats
head 70 the sea, and TO break the force Of tho waves
Towards nght-iaII, the mate consulted, in low
voice, with several Of the crew, about tightening the
boat | was ait at the time with my back against
the stern. At last he said 10 me and another man.
who was nolr me, "WC, suppose you have no
objections 70 lending us hand to tighten the boat"
| inquired how bo intended 20 do sol and while
was speaking, heard splash alongside and the
whole boat vas IN an uprolr,-the work Of death
had commenced. The other man and myself both
demonstrated against such cold bio dcd proce edines
and sad-"lf we arc 70 die, LEI US die fair-let us
cast lots" Very wcII,n said the mate, "they will
throw you overheard next" I then drew nv
sheath knife, and swore, that whoever should lay
hand on me should share my fate. The mate then
called tall negro, one Of the crew, aft to toss me
overheard but when he saw my knife, he went for
ward again, and lent tho others a hand. My
panon stuck close 10 me during the whole Of the
heart rendering scene, determined 10 defend him.
sell 70 the last.
One old man, a native Of Ireland, when about 10
be seized, fell upon his knees and cniroated them 20
spare his life, and he would give them all he had
lie then drew from bis purse a number Of sove.
relgns, and offered them TO the crew, but they were
thrown aside and himself passed overheard. a lad,
about u years Of age, requested time 10 say his
prayers, which was granite ., and when he concu-
ded he said, 81 am now Prepared do not wish
you TO throw me Overboard-l will 20 myseGp and
he stepped Of the gunwale Of the boat into the sea-
or all who were thrown overheard, not one, 70 my