Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-07-14

LOSS OF THE ROYAL MAIL STEAMER COLUMBIA.
Yesterday evening we received slips from the OH
ces of the "Bangor Gazette, and "Bangor wing q
Courier containing the following information OF the
loss Of The Steamer Coumbia, Capt. Shannon, when
lp, this port the 1st for Halifax and Liver
pool
The schooner Three Sens, Captain Kendrick, arrived
At m Desert with the important information that the
R1y. Mail Steamer Columbus while gong al the rate
Of len knots in the fog, struck upon Black Leoge,
nesr Seal Island, Nova Scotia, last Monday afternoon
with SO much violence that the vessel was driven ou
Of The water FIVE feet When the schooner lett, She
vas going TO pieces and was supposed would De To-
,sl loss She reported TO have had lsO persons on
board one of whom was missing. Among them a
honorable Abbot Lawrence, who paid Capt kenof'es
500 10 bring the to the nearest port IN Inc =
States.
The passengers were waiting upon Seal Island ioi
steamer for which they had sent TO Haiax, ny
brig Arcade TO take them of. Baggage, freight, etc.
saved
seal Island is eff Townsend Bay, on the S. w coas
cr Nova Scotia.
After the above was in type, were favored with
COPY Of the following letter, received By Mr. GORDON
p 81. from Len, Parsons, r. n, the Admiralty Mai
agent, on board OF the Co!umbia
's'''' Seal Island. July APP. NJ.
Dsar Sr-The Columbia left Boston al 2 P. NJ the
IA, inst with the American mail for Halifax and En
gapd with ninety passengers, and crew OF eighty IL
ma mber, making in all from l10 upwards. Water
smooth but weather very foggy. On Sunday, Cd inst
at past P NJ, while steaming at the rate OF ten
knots per hour, grounded and heeieo 10 po. WIN ne
bow high up leaving her stern in deep water, having
ouarter lees FIVE fathoms depth aft Observed splinter
rom the false keel and fore loot alongside fIref
alarm guns which were answered by muske's ana I'M
sound of fog horns At4 P. NJ, boat with the keepe
of Seal Island Light, came alongside. He INFORMED
ne. that we Law on the Black Ledge Reef and wer'
within mile and quarter of the island The log wa
dense the wind moderate from 3 b +. AS the tos
fell pointed rocks Of sugar-loaf shape, uncovered
the depth of rEy feet and about ten fee distan
from the bows. The vessel lay inclined plane
smooth rocks abreast Of her paddles, while her sterE
Law in deep water; and she strained heavily, II wa
deemed necessary TO land the lady passengers abou
twenty in number; who, throughout the whole catas
,rophe, had displayed the utmost iortude and sell
possession.
under the protection OF entire stranger. The keepe
of Seal Island Light is worthy Of all praise for hi
kindness to the ladies', and, indeed, TO US all.
On the night tide, having lIghened the ship by dis
ch1rgng COAL anchors, &c, tired the only engine ina
would work, and hove on our stern anchor; but al
Tough she rolled IN her bed, she did not start inch
AIS A. NJ, judging from her distressed condition and
the falling tides, that chance Of saving her was
small, landed the mail Seal Island, and got il &c
cured by the kindness of Mr Kitchens the lighthouse
keeper. Notwithstanding the kind attention OF our
friends ashore found the ladies' but poorly accom-
mod.,ed, and sadly in want of water. Sill they were
cheerful and resigned.
IhaYe observe that this beautiful boa; ashore
under the charge of her well-,red pilot, Capt Stairs;
and that the cool eamanke conduct of Capt Shannon.
his officer. md ere mol only excited my ,dmtaton bu,
that Of all the passengers. They aoored long and IN
ceasngly 10 save the vessel but IN vain This excellent
steamer in my opinion, viii only float in pieces from
her pr sen, position.
We were enabled yesterday TO send the intelligence
TO Halifax, and expect The steamer Margaret here To-
morrow night.
THIS is written under confusing and unpleasant cir
cumstsnces which in some measure wil! account for
this hurried and imperfect statement.
G. S. PARSONS, R. y.