New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1843-08-12
The Barnegnt wreckers.

4 correspondent OF the PhnaCelpaild AuieiiH'1ii
Sentinel, writing from Barnegat, \. J. gives the
following illustrations OF the fair business trans
actions : OF that renowned neighborhood
When vessel was wrecked at night and any
portion OF her cargo tioated ashore, 1t WAS IN
stantIv seized upon by persons who were con-
stan,v Oh the watch for plumber, and carried OF
into the interior or buried in the sand. So expert
IN their cursed trade did these fellows become at
last, that five inmates after box or bale would
land no traces of II could be found. Sometimes
when kegs of butter or lard were cast upon or
carried 10 the shore, parcel OF men would sur
round one, and while pretending to be earnestly
engaged IN conversation. confederate would
creep ii, and either bury the keg IN the sand or
knock of the head, scrape out the contents TO the
depth of three or four inches. and fill up the va
cancy with sand. This done, the party would
quietly dispense. and at night the tsg q sand
would<be removed.
!. vessel came ashore one day, heavily laden
with an assorted cargo, a deputatlon OF wreck
ers Immediately boarded the unfortunate craft,
and having first politely informed the captain that
his ship would go to pieces before the next morn
ing, stated that for the three eighths OF the cargo.
and no less. they would remove all the goods TO
dead-shaye but the master seeing no alterna-
tive, was obliged TO embraced the otfer.-lnstanter
every boat in the neighbcrhood was put INTO re-
QUESTION, and before night the whole of the cargo
wes landed on the beach, and divided into two
lots three-eighths. the wreckers' share OF the spoil
being placed IN one spot, and the captains portion
close by. After all this had been done, word was
sent to the master, that the wreckers had put
tl.~J,-r of no
commencing him to DO the same with his. This
suggestion was acted upon the mate OF the yes
sci, prudent, sensible man, and withal 4 slgner
of the temperance pledge, though not a tee-totai-
er, being deputed to perform that duty. Now
among the cargo Were severa! barrels of prime
ale and these the wrcckers determined should
serve them IN their purpose. Accordingly bar
rel was tapped and lis contents freely paraken OF
BIZ all hands, but, before the mug containing the
beverage was handed TO the mate, II was deeply
drugged with laudanum. The result may be an
licipated The second officer fell asleep at his
post, and when the morning broke, no part of the
captains portion of the cargo was visible, while
the wreckcrs' portion, hardly twenty feet distant
from where the other had LAIN, was untouched.
4 New Yori vessel outward bound. and with
q valuable cargo on board, was a few years ago,
by an unfortunate accident, stranded on the Bar
negat Shoals. The wreckers boarded her. and
speedily conveyed her cargo 10 the shore, where,
at the request OF the wreckcrs watch was placed
upon il by the master. Upon this arrangement
being made, the captain waited upon by one
of the most active Of those who had aided in re-
moving the cargo, who stated that there were
many persons III this part of the country, who'll led
loose and lawcss lives and were addicted to
stealing any and every thing that they could lay
their hands upon, and that no doubt. among those
then on the beach, were many, who, as night
came on, would avail themselves of its aid, and
purloin considerable from the merchandise piled
up on the shore. This communication was ac-
compdnied with an offer TO loan for a consldera-
ton fine towing piece which he held in his
hands. "Takc it," said he, 'and if any Of the
Id scoundrcls come near shoot them down
like dogs. 1t is time a stop was put to It, and If
a few of the rngeaders were only shot, we d
hear no more OF this rascal!v business This
had the desired effect, the captain taking the piece
and agreeing to pay So, and if it got lost to pay
80 dollars. During that night the wreclers mus
tered IN great Numbers with the owner OF the
gun as leader, rushed III upon, overpowered,
and beat down the guard, and carried off and Sc
creted before morning every thing OF the possible
value, including the gun. a half inch OF the bar
rel of which, had been neatly filled up with sand
BY our indignant friend. previous to his handing
ii to the master. This you would call a " cute
trick, worthy of the genius oil a ankee, but the
sequel is still "cutcr." The wrecker sued the
captain for the $50 which was TO be paid If the
gun was lost, actually having the article IN his
possession at the time) recovered the amount with
COSTS and obtained the money.