The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1846-11-10
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 1876,

music IN human voice outside our yes
sci. 1t showed the possibility of safety,
and inspired general confidence.
The pilot boat got along the leeward
side, and a man came on board. From
him the captain first learned that his ves-
sci was grounded near St. Johns Point,
Dundrum Bay, 80 miles S. E. of Belfast,
thirty miles from her proper course
We had come between huge rocks, where
the passage of such ship seemed inn
possible, and struck within a cables
length Of a projecting ledge of rocks pro-
truding from the shore, the only sand
beach in neighborhood of ten miles
each way, and the only place where death
to most OF the passengers and crew would
have not been inevitable! At the rate of
more than twelve miles an hour, in pro-
found darkness, and under an equinoctial
gale, we had coursed among rocks that no
mariner would adventure by daylight and
a gentle breeze. We had escaped mans
rashness which had led us into peril, to
be rescued by the overruling providence
of God. Had We struck the rock two
miles from shore, or had we struck four
hundred yards higher or lower, we should
have gone to the bottom. God guided
our vessel TO a gentle beach, and we were
saved, and for this | trust we are truly
grateful.
The final ebbing of the tide left the
ship bolt upright, embedded in the sand,
with the water so shallow tha. it could be
waded TO the shore. Boats were sent
out, and the ladies all taken ashore by Sc
ven O clock, and the gentlemen by half
past eight. We had to wade little dis
tance as the boats could not be drawn to
the dry beach and the ladies' were carried
on the backs of men. Then came our
| trunks, so that by five o'clock P. NJ near
iy everything belonging to the passengers
was ashore.
The Irish peasantry at first behaved
well, but when they began to come in
crowds to get money, they became ex-
| horbitant, and even charged fifteen shil-
J lings in some cases for a single cart load
of baggage for half q mile, from the ship
/ to the depot, near the shore. Some
things were lost from pilfering, but not
much. rode with my luggage six miles
from our shipwreck to the village, the
nearest Post town, in an Irist. cart with
out springs, seated on the top of nv lug
gage, while my Irish friend led his horse,
and for this paid 81 SO. There were
ten of us, and the price was not extrava-
CANT. | have received here from ecclesi-
astical friends, genuine Irish hospitality,
but two of my friends occupying one
bed, were charged 1915. Poor human
naturel How ready to make gain from
the mfortunes of others. The Irish gen
try and police dtd their duty nobly.
The GREAT BRITAIN, | think, VIII ne
yer be got of. She went on at high
tide, and hard wind, and full steam,
and IS far up plum upright on the bench;
a most beautiful but sad spectacle, as she
is all in sight but about FIVE feet of her
bottom. She cost $650, 900, and was in
sured for $4,000
We all pity our Captain and regard him
as ruined man. How he made mis-
take of 80 miles in fair sail with good
wind, Of l20 miles from Liverpool, per-
haps he can explain, but fear not,
shall be glad to see him justified by any
facts, for he is amiable, noble minded and
scientific, bat fear not careful, and which
would make me afraid to trust my life
with him. There may have been mag
netic disturbance from the great quantity
of Iron in the ship, TO change the com
pass-there may have been confusion of
the lights which with little self-conf-
dence could account for our misfortune,
but fear the world will say that the lives
of $40 human beings have been put in
eminent jeopardy and a vast amount of
property sacrificed to the mad ambition
Of Capt. II. to make quick passage and
his want of care as a navigator. But |
write the day after our milortune and
mnst wait for more facts.
Yours truly,