Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1849-12-01
From the Bath (M) Times Nov. 12.
DISTRESSING SHIPWRE OK AND
LOSS OF LIFE.

DIS PRESSING SHIPWRECK AND
LOSS OF LIFE.
One OF the most distressing shipwrecks
that has ever taken place on our coast.
occurred at the mouth of the Kennebec
about noon on Friday last, during the
late heavy gale from the east The ship
Hanover, of Bath, Capt Rogers, from ca
diz with a full cargo of salt, In attempt
ing to run into the river, struck on Pond
Island Bar, and almost Immediately went
70 pieces. and III! hands on board persisted
For an account of the circumstances at
tending this fatal disastea, we are indebt-
ed to an eye witness of every thing that
transnired, Mr. Oliver states that when
he ,sist saw the Hanover she was about
two miles outside of Seguin, standing in
under three reefed topsails, reefed fore
sail, aud foretopmast stay sails, with the
wind, as he judged, efrom E. by S. or ESE
apparently making good weather, and
with fair prospect of making harbor
without difficulty. He accordingly pot
in his boat in readiness for boarding the
ship which he intended to do, as soon as
she was up with Pond Island. He soon
discovered however, that owing to the
strong ebb tide that was setting out of
the river and westerly, t ship was rap
idly falling TO leeward, and as she ap-
preached the shore, the wind vecrcd
more easterly and headed her off; and
under these circumstances, he soon saw
that she must fail to weather Pond Is
land, he accordingly landed and took
position on the point, little to the west
ward of the island, from which he had
full view of what followed. Capt. Roe
ers, finding he must fall to the ieeward,
tackled ship with view, no doubt, as he
was we'll acquainted with the coast, to
make harbor to the west or to stand to
the open sea. The ship stayed with read
iness, but when head to the wind she was
met by tremendous sea, which lifted
her forward, and at the same time set
ting aft, her stern struck heavily on the
bar, carrying away the rudder, and lift
ing the stern-post and the whole after
part of the ship. She however, paved
off rapidly, and the after yards not being
hauld, swung around with her head
ashore. At this moment, boarded by a
heavy sea, she was thrown on her beam
ends and her topmasts carried away.
The crew gained the side of the ship, but
were swept off by the sedond sea, and
the standmasts fore and aft were carried
by the board. She was literally ground
to atoms. In the almost incredibly short
space Of 90 minutes after tho Hanover
first struck, not an appearance of her
was to be seen, save the fragments that
were rolling in the surf along the beach.
The broadsides came on shore qiite en-
tire, and also considerable portion of the
floor. The riasts and spars were wholly
broken to pieces. The beach for nearly
two macs is strewn with the fragments Of
the wreck. Various articles of furniture
belonging to the ship, and of clothing
have been picked up, and among them
trunk of clothing belonging to Capt. Rog
ers. The ships company is believed to
consist of seventeen persons. The names
and residence Of the larger part Of them
we have not been able to learn. Cant.
Rogers belonged to this city. Mr.. Bart.
lett and Mr.. Hutchins, the first and Sc
cond officers, belonged to Phipsburp:
johnson, coIored, West Bath; Samuel
Witham, Bath; and Mr.. Batchelder,
Phipburg. These are oil that are at pres.
ent known. The body of Capt. !. gers
was found on Saturday, and brought to
the city, That of a man was also found,
but not recognized. The Hanover was
built and owned by Levi Houghton, was
y years old, and carried $50 tons. Sho
w'S insured for $4,000. The cargo was
uninsured. s
We learn from several gentlemen who
have visited tho scene Of disaster, that the
timber of the Hanover Is much soundef
than could have beer expected in a shin
Other age. There Is but little or no an
! pearnnce ofdeoay, and SO far as sound