Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-01-20
From the Boston Journal.
Wreck Of the Staffordshire.


Mr.. Alden, the first mate Of the ill-fated ship
Staffordshre, reached this city by railroad Monday
Mr.. Alden has furnished the following authentic
statement ofthe loss ofthis splendid ship. It will
be read with deep interest:
nOn the 23d day of December, in a tremendous
gale of wind, twisted the rudder head, and secured
il with chains as well as we could Rugged a
temporary tiller outside the ship, and with il
managed TO proceed pretty comfortably till We'd
nesday morning, four o'clock, 2sth, when, in gale
lost bowsprit, fore topmast fore yard, and every
thing forward, leaving the foremost only standing
Captain Richardson went aloft after daylight, and,
in coming down, his foot slipped, and he fell thirty
five feet and struck on his back badly injurng his
ANGLE, and receiving other serious injury.
then cleared the wreck, and made all as snug
as possible, and prepared TO get new fore yard
aloft. The rudder then was perfectly useless ;
worked all Wednesday night, and succeeded in
rigging another tiller in the cabin.
AT three o'clock, A. NJ, THURSDAY, 29th, the
wind was from the eastward, heavy rain, and
blowing heavy. Run the ship all day Thursday
on her course until seven. Al eight, p. NJ, came
on hurricane from west-northwest.
AT that time, judged ourselves IS to 40 miles
south Of Seal island Consulted with Captain
Richardson, (who was confined TO his berth,) who
ordered the ship 10 be kept to the northward till
IL o'clock, and then TO wear ship. Atten minutes
before twelve, the second mate saw Seal Island
light, and Immediately called me. at once in
formed Captain Richardson, who remarked that
the current had set the ship in shore, and mme-
diately ordered her to BIO wore round when COM
ing up on the southern tack the ship struck. The
ship struck several times, and then went off into
deep water.
Immediately sounded the pumps, and found
fourteen inches. Informed Captain Richardson,
and set all hands al the pumps sounded pumps
again in ten minutes, and found Jon, feet Of iratsr
in the hold. The fourth mate-Stephenson
al. If a.. -.
and one woman passenger, in one of the quarter
boats. The other quarter boat was swamped in
launching and was Immediately cut away to
launch the other boats. Got the small life-boat
out-at that time the ship settling fast, and sra
coming IN orer both RAILS. Told them to launch
this boat and save what they could and nine or
ten reached the shore in her, after having Two
planks stove while alongside the ship, before they
could get clear. None of the mates were in this
boat. The small boat was Immediately put upon
the starboard davts, and was instantaneously
filed with people; in lowering her to the water,
she stove hole in her, and she was hoisted up
again.
The long boat was then launched 10 the side
with great difficulty, and thirteen men, including
the second mate, jumped into her. While they
were launching her, went into the cabin for the
third time, TO endeavor 10 save Capt. Richardson
and told him that all hopes of saving the ship were
gone, her lower hold being full, and six inches Of
water in the cabin, and offered to carry him in my
arms and put him into the boat. He refused, say
ing the ship was so near shore that she would
strike before she could go down. then said, il is
impossible, for she will sink in very few min
utes. The captain answered Them If am 10 be
lost Gods wiN BE- done, which were the last words
l heard.
Finding il impossible TO move him, ] then left
the cabin, and found the long-boat was Just leav-
ing. went aft, and the boat came 10 under the
stern, when jumped from the taffrai into the
boat. Saw shin and ligbfs far ahouf fwanfv
minutes. We skipped a sea which filed the boat
half full of water. Not stroke was pulled till
daylight, when nothing was in sight. We laid still
another hour, when we discovered land We pull
led for it, and landed in about hours after leav-
ing the ship, all exhausted and more or less FROST
bitten
The other two boats had landed, about four
hours previous. We were about nine miles from
harrington, on small island called Sable island.
We were very, kindly treated by the fishermen and
their wives, and next day proceeded to Barring
ton
Before leaving harrington for Halifax, went
back to where we landed to see that the crew were
provided for and found that parts of the wreck had
drifted ashore--the cabin work, houses on upper
deck, &C. left the crew and FIVE passengers who
were saved, as comfortable as circumstances would
allow, and proceeded 10 Halifax, thence 10 ST John,
where missed the steamer about FIVE hours.
then came on to Waterville by stage, and took the
cars there for Boston.
MI. Alden gives the following as those saved, SO
far as he knows:
A. T. Leet; boy, John Cobbs; cook named Kelley;
one passenger, OBrien and nine others.
III quarter boat-Fourth mate, Mr.. Stephenson;
boy, Stephen G. Wilmington; woman passenger,
Jane --; and seven others.
In life boat.-Nine sailors.
InjoAy boat.-Third mate, Mr.. Morgan; sailor,
Daniel O'Neil; and twelve others.
4 y + +. II