Washington telegraph., 1854-03-15
APPALLING sEHsPvEECEA.
Loss Of Four Hundred Lives.
THRILLING NARRATIVE.

THRILLING NARRATIVE.
The following is clear and graphic mar
rative by a first cabin passenger, a gentle
man of great intelligence and humanity,
who exerted himself in the most praisewor-
thy manner to assist the unfortunate suffer-
ers
was cabin passenger on board the Tay-
leur, which left Liverpool, with a fine breeze
and beautiful weather, at II o'clock on
Thursday last, in tow Of a steamer. We
we're off Lynas Point about 6 O'Clock when
the pilot left and almost at the same instant
a squall came. when orders were given to
shorten sail No sooner had this been done
than it became evident to those who were at
all acquainted with nautical affairs, that the
crew were totally incompetent to manage
the ship The mate could not get any one
to 60 on the yards to shorten sail, and the
ship was completely at the mercy of the
wind and waves. Some idea may be FORM
ed of the incompetency of the crew when it
is known that it took nearly hours to take
in the mizen-topsail, and nearly one hour
and three quarters to take in the fore -topsail,
and neither the main-topsail nor the lower
sails could be got in at all.
We however. struggled through the night,
our sails fapping and beating in frightful
manner. The boatswain and third mate
exerted themselves great deal, hut the men
did not appear TO know their work 1t inn
mcdiately began TO be whispered about tha;
We should never reach the end If cur voy-
age, the crew being mixed medley OF MA
ny nations, having very imperfect acqnaln-
tancc with the English language, and the:s:. being
consequently unable to understand the cap
tains orders y bout midnight we passed
within a stones throw of some light and
land, which the passengers supposed TO be
HOIyhead. The weather continued rough,
and cur confidence in the crew decreased
every minute, though we saw we had a
splendid vessel under Us. y more beauti-
full ship believe has never sailed the seas.
During the night Of Friday the weather
moderated little, ard when we came On
deck the next morning, we found the ship
with two gallant sails topsails, and lower
sails set. A person who came from Deav-
onport with us, Mr.. Nichols, said to us,
the captain is doing wrong in hosting so
much sail we shall have more wind, and
the crew will not be able to take in sail
should any emergency arise
The weather, as the day wore. became
bOisterous and hazy, and about, think. 10
o'clock, the long line was thrown, when it
was said we were going five knots an hour,
steering southwest by west About y o.
clock, friend came down to the cabin where
l was and said There's land close TO US,
and they are afraid the slip will 60 ashore. >
| proceeded on deck, where a horrible scene
of confusion met my eye. Before US, at a
short distance, rose the black rocky Island
Of Lambay, round the base Of which the
waves were dashing furiously, while the YES
sci quite unmanagable in the hands Of her
crew, was drifting towards it with fearful
rapidty The deck was crowded with pas
sengers, male and female, who, perceiving
their danger, were in a state OF frantic ter
ror. The captain attempted TO wear the
ship, but she would not pay off, but contin-
ued to drift towards the rocks. He then or
dered the staysail and think, the spanker
to be set, which was doEe. The mate then
directed the man at the helm to keep her
full, but it was no use. Just at this moment
| heard the chain running out with the an
chor the first mate called out "hold Oh, y
but both anchors were let go-they snapped
like glass
And now began a scene of the most fright
iul horror-some rushing below to get what
they could, others praying, some taking
leave of their friends, wringing their hands,
and beseechng them for help. The vessel,
after striking lay so close upon the rocks
that several persons attempted to jump
ashore. The first person who jumped on
the island struck his head against the rocks,
and fell back into the water with his head
1rlghtfuly cut and after struggling short
time, SINK The next person who jumped
from the vessel made good his footing and
was followed by several others-l believe
the Chinese and Lascars belonging to the
crew. They also succeeded in making good
their landing. and as soon as they had done
so, scampering with all haste up the rocks
never attempting to assist those on board
Several now swung themselves ON the rock
which were but few feet from US. man
aged to swing myself on shore, and resaln