, 1859-12-01
THE LOSS OF THE INDIAN.
SCENE or TIE DISASTER.

"s@ SCENE or THE nlsA8IEK-
Marie Joseph is u settlement Of a few houses
at the head Of small bay, land-locked by low
rocky shores and islands. The waters around
cnlt at all times, and in thick weather impossi-
bic.
L larger island than the rest, named Barren
Island, and having on it one fishe1mnn's hut,
lies of the entrance to the harbor. 4 reef or
ledge runs from that extremity Of the island a
considerable distance seward. It ~as on this
reef the Indian went ashore. According to ac~
counts from Capt. Smith aud his officers, they
had been able to take but one observation On
the passage out On Saturday. they sighted
Cape Race. The weather was cold and sleety,
when they had run such dtstAuce rs indicated
they were approaching the shore, Capt. Smith
had recourse to soundings, and kept the lead
constantly going. He states that he was misled
By his soundings> >1hich corresponded closely
with all those laid down on the chart for the 10
cality in which be imagined he was, namely
of Sable Island. The shock was not violent !;
the ship was going about eight knota at the
time. No breakers were seen before the ship
struck. The morning was dark, with sleet and
hail driving frod4the land. Immediately alter
the yessel etrnck it became apparent tlat she
was working SO much that she would 60 to
pieces. Preparations were accordingly made to
lower the boats, and Notwithstanding the re-
monstranccs Of the Captain, many OF the for
ward passengers crowded into them. The cab
in passengers, eight in number, including three
young married ladies, were calm aud self pos.
sessea- The ladies, Mrs Street, Mrs. Patterson
and Mrs. Melbrum, were accompanied By their
husbands and uere 4ared. Their boat went of
to the cold, with q gale blowing and q heavy
sea- About half an hour after The vessel struck
/ heavy roller came in, aud lifting the shiI
| about six feet, let her fall on the rocks, wheI
she broke across the paddle boxes into two
| parts; the bow fell orer sideways, while tht
| utter part remained entire Several person!
were on the bow, but we're rescued By passing
rope over the chssm aud hauling them aft.
| a singular incident occurred here. An aget
| Irishman, who had considerable sum Of money
with him, had been insane for week prerions
from fear Of being wrecked. He would fire.
queutly pack up his apparel, and offer any on
money to put him ashore, prophesying the shil
would never reach Portland. After the bov
fell over be Was seen sitting on the forecastl
| deck ladder, With his satcael in his hand, appa
7ently unconscious or unable to take advantag
| Of the attempts made to save him. In littt
time be fell from his place, and slid across tn
deck into the sen, where he was drowned, as b
! had foretold week before.
Most of the loss Of Life occurred at the tim
the ship broke across. Strange to say not on
Of the dead bodies has get come ashore Ml
Smiths {the fourth ofticer) boat was drive
thirty miles along the beach before it made th
laud. On landing, the passengers were be
slowed in the houses IN the settlement. Th
passengers complain seriously Of the native
ior stealing. i store, in which was the bag
gage taken from the ship. Was broken into IN
The raluables stolen, leaving several Of the pa:
sengers literally Without change Of raimen
The Gladiatos took MI the passengers at Mari
Joseph, and the officers also, aud brought the.
to Halifax. Some had ulready left in coastin
| schooner