The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1869-02-25
Loss OF Belfast Vessel on the Isles
of Shoals, Sufferings Of the Crew.

The schooner Circassian, Capt James S. Syl-
vester, with cargo Of hay and potatoes, was
on her passage from this port to Boston the
night OF the 9th inst. The night was dark,
the wind was blowing fresh, and very cold.
With light in sight which was taken for that
on the Isle Of Shoals, the schooner was sup.
posed to be in safe position, until almost one
O'Clock, when she struck heavily on the rocks.
1t was then known that the light they had taken
for the Isle of Shoals was really that on Whales
Back, and that the schooner was ashore on
Duck Island, one of the Isles of Shoals, a bar
rem and uninhabited spot. The vessel swung
round, with her head off shore, pounding heav-
lily on the rocks, and soon filled with water for
ward Capt Sylvester, seeing that she must
go TO pieces, told the crew that every one must
look out for himself. An attempt was made to
use the boat, but it swamped alongside Capt.
S. then stripped to his pants and shirt, jumped
overheard, and struck out for the shore. He
became entangled in rope, and came near
drowning before getting away from it. The
icy water chilled him to the very marrow, as
the waves dashed over and over him. But 1t
was struggle tor life, and he kept on, though
strength was fast failing. At length, when
and crawed upon the beach, his limbs so weak
and numb with cold that he could not walk a
step. Life was saved thus far-but he was out
of the pitiiess sea, perhaps only to perish by
the cruel cold Staggering to his feet he be-
gan to walk as means of keeping his blood in
circulation, and of searching for some rock as
shelter from the wind. Cropping about Ia the
darkness, he stumbled upon the des erted hut
Of some fishermen or hunters--a miserable af-
fair at best, but q most welcome shelter to him.
Here by constant motion and threshing bis
arms, he managed to keep alive until day
The others on board the schooner, Samuel Bur
CESS, Of Belfast, Shubael Pendleton, of Isles
boro and Connecticut man, name unknown.
had reached rock under her stern, by means
of the main boom. Here the sea broke over
| them at times, but they managed to hold on un-
til the tide went down, and then cot ashore.
One Of these had some matches in his pocket.
but, dampei by the salt water they would not
light. In the morning, with only four matches
| left, they laid them In the sun, which came out
BRIGHT and to their great JOY they dried suf-
hciently to burn. good fire made their stu
alton much more endurable. With an oar. and
some garments taken from q trunk that dri fed
ashore, they made signal to vessels that ap-
peard in sight. In the afternoon, when the
chances were that they would have to pass
another night there without food or clothing
their signal was seen from the sch. Spray, Capt
Fletcher, a boat was lowered, they were taker
Gu board, and landed at Kittery. Capt Sylves
ter ard his crew speak with the utmost graft
tude Of the kind treatment of Capt Fletcher
Also Of Mr.. L. p. Call, Of the society for tn,
, relief of shipwrecked seamen, and of Cant
Weeks, Wreck Master. By them they wert
furnished with food, clothing, money, and fire
tickets to Boston. The officers OF the steame
Katahdin also kindly gave them passage home
, The Circassian was owned by Capt Sylyes
ter, Woods, Mathews Baker, Charles Thombs
VIM. H. Swan, and Henry Burgess. The car
go by Woods, Mathews & Baker, Capt Sylves
ter and Henry Burgess. There was no nsur
ance. Capt. Sylvester, who is n very worth
man, had nearly his whole property In the YES
, sci and cargo.
A man In Boston fell dead while riding on.
OF the new humbuss, called velocipedes-ane
was thereby prevented from making u fool 0
himself any longer