The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-02-09
MARINE DISASTER.
Loss of the Brig BriIliant-NO Mercy
from the Waves.

The steamship Europe, of the Anchor line,
arrived at New York yesterday morning, Cap
tain Craig reports that they experienced very
strong westerly gales during the entire passage;
On the 28th of January, in latitude so deg. 46
min. longitude u deg. IA min., ship was
observed about five miles to the westward,
which proved to be the brig Brilliant of St.
John, N. B., bound for Liverpool, having on
board Captain McCart. h. Desomond, mate, and
a crew of five. The brig had sailed from Cape
Fear river bar on ike sth of January, with
cargo of rosin and Turpeutine. The following
is the statement of Mr.. Mozart, captain OF the
brig BIilant:-
We sailed from Cape Fear River Bar January
8; had fine weather for two days, after which
we experienced succession of gales from the
westward until the 10th, when we encountered
gale OF great violence from the S. hauling
round to the W.; took in lower topsails and
foretopmast staysal; at P: M. blew away
foretopsail during the night several seas
boarded us, staving our best boat and water
casks on deck; about p. NJ. the vessel began to
leak badly, and at 10 A. M. on the Goth she had
four feet Of water in the hold; the wind was at
this time moderating, and We threw overheard
a portion OF our cargo. The pumps had been
kept constantly going since the night before,
and we found we gained on the water
little as the gale went down, From
this time until the night of the 26th, the
gale continued from the westward, uatil It in,
creased to one of the heaviest gales that had
ever seen. At 7'50 +. M, the foretopmast stay
sail was blown away. At 2'30 A. NJ, 27th, the
topsail parted Between IL and A. NJ, several
leaVV seas DOdTOSu UT6dklDB III CuUlu VIII
doWs and shutters, aud putting large quantities
of water into the cabin; w. forecastle was at
this time utterly untenable, and all hands were
att, and the pumps kept constantly going.
At 3'55 A. M. a tremendous sea broke over
the stern, washing the first and second mates,
who were at the wheel. overheard, and break
ing the wheel all to pieces; the mate had
boWline around his waist, by the assistance
OF which he was enabled to get on board again,
but the secOud mate was drowned; the vessel
having lost her stearing gear, broached to on
the port tack, aud lay down on her side almost
under water, the sea waking clean breach
over her; cut away the foremast TO ease her,
and the wreck of the foremast holding on for
ward by the wire stays made her lie with her
head more to sea; between this time and IL NJ.
many very heavy seas boarded us, breaking iu
the forecastle doors, and filing the cabin with
water; were obliged 10 lash the men at the
pumps, which we kept constantly going; IN the
afternoon we got the lee anchor Oft the bow,
and paid out about 80 iathoms chain to keep
her head more to the sea; the wind was mode.
rating, and we had been working the
pumps for SO hours, without dry stitch of
clothes, or anything to eat but biscuits and
water and without sleep for over 4S hours; the
brig, having more than four feet of water in the
hold determined to abandon the vessel on the
fret opportunity; at 10 A. NJ. 2Sth, we saw a
steamer to the eastward, which proved to be
the Europe, bound from Glasgow to New York;
we were taken off and brought TO this port. l
beg leave, on behalf OF myself and men, to
tender my mostsincere thanks to Captain Craig
and his officers, not only for saving our lives,
but also for the great kindnesses which were
| shown us while on board the steamer.