Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-09-21
SEPTEMBER 21
COLLISION IN THE ENGLISH CHANNEL Two
SHIPS FOUNDER-NINETY-S PERSONS ARE
URuWNEn

COLLISION IN THE ENGLISH CHANNEL TWO
SHIPS FOUSDER-NINETY-sIx PERSONS ARE
DROWNED.
Last Tuesday night, in the English chan
mel. seven miles off Portland, the British
ship Avalanche. from London for New Zea-
land. collided with the British ship Forest.
for New York. and both vessels toundered.
Ninety-six persons were drowned. The
Forest was in ballast and had crew num-
bering twenty-One. Captain Lock hart, the
chief mate and seven others were saved.
The Avalanche had crew of thirty two,
and sixty-three Passengers, s,-twenty-six sa
loon, seventeen second class and twenty
third class, mostly cOlonists. The third
officer and two seamen only were saved
The Forest struck the Avalanche amidships,
reb0unded and struck her twice further aft
causing her to founder in about three min
utes from the first striking. There was no
time to launch boats. The night was dark
and 1t was almost impossible to discern the
mass of human beings struggling in the
water below, but the survivors say they will
never forget the scene. The sea must have
been literally alive with human beings
whose cries for help could not OBJ
tain any response. There was a steady
drizzle with gusts of rain and wind, and
the sea was high. The cries were heard
by the crew OF the Forest, but they were
unable to render any assistance. The For
est was very leaky, the water gaining so
fast that the crew had to abandon her.
Three boats were launched, and in these the
whole crew of the Forest, as Capt. Lock
hart supposed, with three men belonging
to the Avalanche took places. 1t appears,
however. that in the excitement some of the
crew were left However. rescue was hope
less and the poor fellows had to be left to
their tate. the wind and sea being 50 rough
the men in the boat that reached the shore.
thought that the boat would be swamped
every minute. The other two boats have
washed ashore. and several bodies.
WILLIAM NOBLE, OF ENGLAND. ON TEMPER
ANCE "A full house greeted the celebrated
English temperance lecturer, Mr. William
Noble, at Park Street Church, last evening.
lie il a gentleman of medium height, middle
age. fluent speech, not especially brilliant
as All orator, but considerably more
logical and cogent in presenting the
argument for tee-totsl-ism than the
advocates OF that cause in general,
and has, moreover, a taking. dramatic,
manner. He cOnfesses personal knOwl |
edge OF the evils of iEtemperance. He
began by saying that seven years ago he
was wreck, but that he was induced TO
take the first decisive step in reform by kind
and urgent endeavors iu his behalf of the
members OF Young Mems Christian
Association. One evening, much to the
surprise OF his wife, he arrived home at a
reasonably early hour. and although it was
ii O'Clock at night, he had his children
aroused from their slumber, and all knelt |
together and he offered prayer for Gods |
blessing on his purpose to lead a new lie. |
This prayer was answered. and that he was
a sober and free man, rather than a drunk
ard and a slave to appetite, was owing TO |
the grace OF God chiefly. lie felt that this |
was the only sure way out of the trouble
that good resolutions are made etiectual " hen |
the heart is consecrated to Christ That the |
influence of education and refinement of life |
will prevent a man from being overcome |
by his grosser appetites he declared is not |
true. In the course Of his address he said |
II should have to travel long ways in |
England to find church like this in which |
to discuss the temperance question. The |
Christian church of America is fifty years |
in advance of that of England in the matter
Of the sentiment of the temperance reform.
W hat you lack is organizaticn.-Bo Boston
Globe, Sept. l0th.