WRECK OF THE VOLUNTEER AT FOX'S RIVER. LOSS OF LIFE.

Grey River Argus, Volume III, Issue 149, 25 December 1866, Page 2

WRECK OF THE VOLUNTEER AT FOX'S RIVER. LOSS OF LIFE.

(From the Brighton Times of Saturday.) A sad and fatal case of drowning occurred here on the night of Thursday, the 20th instant. The cutter Volunteer crossed the bar out, the wind blowing strong from the NW, with a heavy sea, and strong fresh running in the river. This vessel had scarcely crossed the bar when it became apparent to the many spectators ashore that she would become a- total wreck. Immediately in front of the- entrance to the river, and southward of it are a number of small rocks which, in si ite of every effort of those on board the Volunteer/ found it impossible to rauid, tl:ey so nearly succeeded that it only became a question of a few yards when her safety would have been secured. At this moment the hopes of the crew and lookers oh were doomed to disappointment, as it was then easy to be seen as the vessel drifted upon the rocks that she would quickly break up, but none anticipated that the mischance would be attended also with loss of life. We understand there were six men on board tl.e craft, two of whg.m on finding the vessel in distress made for the shore in the ship's boat. The coast south of the river being perfectly rock-bound, they made for the entrance and succeeded in getting within a couple of boats' lengths of the schooner Julia but the darkness which was fast setting in, added to the confusion caused by the hoarse cries of the bystanders, each of whom in his desire to render some assistance but added to the disoider, rendered every effort futile. Unfortunately, at the very moment that a line could have easily been thrown to the men, whose boat had become unmanageable in consequence of its oars having been lost, it was found they had no line, had one been at 1 aud both nien woidd have been saved. The favorable opportunity continued, about five minutes, when the boat gradually; drifted in Ihe direction of the bar, and duo heavy roller struck her broadside, and silo overturned. The two men were still to the seen clinging to the boat, and even yet ftapas not a difficult matter to rescue tb^gjJgFDnring the whole of this time the ferry hoat had not made its appearance. A boat was in attendance upon the schooner until she drifted upon the rocks, and they then rowed in and moored the boat high up the river. By whose orders the boat was removed at such a crisis, we are unable to state, but it certainly showed great indiffeijenee or a culpable want of judgment on thp part of some one, that the boat did not remain in attendance vntil the safety of the vessel was assured. lii the absence of any harbour boat, the ferryman was applied to, he having a goo'l strong whalcboat close at hand ; we understand that he premptorily refused to lend his boat for the purpose of saving the unfortunate men's lives, if this is true,' and from the number and credibility of our informers, we have every reason to believe it is, we trust that the inhumanity of this individual will nieet with its immediate deserts, At this juncture a boatman named Daniel Collins, whose courage and humanity deserve to be recorded throughout the colony I'obly ventured through the breakers to. aid the men who were now fast drifting out of < n'gh.t, The brave fellow succeeded. in swim-

riling to within a short distance of the boat when it was found that the line he had taken .with him was either too short, or the weight to great, to admit of his' swimming further, and it was with the utmost difficulty that the poor fellow once 'more regained the shore. At last a whale boat makes its appearance, and much anxiety is felt respecting its fate, the crew consisting of volunteers ; after a few minutes absence they return having rescued one man, the other having perished in the waters. The remainder of the crew reached the shore about two o'clock 011 the following morning at low water. The Volunteer is now lying a perfect wreck on the beach. We have received some additional particulars respecting this unfortunate wreck ; Collins it appears, so we learn from the survivor got' within ten fathoms of fche boat, sufficiently near to exchange a few words, at that time there w t os only one man en the boat, but the line though one hundred and twenty fathoms long, would not admit of his approaching nearer.