WRECK OF THE LILY PARKER.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1206, 10 June 1872, Page 2

WRECK OF THE LILY PARKER.

[NEW YORK HERALD, FEB. 29.] A seaman of the barque (Tils d'Orson, which touched at Sable Island, off the Nova Scotia coast, February 14, for water, brings a painful story of the wreck of the Lily Parker, Captain Fletcher, of Swansea, England, on the 10th instant, on Sable Island. The watchman on duty at the "left bar" that night was attracted by the whining of a dog, and, on attaching a lantern to his neck, were able to follow him, where they found a woman and her child, a little sir], two years old, lying almost drowned. They removed her to the Sailors' Hospital, about half a mile distant, where she lay insensible for a day or two. The child died on the following morning from the exposure. When the mother became conscious she asked -where she waa — her appearance was refined and handsome— on being told by Surgeon Awlward that she had been saved from some wreck, and was then in the hands of those who would take care of her, she earnestly expressed her gratitude. Memory returning she suddenly asked—" Where is Robert ? Where is Captain Fletcher?" Nobody could telL The surgeon could only respond that, as nothing had yet been learned of the wreck Captain Fletcher might bo safe. The poor lady wept bitterly for some moments, and again suddenly turned towards the surgeon, asked for her child. Its death was not announced to her then, but the following night found the lady so far recovered as to be able to narrate the incidents of her untoward fate, and hear the harrowing news that her husband, Captain Fletcher, had not been heard of, and that her child had died. Her story is substantially as follows :— " On the 3rd of January, the barqne Lily Parker left Swansea, England, bound for Halifax, Nova Scotia, with merchandise and salt. After being out five days, the fore-topmast ami fore-top-gallant-mast were carried away in a severe gale which lasted forty-eight hours. Jury masts wero supplied, and the lily Parker proceeded on her voyage, favored by good winds for about ten days, after which she again experienced foul weather, in which a large quantity of canvas and the fore-top-gallant-mast were lost. After being thirty Bays at sea, she encountered a violent hurricane, and lost nearly all of her foremast, and the mizen-mast was literally split in two by a tremendous sea, which also made a large breach in her bulwarks, and forcing the ship on her beam ends. Thus disabled, the barque continued until the 12th inst., when it waa found that she had drifted over 500 miles out of her course, and lay in the latitude of Sable Island. Late on that night, a strong northeast wind sprang up, and the sea rose to a fearful height. The wind increased, and the ship lost her rudder. The ship was tossed about like a log, until she drifted on to a lee shore, striking heavily upon the sub-marine ledge which stretches beyond the most northern point of the island. The barque filled rapidly after her bows had been stove in. The storm still razed so wildly it was useless to suggest any plan for rescue." Farther than this Mrs Fletcher's bewildered memory could not lead her. All that she could Bay definitely was that the barque suddenly broke in two, and those on board were either thrown into the sea, or had time to seize some portion of the wreck before the vessel fell asunder. All was conf asion and dismay. Some shrieked for ropes, some for boats, and the captain called out loudly for " Bella," his wife. Mrs Fletcher remembers little after the porting of the ship, until olie waa conscious of being dragged ashore by somebody, as she thought. She held her babe firmly clasped to her during the awful ordeal. It was her faithful Newfoundland dog that saved them, and tbe noble animal was worn out when his whines attracted the attention of the watchman. Mrs Fletcher states that her husband, C&ptain Fletcher, was a native of Liverpool, and resided at No 19 Hope street. Mount Pleasant, in that city. The ship lily Parker, was the property of Hick, Brook, and Barley, of Swansea. Mrs Fletcher, could name only three of the crew : the mate, William Carter, a married man, who lived in Liverpool, and bad five children depending on him for support ; the second mate, Charles Carter, brother to the mate, also a married man ; and " Jip" Hudson, the cook, amative of j Demerara. Mrs Fletcher was offered a passage ! dn board the Fils D » -by Captain Fpngier, ; b,ut Surgeon jn^^PWMi Ba * er W.»ke should wait until the usual monthly boat from Halifax, N.S, visited Sable Island.