SUFFERINGS AT SEA.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 136, 31 May 1876, Page 2

SUFFERINGS AT SEA.

On the 25th of November last the wheat sbip . Greta sailed from San Francisco for Liverpool. She arrived at tbe latter port on the 16th March last, having pioked up midoc«m a part of the shlp-wre?ked ere***- of the ship Great Britain, which became waterlogged on her voyage from Darien to Liverpool, i Those who were saved were the captain, Chi'cott, the first mate, and eight seamen. They were picked up 600 miles from Cape Clear, in a starving condition, emaciated, and dying. -The sad details of their sufferings are given as follows:— Wbile the Great Britain was on ncr way from Darien to Liverpool, laden with lumber, she encountered very tempestuous weather, in whi.h Bhe sprung a leak, and became waterlogged. The crew remained by her. however, for several days, during which time two sons of Captain Ohilcoft died from exposure. They hoped that some friendly vessel would heave in sight and rescue them, and were consequently fain to leave the helpless ship But they were doomed tp disappointment, ane seeing np hope of rercue by remaining any longer by the ship, Captain Chilcott and his. crew, numbering in all thirteen men, abandoned her, and took an open boat. Most of the provisions on board were Bpoiled by water, and the little left was pnt into the boat in which they embarked, They then cut loose from the helpless *hip, and steered for the track of vessels bound for England, Their water and provisions were soon exhausted, and for six days they were enduring the agony of slow starvation. On the seventh dav they sighted a steamer. Their hopes being revived by her appearance, they made frantic efforts to attract the notice of tho.e on board, bnt without success, and she soon steamed out of sight. Up to that time, the cook had been the most cheerful hnd sanguine of all. but his spirit broke down under this sore disappointment, and during the night he died of exhaustion. The remaining eleven having been without food or drink for threedays, were driven to the dire extremity of eating the livers of theii dead comrades to quench their thirst and appease their hurg'r. Un the ninth day a third man died, and the remainder were co emaciated that they cou'd barely crawl about the boat. Thit day the Greta hove in sight, saw the tig nals of the unfortunate men, and immediately took them on board.. They were kindly treated by Captain M'Cready and his crew; but their privations had been so great, and they had been reduced so low that, notwithstanding the careful treatment they had received on board the Greta from the hour in which they were picked up until the time she cast anchor in the river Mersey, the greater number of them were co weak on tb/ir arrival at Liverpool that they bad to be taken to the hospital.