FEARFUL SHIPWRECK AND LOSS OF LIFE. MELANCHOLY AND AFFECTING NARRATIVE.

New Zealander, Volume 7, Issue 536, 4 June 1851, Page 2

FEARFUL SHIPWRECK AND LOSS OF LIFE. MELANCHOLY AND AFFECTING NARRATIVE.

Early on Saturday morning, the llth of January, tie brig New Commercial, of Whitby 250 tont burtlien, Sandenon niHster, bound from Liverpool to the Spanish main, in a thick fog and strong gale from the S 5>.W., struck upon a ledge of rocks between the Great and Little Brisson — two high rocks rising between 60 and 70 feet above high water maik, about one mile «>ff the bluff headland of Cape Cornwall, and about four milei northwards from the Land's End. The 6ea running very high the veisel immediately went to pieces, and the crew, nine men, with one woman, the wife of the master, Rot on the ledge. They were discovered from the shore as soon ns day broke, but no assistance could then be possibly ren tiered them. In this perilous condition the poor creature! remained until about nine o'clock, when they were all washed off together by one tremendous wave, and huiled into the boiling deep. Seven oat of the ten sank at once into a watery grave. Of the remaining three — one. a mulatto, contrived to get on a portion of the floating wreck, and after having betn beaten about lor some hours in imminent peril of being every instant swallowed up by the breakers, managed with remarkable coolness and presence of mind, by means, of a plank which he used as a paddle» and a piece of canvas which served him for a sail, w'uh the assistance of the strong tides, to keep clear of the broken waters. While this poor fellow was struggling for life, amid the anxious expectations of the people who witnessed his attempt from the shore, whose lofty cliffs were now crowded by upwards of 2000 spectators, five fnhermen belonging to Semintn, a small fishinj^cove close to the Land's End, determined, with that'bold and resolute spirit for which theie men are distinguished, to launch their boat (the Grace) through the breakerß in which they happily succeeded, and eventually, after encountering great risk, they rescued the poor mulatto from his perilous situation. The other two, the master and his wife, when they were carried off the ledge, were washed upon the Little Brisson Rock, which rites in » peaked head, and is the resort of numerous sea fowl. The master first gained a footing upon the rock, and upon looking around him saw his wife struggling in the waves, but sufficiently near to enable him to stretch out his hand and pull her in. While the Sennen fishermen were occupied in rescuing the mulatto her Majesty's revenue cutter Sylvia, commanded by Mr. Forward, wa< seen gallantly working round the Land's End, having been ordered to the spot by Captain Davies, | K.N., the late and still acting Inspecting Commander lof the coast guard of this district. Captain Davies himself and several of the officers took up their stations upon the lofty promontory of Cape Cornwall, overlooking the Erissoni. On reaching the point Mr. Forward launched his boat, and attempted, with a crew of four men, to get near the rock ; but the attempt was fruit less, and it was only with great difficulty tbat he regained the cutter, to the great relief of Captain Davies and the numerous spectators upon the cliffs, who rejoiced to perceive that, though success did not attend his daring exploit, still he himself and his gallant crew at least were safe. It wat now growing late, aud nothing more could be attempted in the w«y of rebcue for the day, so Mr. Fotward hoisted his colours and hove to luscrafc, to encourage the poor sufferers who were now to be left to spend the wretched night without food or shelter, exposed to the wind and rain upon tbis tleiolate rock amid the wide watte of waters, and to assure them that they had sull a friend they would stand by and not forsake them. On Sunday morning the wind happily drew a little to the south-east, which eauied the sea to abate; all hands were immediately on the aim. At one o'clock four boat* were seen approaching from Sennen Cove ■—three manned by fishermen, and one by the Const Guard; at tne same time Captain Davies arrived, having embarked in a preventive boat at a small cove named Peiidem, about three miles north-etst of the spoi, with four preventive men and one miner, taking rockets with him. The cutter s boat also was manned by Mr. Forwaid— so that six boats were quickly on the spot. By this time the scene had become one of the most exciting description, and the crowds of people upon the cliffs could not have numbered less than 5000 or 6000 ; snd as each boat arrived at the spot, the cheers of this vast multitude, awakening all the echoes of this cavernous coast, added not a little to the excitement, j The sea still ran so high that no boat could venture within 100 yards of the rock. The rockets which Captain Davies had taken with him in the preventive boat had never been tried here before, even from the shore, and we believe never elsewhere from a boat. After making bis arrangement*, he with his own hand discharged the rocket. He was enveloped for an ii, slant in a sheet ef flame from the back fire. Happily, however, he sustained no injury, but unfortuuately the line reached the rock fell upon a sharp ledge, wuicu^iut the rope so that the end of it slipped off into the sea. It is impossible to describe the disappointment experienced by the people upon the cliffs and in the boats at this unfavourable result of such a daring experiment.

After a short delay, however, another rocket was prepared, which Captain Davies again himself discliaiired, and this time the cord fell on the rock close by the man, to the great joy and delight of the aisembled multitude. | At this critical moment the tun shone forth with brilliancy. The man on the rock was seen to fasten the line around the waist <>f his wife, and to encourage her to the fearful leap, while she lingered iind hesitated to jump ino the foaming waters. After some little time, however, his persuasions prevailed. They took an affectionate leave of each other, and, amid the breathless expectation of all, she made the awful plunge for lifp or death from a height of abou' twelve feet. At this moment three immense waves broke )n , rapid succession, perilling the safety of all. For a I limr, indeed, the boats were entirely hidden from the vi>w of the spectator's, mid the loud cry broke forth from thousand! of voices, " They are gone." But soon again the boats were seen above the swelling waves, and she lofty cliffs once more rang: with approving cheers. The cord was drawn with great judgment, and after about three minutes the poor woman wai taken into one of the boats ; but the blows from the waves were more than her exhausted frame could bear. No attention that could be sliown her was spared. The men took (-ff their own clothes to cover her, and used every effort to restore her. She breathed, but by the time the boat reached the cove life had fled. After the master had persuaded his wife to leave him, he fastened the cord round his own wiist, and was dniwu, greatly exhausted, into one of the other boats It is impossible to speak too highly of thr conduct of those who were employed on this occasion. All who witnessed it agree in declaring that a more gallant, humane, and praisworthy act has seldom been lecorded.