sengers to their fate! By this time the ship was alınost on her beam-ends, and to stand on deck was impossible. The lamp in the saloon had been extinguished, and the water was surging over the table fully five feet deep on the lowest side. There were ladies and children below, and some heartrending shrieks were heard, but they were very few, for they behaved well. The first object was to rescue them from immediate death, and some brave fellows were soon below, and first among them was the surgeon of the vessel, Dr. Williams, whose gallant conduct from the beginning to the end of our troubles all acknowledged and applauded. It would be impossible to describe every incident of that fearful scene, and if it were not, it would occupy more time than I can afford, and more space than you can spare. It will be suffi cient to say that after the most gallant exertions every soul was got on deck, and ultimately landed in safety, but in a wretched condition, with no covering but the most scanty night-clothes, and nearly all bare-footed. It was broad daylight before all were landed, and those who came last suffered least, for sails had been spread for them to land on. I have passed over the difficulty of launching the boats, but when it is remembered that the crew had fled, and that the ship's deck lay at about an angle of 60°, with the weather boats resting on her side, instead of hanging by the davits, it will not be difficult to imagine the magnitude of the task which devolved upon the passengers and Europeans belonging to the ship. The lee boats were already in the water, and had only to be cut away, and even that could not be done before one was forced under water by the davits and rendered, for the time at least, useless. Of seven boats belonging to the vessel we saved five. I will now return to the reef and see what is being done. Before the sun was high enough to make the heat disagreeable or dangerous, sails and awnings had been brought on shore, and the bare rock soon showed signs of an encampment. The reef was low all round at the water's edge, and for about fifty yards back: it then rose perpendicularly, and in some places even projected to a height of from ten to fifteen feet or more. This formed a back wall, and when a sail was made fast to the rocks above, and supported on a few spars below, a very tolerable tent was formed, and shelter was never more necessary, for we were in the hottest part of the Red Sea, and in the hottest season. We had good reason to be, and I hope we were, grateful to Providence for our extraordinary escape, for had the rocks on the starboard side been ten feet deeper, the vessel must have rolled over and gone down, and this was what we most feared, for she might be resting on a single rock, which would gradually force its way through her, and it is no uncommon thing to find a hundred fathoms within a few feet of a reef in the Red Sea. I forgot to mention that the masts were cut away and went overboard with a crash, clearing everything before them. It was now time to look about for some means of present subsistence and future relief, for we were six miles out of the course of vessels, and had therefore little to hope from them should they even pass by day. It was thirty-five miles to Mocha, on the Arabian coast, and water at least could be obtained there and a messenger despatched to Aden with the news. At the latter place there were two war steamers, the Furious and Cyclops. Arrangements were at once made, and at nine a.m. a boat was started for Mocha with a fair light wind and an almost waveless sea. There were in the boat, the second officer, Mr. Baker, (a first-rate man,) Mr. Newall, the contractor for the Red Sea Telegraph, two quartermasters, and a native crew, I will now give in as few words as possible a kind of resumé of what occurred during the three days. Parties were soon formed to bring on shore everything eatable and drinkable that could be got at, and it was fortunate that some of the store-rooms were dry. A quantity of beer and claret were got on shore, and a guard established over them, and all were put on rations. This, at first, consisted of a bottle and a half for the day, but was soon reduced to a bottle. It may seem strange to English ears to hear that this was not enough, but let them think of the heat and consequent perspiration, and that beer rather increases than quenches thirst, although it gives temporary relief. One half the quantity of water would have been more acceptable, but what little of that which had been saved was very properly kept for ladies and children. For the latter some preserved milk and arrowroot had been landed. I fancy all suffered more from anxiety for the future than from any present distress, and it was here that men's characters could be learned. Some of the "jolly fellows" of the saloon and quarterdeck looked dismal enough, and some of those who had been least popular on board became most deservedly so on 66 our rock." Another boat was despatched in the evening to an island about twenty miles distant, where it was believed water could be obtained. It was in sight on the following evening returning, and I shall not soon forget the anxiety with which we hailed it when within reach, and the cheer that followed when the reply was "Water!" They had succeeded in filling all the casks they had with them, but it was very salt, and would have been spurned at any other time. A pint per man was immediately served out to every native, and the remainder, slightly dashed with rum, was very acceptable to us all. Only one died, and that was the unfortunate purser, who succumbed the first night, and expired about twelve p.m. I shall pass over two days, and resume my narrative on the morning of our relief. At daylight a cry of " A steamer!" was raised, and passed along the rock from mouth to mouth in a second. All started up; and there, distinct enough, could be seen the smoke and even the masts of a steamer, though still far distant. It was evident that she was either coming towards us or going directly away from us, and a half-hour of sickening anxiety was passed until her hull rose slowly, and there could be no doubt that she was coming to our assistance. In two hours she dropped anchor within a hundred yards of us, and was greeted with a heartfelt cheer. The boats were lowered, and kegs of water handed ashore and devoured with astonishing rapidity, until all were satisfied, and then the ladies and children were embarked at once; and it is no exaggeration to say that had they been the wives, and sisters, and children of the gallant officers and sailors, they could not have received a more tender welcome. It was a curious and delightful sight to see the rough but tender-hearted tars nursing and tending, and even washing children in a tub, on the forecastle, and thinking, probably, poor fellows, of their own wives and children that were far away. God bless them all! We are proud of our army, and do not hate our soldiers, but we love our sailors, for there is a charm about their rough honest nature that finds its way into every English heart, and produces a thrill of pride and satisfaction. It was perhaps our delightful reception on board the gallant Cyclops that made us feel so keenly the cold and sneering one it was our fate to meet with from the passengers of the Bombay, and they were our countrymen too. It would be unjust to condemn all, but there were some who even indulged in open sneers, for we had lost nearly all, and our costumes were varied and curious enough, and obtained for us from the most delicate and refined on board the title of "The Alma Savages." There is another pleasant recollection to counterbalance this, and I have done. We shall not readily forget the good people of Aden. Every door was thrown open, and greater kindness it was never the lot of shipwrecked destitutes to receive: and foremost, where all were kind, were the gentlemen connected with the Red Sea Telegraph. I will now conclude this imperfect account, and trusting it will give your readers some idea of our unfortunate shipwreck, and apologising for its length, though I have not told half, I am, &c., Daily News. A PASSENGER. Loss of H.M.S. "HERON." The following is a copy of the official report relative to the loss of the Heron: H.M.S. Victory, Portsmouth, June 10th. Sir,-Being the only surviving officer from the wreck of H.M. brig Heron, I have the honour to report, for the information of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, my proceedings immediately before the wreck, and until my arrival on board this ship. On Sunday, the 8th May, I had the first watch (from 8h. to 12h. p.m.) At nine o'clock the captain left his order-book with me; it ran as follows:"Course N.E.b.N. Shorten sail on any appearance of a squall, and call me." At midnight I was relieved by Lieutenant Porter, of the Trident, who was taking passage and doing duty. The ship at the time was under topgallant sails, single-recfed topsails, courses, boom mainsail, and jibs; going 1.8; a fine starlight night. At five the following morning of the 9th, I was thrown out of my bed against the main ladder. I rushed on deck, caught a rope which had fallen to leeward, and succeeded in getting on the ship's bottom, where I found a number of men. I immediately called for a knife, when Samuel Handsford, captain forecastle, cut away the foremost fall of the weather whale boat. The ship then sunk, leaving the boat afloat, the after-fall having been cut or separated, but not known by whom. Twenty-three men and myself got into the whale-boat. After being in the boat about four minutes, I saw a white speck on the water making towards us. I then gave orders to keep every one off the boat, as she was already overcrowded. When the white speck was within a few feet of the boat, I found by the voice that it was the captain, and instantly took him in; the weather at this time was very dark, and raining heavily. The captain was so much exhausted that I kept charge of the boat for about forty minutes, when he, being partially recovered, and his wounds bound up, took charge. When daylight appeared we found the boat's crutches, and commenced pulling, keeping head to sea. After about an hour John Waldren, ordinary, said he saw a sail ahead, which was not visible to any one else, but we all saw her about a quarter of an hour afterwards, and reached her at 2h. p.m. We were then taken on board the Irlam, a barque of Liverpool, from Calabar to Sierra Leone, where we arrived at noon on the 16th. Captain Truscott went on board H.M.S. Trident, and reported himself; the Trident's cutter then took us out of the barque. On the 19th of May we went on board the Ethiope, African mail steamer, for passage to Liverpool. On the 3rd of June Captain Truscott died, and was buried at sea. I have, &c., ROBERT MINDRY, Gunner, 3rd Class. At a court-martial held on board H.M.S. Victory, at Portsmouth, Captain G. T. Gordon, of H.M.S. Asia, presiding, the following was the "Finding:"The Court was of opinion that the loss of H.M. brig Heron was caused by foundering at sea in a heavy squall, owing to the officer in charge of the deck not taking sufficient precaution by shortening sail, although the squall gave sufficient warning of its approach. The Court was further of opinion that no blame was attributable to Mr. Mindry, and adjudged him to be fully acquitted. THE "EASTERN MONARCH."-The official inquiry instituted into the causes of the destruction of this ship has resulted in a report, to the effect that the explosion arose from the "culpable and criminal negligence" of the steward, who had taken a lighted candle into the gunroom over night, and had struck a lucifer-match and thrown it down in a lighted state on the deck. The unseamanlike and disreputable conduct of the ship's company, not including the master and officers, when the fire broke out is much reprehended, and the report concludes with the following passage: "That nothing could be more praiseworthy than the conduct of the military officers and soldiers on board, and the comparatively small loss of life is mainly attributable to the discipline and good order of the troops under Colonel Allen. That every possible assistance was rendered from H.M. ships at Spithead, and also from the ballast barges in attendance-particularly the Providence, William Corderoy in charge; and by many boats from the shore." LOSS OF THE "ELK."-An investigation took place at the Custom-house, Belfast, before Mr. W. S. Tracy and Captain Harris, Nautical Assessor, respecting the loss of the Elk, steamer, Captain M'Queen, on the rocks between Ballycormick Point and Groomsport. After the examination of several witnesses, Mr. Tracy said that the Court would feel it to be their painful duty to forward the certificate of Captain M'Queen to the Council for Trade; and it would be also their very unpleasant duty to express their opinion that this unfortunate occurrence, which might have been attended with loss of life, had entirely arisen from the fact that the lead was not used, and that, also, the speed of the vessel had not been slackened. These facts spoke for themselves, and the Board, on reading the evidence must see that the disaster was undoubtedly caused by these two omissions. It was, indeed, very painful to them to be obliged to come to these conclusions, after the very high and very excellent character which Mr. M'Queen had received from Mr. Watson, on the part of this great Glasgow house. The Court had now, however, nothing to do with that, but it was only their duty to forward their opinion to the Board that this disaster arose in consequence of these two omissions. It would be for Captain M'Queen to consider whether he would forward his certificates of character to the Board. CHARTS, &c., Published by the Hydrographic Office, Admiralty, in July, 1859, and Sold by the Agent, J. D. Potter, 31, Poultry, and 11, King Street, Tower Hill. Ireland, Lough Foyle, R. Hoskyn, R.N., 1859, (5s.) Ireland, Achill Head to Roonagh Head, Comdr. R. B. Beechey, R.N., 1856, (5s.) Nova Scotia, Nicomtan Harbour, Comdr. Orlebar, R.N., 1857, (3s.) Falkland Islands, Choiseul Sound, Capt. Sulivan, R.N., C.B., (3s. 6d.) Japan, Hakodadi Harbour, Lieut. Maury, U.S.N., 1854, (1s. 6d.) Japan, Endermo Harbour, Mr. C. A. Stevens, U.S.N., 1854, (1s. 6d.) English Channel Pilot, part 2, coast of France and the Channel Islands, by J. W. King, Esq., R.N., 1859, (53.) Hydrographic Office Notice, África S.E. coast, Atlas Rock and Aliwal Shoal, 1859. Adriatic Sea, chapter i., 1859, (6d.) United States Lights, corrected to August, 1859, by Comdr. Dunsterville, R.N., (1s 6d.) Admiralty, July 21st, 1859. When the Leviathan of the Thames refused to take to that element for which she was intended it was a cause for much regret. To many it was no doubt a very serious one. But viewing the subject in another light, that of the progress of enterprise in general, it was no less to be regretted, because the great experiment or problem which she was to solve was deferred sine die. Indeed, it might not be solved at all; but, at all events, a tedious delay was certain. Thanks, however, to that elastic spirit which still rises equal to the difficulty it has to surmount, our countrymen have been up and doing; and after forcing her reluctant step inch by inch into the water, here she is, ready in her proper element to proceed to her place of departure. We rejoice to see her there, and bid her welcome to commence that career in which much that is yet vibrating between hopes and doubts will ere long be set at rest. The experiment involves naturally two questions on which success is anticipated, the one is entirely mercantile, the other nautical. The former may be problematical; the elements of it will of course vary, but they are under certain control. Not so the latter for there may be conditions, mostly to be expected, with which her very nature may be unable to contend. What the sea has been for centuries past, it will be for centuries to come; and this, in its mildest as well as its most intemperate form, she means to brave,-to take her part in it "for better, for worse." We trust she will do her duty in it at all NO. 9.-VOL. XXVIII. 3 м |