SHIPWRECKS OFF ALDERNEY.

Intelligence reached Guernsey on Friday afternoon by "m. mer • Queen of the Isles,' Captain Scott, that a most distressing calamity had occurred off the little island of Alderoey, which has resulted in a fearful loss of life, and the destruction of property to the amount of at least £80, 000. From information gathered from Captain Scott we learn that about two o'clock on Wednesday afternoon a rather heavy storm arose ' from the north-north-east, accompanied by occasional rain, which towards evening increased into a perfect tempest and a complete deluge of water; so severe was it that the inhabitants could scarcely leave their houses, and the roads were turned into overflowing torrents. The usual' lights were exhibited to warn mariners against the treacherous coast, and everything that human foresight could devise was brought into active operation to meet the emergency. The storm quickly increased, and between 12 on Wednesday night and 4 on Thursday morning its power was terrific; nothing but white foam, as if from a seething cauldron of milk, could be seen through the dreadful Egyptian darkness. Between three and four o'clock the ship ' Carioca,' 610 tons burthen, bound from Havre to the Brazils, with a general cargo, consisting of rich silks, cloths, hata,-4>rintfl, butter, potatoes, and other merchandise, and with the full complement of officers and crew, ""comprising in all 29 men, was driven on to the Ch&teau-le-toc Kock, beneath Albert Fort, and, being dashed about by the furious breakers, was in imminent peril of total destruction, with every soul on board: Happily, however, by an interposition of Providence, the ship was suddenly listed over by the waves, and, falling on her side, her masts nearly touched the battlements of the fort. She was fast being dashed to atoms, when two or three of the most courageous of her crew volunteered to attempt a landing from her masts. After many fruitless efforts they succeeded, almost exhausted, in reaching the shore, at times engulphed by* the heaving waves, which beat high above them, at other times entangled in the drifting rigging. Having effected a landing, they proceeded with as much • speed as the little strength remaining allowed them to rouse the inmates of the fort. As it happened, good English hearts and hands were located within the precincts of those lonely battlements ; and, on the first alarm, Sergeant Cox, of the 6th Regiment, and the men under his charge, quickly roused themselves and sped to the devastating scene. At the risk of their lives, and under the most discouraging circuin■tauces, they laboured hard through wind and tempest to save their fellow-men ; and happily their labours were crowned with success, for after great exertions they succeeded in saving 25 out of 29 who were on board the illfated vessel, including the captain and chief officers. The bodies of two of the missing men were afterwards recovered. By the time that much of the most difficult labour was ended daylight dawned, and the terrible news was forthwith sent around without a moment's delay. The friendly islanders, as one man, turned out and most energetically seconded the efforts of the small band of the gallant 6th ; but beyond the lives of the crew nothing else could be saved. The vessel was literally dashed to atoms, her rich cargo was swallowed up by the waves, and her noble lines had vanished, nothing but a few skeleton ribs remaining. Besides Sergeant Cox and - his fellow-soldiers, we may mention the timely aid of the Procnreur-Ge"neVal, Mr. T. N. Barbason, and his sou, the French Consul, Major Bolton, and the men o£ the Royal Artillery stationed on the island, who did good service, and Mr. John Jackson, contractor of the works at the fortifications and breakwater, with his staff, most useful in such an -emergency, ably assisted by Mr. W. Read, foreman of the works. The half -drowned but rescued men were cheerfully cared for by the kindly inhabitants ; comfortable clothing was provided for them, and everything done to solace them from the hardships they had suffered. The cargo of the vessel was believed to be insured for £50,000, and little of this will be covered by what is saved from the remnants which have been cast ashore. Unfortunately a more direful tale remains to be told. At the time when the distressing events above recorded were taking place two other vessels were dimly sighted outside the breakwater, and their fate, unhappily, was attended with more harrowing results than the loss of the ' Carioca.' One was apparently a barque of from 300 to 400 tons burden, and, as was afterward* discovered, her name was 'Le Cygne,' but whither she came or whither bound nothing can be ascertained, as not only was she ' dashed to atoms, but every ipjil on board was drowned. The same fearful fate attended her companion, a vessel of about 140 tons burden, supposed to be in ballast. Both were seen for a moment, and both were speedily engulfed, and nothing but a few broken spars and portionfjof tattered rigging remained to show that they had formed parts of two gallant ships. All -effoj to effect a rescue amid the pitiless tempest ware unavailing, and at least twenty souls found a watery grave. — Times, October 24.