WRECK OF THE LONDON.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 22, 29 March 1866, Page 3

WRECK OF THE LONDON.

The following has been collected from the statements of two of the survivors who are in London : — At a little before 2 o'clock, the hour at which the vessel went down, the ladies in an insensible state were floating about on the poop of the ship, and at this time both Mr. Munro and Mr. Main, looking out upon the little boat that was being tossed like a cockle shell — now close to, and anon 20 yards from the vessel's side — remarked that if they had a chance they would not get into her, believing it impossible for her to live. But, suddenly they felt the big ship leave as it were their feet, and then it was that they resolved to take chance in the small craft. ' As soon as Mr. Munro got into the boat the doctor's assistant offered him A'soo if they would take him in. , To this one of the sailors replied, " Keep your money aud look after yourself." To this the assistant replied, "I am your doctor, and you are bound to take j me with you." All this time they were pulling away from the ship, which five minutes afterwards sank beneath the waves, and although at this awful moment the small craft was some considerable distance off, still it is the opinion of the sailors that had they been one minute later in leaving the ship's side the boat would have been sucked down in the vortex. It is a matter of great surprise to those who fortunately took refuge in the boat that she should live in such a sea, and that too with seven persons more than she was built to carry. All the now wearied crew had with them were three bottles of brandy, one bottle of champagne, some fresh water, and a bunch of raw carrots. They had not started long, however, upon their dreary journey before their fresh water was destroyed by the constant seas that broke over them. They consumed the bottle of champagne, and two bottles of the brandy during the Thursday night, and the third they could not find, so that they were " left almost at the outset with but a few carrots for sustenance. Leaving the scene of the wreck, they put the boat's stern to the sea, and drifted due south dead before the wind, in the very opposite direction to that which they desired to make, but to have attempted to steer the boat would have been instant destruction. They continued thus at the mercy of one of the most terrific seas that ever rolled in the Bay of Biscay till 12 o'clock at night, expecting every moment to be swamped. At this hour the wind somewhat abated, and veered to S.S.E., but so black was the night that they could not see each other even. They all prayed for daylight, and as soon as day was seen breaking in the east it seemed to impart to the sufferers fresh life and a confidence that they would be saved, for, to quote Mr. Munro's words, " I felt convinced that, as our little craft had lived through the dreadful night, she would live through any sea we might encounter." As the morning advanced the wind decreased in violence, and the black clouds that kept sending forth drenching showers, descended almost to the sea. They saw the first vessel about four o'clock, but owing to the wind and tremendous sea over which they were being carried, it was impossible for the vessel to find them. About 7 o'clock on the Friday evening they saw a schooner on the port side, and held a consultation as to whether they should pull towards it, but Mr. King objected, and shortly after that one of the men in the boat jumped up and exclaimed, " There's another ship, boys." King still objected to facing the weather, upon which one of the crew swore that it was their only chance, and that if King refused to make for it, he would " stave the boat in." King then said, " Well, Igo ; " and they accordingly pulled to the vessel that rescued them from their perilous position, and brought them safely to port to relate the sad disaster that has thrown a gloom over the United Kingdom. — Home News.