A FLOATING WEECK.

Colonist, Volume XVI, Issue 1603, 31 January 1873, Page 2

A FLOATING WEECK.

The Neio YorTc Times publishes a shocking narrative, supplied by Mr. James Dugan, a passenger in the schooner Lancaster, from Prince Edward Island bound for Cape Breton. He states that on the 19th, of September the Lancaster fell in with a disabled vessel —a well-shaped, strongly-built hull, but the bulwarks and had been badly dealt with by the elements and the whole was much weather beaten. On boarding it a dismal sight presented itself. Splintered spars entangled in canvas and rigging gear, and the planks of a boat torn asunder by the wind and sea, were scattered around in sad confusion. More dismal still were the scenes which, further investigation brought to light. Below a heap [ of motley rigging, and broken by the weight of a spar ! which lay across it were the bones of a human being |—a skeleton. The skull and ribs had been almost on a level with the deck. Further search revealed five other skeletons. A slight covering of crisped flesh remained on four, showing that they had died more recently than the other two, Not a single remaining pot or vessel of any nature in the cooking department of the ill-fated craft contained the least particle of food. This discovery seemed to satisfy the captain of the Lancaster that all on board had perished from hunger. It was ascertained that the vessel had been rigged a brig. The hull bore no name on its sternpost. On the bowsprit the word " G-lenalvon" was barely legible. In the forecastle, which was almost filled with water, a most unearthly stench was dis-' covered, and only two men could be found to enter and remain long enough inside to report on what they had seen there. There were two corpses on the floor, and one stretched across a " bunk." The wheel house had been carried away, and the fasten- • ings of the rudder broken. This, as the captain remarked, was the work of some tremendous sea. The jibboom was gone, and the entire craft, as she then appeared, was the most complete wreck Captain Martin had seen or heard of in his nautical experience of nearly 40 years. Entering the cabin a foul odour }

was discovered, but not intense enough to forbid a thorough investigation. Towards the end of the steps leading down to the cabin a fetid pool of water was seen, and the men had to wade through it in order . to reach every portion of the cabin. Between a stationary table and a couch the head of a corpse protruded from a berth in the wall, in a state of decay. A buttoned jasket of good material, blue pantaloons, a flannel shirt marked " T.E\," and one boot covered the corpse. The chronometer in the cabin pointed to half-past four o'clock, and on the stationary table was an open Bible turned downward, a revolver with two chambers loaded, and a bottle containing a piece of paper on which was written, "Jesus, guide us to some helper. Merciful God, don't let us perish." The words were detached, and a hiatus occurred between every two or three of them, which showed that the writer must have been either in the lowest state of debility or driven to madness by hunger. In the captain's state room his corpse was found lying bent on the floor, as though he had fallen from weakness. On his bed were scattered books, papers, &c, but one sheet attracted particular attention. It was dated Martiniqne, May 30,1872,

and ran thus :—'

■" Dear Kate —I will post this letter

here to assure you of my well-being, but do not attempt to hazard an answer to this port, as you will not find me here a week heuce. I hay« kept all my strong promises to you, in spite of a thousand bad advices from my comrades. I drink a little beer, but that is all. Your precious photograph is a little silent angel; at least, I think it so, and I read your letters over a hundred and a hundred times again. You say in yours dated faom 16, Hope-street, Liver-

pool, that the old man was altogether turned in my

favor when he heard of my having passed the Board. Now, mind and keep him so until I get horns again, when every thing will be comfortable and jolly. Write to Hal's address in St John's, New Brunswick,

for should it not reach me there, Hal, at least will

know where I am. Wishing you good health and cheerfulness and good fortune, my own darling Kato, I am for erer your own Robt. 0. Habt."

The ship's regular papers wore not found open j but Captain Martin took in charge a neat writing (it sk

found in the captain's trunk and locked. There w. • a slate on the tabie in the cabin, which table wua covered by guards such as are used at meals. The slate, intended for taking down the log in the rough, contained only blurred figures and illegible writing. The captain's trunk contained numerous letters, whioh Captain Martiu intends to giva up to the authorities at Sydney. He proceeded to perform the sorrowful services of a burial at sea. For coffins a quantity of old.canvas was brought, ond rude bags were quickly formed out of that material A long board was laid upon a sound portion of the bulwarks, and two bags to which weights were attached, and rattled as they fell. A lamp was held by a sailor on each side of the temporary hearse, and after Captiin Martin had read the usual service, the plank was lifted upward, whereupon the coffin bags and skeletons elid into the sea. The ceremony over, the party put back again for the Lancaster. Captain Martin has procured every possible clue, all of which he will give to tha authorities at Halifax ov Sydney, so that the true history of the GHenalvon may be learnt.