WRECK OF THE ELIZA CORRY.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 677, 28 June 1870, Page 3

WRECK OF THE ELIZA CORRY.

The following simple narrative will be read with painful interest, and awaken heartfelt sympathy for the captain, sole survivor of the Eliza Corry: —The British brig Eliza Corry cleared from Hakodadi for Shanghai on the 6th of January, with a cargo of seaweed and merchandise. On the 9th came to an anchor under Cape Suki; the wind not being favorable for passing through the Straits Started again on the 16th, and was about 35 miles clear of Cape G-amelay when a heavy gale from the W. set in, which gradually hauled round to the W.N.W. On the morning of the 19th, Cape Gamelay was on our port quarter, distant about 10 miles, and we were heading S.W., still blowing hard with a very heavy sea. At 11.30 am., the pump in the fore compartment would not keep the vessel free, and some of the men were set to bale ; at noon the compartment filled, and vessel was with great difiiculty got round with the intention of returning to Hakodadi, but could not clear the Cape, and we had to get round on the starboard tack, but in consequence of being so down by the head could not make any headway; preparation was made to save the lives of all on board; the long boat was put on spars ready to launch; at 3 p.m. ran the vessel on shore as far as she would go, and her stem swung round towards the beach, distant about a quarter of a mile. The long boat was then launched with the second ofiicer, Wm. Baird and the Bteward in her; the sea, however, at once filled and capsized her, and the second ofiicer who had a life-buoy round him, which was attached by a line to the ship, was washed clean out of it, and they both sank at once. The other boat had been smashed on deck by the Bea, which was now sweeping fore and aft. The crew lashed themselves to spars, and one of them went overboard from the main rigging, hoping to reach the shore, but he got foul of the fore-brace. I went forward to make an attempt to clear him, the crew being encumbered ; with spars not being able to help. i On my return, my wife, whom I had I left in the house on deck with a life buoy attached to her, had, I found, been knocked down and was nearly drowned by the heavy seas. I got her out and went behind the wheel-house for a little shelter, and found the mate and three other men there- In about half an hour my wife died from cold and exposure. I wanted the crew to make an effort to reach the shore before it was dark; but only one tried, and he did not get far before he sank. The carpenter died on deck, but his body was so jammed in by spars that it did not float away. A little before dark I got over the stern, and the rest of the crew followed me, when about half way on shore I caught hold of a piece of wood, which greatly helped me to reach the land; on landing I could not see any person on the hull of the vessel. I saw some houses on the beach and went towards them. They proved to be only boat sheds, but they gave me shelter for the night. In the morning I covered myself with the mat as well as I could, and went to see if I could find anything of the wreck. On the beach I found the bodies of the mate and two

of the crew. Not being able to discover anything else, I proceeded in

search of Bome house, which I did not find until about 4 p.m. I was most kindly treated by the Japanese, who gave me food and clothing, and some medicine for my body and feet, much swollen by the exposure. After getting a little better, I had coflins made, and buried the bodies that had been washed on shore, six in all. The Japanese then forwarded me to Awomori Bay and from thence to Hakodadi acting throughout in such a kind and generous manner as to make me always feel indebted to them.— Japan Gazette. ■