It appeared that the vessel passed King’s Island on the evening of Wednesday, the 8th instant, and on the following morning sighted Wilson’s promontory, where she was over- taken by a terrific gale, and driven considerably to leeward. During the whole of Thursday night it blew a complete hurricane, and morning .came, without any abatement of the storm. At the usual time for taking an observation in order to find the ship’s true position, the weather being too thick for that purpose, the captain determined to shape his course through Banks’ Straits, concluding from the drift of the vessel, that we were in the meridian of latitude 40. By this time the gale had considerably increased, and about half-past two o’clock it was found on the clouds clearing away for a short time we were on a dead lee shore, within five miles of the breakers. At this time we were under close reefed topsails. The vessel was then tacked, and the fore topsail was immediately carried away, and it was found impossible, owing to the violence of the weather to get another on the ship, and when within two miles, or thereabout of weathering the point, the bowsprit was blown out of her, with the jib and staysail, and at the same moment, the main yard was broken completely in two, at the centre, making complete ribbons of the main topsail, and every other stitch of canvas on the vessel.
The ship was now quite disabled, and the major part of the crew had given up all hopes of saving their lives ; the captain ordered her to be run on shore, but having got some more canvas on the vessel, it was found, on turning the ship s head the other way, that she stood up at least three points. The men cheered, and considered the ship would be still saved, and all hands were immediately employed in setting such sail on the ship as remained.
Our relief from anxiety was of short duration. Night came on, and with it an increase of wind and on the moon rising we found ourselves drifting so near the shore, that we could hear the breakers. All hopes of rescuing the vessel was now at an end, and the only thing was to endeavour to save the lives of those on board, which, thanks to Providence we succeeded in. It was then determined to look for some place to anchor the vessel, and if possible to save her from the destruction that threatened her: her course was shaped to the land for that purpose about ten o clock. Alter about four hours of indescribable suspense, we found ourselves in tolerable smooth water, and bottom at seventeen fathoms: the anchor was ordered to be let go, but after about fifteen fathoms was run out, it was discovered the chain was foul in the locker and consequently the anchor would not reach the ground. We continued drifting towards the land, until crossing a reef which divides Flinder’s Island from a small rocky island called Rabbit s Island, the anchor having caught the ground, and all the chain run out, the vessel brought up in seven fathoms water, right between two reefs: the vessel was now considered safe, at least until daylight and we all went to rest, being completely fatigued with our prolonged exertions to preserve the ship, with the exception of an anchor watch. About half-past two o’clock I was awoke by a sudden increase of the wind which had for a short time abated; and before I could get out of my cabin, the ship had driven with her anchor on the reef, and her stern post and rudder, which broke immediately she struck, with a most horrid crash, shivered my cabin to pieces, it being a stern cabin, and continued in the most alarming manner to beat on the rocks for several minutes. I then, with Mr. Boucher, took Mrs. Fearon, the Captain’s wife, Miss Bellingham, and Master Simons, two cabin passengers in the jolly boat, and after obtaining three boys to assist me in the navigation of the boat, trusted to the protection of the Supreme Being, and left the ship, and reached the shore in safety, myself steering, concluding we were on an uninhabited island, but we were most agreeably disappointed towards morning by a visit from Captain Smith Commandant, of this island, who in the most kind manner invited us to his house, where he provided us with such articles of clothing as we required, myself being naked, with the exception of drawers and shirt, not having time to get any article of dress from the vessel, and his kindness to the whole of us, as also that of Mrs. Smith, is beyond my humble talents to express. On the following morning the vessel being quite full of water, the captain and crew were compelled to abandon her and at seven o clock the same evening she was m fragments. Some part of her cargo has been washed on shore, but casks innumerable have come up with their heads out, or otherwise broken. Not a vestige is to be seen of the wreck now, with the exception of that which lies strewed on the beach. Such portion of her cargo as has been washed up, lies scattered on the beach, about eight miles in length.
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