TOPICS OF THE DAY.

DREADFUL WRECK OF A COCKBOAT.

[PROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

People's Isle,

Tuesday, 7th May 1839.

A boat, which had long been drifting about in sight of this island, went down to-day 'in deep water, and every soul on board perished. A false impression had been communicated to some ex- tent, in consequence of a report that this was the ship itt:brut ; whereas that vessel (it is not sufficiently known) foundered at sea long ago, and this which has now gone down was nothing but the cockboat belonging to her, manned by the survivors of the former crew, who, after upsetting the ship by the same unskilfulness by which they have at last upset the boat and all, shoved off from the wreck, and had no other thought from that time but how to save themselves. I only mention this circumstance in order that ex • aggerated regrets may not be indulged by parties at home who have been interested in the fate of this voyage. Beyond the persons of the crew and the value of the cockboat, little has been lost by the recent event. To those, indeed, who were not aware that the ship and her cargo (or the greater part) had already suffered wreck in these seas, 1 can readily understand how the present announcement should convey the degree of pain which I observe it has commu- nicated in some quarters.

It is well known that The Reform left port many years ago bound to People's Isle, and freighted with a valuable cargo, which had been consigned to the care of the late Captain YERG. It is not for me to revive the recollection of that respectable person's grievous defects as a navy captain : it may be sufficient to remind you that half the company's goods were lost or damaged before the ship was out of harbour, and that the latter sustained so much in- jury through the injudicious conduct of that officer, that although he was soon afterwards recalled from the service, he must be held in part accountable for the unfortunate termination of the adven- ture. But it was a still more inauspicious hour for the proprietors when the command devolved on the—I cannot call him gtillant, but I may call him the galleint Captain ENRCOM.ENT, who, after running the ship's bottom over all manner of rocks, eventually brought her to that condition in which she filled and went down—by such silent degrees, however, that many to this day are not aware of the fact, and believe her to be still on her voyage ! This man and the miserable crew under his orders succeeded, by some means, in saving their lives, and, having contrived to cram not less than four years' provisions into the cockboat, have actually in this manner, despite wind and waves, continued to keep their heads above the water during the whole of that time. But, though they took a world of pains to save their prog and grog, so little did these fellows care about the property of their employers, that they hardly made any attempt to rescue the valuable cargo of The Reform. ft was well known to those who had spoken them at sea, that they IT is our painful duty this week to announce one of those awful visitations of Providence which occasionally arise to cast a shadow over the spirit of human enterprise. A wreck, it will be seen, at- tended with unusual circumstances, has occurred somewhere in the South Seas, in which every soul on board has perished and the en- tire cargo has gone to the bottom. Many particulars have yet to transpire connected with a voyage thus miserably terminated ; and, no doubt, various interesting facts relating to the middle passage will never transpire at all,—unless some lucky bottle, charged with revelations only utterable to remote cars, may be floating some- where on the illimitable ocean, and may chance hereafter to be picked up by one who shall know how to uncork its precious secrets. But as for all the circumstances of the wreck, they appear to be singularly notorious ; it would seem that no ship ever went down in a manner so conspicuous to those on shore. Few calamities of this sort can be remembered, perhaps, more fatal to human life, but certainly many have been more romantic. :Nlany wrecks have oc- curred in latitudes remote from sight of land, amidst the war of the ele• meats, and under the dreadfid veil of darkness ; sometimes a solitary wretch has escaped to relate the horrors of the night ; sometimes no history has remained but what might be read on the storm-tossed hulk or in the silent faces of the drifting dead. But here we have a wreck without any tempest—a wreck occurring close in-shore, in the sight of thousands, on a fine May day : and we are enabled to lay the most full and particular information respecting the whole affimir before our readers—though the boat has gone to the bottom and every man in it. The case of the Royal George was not half so re- markable. We are told that the weather was perfectly fair, and the beach crowded with people who had hailed the boat in the friend- liest manner, giving every information to those on board, showing them the way to effect a safe landing, and offering assistance, but that all these overtures were rejected by the crew, in a manner the most obstinate and ungracious imaginable, and to which alone-this catastrophe is said to be owing. Our correspondent, who was perched on a rock convenient fin. observation, has sent us the fol- lowing account of an event probably unparalleled in the history of navigation.

had embarked a very small portion of' the original stock; which, had it ever come to hand at all, would have given but pooh satisfaction to the inhabitants of this island. So that, as I said be- fore, you must not lament over this disaster as if it involved any serious loss : above all, you must not fall into the mistake of con-

founding the ship with the cockboat, or the ooncern which left port under YERG'S flag with that which came here under ENRIJOBLEM. With respect to the remains of the cargo, you will perceive from what I shall presently have to communicate, that small as was the amount they thought fit to embark, there was still smaller chance of the inhabitants of People's Isle fingering any part of it.

You must know that as soon as ever this boat came in sight of the island, she was bailed with vociferous cheers by the inhabitants, who crowded every part of the shore to welcome her approach. At first we understood these cheers to be responded to by the boat's crew, and the utmost enthusiasm prevailed in People's Isle,

in the belief that the long-expected treasures of The Reform were at length about to he landed on their shores. Night coming on, we could no longer watch the motions of the boat ; but we all re-

tired in ,joy and confidence. The next morning there was a general rush to the beach. To our surprise the boat did not seem to have made any way during the night. Still our hopes were not shaken.; we readily believed that a contrary current baffled their attempts to approach us ; so another day passed. I will not detain you with a tedious diary—a diary of disappointments. It is enough to say that we repaired to the beach day after day, and all to the same purpose ; until, from very weariness of so much watching, the greater part of the people no longer continued to make their appearance on the

coast, much less to raise the voice of welcome—seeing it alto- gether misbestowed ; and hence arose, I believe, the preposterous notion that they had become indifferent about the reception of the ship's stores, though in truth they were more than ever in want of them.

Our next emotion was one of wonder—to think that so small a boat could live so long in these seas, and of curiosity—to know by

what shifts they.contrived to prolong their existence. You will no

doubt be as curious as we were, and perhaps as much surprised. It appears that they had no sooner put to sea than an enormous

shark, with open jaws, and a tail which is described as peculiarly formidable, pursued them so closely, that destruction seemed every moment to impend over them. In this exigency the novel expe- dient occurred to them of feeding the beast ; which (wonderful to relate) succeeded so far beyond their expectations, that they and this shark became at once the best of friends ; and in a man- ner still more surprising, for—having put to sea without any rudder, and beginning to perceive the impossibility of navigating the boat under these circumstances, and observing at the same time how their friend the shark frisked about this way and that through the water by virtue of his powerful natural appendage—they bethought them that if they could but persuade this intelligent fish to hang on behind the boat and frisk in proper directions, they should get on finely. So this actually was done—though of course it cost the crew a precious sight of ship-biscuit ; for I need hardly observe that there was no other way of training the animal to the service than by filling his mouth as often as it was opened. When time inhabitants of People's Isle saw this proceeding, opi- nions were divided as to the probable success of the experiment. Some considered it a great piece of good luck that they should have caught such a fine fish, and deemed the tail an excellent sub- stitute for a rudder ; others protested the fish was of the Tartar species—not good for catching, and that the men themselves would catch it befiire they had done with him : these prophesied that he would cat up biscuits, boat and all, and leave nothing whatever for People's Isle, and they called the crew all sorts of names for not pitching into him with their boat-hooks ; but the crew was afraid, because of the tail, which could strike as well as steer, and more- over they could not get on without the beast. Meantime, while these disputes were going forwards, one thing became perfectly plain to impartial observers, and that is—that the boat made no more way than bypre. No ; strange as it may seem, though they certainly might have steered the boat into the harbour now, if they had chosen, they still preferred drifting about. When hailed, indeed, and tasked the reason of their not putting into shore, they always proclaimed their desire to do so, but pretended they were unable.

About this time an incident occurred which gave new hopes to the People's Isle people, for it seemed to remove at once the only remaining difficulty in the way of the boat's landing. The men on board had long pleaded their want of a sail, and many here really believed that this was the reason of their not approaching nearer. But. one day a great huzzaing was raised about a petticoat which had turned up—ay, you may laugh, but I can assure you it was thought a very promising ciretunstanee at the time (they had already been put to shifts to carry on the boat—why not to petti- coats ?)—a petticoat, I say, and a very handsome one it was; and of this they immediately made a sail, spreading it out to catch all the wind possible, and well nigh cracking their own cheeks into the bargain to aid the inflation ; and at the same time they balked to the people here, telling them that now they might expect them very shortly, and to get all ready for their reception, and be sure to clear out the warehouses to make room for the prodigious stores they were about to land. So all was good-humour again among the People's Isle people ; and they cheered the petticoat, and swore it was as pretty a sail as ever a boat got under, and that it would answer the purpose every bit as well as a larger. This lasted some time—quite long enough—too long ! God knows, I worship the stytnhol of womanhood with a true devotion, but WM-nat.- be -eon- teased' that it was' ot in this case the •harbingerOf much happiness. Petticoats are lovely garments, and a pretty sort of things to swear by-,,nay and, for . aught I know,. may make good sails at a *chi 'tut .at any rate.when the fate of a ship's cargo depends on their -Fluttering this way or that, one can only consider them then in their character as sails, and must limit one's •desires -to the in- quiry—how do they answer ? The petticoat hoisted on this occa- sum was a perfectly new and excellent article, and would no doubt have carried the &fon» boat into this port in beautiful style. But ofwhat use good canvass—of what use fair winds—when there is neither skill nor will to turn them to account ? It was still found impossible to run the boat ashore. Some impudent pretext was always ready—the surge was too high—or the tide did not serve— or they waited for a wind ; when it was calm—then they could not propel the boat ; when it blew—there was danger. - Captain ENRUOBLEM from this time appeared perfectly forgetful

of the objects of his expedition. Having now a good substitute for sail and rudder, he deemed himself secure at sea, and seemed to think less than ever of keepittg fhith with the islanders. No longer at the helm, or versed in any active employment, we perceived him reclining all day under the shadow of' the petticoat. The first mate, LoEssuft, meanwhile, seemed to exercise a

growing authority as active commander. This man was originally a builder, and had been one of the partners in the firm that con- tracted to build the Riform ship ; the cockboat was also his handywork. Both, it is now acknowledged, were perfectly un- sound; but such was the infatuation of LLESSUR'S self-conceit, or such his inconceivable blindness, that although it had been re- peatedly proved on examination that half the ship's timbers were rotten, he positively reinsed to have one of them taken up. He admitted that the ship occasionally sprung a leak—he confessed that there was never less than twelve feet water in her hold—but he saidhe did not consider that these facts proved any necessity for repairs. It being remarked to him latterly by the owners, that when they ordered the ship to be built they had hoped she would prove a serviceable and seaworthy vessel, he replied, that " lie never entertained such partial expectations nor such unjust desires."

But let me hasten on to the catastrophe of this day, which has

excited so many conflicting feelings here. I have no doubt myself that this • dastardly crew, partly through a natural cowardice, and partly through a sense of having cheated this island so long, had come to. entertain a positive fear of setting foot on it. I believe they thought the People's Isle people would eat them up, or rob and: murder. them, like so many savages. I need hardly tell you, who know something of this country, how grossly they wronged us and stultified thetneelves. If they thought thus, why, let me ask, did they set out on this expedition at all ? if they did not think thus—what precious fools to go to the bottom of the sea, when we had opened our port to then], and were able and willing. to preserve them from the waves ! You know it was always our intention to give them a handsome cominiaelon on the goods, and to sec them well lodged here ; and as thr our demands, all we have ever wanted to get was—our own. If others had been as reasonable, it would would have been better for all parties.

Amongst the phamomena forerunning the great disaster of this

day, some were not a little remarkable. Perched on an eminence overlooking the bay, I observed that one of the officers, who seemed to be of an unusually lethargic habit, having frequently fallen asleep before in other positions, \YRS now reclining by accident with one leg over the side of the boat—fast asleep, of course, as usual. Now I should tell you, that the boat at this time was leaking horribly, and the mate had become desirous to lighten her by throwing something overhoaed. First his eyes rest on one object, then on another—he chenoc spare them. A keg of butter—how can he sacrifice a keg of butter ? A hogshead of ruin—how part with rum? At this moment his eyes fall on the sleeper with one leg over the boat. Oh suggestive circumstance ! rare occasion ! be whispers to his brother officers the necessity of some sacrifice— the indispensableness of butter—the essential nature of rum ; then winks his eye—glances at the leg and the recumbent figure. The idea spreads front one to the other—numbers crowd around the sleeping man ; one leg is lifted—the other is lifted—Plash ! down he goes—plumb down to the bottom—Adieu! poor C. The boat rights—but not fin. long !

It was soon after this that I caught some portion of a conver-

sation going on in the boat ; I proceed to transcribe it from my notes. With the interspersion of a few necessary accompaniments, this fragment will be found to carry down my history to its last sad chapter. Observe the nautical skill of a crew intrusted with the convoy of a public treasure !

[Boat's bottom scrapes against a nick.] THE Carrais. Nothing! (July a slight graze—do the boat no harm.

ENWOD$NAL. It proves what I always thought with respect to these Reform bouts,—namely, that they can hardly be built too shallow. They may be made to look just the saute above the water, and that is enough to take the eye, you know. This cockboat is even too capacious. A flat-bottomed barge, in my opinion, or a mere plank, is best. If we had been on a plank now, we could not have hit against that stupid rock.

Esconnon. I believe some people would say that it merely proved the necessity of our learning the art of navigation ; that deep vessels are the safest, but that all vessels require sailors to man them, and pilots who know the seas. But this is evidently nonsensical.

°TEM Clearly. It may do for poor pilots, perhaps, to spend their. livesin conning sea-charts and learning the localities of sandbankS ; but,

[Boat strikes again.] I.LEssun. (Chief Mate.) I only think that e are getting too near ear

to this infernal island. Bout ship there! d'ye hear ? you at the helm!

THE FISH. (In choice Punic frombehind.) Maning me, Sir? And is it turning of me tail again that your honour will see me, before I git me biscuit and me grog? Is'nt it me that's making this splash now, . and that's laving the sea behind me in such an iligant manner; and what would your honour do widout me ?

ImEssen. Throw that beast something, d'ye hear ?

YBNAADION. Ay, ay, Sir. [Boat goes round and stands off to sea. The People raise a shout of indignatim. Presently a stiff breeze springs up on the side op. posite People's Isle, and the sea thereabouts grows rough. ?'he boat is again seen lucidity; she misses stays several times, but— more biscuits, 6.c. being dispensed—once mare putts her head round, and seems to be making fur port.] KCIWOH. (As they approach.) What do you say—suppose we were to land? I don't wish to say any thing to vex our mate, but it will not be denied that the boat is going down.

LLESSUR. (In great wrath.) Who says going down? My boat— built with these hands—going down: Sir, she can't go down—I defy her !

[Ship gradually sinhing—in a manner particularly apparent to those on shore, who raise ironical cheers.] No, no, she can't go down.

DNALLon. Yet perhaps we could just get a little nearer to the shore —in case of accident. If forced at last (which Cod forbid) to land among these people, we could easily protest we loved them, and had always intended this visit. They might maul us a little, perhaps, after ' all our rogueries—yet even that's better than drowning, you know. At all events, I suspect we shall gain nothing further by stopping here. In the first place, here are these waves playing the very devil with the boat ; then there's that beast behind, grabbing all our biscuits ; and vis- a-ins we have those incensed natives, ready to tear us to pieces, some say. A pretty situation, by U—!

LLEssutt. ( IVA all the spurious dignity if a little man in a dilemma of his own making.) I regard, Sir, with perfect satisfaction the present posture of affairs. " our persuaded" that this cockboat "is working gradually a great and useful change "— [Boatswain announces another lcalt.] I think our present situation so satisfactory, that, for my part, I wish to cast anchor exactly where we are, neither further from the sea nor nearer to the shore than we find ourselves at this moment. My advice is that we remain in this situation for the term of our natural lives.

[Boatswain announces a new hole in the boat's bottom. Water heard rushing in.] Yes, I know all about that. You'll say the water is coming in. Well. Sir, what then ?—Sir, "in scanning the general scope" of this boat, I and my partners, you must know, ALWAYS CONSIDERED THAT THE WATER WOULD HAVE AS FAIR A PROSPECT AS ANY OTHER ELEMENT or OBTAINING A POSITION IN rr ; and guided, Sir, by those principles which I have ever— •

[Suelikn and total immersim of the cockboat, amidst the mast horrible yells of trhi:itphant execration ever heard on this coast.]

as for ourselves,-I flatter myself, if we are not sailors, we are gentlemen. It would be a'pretty ifideid, if we were obliged to spend our days iR studying the peculiarities of People's Isle! I trust we understand one another by this time about the objects of this expedition—that we did not come out here to study navigation, much less to have any intercourse with This ugly-looking island, but to enjoy ourselves.—I'll trouble you for that bottle.

Emu. If she did not leak so confoundedly, I should feel equally satisfied. But don't you think—to put it merely as a matter of personal safety, and not (God knows) that I care a button about the property of our employers—don't you think, somehow—

Friday Afternoon.

I break open my letter to announce the extraordinary fact, that, after three days' immersion, the bodies have been seen this after- noon floating on the water, and that the vital spark is not extinct!

Four o' Clock.

The men live, and are swimming for their lives.

Five o'Clock.

They RFC trying to reach this shore. What will the natives do with them ?