personal observation, supplied by Mr. George Thompson, one of the survivors:" It was about half-past one that I was awoke by hearing and feeling a strange tearing sort of noise as if some strong paper was torn. It was so gentle that I thought little of it and remained in bed, although all the other passengers in the cabin started at once to their feet and rushed on deck. After a very brief interval one of my neighbours returned, and began with great trepidation to dress. I then apprehended danger and jumped out of bed, and drawing on my trousers went on deck, calling at the ladies' cabin, in passing, to tell my wife that she had better get up and dress, although there might not be any immediate danger. "On getting to the quarter-deck, I found a large number of the passengers assembled in great alarm. The vessel by this time had settled somewhat by the head, and was lurching over a little to starboard-that is, towards the land. I instantly went below to hasten my wife with her toilet, and put on a little more dress, and sought for a small trunk I had, and brought it to the middle of the cabin. " 'My wife and I now went on deck, and as the vessel was dipping deeper and deeper into the water, I calmly told her that I feared there was little hope, but that we would use every effort to save ourselves. By this time the water was over the bulwarks at the bow, and the 'heel' of the deck was becoming greater and greater. I then feared that all was over, and clasping my wife to my breast, felt resigned to my fate. We then proceeded, at my wife's suggestion, to the stern of the vessel at the larboard side, and as the inclination of the deck became so great as to prevent our standing, I laid hold of one of the belaying pins, and placing my wife between my breast and the bulwark, I there held on. "A lady at this moment had got hold of my wife's shawl, but as it was not fastened at the throat, it soon dropped off, and the unfortunate creature slid down the deck. On turning round, I found the whole space within the bulwarks, and up to nearly the centre line of the deck, filled with a struggling multitude in the gurgling and seething waters, and most of these were very soon drowned. "As soon as the water reached the companion, the pent air in the cabin forced off the skylights with a most horrid crash, and in an instant after we were under water, sucked down in the vortex of the sinking ship. When below the surface I lost hold of my wife, and striking out found myself above water, and in contact with one of the stays of the mizen-mast, which I laid hold of at once. I had hardly done so, when my wife rose also to the surface, and I at once took her hand, and caused her to hold on by the same rope. I placed my legs round the rope, the better to secure my hold, and told her to rest herself on my knee, which she did. "As soon as we had so far secured ourselves, the ship gave a heavy lurch to starboard, which immersed us under water; but swinging back she lurched again to port, and again were we under water. Gradually the lurches decreased in extent, and after a few more rolls, the masts continued stationary. "I had only my head above water, as I was supporting my wife; and I was afraid to elevate myself further, as I knew that in that case the weight would be increased. Above me, on the mast, a sailor was perched, who called out in the most imploring accents to some persons in a boat, to come and take the people off. "When the vessel ultimately sank, the quarter-deck at the stern was clustered with human beings, like a bee-hive; and of these but few were saved, as the vortex absorbed them, and they were so numerous as to impede each other in their attempts to save themselves. "On the shrouds of the mizen-mast, near where we were, there were several persons clustered, three women hanging on by one rope. At this time the companion cover floated off, and three persons contrived to keep up by it until they were rescued. "After being about half an hour in the water, a shore boat came up, and was about to pick me up, when I told the men to get a lady, who appeared much exhausted, in first; this was done, my wife was taken in next, and, as quickly as possible, all supported by the mast were speedily rescued. "The boat then went to the mainmast, and took off the captain and another man or two, and then proceeded to the shore, where we were met by a little girl, who said we must come to her mammy's house, as they had a nice fire to warm us, and would make us comfortable. "On coming upon deck the second time the captain, who was in his drawers and shirt, said that if they all stuck to the ship there would be no danger. I accordingly went down and told the ladies so, which calmed them for a little, but as the water rose, and the lurch of the vessel increased, the alarm was soon renewed, and the ladies all rushed on deck. "There appeared to be great difficulty in launching the boats, as the tackles were all entangled, and when launched they were in danger of filling, as the plug holes were all open; and as no corks or plugs could be found, the result was, that although the passengers kept baling the boats with their hats, they were in danger of sinking before the boats reached the shore. Into one of the boats some four or five men got, and rowed away, in spite of the cries and entreaties of those on board the sinking ship. "An immense quantity of luggage was recovered, partly floating and partly thrown ashore. This may be accounted for by the fact that most of it was on deck. "Four instances came under my own observation where husbands and wives were saved, through their mutual aid, in circumstances of awful peril and almost hopeless danger. "There were about 20 bodies recovered when we left, including Dr. Burns. Several of these were women, and three of them children. The women had little else on them than their night clothes, and some only their chemises. "Nothing could exceed the kindness of the villagers to the wants of the survivors; their houses, their larders, their wardrobes-their all, were freely placed at our disposal. Nor should Dr. Douglas, the medical gentleman of the place, be omitted. He literally ran from one to another, from the hour of the wreck, administering relief to those who required it, with a degree of kindness, skill, and perseverance, which must ever be remembered with gratitude by all. "An investigation was at once set on foot by the authorities at Portpatrick, and several of the passengers were precognosced by the procuratorfiscal. "The night was beautifully clear and calm. There was a slight haze or fog crawling along the land, but the shore was quite visible and distinct; the lighthouse loomed close over the vessel when she struck. "The distance between the rock and the shore did not appear above 150 yards, if so much, and would be about the length of the division of Argyllstreet from Queen-street to Buchanan-street. "The rock on which the Orion struck is well known to all the seamen and fishermen of the place, and is a very short distance from the mouth of the harbour." Among the many distressing incidents connected with this awful event, the case of one survivor appears peculiarly distressing:-"A Mr. Splott, on his way to Australia with his wife and three daughters, lost his entire family and £700 in money. He was left at Portpatrick in a most distracted state of mind." In this case, how emphatic is the sentiment of Young ""Tis the survivor dies !" Miscellaneous. REMINISCENCE OF A NAVAL OFFICER. From the "Memoir of the Life of Elizabeth Fry." "It was on a fine sultry day, in the summer of 1821, that I was racing up the river Thames, in the command of the Ramsgate steam packet Eagle, hoping to overtake our Margate competitors, the Victory and Favourite steamers, and bringing them nearer to view as we rounded the points of the reach of the river. It was in the midst of this excitement that we encountered one of those sudden thunder squalls, so common in this country, and which, passing rapidly off with heavy rain, leave behind them a strong and increasing northerly gale. I was looking out a-head, pleasing myself with the reflection that we were the fastest vessel against a head-wind, and should certainly overtake our Margate friends; when upon entering Long Reach, about two miles below Purfleet, I saw a boat labouring with very little effect against the gale, and with a whole ebb-tide just making to add to their difficulties; in this boat were two ladies, in the close habit of the Society of Friends, evidently drenched with the heavy shower which had overtaken them. I was then a dashing high-spirited sailor; but I had always a secret admiration of the quiet demeanour of that society, and occasionally had some of them passengers with me, always intelligent and inquiring, and always pleased with any information a seaman could extend to them. Well, here was a dilemma! To stop, would spoil my chace, in which most of my passengers were as eager as myself--but to go on, and pass two ladies in such a situation! I passed the word softly to the engineer; desired the mate to sheer alongside the boat carefully; threw the delighted rowers a rope; and before the passengers were fully aware that we had stopped the engines, the ladies were on board, the boat made fast astern, and the Eagle again flying up the Thames. I have those two persons strongly, nay indelibly stamped upon my mind's eye. The one I had last assisted on board, still held my hand, as she thanked me with dignified but beautiful expression: 'It is kind of thee, captain, and we thank thee. We made no sign to thee; having held up our handkerchiefs to the other packets, we did not think we should succeed with thee.' I assured them that I could not have passed them under such circumstances, and called the stewardess to take them below into the ladies' cabin and see to their comfort. They had been well cloaked, and had not suffered so much as I had anticipated. "The gale had cleared away the rain, and in a very short time they came upon deck again,-one of them was Mrs. Fry, and she never lost an opportunity of doing good. I saw her speaking to some of my crew, who were looking very serious as she offered them tracts, and some of them cast a side-glance at me, for my approval or otherwise. I had some little dislike to sects then, which, I thank God, left me in riper years, - but who could resist this beautiful, persuasive, and heavenly-minded woman? To see her, was to love her; to hear her, was to feel as if a guardian angel had bid you follow that teaching, which can alone subdue the temptations and evils of this life, and secure a Redeemer's love in eternity! In her you saw all that was attractive in woman, lit up by the bright beams of philanthropy; devoting the prime of life, and health, and personal graces, to her Divine Master's service. I feel assured, that much of the success which attended her missions of mercy was based upon that awe which such a presence inspired. It was something to possess a countenance which portrayed in every look the overflowings of such a heart, and thus, as an humble instrument in the hands of Divine Providence, she was indeed highly-favoured among women. "She told me that her companion, Mrs. Pryor, and herself had been down to Gravesend, to take leave of the unfortunate women (convicts) on board a ship bound to the settlements, and gave me so touching a description of their behaviour, that I volunteered to take charge of anything for her at any time, or render her any service in my power in my voyages. When about to land, her anxiety to make some pecuniary recompence was very great, but I would not allow her to do so. Mrs. Fry never forgot me when she came near our locality. I saw her from time to time, the earthly tabernacle failing, but the same spirit lightening up with animation her untiring energies. It was an honour to know her in this world. May we follow her to the society of the accepted and blessed in that which is to come. "Ramsgate, February, 1847. CONVICT SHIPS. "K. B. MARTIN." "On board the convict ships at Newgate, the ladies had to contend with difficulties which were integral parts of the system, and which they were wholly unable to remove. It was in both instances a simple practical endeavour on their part to do what they could, under existing circumstances, to obviate evils and promote order and good conduct. They were indebted to Admiral Young, of the Dockyard at Deptford, for much kind co-operation and assistance in this department of fitting out the convict ships. The introduction of patchwork, as an employment for the women, was the happy suggestion of this gentleman. When conversing with Mrs. Fry on the difficulty of supplying them with employment during the voyage, he thought this would furnish the largest amount of occupation in the smallest compass. A fact that occurred the following year in the Wellington convict ship showed the correctness of this opinion, and how well patchwork had answered the intended purpose, for when that ship touched at Rio de Janeiro the quilts made by the women were there sold for a guinea each."-Life of Mrs. Fry. Monthly Chronicle. Our last number contained the Report of the Directors, and an account of the speeches delivered at the Public Meeting. These documents have, we trust, been read by the friends of the Society, whose zeal they are adapted to keep alive, as also to induce others to commence and continue efforts on our behalf. The Directors have determined to print an abridgment of the Report, for postal circulation, and we take leave to suggest to our friends that it will render good service to the Society, if they undertake themselves to send a copy to their own immediate friends; or they may supply the secretaries with lists of persons (not at present subscribers), in their respective localities, to whom such abridgment of the Report may, upon the sole responsibility of the Directors, be sent. By this means an extensive circulation will easily, and without much trouble or expense, be secured. One instance of the beneficial effects of making the operations of the Society known, through the medium of the press, has already occurred, since the annual meeting. A gentleman called at the office, and having stated the delight he had often felt in reading the reports of the missionaries in the magazines, put into the hands of the secretary a note for one hundred pounds, as his donation to the Society. For this kind and unsolicited liberality the Directors express their grateful acknowledgments. The Society has but to be more extensively known, in order to its labours being more fully appreciated; and we feel confident, that as this end is obtained, a proportionate augmentation of its funds will follow. Our friends can accelerate this result, by adopting the suggestion we have now made, and which we earnestly press upon their prompt attention. The annual tour in Derby and Notts, mentioned in the May number as being then discharged, has been fulfilled by the Rev. T. C. Finch and Mr. Lonsdale. The deputation was everywhere welcomed by ministers and friends, who cordially aided the Society. At Derby, the public meeting was attended by influential churchmen and dissenters. A new auxiliary was formed at Nottingham, which bids fair to act with vigour and success. Belper, Chesterfield, Worksop, and Ilkeston, have also evinced a deep interest in our behalf. In each of these towns associations were formed. The Auxiliary at Cambridge has increased its zeal and liberality. The Rev. Edward Muscutt represented the Society by preaching in the Baptist Chapel, when a liberal collection, amounting to nearly £20, was made, after the sermon. This was in addition to a most respectable amount of subscriptions, raised by means of the efforts of two devoted young ladies. Hitherto, the Society has not been favoured with an annual sermon in this town. Henceforth, through the promised kind co-operation of the Rev. E. B. Bubier, it is intended to bring the claims of the Society before the respective congregations once in every year. The Auxiliary of the Sailors' Church has, during the past month, held its Anniversary Services. On Lord's Day, 16th of June, three appropriate Sermons were preached in the Church, by the Rev. George Rose, the Rev. H. Harrison, and the Rev. John Burnet; and on the following day the Annual Meeting was held-George Simmons, Esq., in the chair. About 120 ladies and gentlemen sat down to tea. The report and cash account were read by Rev. T. C. Finch and Capt. B. Prynn; after which, the meeting was addressed by Rev. A. P. Black, M.A., Rev. E. Muscutt, Mr. Chipchase, and Capts. Hasted, Groombridge, and Hudson. It is with satisfaction we state that, since the Annual Meeting, several ministers in the metropolis, and in provincial towns, have pledged themselves cordially to promote the interests of the Society, in their respective congregations, by the formation of new auxiliaries. Among them are,— Kensington Dalston The Rev. John Stoughton, and J. E. Davies, Esq., both of whom have also united themselves with the Board of Directors. The Rev. Clement Dukes, A.M. Newport Pagnell...The Rev. Josiah Bull, A.M. New Tabernacle, Old-street.-The Rev. Isaac Vaughan. Wilkinson. Hounslow............The Rev. John Dickenson. In other congregations and towns arrangements are also in progress. |