AN

AUTHENTIC NARRATIVE

OF

THE LOSS

OF THE

EARL OF ABERGAVENNY

EAST INDIAMAN,

CAPTAIN JOHN WORDSWORTH,

Off Portland,

ON THE NIGHT OF THE 5TH OF FEB. 1805;

DRAWN FROM

OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS,

AND COMMUNICATIONS FROM VARIOUS RESPECTABLE

SURVIVORS.

______

BY A GENTLEMAN IN THE EAST-INDIA HOUSE

________

Lord! Lord! methought what pain it was to drown!
What dreadful noise of waters in mine ears!
What sights of ugly death within mine eyes!
I thought I saw a thousand fearful wrecks---
                                                                       CLARENCE'S DREAM

__________

Third Edition

_______________________________________________

LONDON :
PRINTED AT THE
Minerva Press ;
FOR LANE, NEWMAN, AND CO.
AND SOLD BY ASPERNE, CORNHILL; SYMONDS,
PATERNOSTER ROW; AND CHAPPLE
PALL MALL.
1805

____________

Price One Shilling.

____________

THE contents of this Narrative are from the
actual communications of the survivors, and the
official documents laid before the Court of Directors
of the Honourable East India Company.
                                                                                                                 W. D.

New Inn,
19th February, 1805

____________ 

 [Entered at Stationers' Hall]

PRINTED BY W. LANE, LEADENHALL-STREET.

_____________________________________________________________________

N A R R A T I V E

&c. &c.

______________

  " Relation ! Oh too nice, and yet too true "
                                              MACBETH.

IT hath been well observed, on the, much-
lamented and never-to-be -forgotten loss of the
Halsewell, that the misfortunes of individuals
affecting only their immediate relatives, occasion
no public concern -- and death, presented in any
of its ordinary forms, though at all times awful,
is too familiar to be tremendous ; but when
numbers are involved in one common fate, and
that fate is attended with circumstances of
unusual horror, the blow is felt by the whole
community, the republic itself is convulsed by
the shock, and grief, pity, and regret expand
among all orders and conditions of men,
    With. the fate of the Halsewell all are familiar.
We too often, by a strange perversion of taste,

4

and lapse of humanity, see the distresses of the ill-fated
Captain and his passengers portrayed
on the TEA-TRAY, and emblazoning the screen ;
nor would it now have found a place in this nar-
rative, had not the loss of the Earl of Abergavenny
happened within seven miles and a half from
the spot which proved so eminently disastrous
to the fortunes and the hopes of Captain
PIERCE and his amiable family -- PEVEREL POINT :--
to view the precipice, and consider the darkness
of that fatal night and coldness of the weather,
it is astonishing that any of the crew should have
preserved their lives.
    The outset of the Halsewell and the Earl of
Abergavenny united every appearance which could
promise a happy and prosperous voyage. The lat-
ter was one of the finest ships in the service, and
in the most perfect condition for her voyage.
The Commander of distinguished ability and
exemplary character, so far from being likely
to become " passion's slave," that the cool and
even temperature of his blood, and the gentle-
ness of his demeanour had created him the
title of what few seamen can lay claim to, that
of THE PHILOSOPHER ; his officers were men of
approved skill, and the crew well-chosen and
numerous.
    The Earl of Abergavenny was of 1200 tons bur-
then ; it was her fifth voyage, and destined for
Bengal and China.

5

    By the returns at the EAST INDIA HOUSE, it
appears that on sailing from Portsmouth, the

    Ships of this burthen are in general employed
only for China; but the Company, ever attentive
to commercial experiments, had, from their good
opinion of the Commander, fixed on the Earl
of Abergavenny to lade cotton from Bengal for
the Canton market : an experiment which, from
the improved method of pressing this important
article of Indian traffic, promised the most
complete success. The following is the correct
amount of the ship's invoice:

    Such were the objects of the voyage -- highly
laudable -- to extend the Commerce of the

6

Company, and to promote the Revenue of the
State; for so intimately connected is one with
the other, that whenever the first shall decrease,
the latter cannot fail of experiencing an alarm-
ing shock.
    The Earl of Abergavenny holding out such
prospects of accommodation, could not but be
well filled with passengers. A ship of 1200
tons, destined to Bengal, was an allurement not
to be resisted -- its capabilities were of the first
magnitude -- it was, in short, the favourite ship
of the season ; the Captain's table was soon
filled, and what but a vessel of 1200 tons could
have furnished decent space for 40 passengers
at the Commander's table -- most of them fully
acquainted with the luxuries of life, and perhaps
not blessed with the mild forbearance of their
host.
    There was another reason too, which un-
fortunately added to the crowded situation of
the ship. Formerly, Cadets took rank from the
date of their appointments ; but, by a late wise
regulation of the Court of Directors, they obtain
commissions only from the priority of arrival. It
was a great privilege given up ; but it reflected
infinite credit on those who thus could generously
wave their individual privileges, for the benefit
of a whole community.
    No wonder then, that under such a relinquish-
ment of privilege, the Military Service of the

7

Company should be the most enviable in the world;
-- where the officers find in each Director a friend
and father, tremblingly alive to their interests,
what can be expected but the enthusiasm of
gratitude, and the ardour of enterprise ?
    But to return to our subject. -- Under such
regulations the Cadets appointed for Bengal
were naturally anxious to proceed to their
destination : numbers were disappointed, and --
such is the short-sighted view of mortals -- thought
themselves peculiarly unfortunate, because nei-
ther money nor the most earnest application
could procure a passage.
    The Third Mate's mess was completely full ;
fifteen daily partook of its hospitalities.
    " There is a tide in the affairs of men," says
our immortal bard ; but the tide of good fortune
seemed adverse to the Earl of Abergavenny in her
outset. Amid the hurry and confusion attending
the signal for sailing of a fleet, the First and
Third Mate, with a Cadet, and an Ensign of the
8th regiment, were left on shore at Portsmouth.
Every endeavour to regain the ship appeared
fruitless ; but when they were almost in despair
of success, the master of an open boat, tempted
by the splendid offer of forty guineas, put off,
with a supply of a fortnight's provision on
board, and, unhappily for the First Mate, over-
took the vessel.
    The Cadet must have had leave of absence from

8

the ship ; for, by a late benevolent regulation
of the East India Company, a table is provided for
persons of this description, on board their respec-
tive ships, while lying at Portsmouth, in order to
guard against the allurements too prevalent in a
port, not proverbially nice in its morality, or li-
mited in its charges :-- thus the pocket as well as
the health of the young soldier is effectually
preserved from impoverishment, to the no small
mortification of exorbitant innkeepers, and a
certain description of persons who too often
prey on the volatile and unwary*.
    The SHAMBLES, on which the Earl of Abergavenny
struck, (a shoal of shingles and rock ), extends
along the south side of the Island of Portland,
about a mile and a half, or two miles from the
land ; between which there is water enough for
the largest ship in the navy to pass.
    Those mariners who are acquainted with it,
going from Portland Roads to the westward,

    * The following Resolution was passed at a Court of Directors, on
                        the 11th of January, 1804.

RESOLVED, " That the Cadets for the Company's Service in India be
" ordered to embark on board the Company's ships, when the respec-
" tive vessels arrive at the ports from which they take their ultimate
" departure, and that the Commanders and three Mates be paid by the
" Company for the time each Cadet is, victualled at their respective
" tables, previous to the ship's departure from their last port in Eng-
" land ; also that every Cadet be obliged to embark on a day pointed out
" by the Committee of Shipping, and on no account afterwards be per-
" mitred to sleep out of the ships without an express order, in writing
" front the said Committee.

9

always take especial care to steer within the
Shambles ; a measure they equally preserve in
working from the westward.
    As a caution to inexperienced mariners, it may
not be improper to observe that it will be well
to keep outside, by standing a league to the
southward of the island, or rather more ; by
which means, they will avoid both the Shambles
and the Race -- those fatal Scylla and Charybdis
of the coast.
    In the general opinion of those who think they
" best can tell," the loss of the Earl of Abergavenny
may be attributed to the ignorance of the Pilot.
The rest of the fleet, in going from the westward,
had gained the east end of Portland, and were
brought up in the Road before the flood-tide
had finished ; but the Earl of Abergavenny, from
having waited for a pilot to the westward, and
other causes of delay, possibly from not sailing
quite so fast, was rather astern ; and ere she could
round the island, the strong current of ebb tide
forced her on the spot, which produced the
fatal disaster.
    Having thus circumstantially related the sup-
posed causes of the Earl of Abergavenny having
got on the Shambles, we shall now let Mr.
GILPIN, the Fourth Mate, a most active and
respectable Officer, speak for himself. The
following is a correct copy of his account,
delivered, in to the Court of Directors.
                                    B

10

Memorandum respecting the Loss of the Earl of
                              Abergavenny.

                            " At 10 A. M. being about
" ten leagues to the westward of Portland, the
" Commodore made the signal to bear up -- did
" so accordingly. At this time, having maintop-
" gallant-mast struck, fore and mizen ditto on
" deck, and the jib-boom in, the wind about W. S. W.
" at three P. M. got on board a pilot, being about
" two leagues to the westward of Portland ;
" ranged and bitted both cables at about half
" past three, called all hands, and got out the
" jib-boom at about four. While crossing the
" east end of the Shambles, the wind suddenly
" died away, and a strong tide setting the ship
" to the westward, drifted her into the breakers,
" and a sea striking her on the larboard quarter,
" brought her to, with her head to the northward,
" when she instantly struck, it being about five
" P. M. Let out all the reefs, and hoisted the
" topsails up, in hopes to shoot the ship across
" the Shambles. About this time the wind
" shifted to the N. W. The surf driving us off,
" and the tide setting us on alternately, some-
" times having four and a half, at others nine
" fathoms, sand of the sea about eight feet,

11

" continued in this situation till about half past
" seven, when she got off. During the time
" she was on the Shambles, had from three to
" four feet water ; kept the water at this height
" about 15 minutes, during the whole time the
" pumps constantly going. Finding she gained
" on us, it was determined to run her on the
" nearest shore. About eight, the wind shifted
" to the eastward ; the leak continuing to gain
" upon the pumps, having ten or eleven feet
" water, found it expedient to bale at the fore-
" scuttle and hatchway. The ship would not
" bear up -- kept the helm hard a starboard, she
" being water-logged ; but still had a hope she
" could be kept up till we got her on Weymouth
" Sands. Cut the lashings of the boats -- could
" not get the long boat out, without laying the
" main-top-sail aback, by which our progress
" would have been so delayed, that no hope
" would have been left us of running her
" aground ; and there being several sloops in
" sight, one having sent a small skiff on board,
" took away two ladies, and three other pas-
" sengers and put them on board the sloop,
" at the same time promising to return and take
" away a hundred or more of the people ; she
" finding much difficulty in getting back to the
" sloop, did not return. About this time, the
" Third Mate and Purser were sent in the cutter
" to get assistance from the other ships. Con-
                                    B 2

12

" tinued pumping and baling till 11 P. M.*
" when she sunk -- last cast of the lead 11
" fathoms ; having fired guns from the time she
" struck till she went down, about two A. M.
" boats came, and took the people from the
" wreck, about 70 in number. The. troops, in
" particular the Dragoons, pumped very well.
                                        " THOMAS GILPIN."

    The ship remained on the rocks nearly an hour ;
beating incessantly with great violence, the
shocks being so great, that the officers and men
could scarcely keep their footing on the deck.
At four P. M. the shocks became less violent,
and in about a quarter of an hour she cleared
the rocks. The sails were immediately set, with
an intention to run for the first port, as the
ship made much water ; but the leak increased
so fast, that the ship would not answer the helm.
Captain WORDSWORTH and his officers were, not
withstanding, of opinion that the ship might be
got off without sustaining any material damage,
and accordingly no signal guns of distress were
ordered to be fired for upwards of an hour and
a half afterwards, when twenty were discharged.
The officers, although sensible of the danger

* This time differs by an hour from that reported to us by various
correspondents.

13

of the ship, in order to prevent general con-
fusion, preserved, as much as possible, by their
silence, the minds of the passengers from alarm.
    Soon, however, things bore a still more
unfavourable aspect : the carpenter announced
that a considerable leak was discovered near
the bottom of the chain-pumps, which it was
not in his power to stop, the water gushed in
so fast. The pumps being all in readiness, were
set a-going, and a part of the crew endeavoured
to bale her at the fore-hatchway and fore-scuttle ;
but all their attempts to keep the water under,
were in vain.
    At six P. M. the inevitable loss of the ship be-
came more and more apparent ; other leaks were
discovered, the wind had increased to a gale, and
the severe beating of the vessel upon the rocks
threatened immediate destruction. The Captain
and officers were far from shrinking from the
perils around them. They gave their orders with
the greatest firmness and coolness, and by their proper
conduct were enabled to preserve subor-
dination. As the night advanced, the situation
of all on board became the more terrible :-- Miss
EVANS, Miss JACKSON, and several other passengers
entreated to be sent on shore ; but this was
impossible. It was as much as all the ship's com-
pany could do to keep the vessel afloat. In order
to tempt the men to exert their utmost powers at
the pumps, the officers stood by cheering and

14

encouraging them. At seven P. M. the ship's
company being almost exhausted, it was thought
advisable to fire fresh signal guns, in hopes of
obtaining boats from the shore, to save as
many of the people on board as possible.
    The guns were again discharged incessantly.
The Purser, with the Third Officer, Mr. WORDS-
WORTH, (nephew to the unfortunate Captain)
and six seamen, were sent on shore, in one
of the ship's boats, to give notice to the in-
habitants of the distressed state of the ship and
crew. At this time a pilot boat came off, and
Mr. EVANS, with his daughter, Miss JACKSON,
Mr. ROUTLEDGE*, Mr. TAYLOR , and a Cadet, were
embarked for the shore, notwithstanding a
dreadful sea, which threatened them with almost
instant loss. Mrs. BLAIR chose, in spite of all
entreaties, to remain on board ; indeed there
were many who would have made the same
choice, so little hope was there of the boat
contending successfully against the high sea,
in so dark a night.
    It was now about nine o'clock, and several
boats were heard at a short distance from the
ship ; but they rendered no assistance to the dis-

·          Mr. ROUTLEDGE, who got on shore in safety, was on board the Lord
Nelson when that ship was captured, after the most gallant defence on
the part of her officers and crew, and had the good fortune to resist the
stroke of a dagger, by the accidental position of his cartouch-box. This
conduct had not escaped the observation of the Court of Directors, and
had been noticed, in the warmest terms, to the Bengal Government.

15

tressed on board. Whether this was owing to
their being employed in the humane purpose of
saving those who had clung to pieces of wreck
(upon which many had ventured from the ves-
sel ), or because they were engaged in plunder,
is a matter which has not been ascertained.
    The dreadful crisis was now approaching.
Some time before the ship sunk, the carpenter
came from below, and informed the crew, who
were all working at the pumps, that he could
do no more, and that she must go down
Every one on board seemed assured of his fate ;
Some gave themselves up to despair, whilst others
endeavoured to collect themselves, and employed
the few minutes they had left, in the best of pur-
poses -- that of imploring the mercy of their Cre-
ator. At ten o'clock the ship was nearly full of
water, and she began. gradually to sink.
    It has for ages been the boast of England, that
her gallant sons of the Ocean, whether gaining
fresh laurels for their country, in bravely com-
bating the common foe, or enduring the all-con-
quering perils of winds and waves, are still, in
the hour of danger, cool and collected. They
fight like HEROES, and they die in the conscious
pride of having discharged their duty as MEN.
    In the present melancholy instance, the beha-
viour of the Commander and officers proved that
they were worthy of a nobler fate -- that of dying

16

in the cause of their King and Country. They
knew the value of discipline, and even the frowns
of the grim tyrant, Death, could not shake them
from their purpose.
    When Caesar met his fate in the Capitol, he
folded his robe about him, that he might fall
with decency -- when the sailors pressed ardently
for a supply of liquor on the officer who
guarded the spirit-room --" Give us some grog !"
exclaimed the honest Tars ; " it will be all as one
an hour hence !" -- the reply of the officer would
have done honour to the brevity of Roman for-
titude -- " I know we must die," coolly replied
the gallant Midshipman, " but let us die like
men !" -- He kept his post, armed with a brace
of pistols, and there staid, even whilst the ship
was sinking.
    The officers, while yet a distant hope of saving
the ship remained, excited the crew to manual
exertion by a cheerful song and the smile of
encouragement. The Cadets, all of them of
tender years, worked at the pumps till, over-
come with fatigue, they absolutely sunk under
their exertions.
    Many of the soldiers were in a state of insensibi-
lity from sea-sickness, and were totally inattentive
to their danger :-- those who have experienced
this dreadful but salutary disease, will easily credit
the assertion ; for such is the habitual languor of

17

invalids labouring under sea-sickness, that life
becomes a burthen, and care for its continuance
has no longer an existence.

            " Why hear this fearful tempest sing,
            " Yet seek no shelter to avoid the storm ?"

    It has been said, that had the proper precau-
tions been taken, not a life would have been lost ;
perhaps Captain WORDSWORTH was not, till too
late, sufficiently aware of the incurable state of the
ship : but it is hardly probable, whatever might
have been the resolution of the passengers, that
all the crew would have deserted her -- it is a
well-known fact, that some sailors will not quit a
sinking ship : we may instance the London East
Indiaman, which was run down by the Russel man
of war -- the crew to a man might have been saved,
but they energetically exclaimed -- " No, we can-
" not leave our beautiful ship -- we will share her
" fate !" and they were seen in the ACT of CHEERING
as she went down.
    Some minutes before the ship sunk. Mr.
BAGGOT, the Chief Mate, went to Captain
WORDSWORTH, and said -- " We have done all we
can, Sir -- she will sink in a moment." -- The Cap-
tain replied -- " It cannot be helped -- God's will
be done." -- The Captain and Mr. BAGGOT were
observed to converse with apparent cheerfulness;
though when the ship first struck, the former was
                                    C

18

heard to exclaim -- " O pilot! pilot! you have
ruined me !"
    When the passengers and crew were acquainted
with their situation, they made several efforts to
save their lives ; some laid hold of pieces of the
wreck, and committed themselves to the mercy of
the waves.
    Captain FORBES, of the King's service, with
three privates, died on coming on shore, from
being stowed in the hold of a very small fishing
vessel, for fear of upsetting her, had too many
remained upon her deck ; the sad and benumbed
state these poor creatures were in when taken
from the wreck, though the distance was not
more than two miles from the shore, where every
instant aid and comfort were afforded them,
prevented their recovery.
    A great number ran up the shrouds. A
watch was taken from the fob of an un-
happy individual, whose corpse was driven on
shore -- it had STOPPED at five minutes past ten ;
from this circumstance it is presumed that at TEN
o'clock

        " The stout-ribb'd vessel to the storm gate way,
        " And suck'd thro' loosen'd planks the rushing sea."

    When the hull of the ship touched the ground,
about one hundred and eighty persons were sup-
posed to be in the tops and rigging ; their situ-
ation was beyond all description wretched ; the

19

yards only were above water, and the sea was
breaking over them in the dead of a cold and
frosty night. In about half-an-hour their spirits
were revived, by the round of several boats beat-
ing against the waves at a short distance* ; but,
alas ! how vain their hopes, when, on hailing the
boats, not one of them came to their assistance !
The sound of the boats died away, and they were
again left to the mercy of the rude waves,

        " Where fate on ev'ry billow seem'd to ride."

By twelve o'clock their numbers had much
decreased : the swell had swept some off, whilst
others were, from the piercing cold, unable longer
to retain their hold. Every moment they per-
ceived some friend floating around them for a
while -- then sinking into the dread abyss to rise
no more.
    The cries of the distressed, when sinking, it is
said, were heard from the hills at Whitnouth,
near Lulworth, which is about 3 miles from the ship.
Several boats were again heard paddling about the
wreck at half-past eleven o'clock ; and although
they were hailed by the unfortunate persons on
the shrouds and masts, they could not be pre-
vailed upon to take them on shore. The reason

    * A sloop-sail vessel, with two boats astern, passed them at 11 P. M.,
and on their hailing her from the tops of the Earl of Abergavenny, she
paid no attention to their calls. It is supposed that the did not hear
them.
                                    C 2

20

which was afterwards assigned for this apparently
inhuman conduct, was, that they were fearful
that every person on board, being eager to save
himself, the whole would attempt to jump in,
overload the boats, and sink them.
    About twelve o'clock, two sloops that had been
attracted to the spot by the signal guns, came
to anchor close to the ship, sent their boats, and
took off all the persons we have mentioned as
being above water, about twenty at a time, and
in the morning conveyed them to Weymouth.
So far were the people from crowding impro-
perly into the boats, that they got off the shrouds
one by one, and then only as they were called
by the officers who were with them. When it
was supposed that every person was brought
off, and the boat was about to depart for the
last time, a person was observed nearly at the
top of a mast in the shrouds ; he was called
to, but did not answer.
    At length Mr. HERBERT MORTIMER, Sixth Mate,
brother to a gentleman in the Treasury Office
of the East India House, and to Captain
MORTIMER, who has lately, from ill health,
resigned the Company's service, with that
goodness of heart which will ever redound
to his honour, actuated by the most valuable
sensations of philanthropy, insisted, though
the last who left the ship, that the boat
should not put off till he had endeavoured to

21

rescue this unhappy man from destruction. The
boat's company yielded to his entreaties, and
while they rested on their oars in awful suspense,
the gallant youth sprang up the mast, where he
found the object of his search, Serjeant HEART, in
a state of insensibility, arising from the piercing
severity of the weather. His wife and infant had
already perished. Mr. MORTIMER brought him
down on his back, and placed him in the boat.
Our readers will naturally exclaim, -- Was he
alive !" -- Alas ! poor fellow, he survived his un-
fortunate family but a short period. The greatest
exertions were used by the faculty for the re-
covery of suspended animation, for the space of
six hours. They so far succeeded as to renew
pulsation, and enabled him to receive some wine ;
but their efforts proved unsuccessful, and he died
the same day.
    Serjeant HEART, with six of his unfortunate
comrades, were interred with all the pomp of
military honours, on Friday, much to the honour
of the Serjeants of the 2d Wiltshire Militia, quar
-tered there, who defrayed the expences of the
funeral.
    The muffled drum -- the mournful fife -- the sad
accompaniments of the soldier's funeral, were
here superfluous. The inhabitants of Weymouth
had that within, " superior to the trappings and
the suits of woe :" their conduct to the sufferers
                                    C

22

has been uniformly kind, and must endear them
still more strongly to their royal and amiable
visitors.
    One of the crew, a Portuguese, died on
Wednesday, the 13th, from excessive fatigue.
A few hours before he expired, he desired
the person who attended on him, to procure him a
wax candle, producing at the same time the last
shilling he possessed. He requested it to be lit,
and placed by his bedside, saying that he should
expire before it was burnt out ; and from that
moment obstinately persisted in refusing all
sustenance, and died a few hours after.
    The fate of poor Mrs. BLAIR cannot but interest
the feeling heart : she might have regained the
shore with the other ladies, had she not indulged
the fondest hopes of security on board the vessel,
and entertained the utmost horror at encounter-
ing the dangers of a tempestuous sea in an open
vessel. Thus it was with the Miss PIERCES in the
Halsewell. Mr. ROGERS, now Captain of the Ge-
neral Stuart, who was then Third Mate, remained
with the Captain and the unfortunate ladies near
twenty minutes after Mr. MERITON (now Captain)
had quitted the ship. Soon after the latter left
the round-house, the Captain asked what was
become of him. Mr. ROGERS replied that he was
gone on the deck to see what could be done ;
after this, a heavy sea breaking over the ship,

23

the ladies exclaimed -- " O poor MERITON ! he
is drowned ! -- had he staid with us, he would have
been safe ! ! !"
    An instance of forethought not usually attend-
ing youthful minds, presented itself in the person
of' a Cadet, named GRAMSHAW, not more than
fifteen years of age, who the moment the vessel
struck, ran to the spot which was destined for
his baggage, secured his watch, twenty guineas,
and more than twenty letters of recommendation.
With this precious charge he hastened on deck,
but ere he had time to survey his treasure, a wave
came rolling over, and washed him into the sea ;
the youth had still recollection to cling to a
friendly rope, and is among the list of the for-
tunate survivors.
    A Cadet, we believe of the name of THWAITES,
sent out by Mr. MANSHIP, the respectable Father
of the Direction, made one of twenty who
crowded into a boat. It had not gone many
yards, ere it was upset. Mr. THWAITES clung to
the boat, and was the only one who escaped : he
was picked up when just sinking with fatigue and
apprehension.
    Mr. BAILLIE, a Cadet, states that when he had
fortunately ascended the shrouds, many of the
people were running about the desk in the
utmost consternation, and several endeavoured
to attain the same situation. A Yorkshireman,
one of the crew, got up to a tolerable height,
                                   C

24

but his further exertions were rendered ineffectual
by one of his messmates having seized him by
the leg ; -- all remonstrance was in vain, and
(shocking to relate !) self-preservation so far
overcame the dictates of humanity, that the
Yorkshireman unclasped his knife, and cut the
poor wretch's fingers ! -- He fell, and was dashed
to pieces ! -- Many people died in the shrouds.
    A singular circumstance happened to a Ser-
jeant who escaped the fatal doom of so many of his
comrades : his wife, who was with him in the
shrouds, on quitting her hold, as the last strug-
gle for her life, bit a large piece from the hus-
band's arm, which is dreadfully lacerated.
    WEBBER, the Captain's joiner, was miraculously
saved ! He was near the Captain, who was standing
on the hen-coop when the ship went down,
whom he saw washed off by a sea, which also
carried him (the carpenter) overboard, and, he
supposes with him, the launch full of sheep and
a cow ; for, on swimming a little time, he seeing,
the boat, fortunately gained it, and got therein
among the cattle, from whence he was taken
afterwards.
    After the hull was under water, Captain WORDS-
WORTH was observed by Mr. GILPIN hanging to the
quarter brail of the mizen.  That gentleman made
every effort to save him, but was unsuccessful.
The exertions of Cornet BURGOYNE and the Mates

25

were most exemplary ; they did all that human
means could effect.
    Captain WORDSWORTH had made two successful
trips to India : he has left the kindest relations
and the truest friends to lament his loss -- but he
was a single man ; he had therefore no wife to
grieve for his untimely fate, no children to
mourn their unprotected state.
    His last voyage had bestowed the full meed
of FAME. His ship formed a part of that gal-
lant fleet of merchantmen which had made the
Admiral of the Marengo tremble. He had received
the noblest reward of valour -- the THANKS of his
employers, the PLAUDITS of a grateful nation.
    How frail is the happiness of mortals -- how
fleeting their joys ! On the very instant this
this melancholy accident occurred, the respect-
able relative of Captain WORDSWORTH, a veteran
in the service of the EAST INDIA COMPANY, was
engaged in a convivial party, dwelling with honest
pride on former successful voyages, expatiating
with rapture on the rising prospects of his
young eléve, and circulating the cheerful glass
in bumpers to the safe return of the Earl of
Abergavenny. How great must have been his
horror, his grief, and his despair on the dreadful
news reaching him, when it acted like an electric
shock even on strangers !
    Since the wreck of the Halsewell, never had
such a universal scene of woe presented itself
at the EAST INDIA HOUSE --The Purser was so over-
                                D

26

come by the frequent repetition of the sad -- sad
story, that, soon after he left the India House,
he fell into a strong fit. He unhappily had more
than general cause for sorrow --

        " It was a fee grief due to his single breast ."'

a son -- his pride -- his hope -- had unfortunately
perished in the common wreck, and under such
distressing circumstances, that to relate them
were to " add the death" of the survivor. He
was undressed, put into a warm bed, and receiving
every medical and soothing aid which humanity
could suggest, was soon restored to the misfortune
of memory.
    The ship lies now from Harvey's Library,
S. S. E. about 2 1/4 miles. Upon her upper deck
there are 27 feet water. She heels a little to
port, and there are great hopes that she can be
weighed, and brought in.
    The following persons have offered their ser-
vices for the purpose :
        Mr. WHIDBEY,* Master Attendant, of His
               Majesty's Dock Yard, at Woolwich
        Mr. LIONEL,
        Mr. LUKIN,
        Mr. ENOCH,
        Mr. TONKIN, and
        Mr. WM. ROBINSON.

    * This gentleman raised a Dutch frigate called the Ambuscade, sunk in
the Channel, going from Sheerness to the Great Nore, in or about 1801.
This operation was performed in three or four days, the ship taken into
dock at Sheerness, and was again at sea in three weeks.

27

    The upper rigging, topmasts, yards, &c. have
already been stripped from her, and brought
into Weymouth. -- The Company have had her
situation surveyed by Captain CORNER, the Com-
pany's Master Attendant, a gentleman of very
superior ability ; and we understand that the
period of the moon and year, added to the
strong clay ground she is on, could not have
proved more advantageous for the purpose
of raising her. On Sunday last the spar-deck
came up, and several trunk and boxes, con-
taining valuables, have floated to different parts
of the bay ; one, the property of Cornet
BURGOYNE, was taken up by some countrymen
near Osmington, who finding it to contain
Mr. BURGOYNE'S will, amongst other documents,
and a considerable sum in cash, took it to Mr.
COATES, the Rector of the parish, who detained
the whole, and wrote to Mr. BURGOYNE, who
immediately set out from London, to claim his
property. -- Since this, many trunks have been
found on the shore empty.
    But it is time to drop the curtain on a scene so
truly tragic. -- We wish not to intrude upon the
sacred sorrows of survivors. The narrative we
have thus given to the public, has at least the
merit of truth. The list of the crew is correctly
copied from the highest official documents ; and
the circumstances attending the loss of the Earl of
Abergavenny are neither exaggerated nor misstated.
                                    D 2

28

    The gross inaccuracies in a late publication
are too obvious to merit any particular or
pointed observation ; but as the advertisement
of the India Calendar is prefixed to the pam-
phlet, it is but justice to Messrs. MATHIESON and
MASON, two most industrious and respectable
Clerks in the Secretary's office, to acquit them
of having had, either directly or indirectly, any
share in that production :-- their accuracy has
been repeatedly submitted to the public, and
it is not probable they would easily be tempted
to forfeit that good opinion they have so de-
servedly obtained.
    The whole proceedings, relative to the loss
of the Earl of Abergavenny, are referred to the
Committee of Shipping. It would ill become the
writer of this article to anticipate their decision.
This we know -- their sentence will be unbiassed
and impartial. -- Let that judgment, however, be
what it may, it is not likely, as asserted in
the publication we allude to, that leave will be
given to build on the bottom of the Earl of
Abergavenny, on the full scale of her original
dimensions, since it is a well-known fact, that
the Company stand pledged with the Board of
Admiralty not to give leave for building any
ship, of more than 800 Tons, in less than FIVE years.
    That presentiment has often governed the
minds of individuals, and in many instances has
averted misfortunes, we are not inclined to dis-

29

pute ; but that the protraction of Captain
WORDSWORTH'S taking leave of the Court arose
from depression of spirits, we decidedly disallow ;
those who are in the habit of attending the India
House, know that the forms of office are ever
strictly adhered to ; those forms were not
completed, and Captain WORDSWORTH was obliged
to defer his parting obeisance till another day.
    That the avenues of the India House were
blocked up, or that Mr. GILPIN told his " tale of
misery" in its passages, is equally untrue. -- The
kind attention of the Secretary; Mr. RAMSAY -- his
prudence and humanity are so proverbial, that we
are only surprised they should have been noticed
in a fabrication in every other instance so un-
founded.
    It is to the credit of the poor common sailors
who perished, that NO turbulence whatever
occurred ; they worked cheerfully ; they had no
regular allowance of grog -- a glass of liquor was
served out to each man from the private chest
of a Cadet, and they died in the very act of
discharging their duty.
    It is worthy of remark that Cornet BURGOYNE,
(a name deservedly dear to Englishmen), while
clinging to the mast after the vessel had sunk,
perceiving the spirits of his follows in affliction to
droop, cheered them with a song :-- it was a ditty
well adapted to their situation ; the passengers
and crew joined cheerfully in the chorus. The

30

boats which had come to their assistance, alarmed
at merriment seemingly so ill suited to the
melancholy scene, at first were fearful of
approaching, dreading the effect of what was
deemed the impulse of desperation ; they were
soon, however, induced to persevere in their
humane intention by the repeated cheers of
those whom misfortune had thus strangely asso-
ciated.
    Mr. DENT, the managing owner of the Earl
of Abergavenny, had two nephews on board,
Cadets, who were unfortunately lost. Mr. DENT, at
the time of this fatal disaster, was confined to his
chamber ; nor was it till lately that his friends
thought it prudent to divulge the melancholy
catastrophe. He bore the intelligence like a man
-- he could not help feeling it as a man. Since
this Mr. DENT has had the misfortune to lose his
brother, Mr. JOHN DENT, the banker, who died on
Friday last.
    The following is an interesting extract of a
letter from Captain CLARKE, the Commander of
the fleet, to Mr. RAMSAY, dated Cowes, the 10th
instant.

    " On receiving the Court's orders for our
" return to Spithead, I judged it as tending to
" the good of the service, to order all the troops
" and Chinese saved from the unfortunate ship

31

" that was wrecked, to be embarked on board
" the Wexford ; and in the adoption of which
" measure, I trust I shall meet the approbation
" of the Honourable Court, whose further plea-
" sure respecting their disposal, I shall hope
" early to be made acquainted with, as the poor
" fellows have now been two nights on board
" without beds to sleep on. It may be proper
" to mention that six of the soldiers, and three
" Chinese, were not forthcoming at the time
" of re-embarkation ; but Captain INGRAM,
" commanding the Sea Fencibles at Weymouth,
" very politely promised to send all that were
" found after our departure round, in one of
" His Majesty's gun-brigs ; and Colonel ALLAN
" of the German Legion, sent troopers out
" in pursuit of the stragglers, so that I am
" not without hope that they will be all re-
" covered."

    On Wednesday last, the Court of Directors,
ever anxious to alleviate the pressure of misfor-
tune --

  Resolved unanimously -- " That in consider-
" ation of the severe loss in baggage and
" passage money, experienced by the under-

32

" mentioned Cadets for India, saved from the
" wreck of the ship Earl of Abergavenny, viz.
        " ROBERT M. O. GRAMSHAW,
        " WILLIAM BAILLIE,
        " JOSEPH JOHNSTONE,
        " JOHN THWAITES, and
        " CHARLES TAYLOR,

" they be presented with the sum of one
" hundred guineas each, upon their taking pas-
" sage to proceed to India, according to their
" destination."

    We shall conclude our brief, chronicle with
a sentiment of an elegant and observant
author --

    " Happy the man who revisits the scenes where
" every thing was beloved, every thing was
" amiable ! -- More happy he who has never
" quitted you, paternal roof -- sacred asylum! The
" wanderer returns indeed, but does not find his
" home ! Of his friends some are dead, some
" gone away ; his family is dispersed ; his
" protectors -- But LIFE is no more than a SHORT
" VOYAGE, and the age of man like a winter's
" day !"

33

["A CORRECT LIST OF PASSENGERS" follows which is not transcribed.]