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On the 3rd, the purser was sent in the jolly boat to Trois
Pistoles, about 45 miles distant on the opposite bank, in the
hope that he could reach Quebec to procure assistance, and
efforts were made to find some more provisions in the wreck.
Each search meant ten or twelve hours exposure to the wet and
cold without nourishment, and all that was found were two casks
of beef and some spirits. About twenty of the people were now
suffering from frostbite.
On the 7th, another boat was sent to Trois Pistoles, and it
returned on the 12th after being frozen in, with 3 hundredweight
of flour, a few potatoes and some beef. Thirty of the crew left
in an attempt to escape along the shore, and all but two perished
in the woods. They were found by a party of Indians, under the
first lieutenant, having only made 1O miles. One was delirious,
with his feet in a state of gangrene. On Sunday, November 20th,
a small schooner arrived from Quebec with a fortnight's
supplies. More supplies and blankets arrived on the 24th, and
after the schooner had to shelter from gales and snow off the
island of Bic, they were carried across the river to embark on a
transport the following day.
The court martial was held on board Tourterelle in St.
George's Harbour, Bermuda on 28 and 29 January 18O9. Lieutenant McCurdy
was dismissed from the rank of lieutenant and Mr. Clegram was
sentenced to be severely reprimanded. The captain, his officers
and the crew were acquitted of blame. |
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November 28th. Government schooner Charlotte, J. Lambly,
master, from Bic, 3 days passage. Took the crew of the Banterer
on board the transport on Friday at Bic. She sailed from Bic the
same day. The Banterer is a complete wreck, with her bottom out
and all her beams nearly broke. Lies on the top of Mille Vaches
shoal 5 miles west of Portneuf, and dry at low water. |
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The following reports have arrived in town respecting the
unfortunate situation of the vessels which sailed from hence on
the 4th, 5th and 6th instant; the whole of them having been
seized in the ice, owing to the severe cold of last week.
Young John, ashore at Goose Island, and unloading.
Olive Branch, Rutherford, at the same place.
Gardner & Joseph, Dick, at St. Anne's, Mr. George, a passenger,
is come up.
The Samuel in the ice near the Pillars, 2 hands said to have
perished on board.
The Three Brothers, in the ice near St. Roch.
The Betsey, was in the ice, but got out into the north passage.
It is also reported that the Samuel had forced a passage
through the ice.
The Select, Ensor, upset; the crew saved, excepting one man.
A brig had been seen in the river said to be bound up.
Messrs. Jolliffe, Grant, Merret and Allen were at St. Jean, on
Saturday, with people from Point Levi and a canoe, intending to
go off to the vessels near the Pillars on Sunday.
12 o'clock. - Eleven of the crew from the new ship Olive
Branch, Rutherford, just come to town, state that the ship struck
on Goose Island, and afterwards on the Pillars, that she had six
and half feet water in the hold when they abandoned her in the
boats, that they landed with Captain Rutherford, the pilot and
the second mate, below the high cape, below St. Joachim, on the
north shore, and that Mr. Tomlinson, the mate, with six other men
had not reached the shore when they came away, and were thought
to be lost. Captain Rutherford and the second mate remained
behind endeavouring to find them. They say that eight other
vessels were in the ice and that two of them are on Goose Island,
which they suppose to be Young John and Three Brothers. Several
of the men are a good deal frost bit. |
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