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As it may be satisfactory to those who had friends or relatives
in H.M.S. Antelope, to know their fate, I embrace the opportunity
of Captain Galloway's going to England with despatches in the
Albina Transport to give you a few of the particulars of that
melancholy and unfortunate accident, as Captain G's official
letter may not probably be published, this may be depended on as
a correct narrative although far short in description of what may
be said on the subject of our sufferings.
Forty-seven men and boy deserted when they got on shore from
the wreck, many of whom (from the report of Canadians) have since
been found dead on the snow.
"We sailed from Spithead on the 31st of March, and had a
favourable passage to the banks of Newfoundland, where we met
with immense quantities of ice, thick fog and strong
southeasterly winds; the ice increasing as we drew near the Gulf,
and at length we were frozen up 12 hours near Cape North, and the
thermometer 18 degrees below the freezing point. When the ice
loosened to permit the ship to move, all sails were set, and we
got her out; the frost was so intense as to preclude all
possibility of working the ship; the ropes were so enlarged by
the ice, that the sails which were not set were completely frozen
into a solid body. On the 27th we had moderate weather, the
frost was considerably gone, and we entered the Gulf of St.
Lawrence. On the 28th we passed between Brion and Magdalen
Islands. On the 29th, sailed through great quantities of field
ice; the sea at the time appearing as one entire sheet, but one
sufficiently strong to stop the ship's way. We soon saw the
coast of Lower Canada, about Cape Rosiers, wind north."
"On the 30th we stood to the eastward till the ship broke off
to the southward of east. At three P.M. we tacked & stood for
the Canada shore; at sunset laying a good course to clear all the
land which was set by the master and first lieutenant; the
supposed distance 3 or 4 leagues; the weather thick and cloudy,
inclinable to snow and very cold. The lead was kept going, the
master was ordered not to quit the deck, and to make all the
watch keep a good look out. At 8 P.M., we sounded into 71
fathoms; at half past 8, while the line was passing forward, the
captain and first lieutenant were looking at the chart, the ship
going about four knot, when she was felt to strike the rocks, the
atmosphere extremely dark and snowing. The helm was immediately
put down, and the sails thrown aback; she came to about two
points and remained fast; the boats were immediately lowered
down and the stream anchor taken out on the starboard quarter,
and let go in six fathom, which was effected with great
difficulty, owing to a current (unknown to us) setting in from
the southeast. We cut away the bower anchors and threw the
foremost ones overboard, there being 3˝ fathoms aft. On our
heaving round we found the anchor did not hold, the wind too
increasing from the south, heavy snow, and extremely cold. The
crew, with great difficulty and exertion of the officers, were
kept at the necessary works; some of them actually got into their
hammocks! The topmast were got over the side, with six pigs of
ballast at their heel to keep the ship upright if possible, but
the motion was so violent, the lashings were soon carried away.
Great hopes, however, were entertained of getting the ship off in
the morning, had the sea kept down, but unfortunately it
increased fast. By 12 at night she was striking very heavy, and
making water rapidly. Provisions were ordered to be got up, but
before daylight the water was in the lower deck. All hopes of
saving the ship being now given up, the masts were cut away to
ease her; they fell in shore, which prevented the hull from
heeling over. The master was sent away in the cutter, with a
small hawser to make fast to the shore, if possible, but the surf
was too great, and it breaking over large ridges of rocks, the
boat was swamped and stove long before she got near the shore,
and the crew with great difficulty were saved."
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