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Lorsque le document est trop grend pour Atre reproduit en un soul clichA. ii est filmA A pertir de i'angie supArieur gauche, de gauche A droite. et de haut en baa. en prenant ie nombre d'imegee nAceaaaira. Lee diegrammes suivents illustrent ie mAthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 Ifii iimi m i ^iiiHl-.fi-'iil'iiiiii m f (!'';!!i!.i' M ^iM ill ¥9 ,,!!.:iv mmm Mn m ii| Bil-:? SiiiSiSi* ^m mu^ :iS sii. ill Mlii SBS: k1 MilR;; ft'ii: ■*,is " t SHIPS OF WAR )st on the Coast of Nova Scotia and Sable Island, during the Eighteenth Century. BY SIMON D. MAODONALD, K. G. S. (Read before the Noya Scotia Historical Society, Harch 6th, 1884.) ■ ■ ( '^1 '=. ( SHIPS OF WAR Lost on the Coast of Nova Scotia and Sable Island, during the Eighteenth Century. BY S. O. PvlA.CnONAL,D, K. O. S. Read Matrh Hth, 1881 "IITHILST comi tiling a wreck chiirt of this Coast 1 was surprised to '' fintl figuring among the wrecks so many vessels of war, regarding the loss of which but little see^is to be known. It occurred to me that an investigation into the circumstances attending such losses, together with some interesting particulars, would form a subject worthy of the attention of this Society. To this end I luive from various sources such as History, Public Kecords, Admiralty Reports, and the Press collected some scattered fragments whi(^h I have arranged according to their respective dates. The result of my research, or at least that por- tion of it relating to the 18th century, I beg leave to lay before you this evening. Under the term "lost" I have included vessels however destroyed — whether by burning, scuttling, stranding or foundering near the shore. Of course the details of wrecks are not always of a pleasing nature. But in a Society like this we have to deal with the dark as well as the bright side of history. The first wreck of which history makes mention was one of the most terrible, involving great loss of life and ])roperty, and casting on the neighboring province of Quebec such a gloom as required several years to dispel. Unfortunately we have but very few details in connec- tion with this wreck, as not one soul was left to tell the tale. The whole may be summed up as follows : — Elarly in July, 1725, the line-of-battle ship La Ghemeau, said to be the fastest and most thoroughly equipped ship of the Fren-'-h navy, left France for Quebec, having on board in addition to her full complement 2 SHIPS OP WAH LOST, ETC., 18th CENTURY. of men a Inrgo numbor of passengers, among whojn were M. DeChnzc), who was to succeed Begon as Intendant of Canada ; dcLouvigny, the Governor elect of Three Rivers ; the Governor of Louiahurg ; several Colonial officers and ecclesiastics. On the 2.')th of August, while approach- ing the harbor of Louisburg for the purpose of landing the Governor, she Mas overtaken by a furious south-east gale, and during tlie night was totally lost on a reef near the entrancj; to that harbor, with all on board. In the morning Mio shore was strewn with the bodies oi men and horses, and the debris of war material mingled with the sacred utensils and vestures of the Church. In the year 1746 the French Government, on receiving intelligence of the fall of Louisburg, became exasperated at the loss of such a for- tress, which had cost an enormous sum of money and twenty-five years of incessant labor to render it, as it was supposed, impregnable, and at once directed an armament to be prepared of greater force than had ever yet been sent to America. Accordingly, during the winter and spring of that year an expedition was iully equipped consisting of 70 vessels, among which were 1 1 ships of the line and 30 frigates, and 30 transports carrying 3000 soldiers, which sailed the following June under command of Duke D'Anville, whose instructions were to retiike and dismantle Louisburg, capture Annapolis, destroy Boston, and ravage the New England coast. This fleet had barely got clear of the French coast when it encountered westerly gales, which so retarded its progress that it did not reach the longitude of Sable Island until early in Sep- tember, when nearly all the ships were dispersed in a violent storm during which several were lost on that island. D'Anville, with only two ships of the line and a few transports, arrived at Chebucto after a passage of ninety days. In the harbor he found one of the fleet, and in the course of the next few days several transports arrived. But D'Anville was so agitated and distressed by the misfortune which had befallen the fleet that he fell suddenly ill and died, it is said, in a fit of apoplexy. In the afternoon of the same day the Vice-Admiral, D'P^stournelle, arrived with three ships of the line and succeeded to the command of the expedition, while Jonqui^re — a naval officer who had come out in the flagship as Viceroy of Canada — was made second in command. Finding the expedition so greatly reduced in strength by the dispersion of the ships and the sickness of the men, D'Estournelle held a council of war on board the IVident, and proposed to abandon the enterprise and return to France. Jonquiere and nearly all the offi- cers were of the opinion that Annapolis, at all events, should be reduced WHIPS OF WAR LOST, ETC., 18th CENTUHY. 3 betoro tlu-y n'turiied. After ii lon^,' dobatc the council decicU'd to attack Aiiiiapi)lis. Irritated at the opposition lie met with the Vice-Adniiral grew fevered and delirious in which ho imagined himself a prisoner, ran himself through the body with hiw sword and expired a few hours afterwards. On the following day both the Admiral and Vice-Admiral were buried .side by side on a small island near the entrance to the tailer harbor, said to be Georges Lslaml. During the long voyage across the Atlantic a .scourbatic fever had broken out and carried off more than 1200 men before the ships reached Chebucto. As the ships arrived the sick were landed and encamped on thn .south shijre of Hedford liasin. But in spite of every care and attention over 1100 died during five week.s' encampment. The Indians also, who flocked thither for arms, ammunition and clothing, took the infection, which spread with .such great rapidity among them that it destroyed more than one-third of the whole tribe of Mic-macs. At length, however, its ravages were stayed by the seasonable arrival of sup- plies of fresh meat and vegetables brought to them by the Acadians from the interior. On the 11th of October several of the fleet arrived. The next day a cruiser came in with a vessel captured off the harbor carrying dis- patches from Boston to Lonisburg. Among the i)apers was a communica- tion from Governor Shirley to Commodore Knowles, informing him that Admirjd Lestock was on his way from Krgland with a fleet of 18 vessels, and might be hourly expected. It is said these dispatches were allowed to fall purposely into the hands of the French to induce them to leave Chebucto. The intelligence of the nearness of Lestock so alarmed the French in their cri|)pled condition, they determined on sailing imme- diately for Annapolis. The encampment was broken np ; the crews hurried on board ; those shi|)s that had lost their crews were either scuttled or burnt, together with several prizes captured off the coast. And on the 13th of October, with five ships of the line and twenty transports — five of which were used as hospital ships, Jontjuiere sailed from the inner harbor of Chebucto — now Bedford Basin. They were, however, again doomed to disappointment. Off Cape Sable the fleet encountered a severe storm which once more dispersed the ships and compelled them to return to France in a sinking condition. The num- ber destroyed in Bedford Basin is uncertain. The naval chronicle states the flagship was sunk and the Parfait — 54 guns, and the Caribou — 60 guns, were accidentally burnt. Other accounts state that from circum- stances attending the death of the Admiral, the crew who were encamped smrs OK WAit i,(>8T, KTc, 18th <;estlhy. on 8hor« refused from siiper.stitioUH inotivuH to oiiihiirk in her a^Min. For this reiiHoii, and also she being very much itijured during the storm, Jon(|uiere d(^ci(hfd on seiittling her, while tlie |)iiz(!8 and .several of tlio •smaller ships were burnt. Those lost on Sable Island wen.'- -three ships of the line, one transport, and a tin; ship. In 1755 the British settlements in North Ameriea, principally in Nova Scotia, being greatly disturbed by tin; encroachments of the Frenc'li, it became necessary for the English (loverinnent to (*end out a fleet to che(;k their proceedings. The departure of this He»^t was no .sooner known to the French than 43 .shii>a of the line were Htted out and dispatched. On intelligence being received in Kngland of the sailing of this powerful French fleet, Vice-Admiral IJoscowen was oniered to the coast of North America ; ami immediately after Vice- Admiral Holbourne was dispatched with his fleet to reinfotce Boscowen, and had the good fortune to fall in with him off the banks of New- foinulland. On the 21st of June they .sighted three of the enemy's ships which had been delayed — gave chase and ca|»tnred one, on board of which were the Governor of Louisburg, £30,000 in French coin, and many valuables. Admiral lioscowen finding the remainder of the French tl(?et had arrived safe at Louisburg, bore up for Halifax. On entering the harbor the Mars struck on a sunken rock and was totally wrecked ; the crew were, however, saved and landed at Camperdown. This ship mounted 64 guns and was one of the D'Anville expedition dispersed off" Cajie Sable Island and afterwards taken by the Noitinyhavi off Cape Clear after two hours' close action. She was then added to the English navy. Two years later, Lord Howe arrived at Halifax with a fleet and army on his way to attack Louisburg. But on intelligence being received of the arrival of a powerful French fleet and army at that place, and the season being so advanced, the attempt wiis deferred. Vice-Admiral Holbiirne, however, resolved to satisfy himself as to the enemy's force at Louisburg, and sailed with the fleet to reconnoitre. (Jn the 24th of September, the scjuadron being 20 leagues to the southward of Louis- burg, there sjtrang up a gale from the eastward which, during the night, vered round to the south and blew a perfect hurricane, and continued until 1 1 o'clock the next day, when suddenly it shifted to the north, thereby saving the whole fleet from destruction, which at the time was close in among the rocks on the Cape Breton shore. The Tilbury, how- evgr, struck a rock near Louisburg and was totally lost. The Grafton S»:iPS <»F WAU I.OHT, KIC 18TH CKNTrHV, nho struck hut fnr^'iMl ol!" aj,'.ii!i, wliilc the F well-known chccrH of the IiritiHh seamen soon let tlie garrison know that their ships were in dan^'er. Ito^aidless of the livea of friends as well ns foes every "viun tliat could he hrou^ht to lu-ar from the town and the point hatti^ries was disehar^'ed a(j;ain8t tlic 8)iip8 r.nd the Kn;;lisli hoats. lint nothing (biunted the hrave sailors. Having' s<'enr<'d the Kreneh crews helow tindt^r guard, the next point was ti» tow olf their prizes — a work not (sasily accomplished in the face of the lire of the French hatteries. Notwithstanding, tlm liit'ii/fiixtint was caiijed ui\' in triumph to the head of the n(»rth-(fast harhor, out of rttach of tin; enemy's guns, lint the I'rudfnf, Iteing fast aground and dso morod with a heavy (;hain, was set on fire — a large schooner and her own hoats l)eing left alongside to give the crew the means of escap- ing to the town. All obstacles being now removed, the Admiral next dry went on shore and informed General Wolf tliat he intended to send in six of his heaviest shipa to bombard the town from the harbor. Hut this proved unnecessary, for while tlio two commanders were con- ferring together a messenger arrived with a letter from the Grvornor ottering to capitulate, and on tliat evening terms were agreed upon. Thus we have in this short siege the destructi(;n of ten of the French tleet, as follows : — l>y fire : Jjfi Prmh-nt, IjEiitrojtnmant, L'' (kqin'rifju- — 74 guns each ; Le CHelii'*' — 04 guns. Sunk at the entrance to the harbor : L'Ajiolon — 50 guns ; LeFiihh. 36 guns ; I jU Diana — 36 guns; La Cheire — 16 guns; Ln Blchn — 16 guns ; (unknown) — 32 guns. At Sable Island some years ago a tempest completely removed a sand hummock, exjiosing to view a number of small houses built from the timbers of a vessel. On examination, those houses were found to con- tain besides many articles of ship's furniture, stores put up in boxes, bales of blankets, quantities of military shoes, and, among other articles a brass dog collar on which was engraved the name of Major Elliot, 43rd Regiment. It was afterwards ascertained that the transport carry- ing this regiment to Halifax after the siege of Quebec, was wrecked here, but the name was not mentioned. I have sought for the name of this ship through every available channel and had the assistance of the librarians of the garrison, but so far it has eluded our search. The date of this wreck would be about the year 1760. In the year 1775, the armed sloop Savage, carrying eight guns, was wrecked on the Cape Breton coast. Of this loss there are no particu- lar.' recorded. SHIPS of WAtl LOST, KT(!., 18TH CKNtUUY. On tin- I'tli uf Xovi'inlttT, 1 780, the )»rig .S7. Lmrnun', clinrtnicd l>v t!u' liritisl; ^,'(>vfrmin!iit, left (,Mi('1m'c with Lifuti'mint I'rcntiuH of llic Hull Koj,'iim!Hl, ('liar^'cd with iiiiportuiit (likput<:h<(H from (Iciu'ImI Ilahliinaiul, ('oiiiinaiDlcr-iii ihicf of ('iimuia, to Sir Ilt^nry Clinton of N«nv York. OH' (las|K! thi-y fricountt^rcd h(m*. hiiriii},' this tiiiic the wj-athrr hccaiim intensely cold and the i<;o he^'an to form to an alarming' dc^'rcc. The wind kept ^ladiially ini^rcasin^' until tho Isi of I)i>(M'mb(>r whon it hlow u perfect guUt, causing the ship to Imk so hadly that the puinp.t had to )>(> kupt constantly workttd. During the 2nd and .'trd the ice formed mo on the ship's sides as to impede her way, and tli(? leak continutMl to gain on them, (-)n tho following day they fell in with a <'Uttt!r which had sailed !» few (hiys after them with Knsign Drumniond of the 4 tth Kegiment, carrying duplicate ilispatches of (Jeueral Ilaldiniand to New York. The cutter, far from heiiig ahle to render them any assistance, was as leaky us the ship, having ran on a reef wliile coming down the river through the neglect of the pilot. A heavy snow storm set in, and in order not to part company a gun was tired every half liour. Through the night the cutter ceased to atjswer the guns from tlu! ship, having foundere«l with all on hoard. On the .'■)th the gale increasjMl, and the ship's crew l)eing now over 'ue with cold ai'd fatigue, seeing ieadman's Island was discovered close under the lee. Having happily cleared the nuvin island they were still far from being .secure; for almost immcdi.itely they found them.selve.s in the midst of the smaller island.s, and there appeared little probability of their .passing clear of all in like manner — not V)eing able to distinguish any one of them in time to avoid it. They were thus obliged to leave the vessel to the tlirectiou of Providence, antl fortunattdy or rather rniracnlously ran through them all without damage. The excitement and anxiety among the crew while in the niid.st of those rocks may be easily imagined. And now that the danger was 8 SHIPS OF WAR l.OST, ETC., !8th CENTURY. ovfir it proved a fortunate occurrence, for the sailors being ready to sink unaer exposure a'ld fatif^'uc, acquired fresli spirits from tlie danger tljrouj.'h wliicli they had just passed, agreed to continue their efforts a little longer, and again the pumps were manned. But all endeavours to prevent the ship from lilling wore now vain. The leak so increased that in a short time she wns entirely full. Having no longer, as they thought, the smallest foundation for hope, they resigned themselves with as much fortitude as possible to their fate. Notwithstanding ■when the ship was quite full she was observed to have ."settled but very little deeper than before, which m.ay be accounted for by the fact of her having but little cargo, and being so thoroughly iced up she was not iri a condition to founder. This recalled hope ; and, by keeping her directly before the wiml she was prevented from overturning. The captain reckoned from the course ran through the night that they were not far from the Island of St. John, (Prince Edward Islano barrels of jjork, one barrel of onions, and about twelve pounda tallow candles. I shall not here recite the sickening details of the sufferings of this unfortunate crew after the store of provisions was exhausted. Suffice it to say that for over tAvo long winter months one portion of them 10 SHIPS OP WAR LOST, ETC., 18tH CENTURY. coasted the shores of Cape Breton in a leaky boat day by day as oppor- tunity occurred and their limited strength allowed them, in search of relief, living on kelp and the seed bulbs found on wild rose bushes in winter ; until, by their snail pace progress, over one hundreil miles had been accomplished, and, doubling Cape North, they were discovered by Indians when about laying down to die. As soon as intelligence was received at the Indian encampment of the other portion of the crew being left behind, and their probable whereabouts, an expedition was at once set on foot to succour them, and, on the following day a band of Indians on snow shoes with pro- visions and sledges set out across the country. After being absent about three weeks they arrived with three inen who were the only sur- vivors, ten of their number having died from starvation and cold and were afterwards eaten by their companions. The survivors remained at the camp until the following spring, while Lieutenant Prenties with Indian guides continued overland to Canso. Learning here that the coast was infested by American privateers, and fearing capture if he should take passage as intended, he procured fresh guides and pro- ceeded inland and arrived at Halifax early in May, from which he took pas.sage to New York with his dispatches in a ver) demoralized condi- tion. Three-and-a-half miles S. J E. from Seal Island light at the western extremity of this province, lies a sunken rock having an area of a quarter of a mile in length and several hundred feet in width. This is known as the Blonde Rock, and few places on our coast have been more prolific of wrecks. P'lom the following circumstances it has derived its name : In 1782 H. M. S. Blonde, a 32 gun frigate, commanded by Captain Thornborough, while on her way to Halifax, having in tow a large ship laden with masts which she had just captured, struck on a sunken rock and was totally lost. The prize escaped the danger and arrived at her destination. Captain Thornborough and crew constructed a rait by means of which they got to a small island where they continued for several days in the utmost distress. Providentially an American privateer came in sight and relieved them froiu their perilous position. For the generous and humane treatment Japtain Thornborough had .shown his prisoners, the Americans in reti n landed him and his crew at New York. In the same year the Gifjg, an armed sloop employed by the government, was cast away at Port Matoon. The loss of which there are no particulars. 8H1PS OF WAR LOST, ETC., 18TH CENTURY. 11 At the close of the American Kevnhition in 1783 a large niunber of Loyalists, among whom were many dischargeil solcli(?rs and sailors, con- ceived the idea of removing to Nov.i Scotia. On the 27th of April of that year a fleet of 18 square rigged vessels, under convoy of two ships of war, arrived at Roseway — afterwards called Shelburne. Among those vessels was the ship Martha, having on board a corps of the Maryland loyalists and a detachment of the second Delancey's, in all 174 men. This ship struck between Cape Sable and the Tuskets and 99 perisaed. The remainder were .saved by fishing boats and carried to Shelburne. We now come to the loss of a ship almost at our own doors, in sight of this meeting to-night, — tliat of the Tribune. This vessel was a 44 gun frigate, lately captured from the French, connnanded by Captain Barker, and on her way from Tor liay to Quebec — acting as a convoy to a fleet. liut beconrng detached from her charge she bore up for Halifax. As our worthy President, Dr. Hill, remarks in his memofr of Sir Brenton Haliburton, " This story has been sometimes erroneously narrated." And as Sir Brenton was at the time of the disaster the officer in charge of York Redoubt, and an eye witness of what occurred, having aided in the attenipt to save the ship, I have taken the liberty of adopting the report as contained in this memoir by ]>r. Hill in a some- what abridged form. Early in the morning of November 23rd, 1797, Mr. Haliburton was standing on the top of the abrupt elevation on which the fort is built looking out toward the sea. It was a dark autumnal day and the rising wind blew freshly from the E.S.E. Above and beneath w(}re signs of a coming storm. Beside him stood Sergt. McCormae who addressed Mr. Haliburton as they were both watching a ship approach : " If that .ship does not alter her course. Sir, she will be ashore within a quarter of an hour." His prediction was two truly fulfilled, within five minutes she was stranded upon Thrum (Jap Shoals. It is generally supposed that the \vind at this time was blovving violently and a heavy sea was raging. This, however, was not the ca.se. The gale was but in its infancy. I was the self-satisfied opinion of the master that caused the stranding of the ship. As early as 8 o'clock she had made the harbor, and running before a fair wind was rai)idly nearing it. The captain had suggested to the sailing master the propriety of engaging a harbor pilot to conduct the vessel in. But that officer replied that they was no necessity as he knew the harbor well. The cai)tain, fully confiding in the master's skill and knowledge, went below to arrange his papers to hand to Admiral 12 SHIPS OK WAR LOST, ETC., 18tH CENTURY. Murmy on his laiulii)*^. Now it so occurmd thnt there was on board a ne^ro named John (llasHey wlio had formerly belonged to Halifax, to this man the master looked for assistance in piloting the vessel to her anchorage. Hut he misplaced his trust. About 1) o'clock the ship approached so near Thrum Cap Shoila that the master himself became alarmed and sent for Mr. Galvin, an officer holding the rank of master's mate, who was simply a passenger on V)oard the Trihune. This gentle- man, who knew t!ie harl)or well, had oHnred to pilot the ship but his offer had been refused, and not being well he had retired to the cabin. On being summone 1, however, he hastened to the deck, his opinion was asked, but before he could form it tlui noble ship was stramled on the shoals. Signals of distress were immediately made t«> the military posts and the ships in the harl)()r. Mr. Haliburton, whose station was nearest, proceeded at once on board, and pnisenting himself to the captain he enquired what aid he could render. The captain re]>licd, the only thing you can do is to signal the Dockyard for help. Calling to his boats crew he at once proceeded to the station to see to the transmission of the message. The signal staff immediately rei)eated the facts and the danger, the message was acknowledged, and everything apparently put in fair train for meeting the emergency. Boats were manned both at the Dockyard and the Engineer's yard, while others proceeded from several of the military posts near at hand. Whilst these were making their way to the shoals, the crew of the Tribune threw overboard all the guns except one which was retained for making signals of distress. In the hurry and confusion which prevailed they took the easiest method of lightening the ship, and unfortunately threw their cannons over to leeward. As the wind grew stronger, and the tide arose, the ill-fated vessel surged and beat upon these iron breakers. The heavy boats sent from the Dockyard made slow progress against the storm. One of them reached her under the guidance of Mr. Rockmer, boatswain of the yard. Several reached her from the Engineer's yard a little earlier, besides these, one or two, as already mentioned, put off from the military jjosts in sight of the disaster. In these were three officers, two of whom. Lieutenants North and Campbell, belonged to the 7th Royal Eusileers, one, T^ieutenant James, belonged to the Royal Nova Scotia Regiment. While these gentlemen were on board it grew dark. Capf. Barker, fretting under the probable disgrace that awaited him for tlie stranding of the ship, grew imperious and dogmatical. It appears that a short time previous a brother officer in command of a ship had been cashiered for abandoning her when in a similar peril, though he SHIPS OF WAH LOST, KTC, 18X11 CKNTURY. 13 saved tlu; lives of liis new ami passengers ; and this it is supposed influenceil Capt. Barker to refuse permission to any one on Koard to leave the Trilniue. Whether he gave the tyr.mnieal order that none should disembark, is now douhtful, hut cireumstances seem to l)ear out the tradition. He ]irohal)ly feared that all might take alarm if any were allowed to go, and that his ship and his ]>rospe(!ts would be alike ruined. Jietween 5 and 6 o'clock, r. »i., the rudder was unshippeil and lost. At half-past eight the tide had so risen that the 7V//>«w« began to heave violently, and in half an houi she was afloat. But no sooner was she fairly free from the shoals than they discovered seven feet of water in the hold. She had been beaten in and shattered by her incessant rolling upon the guns which had been so injudiciously thrown to the leeward side. Capt Barker, who 'lad been very indignant that no ofHcer of higher naval rank had been sent to his assistance than the boatswain, now took his advice, and let go the best bow anchor. This failed, however, to bring up the drifting ship. Two .sails were hoisted by which they endeavouied to steer, and the cable was cut. But the ship was unman- ageable, and she drifted to the western sh(ue, — a fearful coast of precipitous rock against which the surf broke with terrific fury. As the last hope, they let go the small anchor in 13 fathoms of water. It held, and the mizzen was cut away. It was now 10 o'clock, and at this juncture Lieutenants North and Campbell left the ship in their own boats, one of them having jumped out of the ]iort liole into tlie water. But Lieut. James unhappily could not be found at the moment. They had not gone half an hour when the ship gave a sudden roll, and then righting again, immediately sunk with her masts erect. Two hundred and forty men, women and children floated for a few seconds on the boiling waves. , Some were dashed to pieces against the rocks. Forty reached the two remaining masts that still stood .some feet above the water, and clung with the energy of despair to the yards and ropes. As the night advanced, the main top gave way, and all who were trusting to it were once more plunged into the sea On the last top- mast remained by morning light only eight of the large number who had clung to it. The cries of these were heard all through the night by the watchers on shore. But so fearful and terrific had the storm become, that they were either cowed or paralyzed, and made no effort to rescue the unhappy people. Nor was it until 11 o'clock the following morning, when a noble deed was performed by a mere child, which, had it been done in a country better known, would have ranked him among heroes. This boy, who had scarce attained his fourteenth year, put out alone in u HHII'8 OF WAK LOST, ETC., 18tH CENTURY. hislittio skill' from Ilerriiig Cove, at great peril of his own life succeeded in reaching the wreck, and with great skill backed his boat close to the fore-top, and took off two of the men. Upon this occasion there was a noble instance of magnanimity on the part of two seamen. Those men, who.se names were Munro and Dunlap, had during the night pre.served their strength and spirits, and done everything in their power to sustain their lass fortunate companions, refused to (juit the wreck until two others who were so exhausted as to be unable to make anj' effort for their own safety, ware taken on shore. They accordingly lifted them into the skiff, and the gallant boy rowed them off in triumph to the shore, seen them safe in his father's cottage, and again put off in his ekiff. But this time all his efforts were unavailing, his exhausted strength being unequal to the task, he was obliged to return. His examj>le, however, had the effect of inducing others to make the attempt. Larger boats were manned and they succeeded in bringing to shore the remaining six. This boy was afterwards brought to Halifax and placed as a midshipman on board the flag ship, but being so much out of his element in his new surroundings, he became unhappy and was allowed to return home. In July, 1798, H. M. Sloop of War Mover, 14 guns, sailed from "Halifax for Sydney, with Lieut. -Gen. Ogilvie and staff. On the evening of the third day, while sailing before a nine knot breeze, sh' struck on the outside reef off Scatari. Owing to the thorough discipline maintained in the emergency, all hands with the exception of one man were landed safely on the Island. A short time after the ship went to pieces. The following account of a double wreck at the entrance to this harbor, taken from the Chronicle of Dec. 14th, 1799, will speak for itself : Last Sunday morning (1 1th) between one and two "o'clock, H. M. Sloop of War the North (20) and the armed ship St. Helejia, coming into the harbor from Spanish River (Sydney) during a heavy S. E. gale, were driven on shore about one mile from the light-house. By which accident both ships were unfortunately lost, and about 170 persons perished. Among the North's passengers were Capt. McLean of the 84th Regt., and Lieut. Butler of the Marines. Capt. Selby and the whole ship's company, with the exception of two seamen, were lost. On the St. Helena were Lieut. Robertson of the transport service, and three officers of the 74th Regt. Happily all were saved with the exception of one seaman. Eight days had .icarcely elapsed when there occurred another most notable wreck, that of the Princetis Amelia, or Francis, as I think we 8HIPH OF WAR IShe was endenvoring to beat otl' all day, but the wind was 8o extremely light and baffling that ahe made no great progress. As the day shut in the weather began to thicken, and was soon followed by a tremendous gale from the 8. K., which continutnl with great violence through the night. In this gale the Fmnrix must have been driven on the sands, and in the course of time have gone to pieces, as neither the ship nor any part of her was to be seen in the morning. Soon after the storm abated, the corpse of the lady above mentioned was discovered She had a ring on her finger, but being unable to get it off they buried it with her. From the above official reptu-t we nuwt infer this vessel must liave been the Frands, and not the PniireHH Amelia as generally understood. Further, 1 find there was a Prinrexx Amelia, an 80 gun ship, in the fleet off Louisburg in 1758. Tlie Francis being chartered for the use of Prince Kdward, may have been known as the Prince's ship. In this way the nanjes of Francis Prince's, and Princess Amelia have been con- founde