The Wreck of the Black Hawk, Emigrant Ship.
THE WRECK OF THE BLACK HAWK, EMIGRANT SHIP. FALMOUTH, THURSDAY, MAY 4. - The following is the report of the barque Caroline, Captain Harris, the first which fell in with and rendered assistance to the unfortunate passengers on board the Black Hawk, 125 of whom she landed at this port on Monday:- " The Caroline sailed from Poole, April 3. Had fine weather until the 16th, the weather then becoming very unsettled. " 17. Encountered heavy weather and gales from S.S.E., which lasted about six hours; the wind then veering N., and blew a hurricane, with a tremendous sea. " 19. Moderate wind, still from N. At 11.30 am, saw a dismasted ship. Made all prudent sail to work up to her. " 20. About five p.m. got up to the wreck; found her to be the American ship Black Hawk, from Liverpool for New York, Captain Bunker, with all her masts gone by the deck, and had colours of distress, in lat.47.12 N., long 35 W. Sent a boat to ascertain what assistance we could render. Captain Bunker came on board and wished me to take out his passengers, of whom he had upwards of 800; and said that he thought his ship was making water fast; that one pump was broken, and the mainmast falling. " 21. Wind light. Made sail for the wreck and got a stream cable on board, and began to receive passengers, the master giving up all hope of saving his ship. She had between 800 and 900 tons cargo, consisting chiefly of iron. At seven p.m. the American ship Dirago, from Glasgow, came up to the wreck. Endeavoured to get provisions and water, but owing to the confusion on board could get but little. The scene on board was most heart rending, as the poor mortals were obliged to be lowered over the ship's side into the boat, leaving all their effects behind them, and on account of relatives parting from their friends and families got divided going to different ships. It was a most awful spectacle. " 22. About seven p.m. another American ship came up, name unknown. " 23. Received more passengers, and succeeded in getting 500 gallons of water and some provisions. Strong wind from S.; boats passing to and fro with diffiiculty. Five p.m.- Too dangerous to continue. Got in boats and furled sails; still holding on by the stream cable. At 8.30 p.m. the cable parted. Made sail and steered for the westward. Daylight next morning wind veered to the westward. Noon - Moderate, cloudy. " 24th. Number of passengers 128 souls, and the great majority without a shift of clothes. Obliged to spread sails for the passengers between decks in the hold. At 7 a.m., the wind continuing from the westward, deemed it imprudent to remain contending with such a number of persons on board in their distressing situation; bore up for the westward under all possible sail from lat.47.48.N, long.34 W. " 25th. Four p.m. came up with the Black Hawk again in lat.47 50 N., long.32 40 W; went close to her; informed me that they had 120 passengers still on board. The two American ships still by her, with the barque Good Intent, of Fowey. Reported that I should make the nearest port in Great Britain; arrived at Falmouth on Monday night. Have been favoured with wind and weather since bearing up. Three infants died since coming on board my ship. Arrived at Falmouth on Monday night. " The passengers landed here speak in the very highest terms of the fatherly care and kind feeling of Captain Harris, of the Caroline, towards them; indeed, they cannot speak too highly of his humanity, and also that of his officers and crew. On the contrary, of the manner in which they were treated on board the Black Hawk, no language appears to be dark enough to depict it, especially from the mate Hermann, and his sub- officers and crew. This Hermann beat them with sticks commonly. Their baggage was ransacked, and boxes opened in search of valuables. Besides this treatment these passengers say that they had to pay a toll to get over the ship's side to get into the Caroline's boat. Mr. Williamson. of Manchester, had to pay ÷20. Mr. Augustus Maltaner, to give a gold watch and chain value ÷20; James Price, ÷20; John Cullen, ÷2. These were swallowed up by the mate. Thomas Hopely paid the doctor, Johnston, ÷1 15s, and 15s for two fowling pieces to be passed down, but they were kept back; Thomas Daly ÷2 to the same scoundrel to be placed in the same vessel as his wife and children, but they were not. Mr. Myers, ÷2 and ÷1 for a carpet bag, the latter not passed down. We rejoice that an investigation is likely to be made by the colonisation commissioners, to whom a representation has been made officially. The barque North Britain, Hallett, from Southampton, for Quebec, 702 tons, was caught in the same hurricane, and has put back here with loss of topmasts, jib-boom, yards, sails, rigging, boats and galley, mainmast sprung; April 17, lat.47,54 N., long.33,17 W. Plymouth Journal.Close