IRELAND’S ACCOUNT OF THE FATE OF THE CREW.

Of the melancholy fate of those who remained on the wreck, the boy Ireland gave the following account, which was published at Sydney by Captain P.P.  King, R.N.  Ireland and the younger D’Oyly, were rescued from the savages by Captain C.M.  Lewis, of the Colonial schooner, Isabella, who was sent to look for them in consequence of Captain Carr of the ship Mangles* having reported that he had seen two white persons among the natives of Murray’s Island, but had been unable to induce the natives to give them up.

(Footnote.  I afterwards met Captain Carr in the Mangles; he expressed great regret that so much blame should have been attached to him for not bringing away the children.  His account differed very much from young Ireland’s, and it is but justice to him to state that it was owing to his report that the vessels were sent in search of Ireland and young D’Oyly.  J.L.S.)

The Charles Eaton left Sydney on the 29th of July, 1834, bound to Canton, by way of Torres Strait; and experienced a series of fine weather and favourable winds until she approached the Barrier Reef, when the weather became thick and rainy.

The master was provided with Captain Ashmore’s chart, guided by which he boldly steered for the reefs.  Unfortunately, however, for him the weather was so clouded on approaching the Barriers, that he could obtain no observation for the latitude, and yet it would appear that the ship was in a very favourable position.

About ten o’clock in the morning the reefs were suddenly perceived right ahead, upon which the ship was hove up in the wind and both anchors let go, and the cables paid out to the end; but as the depth was probably unfathomable they had no effect, for she drifted on the reef and fell over on her beam ends.  The chief mate then cut her masts away, but the bottom was soon bilged, and everything destroyed by the water, which broke over the decks, and the ship became a perfect wreck.  Happily the upper part of the vessel kept together, on which the crew and passengers collected.  Soon after she struck, a vessel was observed three or four miles to windward, high and dry upon the reefs, with her masts standing, and royal yards across, and sails set, in which position she must have been left by her crew.*

(Footnote.  The Flora, Sheriff, master.)

During the confusion that existed, one of the quarter-boats was lowered, but immediately swamped, by which one man, named Price, was drowned.  Soon afterwards, three of the crew, namely G. Pigott, the third mate; L. Constantine, the carpenter; and W. Gumble, one of the seamen, put sails, provisions, and water, and arms, and all the carpenter’s tools, into the other quarter-boat, and lowered her down; and kept near the wreck during the day and following night.  The next day R. Quin and J. Wright, two seamen, joined them, after which they refused to take any more; although six of the crew made their way over the reef the next morning, and wished to be taken on board.  The boat, however, bore away, and was seen no more.