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Page thumbnail for Alexandria Daily Gazette, Commercial & Political
Story June 9, 1812

Alexandria Daily Gazette, Commercial & Political

Alexandria, Virginia

What is this article about?

A newspaper publishes a letter found in a bottle on the beach near Indian River Inlet, Delaware, describing the ship None Such in distress off the African coast: leaky, out of provisions, crew resorting to cannibalism after throwing overboard cargo. The supercargo, Louis Couillon, addresses his family in Martha's Vineyard.

Clipping

OCR Quality

95% Excellent

Full Text

We publish the following articles just as they came to hand, without knowing anything of the circumstances to which they relate more than what appears here. The paper found is without date, and is simply superscribed "To the Humane." The original may be seen at the office of this Gazette.

Any information as to the genuineness of the article or the persons concerned, will be thankfully received by the editor.

Millborough, May 23, 1812.

Mr. Bronson,

It is a fact that the letter herewith transmitted for publication was found in a corked bottle on the beach near the Indian River Inlet, about twelve miles southward of Cape Henlopen, by a boy, on Sunday the 17th inst.

You will of course give it a place in your paper for the benefit of those concerned, if any such. You can make what remarks thereon you may think necessary, and preserve the original.

CHARLES M. CULLEN.

"At Sea, Latitude 7, 5', north.

"The kind friends in whose hands this may fall, will please report, in the newspapers, the ship None Such, in a leaky situation, from the coast of Africa, out of provisions, and the principal part of her crew in the distressing situation of eating one another, having thrown overboard all her cargo, and having several holes between wind and water, that the rats eat through.

CAPT. PAVERER, Jun.
LOUIS COUILLON,
Supercargo.

"I, Louis Couillon, do desire, of whomsoever may find this, to let known my distressful situation to my friends and family, in Martha's Vineyard, Holme's Hole--and that my brother William [should I die] may inherit my part of the estate left me by my dear uncle Toby, deceased.

LOUIS COUILLON.
Supercargo ship Non Such."

What sub-type of article is it?

Disaster Extraordinary Event Curiosity

What themes does it cover?

Catastrophe Misfortune Survival

What keywords are associated?

Message In Bottle Ship Distress Cannibalism African Coast Marthas Vineyard Indian River Inlet

What entities or persons were involved?

Louis Couillon Capt. Paverer, Jun. Charles M. Cullen Mr. Bronson

Where did it happen?

At Sea, Latitude 7°5' North, From The Coast Of Africa; Found Near Indian River Inlet, Twelve Miles Southward Of Cape Henlopen

Story Details

Key Persons

Louis Couillon Capt. Paverer, Jun. Charles M. Cullen Mr. Bronson

Location

At Sea, Latitude 7°5' North, From The Coast Of Africa; Found Near Indian River Inlet, Twelve Miles Southward Of Cape Henlopen

Event Date

Undated; Found Sunday, May 17, 1812

Story Details

A boy finds a corked bottle on the beach containing a distress message from the ship None Such, reporting leaks caused by rats, thrown overboard cargo, depleted provisions, and crew eating each other; supercargo Louis Couillon requests notification to his family in Martha's Vineyard and inheritance details for his brother William.

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