The New Hampshire Gazette

LAST WEEK'S OMISSIONS.

Dreadful Shipwreck.--A seaman, named Olford, belonging to Polperro, has returned to his native place, having lost his legs, and being otherwise in a most pitiable state. The following account is given by this poor fellow of the cause of his calamity: On the 3d of April, 1823, he sailed from Plymouth, in the brig Mount Stone, Coleman, master, bound to St. John's, Newfoundland. The crew consisted of the master, Samuel Longmaid, the mate, three seamen, Olford, Cost, and Dingle and a cabin boy. They had on board beside, Mr. Hodge, the owner of the vessel, and his son, a lad about 17 years of age, and Mr. Rothwell, a passenger. They had a rather favorable passage until the 7th of May, when during the prevalence of a dense fog, and whilst the vessel was sailing at the rate of eight knots an hour, they struck against a body of ice that was level with the surface of the water. The shock was so severe, that the vessel was stove in, and after a vain attempt to stop the leak, they were forced to get into the boat, without being able to save a morsel of food, a drop of water, or an article of clothing but what they had on, and push from the ship which was rapidly sinking. Soon after leaving the vessel, she went down, and they proceeded to make the best of their way towards the land from which they were then 300 miles distant.

They continued to row for three days, when, being completely exhausted by fatigue, hunger, thirst, and cold, they were compelled to desist, and resigning themselves to their fate, they allowed the boat to drive before the sea. On the 5th day, Mr. Rothwell, the passenger, expired; the 7th day, young Hodge, the owner's son died; his father, a few hours after, shared the same fate; and was speedily followed by Cost and Dingle (the two seamen,) the mate and the boy, leaving only the master and Olford alive, but reduced to the last state of weakness. On the 17th May, ten days after quitting the Mount Stone they were observed by a vessel belonging to Liverpool, on board of which they were taken and treated with every attention their deplorable state required. The next day they were landed about 100 miles from St. John's, where they obtained medical assistance. In consequence of his feet being frost bitten whilst in the boat, Olford had them amputated a little above the ankles. In the month of October, 1823, he was sent to St. John's, to obtain a passage home; whilst there, it was found necessary again to amputate his legs a little below the knees. After recovering from this second operation, he was sent home.--English paper.