Phenix Gazette

From the New York Mercantile Advertiser.

MELANCHOLY SHIPWRECK

In the brig Leander, which arrived last evening from Malaga, came passenger, Captain William Thomas, master of the brig William, of Portland, and the only survivor of the persons on board when the vessel was wrecked He was taken off after being on the wreck twenty nine days, by the schr. John George, from Charleston for Coruna. The William sailed from Portland on the 29th December, bound to Havana, and on the 3d day out lat 58, long 71, experienced a gale which lasted several days, during which the vessel sprung a leak, was dismasted, thrown on her beam ends, and filled with water. After clearing away the rigging, the vessel righted, and lay at the mercy of the winds and waves, the gale continuing for a number of days and the sea breaking over her. In this dilemma, a half barrel of flour and some rum was saved from the cabin and lashed to the windlass, being the only place where it was possible to remain, the vessel having scuttled considerably in the stern In this awful situation, the crew remained several days, suffering the most excruciating distress, with hunger and thirst. On the 12th day, Hiram Waldron, seaman, died; on the 14th day Charles Voof, and Stephen Bartlett, seamen, died—on the 18th, Mr. Rackliffe, the mate, and on the 20th day, the cook, a colored man, died—leaving Captain Thomas the only survivor. He continued on the bow of the wreck for eleven days longer, with nothing to support existence but a little flour, which was soaked with salt water, a little rum, and occasionally a little water procured by hanging out his handkerchief, and some clothing when it rained.—He was then taken off by the schooner John George Capt. Freeton, by whom he was treated in the kindest manner