Α

HISTORY OF SHIPWRECKS,

AND

DISASTERS AT SEA,

FROM THE MOST AUTHENTIC SOURCES.

"The wreck, the shores, the dying, and the drown'd."

IN TWO VOLUMES.

FALCONER.

VOL. I.

THE NORTHERN AND POLAR SEAS.

LONDON:

WHITTAKER, TREACHER, & CO., AVE-MARIA LANE.

MDCCCXXXIII.

LONDON:

Printed by WILLIAM CLOWES,

Stamford-street.

PREFACE.

THESE Volumes may be regarded, in some respect, as a continuation of what has been already laid before the reader in the earlier portion of this miscellany. The losses of the Antelope, Pandora, and Medusa, as well as the perils of Madame Godin, and the captivity of De Brisson, were published some time ago. The present narratives of the same nature have been drawn from valid authorities, British and foreign, and have been condensed, in order, while nothing material is omitted, to bring into the smallest compass as much interesting matter as possible. Thus they continue a record of the fortitude, patience, and suffering of gallant seamen under perils, oftentimes beyond example in human endurance.

Both volumes have been arranged chronologically, the second only as far as respects its own contents, but the first with a view to complete as far as possible those oceanic disasters most worthy of attention, which, owing to the nature of the climate, bear a peculiar character.

It has been thought best to avoid as much as possible awakening sympathy in the reader's mind, by any display of language, for the simplest narrative of such calamities will kindle a consentaneous feeling

in every bosom. The most unimaginative will be alive to the misfortunes of the mariner, and to the manly virtues of which they may call forth the display. Again and again noble pictures of mental elevation, self-denial, and heroic devotion occur, which cast a redeeming light upon the darker shades of human character. Here may be seen that courage in danger, defiance in suffering, and unflinching perseverance, which, when applied in defence of the national honour, have cast upon the annals of England the more unsullied portion of their glory. Here the reader may turn from the dotage of cabinets, the imbecility of courts, and the frivolities of modern society, to the healthy contemplation of scenes which will oftentimes call forth the admiration of the philosophic observer of mankind, exhibiting a grandeur of individual character at the hour of trial that must be honoured, and cannot be flattered.

The narratives of a similar kind that remain uncollected are numerous, and none deserve to perish. All classes of readers may peruse them with profit. Even the seaman himself may learn from those who have suffered by such misfortunes, the resources of which others availed themselves in escaping from wrecks, and prolonging life on inhospitable shores, or he may see how to avoid errors, which under such circumstances proved doubly disastrous.

London, April 18th, 1833.

CYRUS REDding.