29 Sept/23 Oct 1837 Shipwreck of the Cumberland - Cumberland and Westmorland Newspaper Transcriptions

29 Sept/23 Oct 1837 Shipwreck of the Cumberland

MELANCHOLY SHIPWRECK AND LOSS OF LIFE. -
On Sunday evening last the schooner Cumberland, CROOK master, of Maryport, which
has for some time been expected here from St. Petersburgh, made Pile lighthouse,
but as it was blowing hard, and the weather very hazy, Captain CROOK thought it
better to take shelter at Pile till the morning, and with that view he stood in
under double-reefed topsails. Before it could be accomplished, however, the
vessel struck on the Foul-ground, and knocked her rudder off. The anchors were
let go, but they came home, and the vessel got hard aground with a tremendous
sea breaking over her. She continued to strike very heavily, and at length was
so much damaged that she filled, and fell over on her beam-ends. This was about
8 o'clock, and there was the whole of the dreary night before the unfortunate
sufferers on board, who all sought safety on the broadside, in the cha**s, &c.
We should not forget to state, that the captain unfortunately had his wife on
board, and the unhappy couple were clinging to the wreck somewhere about the
after part. PIELE, the mate, a fine weather-beaten tar of the right English
school (whose conduct seems to have been as humane as it was brave on this
occasion), observing that the sea broke with less violence over the bows than
elsewhere, with great labour, and at hazard of his life, conveying Mrs. CROOK
forward, requested her to permit him to lash her to the ring-bolts, but she
could not be persuaded to have that done, and PIELE left her to assist her
husband. At that moment a dreadful sea broke over the wreck and carried the mate
overboard, but he succeeded in getting a **** in the cross-trees (for, although
the weather-rigging was **** away for the purpose, the masts did not go), and
soon after he just caught one glimpse of Mrs. CROOK, but it was momentary, as a
wave washed her away, and she was no more seen. Captain CROOK, on witnessing the
loss of his wife appeared paralyzed, and it was in vain that PIELE shouted to
him to make some effort to save himself. He made some indistinct remark, and was
swept into eternity with the next wave. The horrible situation of the survivors
may be **** imagined. Clinging to the wreck of the vessel, with a **** and
dreary night just set in, the probability of the craft going to pieces long
before its expiration, and the hopelessness of all human aid availing, the poor
fellows had nothing to *** to but the ruling hand of a merciful Providence. That
*** anchor did not fail them; for the wind somewhat suddenly lowered, and the
sea became comparatively calm. The mariners at first thought this was only a
lull - the herald of harder weather than before; but they were mistaken. The
weather held fair, and in the morning the crew, taking to the jolly-boat, rowed
themselves to Pile, where they arrived safe and sound. The vessel had on board
100 casks of tallow, and the rest of her lading was flax, and she was consigned
to Mr. GILES, of this town. The disaster happened at the spring flood, and on
the tide rising the vessel floated off. The next day she was not to be seen, and
Mr. James GILES proceeded in the John O'Gaunt steamer in search of her, but he
was unsuccessful, and it is supposed the vessel has gone to the bottom in Lune
Channel, as she was last seen near the north-west buoy on Monday afternoon. -
Lancaster Gazette.

Oct 23, 1837

The body of Mrs. Elizabeth Ashley CROOKS, the wife of Captain CROOKS, of the
Cumberland, who, with her husband and the crew, was wrecked about three weeks
since near Pile Foundry, was picked up on the Cartmel Sands, near Ulverstone, on
Friday. A coroner's inquest was held on the body on the following day, when the
clothes of the deceased being all marked with her Christian and surnames, the
verdict was - "Found drowned." - Cumberland Packet.