within two lamentable hours from that period, we shudder to state, not less than three gallant vessels were shivered to atoms on the coast, within a short distance of each other; and at least seventy human beings instantaneously consigned by a watery death to eternity.
“The vessels proved to be the Jasper brig of war, Captain Carew, wrecked on the Bear’s Head, at Mount Batten; the Princess Mary packet. Captain Pocock, in Deadman’s Bay; and the Telegraph schooner, Lieutenant John Little, under the Eastern Hoe. Besides these unfortunate vessels, the Lapwing revenue cutter, Lieutenant Thomas Lipson, lying in Mill Bay (a place from which a vessel was never before known to drive), parted from her cables and went ashore, high and dry, over a ridge of rocks, with comparatively but little injury.”
On the 28th of the same month, a court-martial was assembled, in Hamoaze, to inquire into the circumstances attending the loss of the Jasper; when it appeared from the evidence of the two men who had escaped, and of Mr. Sidley, the harbour-master, that the sad catastrophe was the consequence of proper precaution not having been taken in due time to prevent the shipwreck, by veering away more cable and striking her top-masts, and by her having both lower-yards and top-gallant-masts aloft; but that no blame was imputable to Captain Carew, as he had left her properly moored, and in a good berth: he was therefore acquitted.
This officer, we are told, married a widow lady with a fortune of £80,000.
JOHN FISHER, Esq.
[Commander.]
Was made a lieutenant in Aug. 1805: and promoted to the command of the Wasp sloop, June 7th, 1814.
JAMES PICKARD, Esq.
[Commander.]
Son of the late Mr. James Pickard, a most respectable man, in business at Birmingham, where he made great improvements on the steam-engine, and realized a handsome independence, which he lived to enjoy in retirement for many years.
