SV Duchess Of Albany

SV Duchess Of Albany.
On the 13th of July, there was a thick, drizzling rain, and there was no clear daylight, the second officer saw land on the lee bow and ahead. The helm was immediately put up, but before the vessel paid off appreciately, she struck the ground.

An attempt was made to get her off, backing the yards, but without success, and she drifted broadside on to the beach, bumping heavily. It was high water at the time, with a heavy surf. The lifeboat and gig were accordingly provisioned and lowered, and about 6.30 a.m. the officers and crew left the ship.

After the crew landed at a spot some twelve miles west from the place where the vessel stranded, the master was under the impression that they were on Staten Island, and informed the crew to that effect, stating it to be his intention in the morning to proceed in the boats to St. John's.

After considering this during the night, in the morning seventeen of the crew refused to go in the boats, which were already launched. The master upon this left them with provisions estimated to last them ten days, together with axes, matches, etc in order to make fires.

The seventeen men started for the wreck, and following by land the direction the boats had taken, came to a deep river, across which one man, Willoughby, swam and reached the wreck, subsequently, by aid of the search party, rejoining those of the crew, who had reached Thetis Bay by boat.

The sixteen other men turned back and went to the westward, since which nothing has been heard of them, although search parties of Indians with written instructions were sent to guide them to Thetis Bay.