Portsmouth; Lucifer, Commander Frazer, from conveying provisions, at Sheer.. ness; Porcupine, Capt. Bullock, from conveying provisions, at Woolwich; Shearoater, Capt. Robinson, at Holyhead; Tartarus, Capt. Wolf, Ireland, from conveying provisions, at Woolwich. COMMISSIONED.-The Howe, 120, Capt. Sir James Stirling, at Portsmouth, on particular service; San Josef, three-decker, as ordinary guard-ship at Devonport, pro tem. flag of Rear Superintendent Sir John Louis, Bart., Capt, B. Mends; Victory, three-decker, Capt. Charles Eden, flag-ship of the commander-in-chief at Portsmouth; Excellent, three-decker, mounting 48 guns, gunnery ship at Portsmouth, Capt. Superintendent Chads, c.B.; Prince Regent, 90, Capt. W. F. Martin, fitting at Sheerness; Asia, 84, Capt. R. F. Stopford, flag ship of Rear Admiral Hornby, c.B., just left Plymouth, on her passage to the Pacifie; Fisgard, 42, Commodore Sir Gordon Bremer's flag-ship at Woolwich; Bellerophon, 78, Capt. Baynes, c.B. conveying troops pro tem.; Meander, 44, Capt. the Hon. H. Keppel, fitting at Chatham, for the East Indies; Cambrian, 40, Commodore Plumridge, at Portsmouth, on her way to the East Indies; Inconstant, 36, Capt. Shepard, fitting at Devonport; Amphitrite, 26, Capt. Eden, at Portsmouth, on her way to the coast of Africa ; Trincomalee, 26, Capt. Warren, on her way to the West Indies; Fly, 18, Commander Oliver, at Devonport, on her way to New Zealand; Arab, 16, Commander Morris, at Chatham, on her way to the Cape; Mariner, 16, Commander Mathison, at Devonport, on her way to the coast of Africa; Alert, 10. Commander Dunlop, at Devonport, on her way to the coast of Africa ; Britomart, 10, Commander W. Chamberlain, at Devonport, for the coast of Africa; Cygnet, 6, Commander Kenyon, at Spithead, on her way to the coast of Africa; Nerbudda, 12, Commander Pierse at Bombay; Sealark, 10, Commander Moneypenny, at Chatham; Bermuda, schooner, Lieut.-Com. Jolly, at Bermuda; Bonetta, brigantine, Lieut.-Com. Forbes, at Chatham, for the Pacific; Dart, brigantine, Lieut.-Com. Glinn, at Sheerness, for the coast of Africa; Dolphin, brigantine, Lient.-Com. Hon. B. C. Boyle, Sheerness, on her way to the coast of Africa; Kestrel, brigantine, Lieut.Com. Baker, at Portsmouth, Rio; Spider, brigantine, Lieut.-Com. Haydon, at Devonport, on her way to the River Plate; Cockatrice, Mast.-Com. Rundle, at Sheerness, on her way to the Pacific. SURVETING.-Mastiff, Commander Becher, and her tender, Woodlark, Woolwich, at the Orkneys; Volage, 26, Capt, Graves, Devonport, Mediterranean; Bramble, 10, Lieut.-Com. Yule, and Castlereagh, schooner, New South Wales; Plover, Lieut.-Com. Moore, at Sheerness, for the Arctic Circle. RECEIVING SHIPS.-Perseus, off the Tower, Lieut.-Com. Greet; Hercules, store ship, Mast.- Com. Fulton, fitting at Chatham for the East Indies; Seringapatam, Mast.-Com. M. Creight, Chatham, on her way to the Cape. STEAM VESSELS.The Blenheim, port guard-ship, Capt. Yates, at Portsmouth; the Avenger,* Capt. G. E. Napier, at Portsmouth; on her way to the Mediterranean; Dragon, Capt. W. H. Hall, Woolwich, Sir C. Napier's squadron; Odin, Capt. Hon. F. Pelham, Portsmouth, Mediterranean; Acheron, Capt. J. Lort Stokes, Woolwich, now at Portsmouth, on her way to Plymouth and New Zealand, for surveying and regular service; Fury, Commander Wilcox, Portsmouth, on her way to the East Indies; Grouler, Comınander Potbury, Woolwich, West Indies, and coast of Africa; Hydra, Commander Skipwith. fitting at Chatham; Hecate, Commander Moorman, Woolwich, Mediterranean; Kite, Commander Dumaresq, at Portsmouth, transferred to the Cuckoo, fitting at Portsmouth, for Channel Island fisheries protection; Stromboli, Commander Lord A. Beauclerk, Woolwich; Vixen, Commander Ryder, Woolwich, West * Since lost. Indies; Antelope, Lieut,-Com. Smyth, Woolwich, Mediterranean; Blazer Loss oF HER MAJESTY'S BRig, Snake. We have, says the United Service Gazette, been favoured with the copy of a letter, written by an officer of her Majesty's brig Snake, Commander Thomas B. Brown, describing the total loss of that vessel in the Mozambique Channel, on the 29th of August. The details contained in the letter will remove all fear respecting the safety of the officers and crew. The accident which occasioned the brig's destruction appears to have been unavoidable : Mozambique, Sept. 10th, 1847 "SIR,-You will be sorry to hear of the total loss of her Majesty's sloop Snake, which is now lying with her side open from the port gangway down to the keel, on a coral reef about six miles to the southward of this anchorage. After visiting Zanzibar and Anjuan, or Johanna, we were returning to this port, when, on the afternoon of the 26th ultimo, if I remember correctly, we made the land somewhat to the northward. We stood off to the eastward for the night, under easy sail, and the next day found that the set had driven us upwards of fifty miles to the southward. The wind was from the southward and westward, with a tremendous set directly in the contrary direction. The latter it was that baffled our endeavours to reach the port during the next two or three days. At sunset, on the 29th, the outer (or easternmost) one of the small islands off Mozambique, was observed to bear about north. When these islands ceased to be visible, owing to the coming obscurity of the night, the Snake steered N.N.E., so as to pass a couple of points outside of all. But the tremendous set I have mentioned, together with a flood-tide driving us in towards the land, the N.N.E. course we were steering, became a N.N.W. one, in consequence of which, at 7h. 45m. P.M., we found ourselves aground, unfortunately, just at the top of high water. As the tide receded the vessel heeled over till she reached her bearings, when she settled down with her deck at an angle with the horizon, of between 30° and 35°. Being a weak vessel, her butt-ends started, when her lee, or port side, immediately filled. "As, even then, it could scarcely be credited that the current had set us to the westward to the extent I have described, doubts began to arise as to the. islands we had seen at sunset, being in reality, what we had taken them for. Hence a painful anxiety existed during the long night we had before us, for we were perfectly aware that had we to take refuge on shore, at any distance from Mozambique itself, we could only have maintained a precarious footing, by constant hostility with numerous and warlike tribes, not unprovided with fire-arms. There was some apprehension, also, lest the ship should fall over altogether on her beam ends, or the masts go by the board, neither of which could well have taken place without the loss of life to some, and severe injuries to others. But I am truly happy to be able to add, that no one has lost his life, or been hurt in any manner; indeed, we have not had a death on board since we were put in commission, now nearly twenty months ago. From the inclined position of the ship, nobody can live on board, and the crew are accommodated on shore abreast of her, at the distance of about two miles, in excellent tents made with the sails and some spars. They are busy in saving stores, &c., and will, probably be removed to this place in a few days, the governor having removed the soldiers from the San Domingo barracks to make room for their reception. The French barque-corvette Voltigeur, of 20 guns, arrived here on the 7th inst. As there is no British manof-war in the Mozambique Channel, I believe that, if none arrive here before the end of the month, merchant vessels will be taken up to convey us to the Cape. "P.S. Sept. 18th-I have nothing particular to add since the foregoing was written. The whole of the crew were removed here on Monday last, the 13th inst. I have reason to think that this will reach you before the original, as that was sent via Zanzibar. It was found impossible to get the guns out by means of the lower masts, as their inclination had already caused an immense strain on the weather rigging, the heart of which was gone; and, owing to the surf, it was found impossible to rig a derrick on the bottom, consequently the saving of the guns is for the present given up. But a Portuguese man-of-war schooner is going out on Monday morning, manned by a portion of our crew, to watch the breaking up of the vessel, now near at hand, and, if possible, to pick up some of the guns." THE LOSS Of the Avenger. At length, by the arrival of the Levant mail, full particulars of the wreck of the Avenger have arrived. The worst fears have been realised; there is no ground to hope that more than four persons have escaped. Our Malta correspondent, dating the 5th inst., gives us the following information: "H.M. steam sloop Hecate, arrived on the 2nd from Tunis. Previously to entering the harbour, she signalised, 'Have four of Avenger's crew on board* -rest all perished.' The Hecate cruized about the Sorelli, visited the Island of Galita, the mainland of Africa, but not a vestige of any survivors could be found, nor any particle of the ill-fated ship. She must have gone literally to pieces and every soul have perished. This loss has created a strong sensation here. Some have lost relatives, many have lost friends. The total number lost is computed at about 250. There were a number of officers, principally assistant surgeons, seamen, and boys on board, as supernumeraries for the fleet." We have been favoured by Lieut. T. W. Langton, the Admiralty agent on board the Pasha, with the following narative of his parting intercourse with the captain of the ill-fated Avenger: "The Pasha arrived at Gibraltar shortly after noon on the day of the 17th of December, and having landed the mail for that town, I proceeded by water to wait upon Capt. Napier, the senior officer; on my way I met him in his gig, accompanied by a military officer of rank, going to call upon the governor, Sir Robert Wilson; as I had the same duty to perform, I begged permission to accompany them. We landed at the Ragged Staff, and on our way I related all the English news I had to communicate. Capt. Napier and * Lieut. Francis Rooke, Mr. Larkham, gunner, W. Hill, steward, J. Morley, boy. myself were received by his Excellency, the military officer waiting for us below. As I understood, the Avenger was detained in consequence of the non-arrival of the Indian mail. He now received from the governor his despatches for Sir W. Parker, the commander-in-chief, and we took our leave. In the event of our arriving before him, he charged me with a message to Sir William Parker. As he expected a package by the packet he sent a boat with an officer to make the necessary inquiries, to whom I delivered the latest English papers in my possession. The Avenger steamed out of the New Mole about four o'clock, and shortly after rounded Europa point. The Pusha completed coaling, and by half-past nine the same evening proceeded. On the morning of the third day the Avenger was seen, and continued so until within a few hours of the dreadful catastrophe." The following narrative from one of the survivors of the wreck, has also been forwarded: "We were running at the rate of ten knots an hour, from Lisbon to Gibraltar, bound to Malta, when, on the night of the 20th of December, at four bells (10 o'clock), in the first watch, the ship suddenly struck on a reef of rocks. At this moment Capt, Napier was on the paddle box, talking to the master. Lieut. Rooke, one of the survivors, was in his cabin, in the act of taking off his coat. The gunner (another survivor) ran on deck in a state of nudity. Immediately she struck, all hands rushed on deck; as they did so, she heeled over on her broadside, the mainmast fell across the paddle-box boat, and no doubt a number of those engaged in clearing it away were killed. The crew appeared completely paralyzed; nothing was heard but now and then an exclamation, 'Oh, God! Oh, God! we are all lost.' Heavy seas swept over the vessel, and scarcely a man could retain his hold. The last seen of Lieut. Marryatt was his being washed from his hold, and carried away, with some twenty more, to leeward. At last, Lieut. Rooke, the purser, second master, gunner, and four others, contrived to get into a quarter-boat. Here Providence interposed to save them in lowering the boat, the foremast fall got jammed, and the atter one going freely, the boat had her stern in water, and her bows in the air, when a jacket belonging to one of the men fortunately got into the sheave-hole of the after-fall, stopped it, and enabled them to cut the falls adrift. After pushing off from the wreck, they endea.. voured to regain her, to render such assistance as was possible, and to pick up any of the crew; to approach her they found impossible. The wind blew a gale from the southward. The sea was very high, and breaking completely over her. oar. : "After remaining as near as they could get for two hours, they bore away for Galita, distant about fourteen miles, in an hour after they had done so the wind suddenly shifted to the north, and blew harder than it had done from the other quarter. This compelled them to bear up again, which they did, for the coast of Barbary. On their way they passed the wreck, over which the sea was making awful sweeps. Soon after daylight, they made the coast of Barbary, having run all night under a small lug-sail, and steered with an In running the boat in, she grounded on a reef, and all hands were thrown out; the boy, however, regained the boat, kept to her, and drifted ashore alive. Of the remainder, only Lieut. Rooke, the gunner, and steward were saved. The others perished in the surf. The Arabs treated them kindly, dried their clothes, and gave them warm milk. After a repose, they walked thirty-six miles, till they could procure horses, on which they rode to Biserta. Here they received every hospitality from the governor and the consuls. A boat took them to Tunis, whence Sir Thomas Reade sent a despatch to Malta. The Hecate started immediately for the fatal spot, whither the Bey of Tunis had already sent vessels, but not a vestige of the wreck remained. It is supposed that, with the shift of the wind, she heeled over into deep water, and sunk. There are from 30 to 50 fathoms all round these rocks, which are steep to within a ship's length. The total number lost is 253." We cannot close the narrative of this melancholy disaster without offering a tribute of thanks, so justly due to Capt. Penhoat, of the French steamcorvette Lavoisier; in this we are assured that every Englishman will join, for the noble and generous motive that actuated this gallant officer to continue his search after our unfortunate countrymen, in the hope that he might rescue them. As a record of his endeavours, we have reserved a space for the translation of his letter: Translation of a letter addressed by M. Penhoat, captain of the steam-corvette Lavoisier, to M. de Lagan, consul-general and charge d'affaires of France, at Tunis :— "Lavoisier, Goletta, Dec. 27, 1847. "SIR,-In accordance with your instructions to me respecting the loss of the English steam-frigate, near Galita, I left on the 25th at 11 o'clock in the morning. At 45 minutes past four in the evening of the same day a large three-masted steamer crossed our route. When I arrived sufficiently near I hoisted my colours and fired a gun. She at once made towards us, hoisting the English ensign. I sent an officer on board to inform her of my mission. We found her to be the Pacha, Capt. J. Olive, belonging to the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Company, which left Malta on the 24th of December, for Southampton. She had encountered the frigate Avenger on the 20th at Cape Bougoroni, then off Bona, at five P.M. The vessel, with the wind N. W., would make from 11 to 12 knots an hour, and must have struck between nine and ten o'clock in the evening on the Sorelli rocks. I sent a note by an officer to Capt. Olive, and, what was very laudable, although he had passengers he sent word that he would remain beside us. This fine ship had double the speed of the Lavoisier, but slackened her speed and remained behind us at a little distance during the whole night. We explored together the south part of the Golletons and of Galita, and the Pacha found on the south of Galita a piece of wreck consisting of a board painted white, with a brass handle on it; a tub, and a portion of the paddle-boxes, which the captain showed me. We did not pick up any of the wreck, but we saw a chair belonging probably to the cabin of the captain, or to that of the officers. That which left no doubt of the fearful disaster, and of the loss of the crew (except those who reached the African coast), was that we perceived some barrels which could only have come out of the hold, and which proved that the ship had been entirely broken up; and at length we saw several strong pieces of wood, which I supposed to be some of the exterior planking, which confirmed my opinion. At eight o'clock, A M., on the 26th, I hailed the Pacha, saying I intended to go myself near the Sorelli Rocks, where I had little doubt that the wreck had taken place. I desired that she would follow in my wake, willing, that in case of accident, she might be informed of it by the Lavoisier. I went as near as possible to the rocks, and when I found, by sounding, that we were near them, I stopped, and ordered look-out men on all the mast-heads, which had also been done on board the Pacha. We came to the conviction that there remained no trace of the English frigate on the rocks, and left. "On the 26th, in the morning, I again sent an officer on board the English vessel with a letter, informing the captain that being certain that not a man remained in the south part of Galita, and not a man of the wreck was to be seen on the Sorelli, I advised him to continue his route, and I would pass to the north of Galita and ascertain whether more of the sufferers were there. I must, however, say, in honour of this captain, that he again offered to follow me; but as he could be of no further use to me, I advised him to continue his voyage, and we separated at 20 minutes past 12. NO. 2.-VOL. XVII. P |