October 2010 MAINE COASTAL NEWS Page 19.


THE HORRIBLE NARRATIVE OF THE WRECK OF THE FRANCES SPAIGHT


(The original account was published in an early Calais newspaper..) By Amos Boyd


The ship FRANCES SPAIGHT sailed from Newfoundland for Limerick on the 24th


of


November, carrying a cargo of timber and a crew of 14, including the captain and mate. The ship was of about 245 tons carrying capacity, an impressive size during the 1830s. Late November was a dangerous season for sailing vessels, the waters off Newfound- land were treacherous at best, but this was the season of fierce gales on the North Atlan- tic. Many ships foundered. Swamped by huge waves, caught in the deep troughs of the sea, they disappeared sometimes without a trace. Freezing temperatures and ice were a constant threat to mean working on shifting, slippery decks, of aloft working the sails on wildly swinging yards.


At this time of year, daylight struggled into existence, and came pale and late. Day- light or dark made no difference, work aboard ship continued at all hours.


For a few days after sailing, the weather was clear and not unseasonable cold. The crew moved quickly and easily at work. Then, strong gales forced the SPAIGHT to drive before the wind.


At 3:00 p.m. on December 3rd , a powerful


blast of wind struck the full-spread sails. The helmsman was caught unaware, and the SPAIGHT broached to. In less than an hour the ship lay on her beam ends, her deck almost vertical with her masts and yards over the sea. Many of the crew had saved themselves by climbing into the rigging, but Patrick Cusack and Patrick Behane drowned in the forecastle, and Griffith, the mate, drowned in the after cabin.


The only way to save the ship was to cut her huge masts. The captain with the help of crewman Melville, chopped with frenzied haste until the heavy fore and main masts fell away. The mizzen-top-mast also went over the side; then the SPAIGHT shuddered, righted and settled down in the sea. Their situation was perilous. The ship was so low in the water that only her bulwarks showed above the sea. The ship was full of water, her decks swept by huge seas; she was being kept afloat by her cargo of lumber. The men clung to whatever they could reach, as heavy seas threatened to wash them over- board, and their clothing froze to their bodies. The night that followed seemed to last forever. When dawn finally came, the survi-


vors found their provisions and drinking water had been swept overboard, leaves them with little hope of survival unless they were seen and rescued by a passing ship. If rescue did not come in time, the crew would die of starvation or thirst. Even madness threatened, since men racked with thirst sometimes drank the salt water.


A sail was sighted far to the westward the next morning, about ten o’clock, giving temporary hope to the suffering survivors. The vessel however stood beyond reach of any signal and was soon out of sight, leaving the men more desperate than before. When the wind changed rain fell, but the crew had made no provisions to catch the water. Days later, it rained again but there was not enough to satisfy their thirst. After a week of endless suffering an- other sail was sighted in the distance, but the FRANCES SPAIGHT was too low in the water to be seen and this ship also bore away. As it went out of sight the men lost all hope of rescue.


In their suffering from starvation and thirst, they turned their disappointment and anger against each other. Some men became surly, other hateful. They became interested only in themselves and whatever small gain of comfort they could find. The weaker mem- bers of the crew were cursed and kicked away into the most exposed situations of cold, wind and wet.


There was little space on the wreck and of necessity the crew were crowded together. Whatever way they sat, lay or stood, they were in one position for long periods of times causing excruciating pain from being in the cold salt water and freezing winds. Their skin blistered and peeled, sores developed and when their legs were bumped or even brushed against, the men screamed in agony. Four young cabin boys had survived the wreck. They were weaker than the sailors and suffered the greatest abuse. O’Brien, a quiet awkward boy, had been the butt of the crew’s rough humor ever since he came on board. No one dared to befriend him, they fearing the same treatment on themselves.


Sixteen days and interminable nights of starvation and thirst passed before the cap- tain decided their situation was now beyond human endurance, and action must be taken for the benefit of the majority. One man would have to be sacrificed for the others. Since the cabin boys were young, they would not be as great a loss as those older


men who supported wives and children. One of the boys must die. The men agreed at once; only the boys protested. Lots were drawn to decide which of the boys should provide sustenance of the others. When O’Brien chose the short stick, he looked terrified. He said he wasn’t ready and asked for a little more time. The men would not listen. The horrible deed took time and for a while afterward the men received sustenance from the boy’s body.


Now the surviving crew was overcome by consuming thirst. They crawled to the side of the wreck and drank deeply from the sea. That night they began to talk strangely and before morning they were raving with mad- ness. The ship’s cook was the next victim; his ravings continued all through the following night and he died in the morning. Madness


then claimed Behume, and one of the boys died suddenly.


A sail was seen in the distance on the next day. Mahoney roused his companions from their stupor. They stumbled to their feet, frantically waving a distress signal, which was seen. The vessel altered its course and bore down toward them.


The tattered and skeletal figures of the survivors tried to shout their thanks, but were only able to utter hoarse croaks and whispers through parched lips.


The rescue vessel was American, the brig AGENORIA, said to be out of Jonesport, Maine. The brig’s crew helped the wretched survivors of the FRANCES SPAIGHT into the Agenoria’s boat and once on board the brig they were treated with the utmost kind- ness.


HANDY BOAT SERVICE A Full Service Boatyard


AFTER


Boat Storage Painting & Gelcoat Yacht Rigging Fiberglass Repair Re-Powering Launch Service Moorings


Fuel, Ice, Supplies Gasoline & Diesel Mechanical Repairs Custom Wood Work


BEFORE 215 Foreside Rd. Falmouth, ME 04105 (207) 781-5110 www.handyboat.com


The Unsinkable LegendTM 11 to 37 Feet


Since 1982


1/2 MILE OFF ROUTE 3, NORWAY DRIVE IN SALISBURY COVE, BAR HARBOR, ME (207) 288-5247 Fax (207) 288-5277


OPEN: MON-FRI 8-5, SAT 9-12 E-mail: bowdenmarine@acadia.net Website: www.bowdenmarine.com


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31