Sarah Taylor

" We have the painful duty to report the loss of the bark Hope, which vessel was wrecked on Sunday morning last, on the long Sandy Beach, between Betsey and lron- Pot Islands. It appears, that she was on her way from Sydney hither, with about 100 tons of freight,and the following passengers: Ensign Buckeley, 40th Regiment; Mrs. Bisdee and Mr. Edward Bisdee (wife and brother of Mr. Bisdee, of Hobart Town, who came passengers in the ship Elizabeth from England to Sydney); also, Mrs. Westbrook, mother of Dr. Westbrook, of this place, another passenger per the Elizabeth, and three others ... the Hope at this time was being towed in by two of the ship's boats; but the Pilot having taken charge of the vessel, told Captain Cunningham, that he could safely bring her up the river, without the assistance of the boats; from which, in consequence, she parted ...the night was rather dark and rainy; and about 4 o'clock on the morning of Sunday, two hours before day-break, she, by some means, we can scarcely conceive how, ran ashore ... the moment she struck, the consternation and terror became general; and the scene is described as truly terrific - the Captain raving at the Pilot like a man distracted, the latter standing in mute dismay - females just left their beds - the sailors not knowing which way to turn, to relieve the creaking vessel, which was expected to go to pieces every moment, as she already leaked like a sieve - the heavy surf rolling over her, adding horror to the scene - while the dismal half-hour guns of distress seemed to sound the death-knell of all on board. Day-light at length appeared, and discovered to the sufferers their truly perilous situation. About 10 o'clock on the Sunday morning, two whale-boats, of Mr. Lucas's fishing party, which had been laying off Brune Island, came up to the wreck. They had heard the preceding evening the signal-gun for the Pilot, which drew their attention, and induced them to bend their way thitherward. - They immediately lent their aid, with the ship's jolly-boat, in getting out the bower and kedge-anchors; but the attempt proved fruitless, for one of the whale-boats (the property of Mr. Kelly), was stove, having her head absolutely dashed off, and the crew narrowly escaped with their lives. Captain Cunningham then jumped into the jolly-boat alone, which parted from the other boat, and he nearly fell a sacrifice to his eager promptitude, to save the vessel. Finding every other hope lost, to save all the lives they could, was then their chief object. The venerable Mrs. Westbrook and Mrs. Bisdee were first safely conveyed on shore, after a state of the most dreadful suspense for four hours. All this time, the rolling of the vessel almost precluded any one from keeping their feet; while the state of the two females was most dreadful overcome with weakness, terror, and fatigue, they could not stand without support, which was kindly afforded to them by a Mr. John Elliott, and some other Gentlemen passengers ... on Sunday night, between 11 and 12 o'clock, the rudder gave way, and the upper part of her stern was driven in. At this critical hour of the night, it was every moment feared that the stern-post would give way, or be driven in also; in which case the vessel must have soon afterwards foundered, and every soul on board perished, as the surf was still running mountains high. The other passengers, who did not come up on Sunday, safely arrived in town on Tuesday."

" DIED-on Monday the 9th instant, at the residence of her son, J. H, Westbrook, esq. Collins-st. Mrs. Westbrook, senior, aged 84. Few have the lot to depart this life so much respected and so sincerely regretted by all who knew her."⁵