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Waterford Chronicle, 6 February 1816

The details of the disaster that occurred off Kinsale will be found in our last page. They are extremely well drawn up and awaken in the bosom of every reader the profoundest commiseration. With respect to the melancholy ruin that happened in Tramore Bay, there is little of importance to be added to our former statements. A few particulars however, which it may not be uninteresting to report, have been communicated by two intelligent officers of the 59th Regt.
      The Seahorse sailed from Ramsgate on the 25thult, and enjoyed favourable weather until she came near the coast of Cork. From that time till the final catastrophe, it was a constant and awful struggle with the conflicting elements. John Sullivan, the Mate, having gone aloft to look out for land, was deprived of life by a fall from the foretop, which broke both his legs and arms, and of which without being able to speak he died in a very few hours. He was from Cork, and knew the coast and his death peculiarly increased the horrors of the surrounding dangers. The imagination must paint to itself if it can, the situation of so many ill-fated beings when destruction became inevitable- all the tenderest endearments of life shout to be broke asunder- on an unknown coast- at a distance from the cares of kindred and affection- consigned by the most tremendous destiny to the hands of strangers.
      The reader will be torn with eager attention to the affecting letter of lieutenant Hartford, addressed to his father, William Hartford, of Grange Esq. it is written with a feeling for those sufferings in which he shared, and with a warmth of gratitude for his own preservation, which furnish evidence of an amiable and well regulated mind. Well might he exclaim- “the screams and prayers of all!” The sea beating and washing over the ship, every moment, sweeping off numbers at a time!” The wife of the Mate was on board, and she clung with fond affection to her husband till death rendered her insensible of all that had past. Friends took a last farewell of friends. Husbands and wives, parents and children, embraced each other, and, when dead, were, in some instance found in that attitude of kindness and despair! Before the vessel struck, some of the children were carried over board, or killed by the waves. An Officer’s wife, with two children folded is her arms, perished in the cabin. Every parent laid hold of their children and some mothers tied their infants to their bodies, resolved to live or die together
       The Quartermaster’s wife, who with her children was lost, was a lady of interesting person and accomplishments. Major Douglas, the object of warmest esteem with his regiment and only about 32 years of age, displayed the most intrepid fortitude. He seemed almost indifferent as to his own fate, and was only anxious to cheer the spirits and encourage the hopes of those under his command. The same cool resolution was manifested by all the other Officers. The whole regiment had on many a hard fought field, encountered death in all the forms of war with dauntless bravery; but this was a scene of surpassing horrors; and yet even here, their strength of mind did not forsake them, and they saw their approaching fate with pious resignation. Thus perished a great proportion of a body of men who shared in the war in the peninsula and in France, and who stood as high on the list of fame as any of their competitors for glory! During the Battle of Waterloo they had the guard on the Brussels Road and were not engaged in that conflict.
     The sword of Major Douglas is in the possession of the mayor. The two soldiers to whom we have alluded, speak in the warmest tone of gratitude, in which they are joined by their companions, of the kindness they experienced from Mr and Mrs Walsh, Mr Kennedy, &c &c. Mr Hunt and others repaired speedily to the beach and had the survivors conducted to the cottage of one Dunn, where a fire was lighted up and such means of comfort employed as circumstances allowed. Mr Duckett, jun. and Kirwan, a countryman, contributed greatly to save life and to soften the misery that existed. On board the Seahorse, there were ten bales of new clothing for the regiment.
       The preservation of the crew of the Apollonia is chiefly to be attributed to gentlemen from this city, assisted by others, and, amongst these last, by young Mr Lane, son of the late Counsellor Lane, who displayed a fearlessness of danger, an eagerness of humanity, and  an activity of labour, which have permanently secured for him noble esteem and gratitude. We avoid mentioning the names of those who went from this city, and of some more, for reasons more honourable to them than any praise of ours could be.
      The plate of the mess of the 59th Regt was worth from £1500 to £2000. One piece of it, of considerable value, has been recovered by Henry Sargent Esq, which had been sold for a few shillings; we have to state that an investigation, in more ways than one, is going on. It is therefore our duty, for the present at least, to be silent concerning the matter.
We heard, soon after our first account of the loss of the Seahorse, that there was on board a Lieut. Allen, an Officer of the Navy. We abstained till now from mentioning his name less we might cause unnecessary grief. There was a Mr. Allen on board, who, as the Officers of the 59th now in this city, believe, was a purser in the Navy. They state in strong terms, that he rendered every assistance in his power, but that he did not take charge of the vessel.
     Yesterday the body of one of the Officers of the 59th, whose name we have not heard, and the bodies of four soldiers, were thrown on shore.


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