Navigating the Lower Saint Lawrence in the 19th Century.

Quebec Gazette #5341 19/11/1838

	(From the Miramichi Gleaner, November 6th.) Wreck of the Colborne. We are indebted to the kindness of J. Ingram, Esquire, for the following intelligence of the loss of the ill-fated vessel, the bark Colborne, wrecked on Macquereaux, on the north side of the entrance of the Bay de Chaleur, as collected by Mr. Ingram on the spot, from Mr. Hudson, junior, one of the three surviving passengers. The Colborne, Kent, commander, sailed from London on the 30th August, bound for Quebec and Montreal, with a very valuable cargo of British merchandise, wines, spirits, sterm oil, specie, &c., with a crew of 17 men, including the captain, besider James Elliot Hudson, of the British Army, a lady, five daughters, and six sons, Mr. William Walker, of the Royal Navy, (brother-in-law to Mr. Hudson), Mr. Manly of Quebec; all cabin passengers, and 22 steerage passengers. Nothing particular occured on the voyage save a continuation of adverse winds, until Monday, the 15th October, on which day the captain took an observation with a clear horizon, the wind eastward. The ship continued her supposed course until about half past one A.M. on the 16th, when the cry of "breakers ahead" was heard from the men who were at work on the fore yard. Before her course could be altered, she struck on a rock close to shore, she struck a second time, by which time the whole of the crew and passengers were on deck. She got off, her sails being put aback, but made water to such an extent, that she became unmanageable, and having all sails set, and being struck by a gust of wind, she upset, burying either on upsetting, or in the course of the night before daylight, the whole of the crew and passengers, consisting of fifty four souls, with the exception of the second mate, and eight of the crew, Mr. Hudson, his brother, and one steerage passenger. Some days afterwards, the vessel was towed on shore, about 1½ miles below Point Daniel, by the Acadian French inhabitants in the neighbourhood. When Mr. Ingram left, only Mr. Hudson, senior, one daughter about 14 years of age, and one son were picked up. The goods saved from day to day, were sold at auction in the usual way. It is reported that the body of Mrs. Hudson, on whom was found £1,000 in bank bills, has been picked up near Caraquet, the same having drifted across the Bay. We are also requested to state, that a number of vessels have been seen picking up the goods floating in the Bay and Gulf. We would therefore intimate to the officers of customs, and treasure departments, that it would be judicious for them to be on the alert.

Quebec Gazette #5341 19/11/1838

(From the Miramichi Gleaner, November 6th.)

Wreck of the Colborne.

We are indebted to the kindness of J. Ingram, Esquire, for the following intelligence of the loss of the ill-fated vessel, the bark Colborne, wrecked on Macquereaux, on the north side of the entrance of the Bay de Chaleur, as collected by Mr. Ingram on the spot, from Mr. Hudson, junior, one of the three surviving passengers.

The Colborne, Kent, commander, sailed from London on the 30th August, bound for Quebec and Montreal, with a very valuable cargo of British merchandise, wines, spirits, sterm oil, specie, &c., with a crew of 17 men, including the captain, besider James Elliot Hudson, of the British Army, a lady, five daughters, and six sons, Mr. William Walker, of the Royal Navy, (brother-in-law to Mr. Hudson), Mr. Manly of Quebec; all cabin passengers, and 22 steerage passengers.

Nothing particular occured on the voyage save a continuation of adverse winds, until Monday, the 15th October, on which day the captain took an observation with a clear horizon, the wind eastward. The ship continued her supposed course until about half past one A.M. on the 16th, when the cry of "breakers ahead" was heard from the men who were at work on the fore yard. Before her course could be altered, she struck on a rock close to shore, she struck a second time, by which time the whole of the crew and passengers were on deck. She got off, her sails being put aback, but made water to such an extent, that she became unmanageable, and having all sails set, and being struck by a gust of wind, she upset, burying either on upsetting, or in the course of the night before daylight, the whole of the crew and passengers, consisting of fifty four souls, with the exception of the second mate, and eight of the crew, Mr. Hudson, his brother, and one steerage passenger.

Some days afterwards, the vessel was towed on shore, about 1½ miles below Point Daniel, by the Acadian French inhabitants in the neighbourhood.

When Mr. Ingram left, only Mr. Hudson, senior, one daughter about 14 years of age, and one son were picked up.

The goods saved from day to day, were sold at auction in the usual way.

It is reported that the body of Mrs. Hudson, on whom was found £1,000 in bank bills, has been picked up near Caraquet, the same having drifted across the Bay.

We are also requested to state, that a number of vessels have been seen picking up the goods floating in the Bay and Gulf. We would therefore intimate to the officers of customs, and treasure departments, that it would be judicious for them to be on the alert.

Posted Nov. 1, 1998.

Updated Nov. 9, 2002.