Navigating the Lower Saint Lawrence in the 19th Century.

Quebec Gazette #5346 30/11/1838 Page 3, Col. 2B.

	We have been furnished with the following particulars of the wreck of the Colborne, by one of the survivors. "The captain and Mr. Hudson were drinking wine when the ship first struck, which was about twelve o'clock at night, half a watch then on deck. The captain said the light visible was Anticosti; the chief mate requested to have the masts cut away and get the boat out. The captain declared "there was no danger," and said he would have the mate tried for mutiny. The ship lost her rudder the first stroke, but the captain insisted and succeeded by shifting the sails in getting the ship into deep water, but finding her fast filling, he attempted again to reach the rocks, but could not, having no helm and being very deep in the sea, and in about half an hour, it blowing very fresh, the ship again struck and fell over, all hands and passengers were then on deck, and in an instant were overboard. The survivor who relates this, lost his wife, and the three Misses Hudsons were seen clinging to the chief mate. When the ship first struck, she was not more than a stone's throw from shore. The relater of these facts says that a more than ordinary merriment was manifested that day in consequence of a fine take of fish. It is not true that Mrs. Hudson was found, but Miss Hudson was. Among the passengers, the relater remember the following names: Mr. W. Scobell of Hamilton, Upper Canada. Mr. J. Scobell of Devonshrie, wife and 6 children. Also 4 chidren of his sister, a widow, of Devonshire. Captain Bucket, wife and child. Mr. Gilbert, father of a person of that name in Hamilton. Mrs. Wilson, wife of Mr. Wislon of Hamilton, Upper Canada. Mrs. Keast, mother of Mr. Hawkins of Toronto. Mr. Burrows of Devonshire. Mr. Manly, of Quebec. The individuals saved were seven hours in the water, the boat in which they were saved having three holes in her bottom, and the wind blowing strong, was taking them out to sea, but were eventually taken up by fishermen. The relater of these facts afterwards took passage in a schooner called the Maria, which was lost on her voyage up to Quebec, so that to use his own words, "he is a monument of God's unbounded mercy and power to save."

Posted Nov. 1, 1998.

Updated November 9, 2002.