that smoke was observed ascending from the chinks of the hatchway, but not so as to excite any alarm on deck until Sunday, when the hatch was cautiously opened, and then the flames, so long nearly smothered for want of air, sprung up from the closely-packed hold, and blazed above the vessel with such destructive fury as to baffle all human efforts to repress it. The value of the vessel and the goods is estimated at 10,0007. at the lowest amount.

Who that participates in the fruits of the labours of seamen can remain insensible of their obligations to afford them the means of the knowledge of hrist?

LOSS OF A BOAT'S CREW.

Dover, October 15, 1836.

MR. EDITOR,-I have for many past years been a visitor for a week or two at this pleasant, bustling, and interesting sea-port; but it has not always been in such boisterously windy weather as the greater part of this month has proved. My general resort, when here, is to the south pier for the benefit of the sea air, and for the gratification of seeing vessels large and small, distant and near, passing up or down the channel; the prompt exit of pilots in their lug-sail boats in answer to signals from ships desiring to have a pilot for the Downs and Gravesend; or to notice the frequent arrivals and departures of the beautiful steam packets from or to the Continent; or to watch the advance of the works extensively progressing for the purpose of increasing the power of the back-water for driving the shingle bar away from the harbour's mouth. That pier is much frequented by boatmen, pilots, and othersall of them very civil men, and ever ready to afford to strangers, and in the most civil terms, any requested information.

My arrival here was a few days after the late distressing loss of four of the boatmen, close to the pier, on their return from putting a pilot on board a passing upwardbound ship. It then blew, to use the words of one seatremendously hard," and there was a great sea crossing the pier end. All was anxiety as the returning hoat (a large one carrying-lug-sails) drew near. But what were the feelings when they saw a lofty wave filled her,

man,

carry her masts away, roll her over, and then the four men seen struggling in the fury of the billows! They struggled hard-but they struggled in vain, for the four men perished s to this life. The feelings of those who were mere spectators must have been agonizing at the sight of four fellow-creatures thus lost, almost, but not quite, within reach of help. But words would fail to give the distracting feelings of Mr. Ford-one of the watermen, who had, with the others, been waiting and watching for the return of the boat in such a sea-when he saw his two sons, one twenty-four and the other thirty years of age, buffeting the waves, without a hope that they could succeed, and then finally to see them sink so close to him!

-here was indeed a call upon pious resignation to the Divine will! Happily Mr. Ford is, I believe, able to refer to the Divine pleasure, and with a heart rent by paternal feelings to say-" It is the Lord! his will be done!" And Mrs. Ford, with all a mother's tender anxiety for her two sons, was in waiting, and was out-looking for her sons, whom she was never to see again alive! She must have heard the shriek of despair from those who were still nearer the spot, and was soon to receive the account from the father of her sons! for their home was next the south pier.

Three of the corpses were soon picked up. One of them was one of the Fords. The other two were buried yesterday week, and the two hearses, each followed by the respective relatives, and followed by the boatmen and police, formed a melancholy procession. The other brother was recently found in St. Margaret's Bay, and brought home, that the two might go together to the grave in St. Mary's churchyard. The finding of the body of the latter appeared to give somewhat of alleviation to the mother's feelings.

The funeral was yesterday; and as I was pleased to see the respectful attention paid on this interesting occasion (peculiarly so to me, as I have long known and respected Mr. Ford), I will venture on the liberty of narrating particulars they will be in the right place when on the records of the "PILOT." Each body was in a large handsome elm coffin, and each in a separate hearse, each hearse having three boatmen or pilots on each side. Mrs. Ford being too ill to attend, only Mr. Ford, as chief mourner, followed the last hearse, and was a picture of pale but manly sorrow. Fourteen relatives, in mourning, followed him, and then forty-two fine-looking, hardy-countenanced

men of all ages, and in their best blue jackets, closed the attendant train. They proceeded slowly and silently to the place of interment. Every vessel, even the boats in the harbour, and including the king's steamers, wore their flags half-mast. The spectators assembled formed a little silent multitude. The bodies were borne from the hearses to the grave by the attending watermen, and under very handsome palls, and were by the watermen's own hands lowered into the grave, the one body upon the other. While the funeral service was being read by the clergyman, every hat was off: the most complete stillness prevailed, and, at its close, I was deeply impressed when observing that these men-who, in the performance of duty, of whatever daring peril, would not have winced— withdrew from the grave of their brothers, wiping from their weather-beaten-and some of them furrowed faces— the tear which could not be restrained. It was much to their honour.

I am doubting, Mr. Editor, whether some of your readers may not deem this account longer, and more in detail than it should be, for the burial of a corpse found drowned has little novelty in it. I hope, however, that all will not think so. I have, I own, felt it the more from being a spectator; but, partial as I have always felt to our seamen, I have found a great interest-I think I may say a gratification—in observing the respectful attention which has been generally paid to the family, by showing this marked respect to the remains of the younger part of it, so lost to their parents and society.

And may not this touching incident, which cannot but go to the feelings of fathers, and especially of mothers, urge the attention of many Christians to the very important purposes of the "British and Foreign Sailors' Society?" I am, Mr. Editor,

Your constant Reader,
VISITOR AT DOVOR.

WRECK AND LOSS OF THE CREW.

A letter from Lowestoft says "The master of a Barking fishing-smack, which came in here on the 31st ult., stated that he had taken in tow the previous night a fishing lugger, marked L. 20,' completely waterlogged and on her beam ends, but the tow-rope breaking, and the weather

boisterous, with heavy squalls, and having lost two of his crew, he was obliged to abandon the undertaking Immediately on this being known, it was ascertained beyond a doubt that the ill-fated lugger was the Wesley, of Lowestoft, the property of Mr. John Roberts. She was

manned by a crew of nine men and a boy. The master of the smack gave such correct information where he parted with the wreck, that Captain Willett, of the Providence, and Captain Mills, of the New Blossom, both of Colchester, together with Mr. James Stoorey, fish-merchant, and Captain Bennett, of Colchester, who offered their services and vessels gratuitously (much to their praise), were induced to go in search of the wreck, and after cruising four hours they fell in with the Wesley, and made fast to her a large warp rope, and towed her into Lowestoft-roads, where they arrived at 2 o'clock p. m. on the 1st of November. Nothing could be seen but a small part of the scaffolds, the hull being under water. She was hauled to the beach by the inhabitants, who had assembled to witness the scene. The greatest anxiety prevailed to know what had become of the unfortunate crew. The tide receding, a number of hands were employed to get out the nets, ropes, &c., and bale out the water, when one of the most terrific spectacles presented itself that can be imagined. Four of the unfortunate crew were discovered in the forecabin, and the boy, the master's son, with another of the men, in the after-cabin: the remaining four are supposed to have been washed off the deck when the accident happened. It is the general opinion of those conversant with fishing affairs, that the Wesley was upset in a squall near Smith's Knool, early on Sunday morning, the 30th of October, as the watch found in the cabin was stopped at 10 minutes past 6. The Wesley was spoken with late on Saturday night by Clark, master of the Zenith, of this place; and a Barking smack fell in with her on Sunday morning. Mr. James Stoory, Mr. William Woods, fishmerchant, with Mr. Mothersole, of Colchester, and many tradesmen of the town, are entitled to the greatest praise for their unwearied and disinterested exertions in assisting their townsman to save his property. It is with the most painful emotions we have to state, that the master and many of the crew have left widows and large families of children to deplore their irreparable loss."

What constantly accumulating proof there is of the urgent necessity of providing in every possible way for the

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instruction of persons using the sea! They get the means of religious instruction in the most scanty measure. The greater part of their lives, and even from their "early youth," they are at sea, away from public preaching, mostly in the way of evil communications, and very often exposed to the most luring temptations, and still in frequent peril of sudden transition from time to a neverchanging eternity! Let it not be said that their countrymen, and especially that the readers of the PILOT, care not for the souls of their brethren!!" Instruction can be imparted only by means. It is not in the power of some to use, personally, such means; but all can, in their measure, by even small donations, put forward such means, by giving pecuniary assistance to the "British and Foreign Sailors' Society," and thereby aid the promotion of morality and religion among seamen, rendering them more valuable in the life which now is, and assisting their preparation for the world which is to come.

A PLAUSIBLE OBJECTION!

"SOME have been heard to say, that their situation and circumstances prevent them from faithfully serving God!

"This wretched excuse has no other origin than the blindness and deceitfulness of the human heart. Under any circumstances, however favourable, true piety is not indebted to these, but to the grace of God alone; and those who seek and partake of this, serve God in ALL situations; for what should hinder them? Did such objectors complain that they cannot serve God because of the corruption of their own hearts, this were a complaint that might be listened to. But thus to complain of outward circumstances, is a fearful sign of spiritual death. True divine life in the soul has a fire in it that burns up this stubble of circumstances. There is a necessity in the case; a necessity which is not to be restrained nor checked, much less overpowered, by worldly circum

stances.

The above is extracted from the observations of the pious Dr. Krummacher, of Prussia; and, by its insertion in the PILOT, is intended to bring the very important consideration under the notice of those captains, mates, and seamen in the merchant service, who complain that their"