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Brig Cambria, Falmouth, March 4, 1825. Messrs. Wм. BROAD & SONS Agents to Lloyd's.

GENTLEMEN,

You are aware of my leaving this port on the 24th ult. with passengers and goods for Mexico, and I beg to acquaint you of my return here this morning, at 1 A. M. under the following circumstances:

On Tuesday last, the 1st instant, being then in latitude 47°~ 30, and longitude 9° 45', laying to with a strong gale from the westward, under a close-reefed main top-sail, we discovered a large sail to the westward, and on approaching found her to have a signal of distress flying, which induced me imme> diately to render every assistance in my power, and on nearing, found her to be on fire. About 3 г. M. being then on her bow, we succeeded in getting the first boat from the vessel, which proved to be the Honourable Company's ship Kent, Captain Cobb, of 1400 tons, for Bengal and China, with troops and passengers, amounting, with the crew, to 637 souls. From 3 to 8 P. M. the boats were constantly employed in bringing the people to the Cambria, and succeeded in saving 301 offi

cers, non-commissioned ditto, and privates, of the 31st regiment, 46 women, and 48 children appertaining to ditto, 19 male and female private passengers, and Captain Cobb, and 139 of the crew, amounting in all to 554. The flames now be coming exceedingly fierce, I could not urge the sailors again to return to the ship, nor deem it at all prudent, for the preservation of the lives already on board my vessel, to remain longer near the Kent, expecting her instantly to blow up. By accounts since made up, it is supposed that 64 soldiers, 1 woman, 21 children, and 4 of the crew, were left when Captain Cobb quitted the vessel, whose conduct during the trying occasion is beyond my humble praise, displaying the greatest coolness and intrepidity; and by his exertions, and those of Colonel Fearon, the commander of the troops, who were the last to quit, the women, children, and passengers were got into the boats, and they did not leave themselves, until their influence to induce any more to go into them was useless. At 2 A. M. the Kent blew up, after being completely enveloped in flames for four hours previous.-The fire originated in the after-hold, where spirits were stowed for the use of the troops, a cask of which breaking adrift and bursting, the contents unfortunately ignited by a candle in a lantern.

I feel the greatest gratification in stating that the gentlemen and their Cornish miners, in all 36, with my own crew, 11 more, behaved throughout the trying period with the greatest kindness, in getting the people from the boats, soothing their sufferings, giving up their own clothes and beds to the women -and children, volunteering to go into the boats, (which I had good reason to prevent,) and leaving nothing undone to make them as comfortable as the limited size of my brig would allow (only 200 tons.) It would be pleasing also could I speak as highly of the crew of the Kent; but I cannot refrain from expressing my great disappointment of their conduct, (in which I am borne out by Captain Cobb,) derogatory in every respect to the generally received character of a British seaman, by

refusing to return to the Kent for the people after the first trip, and requiring my utmost exertions and determination to compel them to renew their endeavours to get out the soldiers, passengers, and the remainder of their own shipmates who were left behind; and it was only by using coercive measures, in conjunction with my own crew and passengers, and telling them I would not receive them on board unless they did so, that they proceeded, though reluctantly, in their duty.. I must, however, except the officers, particularly Mr. Thomson, fourth mate, and Mr. Phillips, the boatswain, whose conduct and behaviour, in every respect, justifies my warmest praise.

It may not be amiss to state, that two hours after the ship blew up, a soldier's wife was delivered of a fine boy on board the Cambria, and both mother and child are doing well.

I remain,
Gentlemen,

Your most obedient Servant,

(Signed)

W. COOK.

LETTER FROM THE OFFICERS OF THE 31ST REGI

MENT AND PRIVATE PASSENGERS TO CAPTAIN совв.

DEAR SIR,

Falmouth, March 6, 1825.

WE the undersigned officers of the 31st regiment, and pri vate passengers on board the Honourable East India Company's late ship Kent, under your command, deeply impressed by the signal interposition of Divine Providence in rescuing our persons from the two destructive elements to which so many of our shipmates have lately fallen victims, cannot sepa

rate to proceed to our respective destinations, without performing an act, dictated rather by palpable justice than by partial friendship, in recording some expression of our lively gratitude to you, Sir, as a powerful instrument employed by Almighty God, for the preservation not only of our own lives, but of those of our beloved families, and of the gallant men with whom many of us stand so closely associated.

From the moment that the alarming announcement of fire was given, you remained steadily at your post, directing the efforts of those around you with a degree of self-possession and ability, which equally contributed to animate their exertions, and to extend the means of escape to the numerous human beings committed to your charge.

If those qualities, so conspicuous in your conduct during the whole period of our awful suspense, were observed to change their complexion, from moment to moment, it was by their assuming a loftier and nobler character as the imminence of our danger increased; and amid the vain counsel of some, and the noisy and conflicting suggestions of many on board, we could not but admire how calmly but promptly you improved every opportunity of preserving your ship, which the varying circumstances of our situation presented; how humanely and affectionately you lent your personal aid and valuable counsel in early removing from the scene of destruction, the numerous helpless women and children belonging to the troops; and how obstinately you adhered to your vessel until every individual, whom despair did not incapacitate from attempting their escape, had quitted it.

If our sense of gratitude to you for these signal services did not absorb for the present every other feeling, we should derive unfeigned pleasure from dwelling largely on our obligations to you for your unobtrusive but substantial kindness to us during our stay on board, as well as for your considerate and liberal attention to the wants and conveniences of even the humblest individual placed under your protection.

Whether, therefore, you return immediately to professional employment, or retire for a time to private life, you must rest assured that you carry along with you the sincerest good wishes, and the liveliest gratitude of,

Dear Sir,

Your very faithful friends and servants,

(Signed by the Military Officers and private passengers.)

CAPTAIN COBB'S REPLY.

MY DEAR SIR,

Albany, London, March 8, 1825.

THE kind and by far too flattering letter, put into my hands at the moment I was leaving Falmouth, by Captain Sir Charles Farrington, demands my instant and grateful acknowledgements. Although I should be wanting in good feeling indeed, did I not fully appreciate the approbation of such friends, who in the moment of severe trial, stood forward so manfully to meet it, I have not the vanity to think otherwise than that personal friendship, and being mutual fellow-sufferers, your feelings have led you very much to over-rate my endeavours to do my duty. A lively and thankful recollection of the support and assistance I received from you all on that occasion, I shall ever cherish with the best feelings of my heart, and carry with me to the grave. I ardently and sincerely hope there is some good in store to recompense you in some measure for past misfortunes, and in that earnest hope let me subscribe myself,

Your obliged friend,

To Colonel Fearon, &c.

H. COBB.

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