SHIPWRECKS AND DISASTERS AT SEA. WRECK OF THE GROSVENOR EAST INDIAMAN, ON THE COAST OF CAFFRARIA, 1782. FEW Ew shipwrecks have excited equal interest with that which is now about to be related. In others the fate of the unfortunate mariner is, in general, speedily decided. An hour will bring relief; a moment will plunge him into destruction. But here a series of protracted sufferings is presented to view; delicate females of the higher ranks, accustomed to all the comforts of life, at once left destitute, and exposed to insult and indignity from savages; husbands witnessing the afflictions of their wives, parents the miseries of their children. Trackless deserts were crossed, and woods almost impervious, penetrated, while the more hardy and adventurous, but few in number, after enduring unparalleled distress for one hundred and seventeen days, rescued themselves from the ca lamitous event, which proved fatal to so many of their unhappy comrades. On the 13th of June 1782, the Grosvenor left Trincomalee, in the island of Ceylon, homeward bound, and about a month from that period saw a sail. On the 3d of August, Captain Coxon, her commander, considered himself an hundred leagues from the nearest land. That and the preceding day it blew hard, and on the 4th, being Sunday, the ship was lying to under a foresail and mizenstay-sail. Before day-light, John Hynes, a seaman, with one Lewis, and several others, were aloft striking the foretop-gallant-mast. While there, Hynes asked Lewis if he did not think there was land where breakers appeared; to which the latter answering in the affirmative, they all hastened down to inform the third mate, Mr Beale who had the watch, of so alarming an occurrence. Mr Beale, instead of paying any attention to their information, only laughed at their knowledge, refusing credit to their conjecture. On which Lewis ran into the cabin, and acquainted the captain, who instantly came out, and ordered the ship to be wore. The helm was accordingly put hard a-weather, the mizen-staysail hauled down, the fore-topsail and jib let go, and the afteryards squared, by which means the ship's head was brought nearly round; but before this could be accomplished, her keel struck. As she beat very hard, every soul on board instantly ran upon deck. Horror and apprehension were now painted in all; though the captain endeavoured to dispel alarm, and to pacify the passengers, assuring them, that |