The gradual gathering of clouds for several days past, gave token of a heavy fall of rain, and on Friday evening it commenced, and continued throughout the night, the weather assuming a very threatening appearance on Saturday morning. Some, though not very serious fears were entertained for the safety of the shipping, and about three p.m. the Lord Eldon parted from her anchors, and notwithstanding every exertion on the part of the chief officer, who was admirably seconded by his crew in endeavouring to get sail upon the vessel, she was driven into the outer surf, and it then becoming evident that nothing. could save her, the chief officer attempted to run her on shore opposite the ice-house. In a few moments the vessel struck and turned broadside on, each surf washing completely over her. The foremast was immediately cutaway, and this appeared somewhat to relieve the vessel, which was lying on her beam-ends. An attempt was then made to lower one of the quarter-boats, but it was, I believe, stove in, and the main and mizen masts were shortly after cut away by signal from the Master Attendant, who was on the beach with his people to reader every possible assistance almost as soon as the vessel struck.

The scene was most distressing, a number of European being visible upon the deck, looking to the shore for that succour which it was impossible to afford, as no Masulah boat could live through so terrible a surf, and every attempt of Captain Biden's people to carry out ropes to the vessel failed, though Major Cortlandt Taylor, Captain Jenkins, and several other officers rushed into the boat up to their shoulders to stimulate the Master Attendant's people by their example.

The boatmen, too. behaved uncommonly well, appearing altogether fearless of sharks, and every effort was made by them to carry a rope out to the wreck, but without success, although one or two of the strongest swimmers reached the vessel, they were unable to carry a rope to her, as the current was so strong that it swept everything past, and a large catamaran strongly manned, was equally unsuccessful, being carried past by the current.

Captain Manby's apparatus - mortar, rockets, &c., soon arrived, and preparations were made for throwing a shell, under the able directions of Colonel Derville, assisted by Captains Oakes and Maitland, with other officers of the Scientific Corps. Notwithstanding their exertions however, several attempts with shells and rockets all equally failed, as, though thrown with admirable precision, the lines falling each time over the vessel, they, in every instance, broke, but those gentlemen relaxed not in their exertions till after dark, when it was found impracticable to continue them with any hope of advantage.

I have omitted to mention that one European, swam on shore from the wreck in very gallant style. A party of her Majesty's 57th Foot had been marched down to the spot immediately on the vessel striking, but their presence not being required, they returned to their Barracks after sunset. Lights were established on the beach during the night, and a guard of constables and peons was placed for the preservation of property. About three a.m. the wreck, which had appeared firmly embedded in the sand, separated in two pieces, one of which was driven close up to the beach. The crew most providentially saved themselves on pieces of the wreck, with the exception of three poor fellows who unhappily perished on the occasion.

The Lord Eldon was a very fine vessel, class A1, and had a valuable cargo of wine on board, besides indigo and sugar to the amount of 80.000 rupees. The beach presented a mournful sight on Sunday morning, being strewed with pieces of wreck, casks, boxes, &c., for a considerable distance to the southward, and it is but justice to the police to state that every exertion was made by them to prevent plunder of the property, nevertheless, some of the worthies of St. Thome broke into a cask of sherry, and a case containing liquor, and two of them, who were caught in the fact, have doubtless received their reward from the Chief Magistrate, who was himself on the beach with Mr. Cullen, at daybreak.

Madras Paper, 17 December, [1844].

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