The 'Avenger,' Captain Napier, was a fine, fully-equipped
steam-frigate of 1,500 tons, with a splendid ship's company, and had
been much distinguished in the evolutions of the experimental
squadron in 1847. She left Gibraltar for Malta on the 17th December,
1847, having onboard 270 persons, including crew and supernumeraries;
and about 10 o'clock on the evening of the 20th, while the captain
and master were in the act of consulting the charts, she struck on
one of the Sorelle rocks, two dangerous subaqueous mountain peaks,
lying about a mile apart, opposite to the islets on the coast of
Barbary, called the Fratelli, and about 12 miles and a quarter,
W.S.W. of the uninhabited island of Gralita.
The least water on the eastern peak is three feet and a quarter; and
on the other, which is exactly on the same line of bearing from
Gralita, there are from three to five fathoms. Between the two is a
channel of 30 fathoms, and at a little distance around, not less than
100. In some winds they may be perceived five or six miles off by
the breakers; but in fine weather it is difficult to see them, even
when pretty close. The rest of the channel between Galita and the
Barbary shore is everywhere clear from danger; but it is remarkable
that, within the island, the current sets to the westward, and
without it to the eastward, unless in gales of continuance.
Two boats were lowered directly the ship struck, one containing
Lieut. Francis Booke, the surgeon, the second-master, Mr. Betts, the
gunner, Mr. Larcom, and four seamen; but they were at once carried
away from the ship, which they saw thrown upon her beam-ends an utter
wreck, the sea making a clean breach over her. The boat lay some
time off the spot to save the lives of any who might seek safety, and
then steered for the coast of Africa, which she reached at Bizerta,
but was swamped in the attempt to land, only five persons, Lieut.
Booke, Mr. Larcom, William Hill, and James Morley (boy), gaining the
shore. By the aid of some friendly Arabs, they were enabled to reach
Tunis; and the French authorities there lost no time in sending off
the 'Lavoisier,' war-steamer, to rescue any of the crew that might be
still alive. Meeting with the Peninsular and Oriental Company's
steam-ship, the 'Pasha,' the two repaired in company to the scene of
the disaster; but found only some small portions of wreck floating
about, four persons only being the survivors of 270 gallant men, who
formed the complement. The deepest and most universal sorrow was
felt for this fatal catastrophe, and a large subscription made for
the support of the families of those who perished, to which the navy
contributed largely.