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Sable Island 18th May 1854

Sir

I have to inform you that the Brigantine "East Boston" of Pictou, Thomas Doane Master from Catania (Sicily) with a cargo of Brimstone, Rags, Sumac and oranges bound for Boston, ran ashore on the northern side of this Island at Two O'Clock on the morning of the 5th Instant in a thick fog. We made every effort in our power to get her off but did not succeed and she was forced by the sea in against the beach where she now lies with eight feet of water in the hold at high tide. We have saved her sails, rigging, boats, provisions &c &c, and have landed the organs, which are perishing rapidly, but the rest of the cargo is yet onboard, as I consider it will damage less there than if exposed to the weather on the Island. Our teams not being in condition to haul it to the store, the distance being upwards of four miles. The "East Boston" is one year old, and though she hails from Pictou, I believe she is owned in Boston. She is 200 tons and partially copper fastened. I do not think her hull is very much injured, yet she is of that class of vessels that few persons would wish the expense of getting her off, and more especially so when it is very doubtful if she could be got off and taken to a place of safety without first being hauled up here and repaired. Her cargo consisted of 100 Tons Brimstone, 198 Bales Linen Rags, 52 Bales Cotton Rags, 621 Bags Sumac and 270 Boxes Oranges. We attempted to lighten the ship by landing the cargo but got our boat swamped with the first load of sumac and lost it.

I have prepared and shall forward herewith a list of the vessels wrecked here since the Board of Works has been in operation, with the names of those who are entitled to "wreck money" from the same

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