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Page 43
Subsequently, the wrecks on the island coast have been less
numerous, and rarely accompanied by loss of life or any other
circumstance of particular interest: the case of H.M. Steam-sloop
SPHYNX, however, having excited so large a share of public
attention, claims a brief notice. Returning from her first voyage
to Africa, she neared the coast during a thick fog about six
o'clock on the morning of Jan. 16, 1847: and by the force of her
engines was driven over the outer ledge (off Brooke), and firmly
fixed in the clay beds within. The suddenness of the accident
caused great alarm amongst her crew and passengers (300 in number):
and the startling discharges of her heavy artillery quickly aroused
the inhabitants for miles round: but daylight and the ebbing tide
enabled her people to reach land with no great
difficulty,--although a boat, sent to her from another war-steamer,
capsized with the loss of seven men. For nearly two months,
repeated efforts were made to extricate the Sphynx from her awkward
position: and after her masts, guns, and most of her stores and
machinery had been removed, and the hull itself buoyed up by a vast
number of empty casks, and some decked lighters (called camels),
she was at length brought off and towed into Portsmouth harbour on
the 3rd. of March. Her bottom had sustained considerable injury,
though much less than was expected from her having lain so long in
such a situation, and during several severe gales.
* * * * *
The VILLAGE OF CHALE lies at the foot of St. Catharine's Hill, and
comprises a considerable number of scattered cottages: none of them
however deserving a stranger's notice, except perhaps the Parsonage, and
the Abbey-farm-house; the latter covered with the most luxuriant ivy.
If the visitor be on his return to Newport, he will within three miles
of it pass GATCOMBE, a small village, and a first rate seat: exhibiting
altogether perhaps the most charming _inland_ scenery in the Isle of
Wight:--
"Sweet are its groves, and verdant are its fields."
The mansion is a large square edifice, extremely well-situated,--in
front a fine lawn falls with an easy slope, shaded by many noble oaks
and elms: and immediately behind rises a steep hill luxuriantly clothed
with hanging plantations. At a short distance from the house is a small
lake; and near the latter, the neat little parish-church, and the
Parsonage, both beautifully embosomed in wood.
* * * * *
THE ROAD TO FRESHWATER-GATE.
>> _From Chale to the celebrated Cliff's of Freshwater is about twelve
miles; the first eight of which are through an agricultural district,
presenting only so many agreeable pictures of rural life,--and of these
the principal are_ SHORWELL, NORTHCOURT, _and_ BRIXTON.
"A simple scene! yet hence Brittannia sees
Her solid grandeur rise."
The fact is, the greater part of the soil is so extremely fertile,
as to be employed in tillage and meadow, almost to the exclusion of
woods and coppice, which constitute the chief ornaments of a
landscape. We have, however, nearly the whole of the journey such a
charming view of the ocean, as to compensate for the deficiency of
sylvan beauties.
* * * * *
After passing a small church called KINGSTON, posted on a knoll, and
surrounded by a few trees which bespeak their bleak exposure, we reach
...
SHORWELL,
A considerable village, about four miles from Chale, and five from
Newport; it stands charmingly sheltered in a curve of the downs with a
southern aspect; has a pretty church; and boasts of the finest old
mansion in the island, called NORTHCOURT, built in the reign of James
I. This venerable pile has lately been thoroughly repaired: a necessary
operation by the bye that has stripped it for a few years of its
greatest ornament--the rich drapery of ivy which invested its lofty gray
walls and pinnacles: hills, clothed with hanging woods and plantations,
rise boldly around it; many of the oaks and pines, luxuriating in a
fertile soil and genial climate, are uncommonly fine: the grounds too
are embellished with a rustic temple, and a very elegant mausoleum to
the memory of Miss Bull, the daughter of a former owner,--the whole
scene indeed is replete with architectural and sylvan beauties. There
are in the neighbourhood two other ancient manorial residences, named
Westcourt and Woolverton, now converted into farm-houses: and the
cottages of Shorwell are remarkable for their neatness and comfortable
appearance, as well as for the abundant display of creepers and
flowering shrubs with which most of them are adorned.
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