The experiences of the master and crew of the British barque West York, which arrived here at 2.a.m, on the 19th inst. in tow of the Norwegian str. Hermes were most_.exciting. The barque left Taku on the 5th inst. in ballast for Bantjar, Java, having on board a crew of fifteen and the master, Capt. Davis, When the vessel was about 15 miles 8. E. of Turnabout Island on the 18th inst. a very high sea was running, the mud ballast shifted, and in a short time the starboard rail was under water. The crew set to work, to replace the ballast, but with every roll of the ship the mud went back again, and the master decided that to save her it was necessary to cut away the masts. This was done next morning, and the masts smashed away a bei Portion of the starboard rail as-they fell. They also lost an anchor and ninety fathoms of chain. The "crew worked liked Trojans all day and at length succeeded in getting the vessel partly upright, but they were in constant fear of heeling over, and their anxiety never ceased until the 15th," when they were. sighted by the Hermes, which took. the barque in tow and brought her safely into Hongkong.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.