Newspaper Page Text
I'V W. S. JONES.
“ lIto.MCLE ct SENTINEL.
•J H K Wi, K KL Y
, Published every Wednesday,
AT X v/O dollars per annum
la a vance.
• PAID WITHIN THREE MONTHS,
TO - TXRS .. INDITmCALS sending us Ten
v. V e ot . e t ’per will be sent for one
/ 00l IES yoH Ts N BOLLABS,
f ( . , . ~.1,, ni , r,ro< ure us Five nab
fr . ♦ },* money firThepn
. ,f at thin rate unlew the
M
■ r 7_. jj sentinel
nn-w’in.KLY,
, . , ar. I mailed to eub
\ * > •
] DOLLiBI H
D
• Ka*.
-five cents per square
1857!
. , CULTIVATOR,
I.Y JO 2VAI m
r -.i id THE IMPROVEMENT OP
r t n, ■ tick Hrenling,
\ “ Errant Engraving..
• i, > :,D.MO2vD, Editors
,:o vr • commence in
‘ ry, 1857.
irty4wepfW,
t :.• year. It contains a
r than any Agri
i in nliwlffla to
‘ir‘ CONTuiIiUTIOXS
.
r) r , 7 , .j “.COPIES, 1 year S2O
a< .• red to, rifl in
; DM-y ac
-411 : ,i y remitted by mail,
i of twelve lines,
,
vv . h. ,J4*NKS, A ii’r-.i-tai, C*a.
■u -i Sul!
~ C'.LLr . E OF GEORGIA,
• : D it C'Hir.so of Lecture, in tide lunti
| . ace on MONDAY, the 3d SO*
.or <; Ana: iuy, (J. M. NEWTON,
If k() V’PR ELL, M. D.
!i. of Medicine, L. D. FORD,
; ‘I ! t j,■ titles and Medical Jurbpru
. J. A
.... iP, ‘ W-al Anatomy, 11. V. M. MIL
- • , J. I’. v ME A NR, M D.
i,• . ; Ruin’. CAMPBELL,
• llvered In the City Uoifr
> 1
’ J :\ G-ARVIN, Dean
tuts to
.. •• ... *:naunah ; F’ Aural
. .ncr; Atlanta American
■ . ■ •; Cen
, . . ... .;-r; Albany Patriot;
*
■
1 4 j ; r l. Alabamian; Tuftca
... a, Ala. ; Mis.MssiM.iau,
’
nßlN |i , nß to lowest, I new offer my FARM,
] J .V Raid Farm U
. .
need not
. • ; t.a%.‘ not
■. i can
, 1...* ! iD t.rvi
I Iy i
.1 \\ FKIM
SUMMER BSBIDBVOI FOB
elwort •. about 7 m lee
‘. . r'n widen 2S
. wit*> a
. - I rpg ot water
I DUfl
b and heat farm for
■
ilumbla o< untv
; ; . , ’niiVwbt.VtV u U p£X ‘(L
rod and
ab-xlvot i vt rate Swamp
. r.tion. There is ou the
ii hard, a
’ ; ‘ ‘ . i. ~ onniy to Mr. JOHN
‘i LON ’l* DUGAS, Truitee^
n( of I*u ML
‘H.K .. t ’ tao ■ Oate n
\\ I;,U \M V, 01. AUK. Att y
IAOF3T CURED.
fit. . ;•> ( ure Dropsy of every
\ .e. fal in the treat
an>* pa-1 for my
’ y my rmaedy.
OMR
), ‘ , ... . .. of jin* 1..-x ngton De
. . ot lai .. w ith a
*ON OLlVi&tt
1M \N
.; r ’ ■ V Vet Lit DRiskiLL
FOK SALE.
• ■
J 0 a REAL ESTATE in
i Wai -encounty. Ot, ‘usistinj
~v , . • Lot of ai>.H nvf acres es
‘• .. B
-
vs-,; . , 1
v vd of, at gvxxl prices, at thi*
Stand. *i two *• “■* „.. . .. .
. ..* —‘ <e. ore respectfully vaulted
V . Vt u a r,ar t to suit the pur
r.O’Uii: L. BOSiIER.
•Nvf-. J- V'-S JoTwtf
FOK SALE,
\V ?, *W \ ‘ -.'-N ‘u.ult gl.:: sc res Land, well
♦ . . . rod;; v; the bo*;
1 : k ‘ :'.ii kind*. A good
,i:ugs. en rooms, with four
gre • .ii•; i‘ -....- K,clcn. Smoke House,
tws st.-.* o .ii Hot * andother buildings,
* r > w . a\Y oi -vxxi water, a due
ran.: ... . arid Oysters convenient
•
;s : • > 5 Further par
. t :
A 't >av V. WOOLLEY.
COLEXAN HOUSE
BY LAMKR A LADY,
EKOXVILLX, TEN 5.
u. - - s cLarsre of this large
. * ‘ • > • -*-i
. . , r _ . a-••• . * c.v.'Ugr l'hebouse
-.wtlh*
, . • : ‘V b *
b.*n ; . . i ;ih, ud
• roi. An oauur ‘s n always tc readiness
*. x . , . ‘ r- - ’ a: .; fr* tl. Depot* on the arri-
T - 4 , Mag* far Moatralt
a. re nd d* ■?. •*- da.ly.
1 . i-vew, be . w. *tj be.-t tie market
’ i.ins r*. be ared to render guests
* ; r SAMI*SON LANIER,
Ja'v - - : JOkN KADY
■ K_ kkTkl H W*. B. FRANCISCO. !
BEARDEN A FRANCISCO,
1y stoma: amfcom *ns>ip\merchants,
Macon. Ga . w ; oa Commission. Bacon, 1-ard.
Ftonr. tV-'u. Oats, i’eaittra, and Tennessee Produce
\ shipping to ’ .•■.a r.’y ;>on prompt retams,
Kfrut TO
< ard Oil- • : Kbost i'.’e ; Morgan A Cos.,
- v ’ u-'C ■ i,Comptroller. Nashville ;
R°;, x ;■ Oajnpbel*. A C,- J a M.
v . u \ \ aattaiux ga . J. C.u; 1. Cleveland ;R. C.
jgcksotL Athens -M clan. K**t Tenaeix* seeeraLy.
mh&-w ly
• ~ “ wanted.
Ax > \ V l'it w;ui.’ :-> ta e c.arge cf the Weaving
, p a ,, iSrT> Chattooga county. Gi A iaar
V - * v k -'-rr-d. No-.ic apply unless of good
h jj. r(j ac- • aver.
BK ‘ , -v. A F ALLGOOD. ,*vgenL
\ T ,\IL N,—
N ’/..t--'. •.•"si-oreTS;
jYr si..* to* by KOLB & 1-fiIMMV
spj
i a JTT< \si, k\ iii *.-
XI Vi. Ci!f.VOLASSESi
iH V/, 1 , ;i r bYKI'P.
>’ ’ ‘ tr ‘*iJANIEL H. WILCOX.
H A !l)i£ r lletry Oarniy CLOTH ,
’ DANIEL H WILCOX
From fh* Baltimore American.
I i(l of h*- ain nfti ip CVntral Amcrira.
J i ♦- extrem anxiety of the public to learn all the
pari mu. ar. of Uie late terrible diaanter by which the
Caiif rnia steamer Central America with over five
iiUtidred of her crew and paewengen* perished, has
indue up to u-e every exertion to obtain and
-i read before tliern the fullest details of a calamity
• • touching on infereat. Anticipating that Home of
tiie rescued brought to Norfrdk in the {Norwegian
bark Ellen, would come up to Baltimore in the Nor
folk steamer Louisiana, two of the attachee. of the
Arncrric-an went down oo Friday evening in the
North Carolina, and by the kind attention of Capt.
Cannon and hir officers were transferred to the
I>iuu>inna off the mouth of the Potomac. On board
the latter ve i sei they were received by Captain
1. ‘ - . and Mr. George 8. Allen, Acting Purser,
with a kind greeting and put into communication
wi h the rescued nasseoger*on board.
W e found on board the Louisiana the following
rescued paHeeiigera. from whom we have gained
mu b information with regard to the catastrophe :
Capt. Thomas Badger, R. T. Brown, Oliver P.
Manlove, Wm. Birch and E. Ayulo.
P will be t*een with deep regret that Mr. John V.
Ih bbin, brother of Ihe late Secretary of the Navy,
and who was returning from the Pacific, where he
had been engaged aa purser on board the United
States Sloop-of-war Portsmouth, is among the lost.
Be is known to have left the deck of the steamer a
few minutes before she went down, and it is sup
loosed we in hia state-room at the time of the final
catastrophe.
Liar of some of those known to he Lost.—
Wm. Canada. Bcuj. Colt, Hancock county,
li 1 . lianson and John Home, Missouri. Richard
Wilton, Quincy, 111. Jas. K. Birch, Fall River,
United States Contractor. Gabriel Brush, baggage
master, New Hork. Charles Taylor, North Caro
lina. Sami. Shreeves, San Francisco. Dr. Fanni,
San Francisco. Dr Gibbs, California. Mr. Mar
vin, California. Mr. Parker, San Francisco. Mr.
Borkee, Boston. Purser Dobbin, United States
Navy, brother of late Secretary of the Navy, North
Carolina. Mr. White Sacramento. Purser Hull,
of the ship, New York. Mr. Hull, brother of the
above. Mr. Serony, San Francisco. C. Van Ben
aeiier, Jet officer of steamer. Capt. W. L Hern
don, United States Navy, Commander of steamer.
Dr. of ’be ship, name not given.
Statement of Capt. Thos. W. Badger —Capt
Tlios. W. Badger, who is among the saved, and has
arrived here in the Louisiana, is able, from his ex
perience as a sea captain aa well as from the close
< omiection in which his exertions on board the
wreck brought him with Capt. Herndon and officers
to give a more accurate and reliable account of the
disaster than perhaps any other of the saved. We
wave taken down from his dictation the annexed full
and interesting narrative:
We left Havana on Tuesday, Bth September, in
company with steamship Empire City. Made good
weather until 10th. On the evening of the 10th,
there was every appearance of a gale or hurricane,
‘'hip still going on course ana carrying full head of
steam The storm increased during the night, and
int.il Friday morning at 10 o'clock, the ship still ma
king tine weather and keeping on her course. At 1$
o'clock on Friday afternoon the engine stopped, and
on < uquiring of the engineer, he said it was caused
by llie coal passers not passing the coal into the fire
room with sufficient rapidity to keep the steam up.
The waiters and stewards were then called upon
and sent down to assist in passing coal. When
the engine stopped the ship fell off in the trough of
the sea, and was at the mercy of the waves. The
pumps worked by the engine, and which were the
main dependance for keeping the vessel free of wa
ter, were alo[reudered useless.
The engine never made but one or two revolu
tion.'4 after this. I called the attention of the engi
near to the fact that the water was gaining, the roll
ing of the ship forcing it in through the lee shaft
hole, and proposed and did organise a gang for bail
ing. The deck pumps proving on Dial to be out of
order, bailing was the only resource.
By this time the water had risen high enough to
extinguish the lee fires, and the men employed in
the coal hole and engine room were driven out by
ihe team and hot water. There was no longer any
nope of again getting the machinery in operation,
rhe principal lak was found to be around the lee
haft, and at the lower lee dead lights. The ship
wns still staunch and sound, not leaking at the
bottom at all, and would have beeu in no danger if
her machinery and pumps had been kept going.
At three o’clock on Friday afternoon I assisted in
organising and putting to work bailing gangs, to
bailout if possible, the engine room and steerage.
! be passengers joined willingly and cheerfully in
’ hia effort. Au attempt was made to raise steam on
:!ie d.mkey engine to pump the ship out, using the
bciths ana other woodwork of the ship for fuel, but
the engine would not work, from what cause was
not known. At five o'clock, after consulting with
Capt Herndon, I assisted in cutting away the fore
m; st. which somewhat relieved the ship. The ship
had laid perfectly easy whilst the machinery was in
’lotion, but she was in the trough of the sea, ma
king heavy lurches to leeward.
At o o’clock on Friday we rigged a drag, (a spar
with an anchor lashed to it,) and paid it out to
windward, in the hope of bringing her head to the
wind, bu! this had little or no effect. From I o’clock
until Bin the evening jye kept the water at bay,
every man working wiLh Spirit and vigor.
Eroui l‘J to 1 o’clock on Saturday mornjug the
water gained fast on us, as the men were fatigued
ami worn out by incessant labor and exposure to
the storm. At I o'clock the gale somewhat abated,
but a heavy Ei-a continued, the water then being
nearly up to the secoud cabion floor.
At daylight on Saturday morning, however, all
hands took hold again with reuewed vigor to free
the ship. The water was t hus again kept at bay
Ibr an hour or two more, during which signals of
distress were s< t, and a vigilant look out kept for
sails. The ladies were even anxious to assist us in
bailing, and cheered us up in our labors by their
calmness in these trying times. At 8 o’clock another
attempt was made to raise steam in the donkey
boiler so as to work the steam pumps, but the
attempt again faileii, and all hope of relief from that
quarter w as abandoned.
AI 10 o’clock on Satuday morning the men again
yielded to the severity of their labor, and the water
commenced to gain on us, but the baling was still
continued. At half past l o'clock a sad hove in
signt, to the windward, which proved to be the
Murine of Bceton. At and o’clock slio rounded to at
leeward us ship, when boats were lowered, bailing
still going on. in lowering the boats tw'o were
stove by the heavey sea that still prevailed, which
left only three, and one of them in a bad condition.
Ity ( o’clock we succeeded in putting on board the
Marine ail the women and children, twenty six in
number ; during which the male passengers mostly
continued at their work. The boats could not cairy
more tlmu five orsix owing to the high sea, and
they mode several trips to and from the Marine.
When the that took the last two of the ladies
came alongside the chief.’ engineer jumped in the
boat, and was followed by several other gentlemen.
Two other boats came alongside afterwards when
there was a rush to jump in them by the inale
passengers, involving great danger. By this time
the brig had drifted a long way to leeward, which
made the trips of tiw boats long, audit being dark
the boats did not again return.
About dark, a vessel believed to lv the schooner
Sovereign of New York, ran down under our lee.
We hailed and told him that we were in a sinking
condition, asking him to lay by us all night, which
he promised toao. The bailing in the meantime
conti ued to progress, but the water had by this
time raised halfway up the lower cabin, and was
rapidly gaining on uj*. There was, however, no
•essHiicn of the bailing until one hour before the
ship sunk, when all hope of keeping her atloat until
daylight was relinquished. This was about seven
o’clock on Saturday evening.
I should, however, mention that two hours pre
vious I hail a conversation with Capt. Herndon,
who after consultation agreed with me that the ship
must go down, but It was B till advisable to keep it
up as long as possible, aud we uid not make known
the result of our conversation, but urged ah hsudf
to renewed effoit Capt. Herndon requested that
he second officer, Mr. Frailer, ana myself should
remain with him, Rial expressed his determination
not to leave the ship while there was a soul on board,
but would remain until she sank from uuder him.—
11 is only t egret was hia family—aud he died like a
brave man.
At 7 o’clock on Saturday night the water was up
;o the floor of the dining saloon, and all then went to
work calmly to devise means, each for his owu aat'e-
A half hour previous to the ship sinking there
were two light* seen some distance to the leaward,
supposed to be the brig Mariue and the schooner
that s -ke an hour or two previous, but having
ifr -h breeze aud high tea they were unable to
work up to the windward.
A quarter of an hour before the steamer sank one
of our boats hailed us, aud a voice wiied out that
hi? laat was stove and he could not take any one on
board. This boat was endeavoring to return from
ihe Marine, but was disabled. It was doubtless the
impression oo board both the brig aud the schooner
that the steamer would be able to kiep up uutil
morning, hence they probably did not keep as nea*-
*l9 during the night as they might have done. In
deed it was the opinion of many on board that we
would hold up all night, ami 1 did not think that she
wi uld down before midnight.
At 10 minutes of 8 o'clock Capt. Herndon toolr
po.'itiv>u on the wheel-house with Lie second officer
and tired r*K-keu diurttfcard, the usual signal to the
brig a i schooner that we were sinkiug rapidly.—
This w&s a tearful moment, and must have been
a!.- * to the ladies on board the Marine, who under
stood the signal, ai! of whom had husbands or friends
on board.
Ii: v procured aboard six feet long and six in
ches wide, tearing it off the front of the berth, and
took my position on the taffrail. holding on to the
after awning staneheon. At that time there was
two or throe hundred on the quarter deck, breath
lessly waiting the dual sinking. There was two seas
swept over t*jo deck about this time, the last one
sweeping nearly all the passengers on the main deck
into the sea. The ship immediately after, at 8
■Yivx k on Saturday evening, sank, going down at
m. angle of 15 dtgrees. stern foremost. The suction
ofti.e ‘ iip drew the passengers under water for
ie distance, and throw them in a mass together.
When ihey reached The surface the struggle tor life
was intense, with cries and shrieks fr help, eepe
ciallv from those unable to swi n. Many unabie to
swim clung to those who could, or laid hold of the
larger pieces of the wreck, and were soon swamp
ed. In ten minutes not less probably than three
\ undred had sunk to rise no uivre. wuUst myself and
• .hers who had succeeded in holding or. to some
iu ans of support were scattered over the dark and
d*> iy ocean, moating off with the tide. There was
a large number of the passengers had bags of gohi
dust and some xloubtless perished in their efforts to
‘* ■ ■ 11 y also here add that from fifty to six
*y ot f'.o passengers shut themselx .<s up in their
rtate m despair, and sank with the ship.
T who had sucoeedod in keeping themselves
afioat. sotui scattered over the surface of the ocean
:ora rsiance of a mile. One hour alter the ship
sank l saw a .ight at the leeward, which was seen
by me*: of those rescued, supposed to be that of
Lie schcxoner Sovereign, but it soon
We knew ti*at the vessels to leeward cou*d not
reach us and turned our gaze in the oppe*i:c diroo
tioii. •
At 1 o'clock on Sunday morning we saw approach
ug us under full sail, with a strong breese. the Nor
wegian fvark Ellen she ran into our midst, and
those 05. wtifch were astounded with the ones of
human beings. Capt Johnson, the commander,
hnmeciate'y hove his vessel to, under short sail, and
oomo need to rescue us. The steamer a: this time
had been down over five hours. He launched his
lx*at, ar.d threw out ropes and buoys, and done
everything that good seamanship and a humane
heart could dictate to save as many as possible. I
was ihe fourth one rescued, and witnessed the noble
exertions of himself and crew throughout the night.
He continued hi? seari*h among the dnft wood,
kirg backward and forward, up to lii o'clock on
Sunday, but did not find any one after ft o'clock in
lie ii;. •ruing, and consequently relinquished the
******h ;it noon. He rescued akogetiier forty-mce
persons.
On the nx-rnirg of Sunday the brig Marine was
out of sight, and the si-hx*ner was some six nriiee to
leeward, and appeared Uj be laying to, but toun
bore aw ay *'U her course,
UsHt it w-a* impsaibls tor . ;he
bark backing and filling to wmu ward, ‘ibev knew
we had been succored.
The same day at *2 o'clock we spoke the bark Sax
ony. bound to Savannah . she reported seeing a brig
with a number of laditf on board rnppwind to be
the Marine: under full sail steering North.
We bore away with a fair wind for Norfolk aa the
nearest port, and arrived off Cap* !!. i r%- on Thurs
day evening, five of us reaching Norfota m a pilot
b*a: at day light on Friday morning, which we had
chartered lor that pmqxee
Statement of Mr. Wm. Birch.—From Mr. W.
Birch, of the San Francisco Minstrels, whose wife is
among the saved on board the brig Marine, and
who was himself fished np by the bark Ellen after
six hours exposure in the water, we obtained some
interesting particulars of the fearful experience
which be has gone through. The voyage of the
Central America from Aspinwall to Havana had
been exceedingly pleasant, the officers were atten
tive and apparently careful of the safety of the ship,
and all were pleased with the vessel and her rapid
sailing. They left Havana on Tuesday, the Bth,
with a pleasant prospect of soon completing their
trip. On Wednesday it commenced blowing very
strongly, and throughout the day the gale increased
in fury. The night was dismal and fearful, though
every thing on board the steamer still wore an as
pect of safety, and no apprehensions of the calami
ty that succeeded were then entertained. It how
ever rained heavily whilst the wind seemed every
boor to gain new violence. All day Thursday and
during Thursday night the hurricane continued with
out apparently a moment's cessation. On Friday
morning it became known among the passengers
that the vessel wa leaking, and it also then became
evident that difficulty was experienced in maintain
ing a sufficient head of steam to keep the vessels
head to the sea. The difficulty in maintaining * .e
fires, as Mr. Birch was informed by one of the engi
neers, was occasioned by their having to use refuse
coal, the good coal being covered by the water and
out of reach The waiters and firemen were then
organized into gangs and commenced passing into
the engine room. The water, however, gained
steadily, the steam grew less and the engines soon
stopped entirely.
The stoppage of the machinery prevented the
steamer from beiDg kept before the wind, and she
fell into the trough of the sea, and commenced la
boring but not veiy heavily. The passengers were
then called aft, informed of the danger of their posi
tion, with which they were already fully impressed.
They were organized into parties for the purpose of
bailing, knowing that upon these efforts depended
their only hope of safety. The water was passed
up in nuckets by files of men, and barrels were
rigged and raised by ropes from the hold. Though
bese efforts were steadily and earnestly pursued
the water still continued to gain upon them. On
Saturday the gale had somewhat abated and though
the stealer was then almost water logged the bail
ing operations.were continued with the “hope of
keeping her afloat until relief came from some pass
ing vessel. The behavior of both passengers and
crew, Mr. Birch, and all with whom we conversed,
describes os admirable. They were calm, orderly
and courageous, cheerfully obeying the directions
given and promptly relieving ear h other in their ef
forts to keep the water down. The females on board
were especially marked by that fortitude and pre
sence of mind which is so often developed by the
sex in hours of great danger.
Saturday morning wore slowly and wearily away.
The tremendous exertions of the bailers seemed to
have no effect upon the water, the laboring of the
vessel caused the leak to gain faster and faster,
and death for the greater portion at least of
those on board, seemed inevitable. Still a good
degree of order was maintained. Even in that
dreadful hour, the tired workers who had labored
through the night, were lying asleep, whilst others
on deck were scanning the horizon in search of a
sail, or devising means for their safety when the
final plunge came.
About two o’clock on Saturday afternoon a glad
cry aunounced an approaching vessel. The flag of
the steamer was setat half mast, andbyCapt. Hern
don’s direction guns were fired. These signals at
tr&cted the desired attention and soon the vessel,
which proved to be the brig Marine, of Boston, bore
down. The brig was in a crippled condition, hav
ing had carried away part of her mainmast, but the
promptness whith which she answered the signals
and the readiness with which she came too, cheered
the hearts of the passengers and gave them an al
most assured hope of safety. The gale was aba
ting, and once on board the brig there seem
ed no doubt she would be able to get into port
with all. The boats of the steamer, two of which
had previously been atoved or washed away during
the gale, were got out, and by Capt. Herndon’s di
rections, in the propriety of which the male passen
gers willingly acquiesced, the women and children
were first placed in the boats. The greater portion
of them were safely stowed in the two first boats
and started for the brig. In the third boat Mr.
Birch 6aw the first engineer, George E. Ashby, with
three ladies who were last in leaving the snip. An
other man jumped into the boat and Ashby ordered
him out and threatened him with a dirk for not go
ing. Mr. Birch was acquainted with Ashby aud
called to him to take him onl board. He di
reeled him to find James Birch, United States mail
contractor, who was on board. He went in search
of his namesake, found him iu his state-room chang
iug hi* clothe*, told the boat was waiting and
immediately returned to tfje sid£. The engineer
was then at some distance with but a few periods
on board. His leaving the ship was said to be in
opposition to the Captfiiu's orders, and was geno
rafiy censured by the passengers.
The three boats were eagerly watched as they ap
proached the brig, and general feelings of joy was
experienced when their passengers were seen safely
transferred to her decks. Os the three boats that
went off Mr. Birch saw but two return. As these
approached ihe steamer a general rush took place
to get in them. One boat was filjed immediately
and put oft. Those in the other boat became alarm
ed at the rush and shoved off with about half a load.
It was then about six o’clock in the evening, the
brig had drifted to a considerable distance from tho
steamer, a heavy sea was still running and before
the boats reached the ship on their return trip, dark
ness came on.
Nothing more was seen of the brig, and the hopes
of the passengers lataly so elated by the prospect of
safety gave way to despair. It was evident that
no more efforts conkl be made before morning for
the transfer of the passengers, and every moment
the certainty increased that tiie steamer would float
but a short time longer. A few men
were still working with tho buckets and barrels,
but the major portion were disposed in different
portions of the ship, fastening life-preservers on, se
curing themselves to pieces of boards, doors, etc.—
Still there was a wonderful degree of (almness and
composure exhibited. The first promonitory symp
tom of the sinking of the steamer was a heavy
lurch, when a large wave struck and went over her.
A good many w?re swept off by this, others seeing
that the final moment was approaching jumped off,
and were carried away by the drift of the sea.
Mr. Birch bad tied a short rope to his arm, think
ing it might be useful, and started forward where a
raft was in progress of construction. On the wheel
house he saw Capt Herndou still calm and self
possessed. Remembering that Capt. Luce, who
was on the wheel-house of the Arctic when she
went down, was saved by clinging to it, he for a
moment thought of taking a position by Capt. Hern
don. Fearing he would be struck by the chimneys
whiclj were abreast the wheel-house, he continued
on to tho forward part of tho boat. At this time the
most of the passengers were op deck dispersed in
different quarters, the greatest, number perhaps be
ing aft and upon the hurricane deck. Arrived for
ward, Mr. Birch secured a piece of board and stood
ready for the final plunge A second lurch drove
another large number into the sea, and almost im
mediately afterward came a third lurch, and then
the steamer settled rapidly, going down, as our In
formant described it, with what seemed the rapidity
of an arrow from a bow. Ho was drawn down,
down in the vortex caused by the sinking of the
vessel, receiving two severe blows on the shoulder
from tvhat he supposed to be an iron bar. Jn the
lightning-like thought of that fearful moment he
gave up hope, but finally the downward tendency
was arrested and he shot up to the surface amidst
a confused mass of struggling human beings, mixed
with floating boards, parts of the hurricane deck,
loose boards, and other light portions of the ship
which had broken away from tne hull.
Mr. Birch, in his return to the surface, had invol
untary grasped some boards, and, sustained by
these, reached a hatchway, on which there were
already three young men. He secered himself to
this with the piece of rope, aud with his companions
watched for any sail that might bring relief. When
he first rose to the surface, as far as could be seen
and everywhere around were struggling in the
water for life. Gradually these subsided. Many,
who had secured nothing to float upon, soon sank
forever ; the others were separated by the force of
Lhe waves, and were driven off in groups. All, it
may be presumed, ware earnestly watching for re|-
iief, but during many anxious hours none appeared.
Shouts continued to re-echo from the different par
t es, who hoped thus to attract attention, and these
finaby brought to their aid the Norwegian bark
£llen, Capt. Johnson, who hearing cries of distress
rescued ilKwe nearest to him, and learning from them
that others were still in the water, continued his
search until 9 o'clock the next morning, at which
lime forty-nine persons had been rescued. He con
tinued cruising around the vicinity until afternoon
on Sunday, when, no more being seen, the Ellen
bore away for Norfolk, the nearest point. The con
duct of Capt. Johnson merits the highest praise.
His action m coming to the aid of the sufferers was
prompt, and the search was continued as long as a
hope remained that another life could be saved. His
kindness to the saved was afterwards unceasing.
Mr Birch lost everything he had on board except
some jewelry on his person. His wife very unwil
lingly left him and went on board the brig Marine,
under the supposition that he would follow in a sue
ceeding boat. Until that vessel arrives her rescued
passengers must necessarily be under the impres
sion that ali on board the steamer were lost. Os the
twenty six ladies on board the brig, sixteen it is
said have been made widows by this tremendous
calamity. Mr. Birch, whose narrative we have giv
en above, is well known in this city as formerly a
member of Kuukel’s Opera Troupe.’ He i8 now the
guest of Mr. John T. Ford.
Statement of Oliver P Manlove, of Wis
consin.—The storm commenced shortly after leav
ing Havana on Tuesday, and continued with great
violence, and increased until Friday. On Friday
afternoon were called up to bail—vessel continued
to ship water—ali went to work with buckets, bar
rels. Ac., during all of Friday night and Saturday.
On Saturday about 2 o’clock, bark Marine hove
in sight: all the ladies and children were put on her
about and o’clock in the evening, and the engineer
left with them. In launching the boats two of the
five were stove, and the other three were dispatch
ed with the women and children, leaving about an
hour before sunset. The Marine was lying nearly a
mile off. and by the time the boats reached her it
became evident tlyit the ship must go down before
they oould get back All hands then seized pieces
of spars, chairs, and life preservers, while others
rushed below to secure their treasure. The confu
sion at tins time became very great, though all ac
ted with calmness, each endeavoring to make the
best effort for his own safety. The vessel gave
three lurches, some of the passengers jumping off at
each lurch. Tboee who went with the first and se
cond lurch swam off some distance, but the great
mass of the passengers remained on the deck nntil
she went down, whk-h was only a minute or two af
terwards.
1 had provided myself with life preservers and a
piece of spar aud determined to go down with the
vessel, with the gi eat mass of the passengers, all ot
whom stood about bracing themselves np and se
curing wnat was most available to buov them np.—
She finally went down stern toremoet. 1 was stand
ing near the smoke stack at the time and we were
all dragged under water with the sinking ship. Tbe
gtneraTsupposiuoo among those that were saved is
that they were drawn at least twenty feet under wa
ter. and when we finally rose to the surface we were
stded with salt water. The rapidity with which I
was drawn down tore the spar from my hands and
the fife preserver from my body, and when I reach
ed the eurtace my clothing was almost stripped off
ot me I, however, met a friend who had two life
preservers, who gave me one, and we else seized on
pieces of the wreck which helped to sustain us.
Ou reaching the surface of the water there was at
iesst four hundred passengers struggling about m
the water, some su.kmc. unable to swim, having
lost their life-preservers, and others seising on to
the pieces ot the wreck which came up with us
The captain had cut away the upper works of the
vessel teat when the huH sunk th-v would float
■ ——•---. cacia uiey wouia noac
off, but they were dragged down, and came up in
fragments, and doubtless many were stunned and
drowned by being struck with the pieces of the
wreck, whilst in others, they were the ultimate
means of safety. An occasional flash of lightning
showed to each other a sea o: struggling forms.
all cheered and encouraged each other. At first we
were ail id a mass together, appearing at a glance
kke a crowd otoatiie swimming, but soon the waves
separated us . and at each succeeding flash of light
ning wt discovered thtt re were being separated
ana scattered over a wider area, nntil we soon
ea*.*! found cumeivea apparently alone in the ocean.
It was a dreary and desolate night, the waves
dashing over ur and the sea running with great fury,
the sharp wind chilling the blood in our veins. After
being an hour in the water 1 saw none of my tellow
sufferers. Three fourths had doubtless sunk from
exhaust ion, and tho balance were drifting over the
oe*>im hoping against hope for relief. At about 1
o’clock on Sunday morning 1 saw & sail, and at 2
o'clock ou .Sunday morning, after being six hours
dashing about had the gratification of finding my-
AUGUSTA, GA., WEDNESDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 30, 18.57.
self on the deck of the Norwegian bark El
len, Capt A. Johnson, from Balize, Honduras,
bound to Falmouth, England. Here I found about
twenty of my fellow passer gees, and our )oy at
again meeting, with thankfulness to Providence for
our miraculous delivery, soon caused the chilled
blood to coarse through our veins.
The bark continued to cruise about, and every
hour we had the gratification of hauling on board
others of our suffering friends. The night was dark
and the sea running too high to send out a boat,
and all that could be done was to throw out ropes
and cruise around in the direction of the voicee that
would occasionally reach us crying for help. Thus
myself and many others were saved. Daylight,
however, finally came when nearly a dozen more
were saved. R. L. Brown, of San Francisco, being
the last one taken on boardat 8 o'clock on Sun
day morning. He had been just twelve hours at
the mercy of the sea, and doubtless owes his life to
the fact be had on heavy clothing preventing his
blood from chilling by the long exposure.
Capt. Johnson, of the Ellen, continued to cruise
around until nearly 2 o'clock on Sunday afternoon,
and although we frequently encountered portions
of the wreck it was evident that those who had
clung to them had become exhausted and at least
five hundred souls had perished during this awful
night. We, however, found our new refuge short
of provisions and the crew living upon gruel, but
were soon relieved by the bark Saxony which sup
plied us, and took six of our paesengera to Savan
nah.
One of the passengers saved by the Ellen had
struggled for seven hours in the water 4 with twenty,
pounds of gold in wallets fastened under hia cloth
ing. He was a large and powerful man, and suc
ceeded in securing a large piece of the wreck, but
was almost exhausted when brought on board.—
Another passanger saved forty S2O gold pices ; but
most of us had been compelled to abandon ali our
money to secure our safety, whilst it was torn from
the possession of others by the violence of the
waves.
I should not, however, forget to mention the fact
that the calmness aud resolution displayed by the
passengers throughout the last day on board the
steamer was tiuly remarkable. After the excite
ment of getting the women and children off to the
brig Marine the fact that the vessel was gradually
sinking was regarded as a fixed fact, and all went
to work calmly and coolly to secure the best possi
ble means of eafety. There w’as no noise, each rna
king suggestions to his neighbor, and ail cheering
and encouraging hopes for succor, oven in the last
extremity It was a fearful hour, and one that all
of us will never forget.
Capt. Thos. W. Badger, of Baltimore, who came
up on the Norfolk boat this morning, was of great
ashistance to Capt. Herndon throughout the storm.
He assisted in organizing the hands for bailing, and
cheered us all up with hope of ultimate safety until
all hope was gone, and then gave us the aid of his
nautical experience in securing the best means of
dafety.
Capt. Herndon behaved nobly throughout, and
was standing near me on the wheel house when she
went down. He sank, however, to rise no more,
leaving a name to be honored among the heroes of
the sea.
The conduct of the engineer is much censured by
all the passengers. It was believed that better dis
cipline in the engine room would have prevented
the fires from going out and the steam getting down
so low as to stop the working of the machinery and
the pumps. Ills final behavior in seizing the first
opportunity to escape before a single male passen
ger had entered the boats, also excited general re
probation.
List of Passengers Saved on Bark Ellen.—
Capt. Thos. W. Badger, (lady on brig Marine) San
Francisco, Cal. A. J. Easton, (lady on brig
Marine) San Farancisco Cal. R. F. Brown, Sacra
mento. O. Harvev PlaNSville. Will am Birch, San
Francisco Minstrels, (lady on brig Marine) San
FranAco, Cal. J. A. Forrester, Murphy’s Cal.
Oliver P. Manlove, Grant county, Wis. J. B.
Clark, Polk county, Mo. John O. B. Rmeuts, Ore
gon City,O. T. H. T. O'Coruer, (mother on brig
Marine,) Albany, New York. Julius Stetson, Shaw's
Flat, Cal. T. A. Wells, Lfegden, Mass. George
Bryan, Ulster country, N. Y. James H. Rasß, Ma
hoymy county, Ohio. Thomas McNeish, Grass
Valley. Cal. Wm. N. Osborne, Isthmus ot Panama.
J. N. F&Ueno, Cincinnati, Ohio. Wm. Chase, Michi
gan. J. C. Paylor, Cohuse Falls, Albany co., New
York. E. Ayulo, Lima, Peru. Henry Halcon,
Montreal, Canada. W. F. Fletcher, Bloomfield,
Mo. Wm. Irde, Wisconsin. R. Casey, Arkansas
J. M. Casey, do. John N. Crafts Maine. Henry
Runuel, Illinois. Jacob Quener, Watertown, N. Y
Henry Hartman, Bremen, Germany. John B. Mc-
Cable, N. Y. 8. Caldwell, N. Y. Benj. Sage, wife
on Marine, St. Louis. Jno. George, England. Ed
ward Moore, Boston. B. M. Lee, Plattaburg, Pa.
Jas. Jackson, Missouri. Chas. Reid, New Nork.
Mr. Childs, New York. Mr. Howe, San Francisco,
CaJ. Mr. C. y. Leook, San Francisco, Cal. One
passenger, name unknown, ascertained to be Rob
ert Ridley.
The undersigned are survivors of the crew
of the steamer: James M. Frazier, 2d Offi
cer, Brooklyn, New York. Henry Keefer, 2d
Assistant Engineer. John James, Fire Room. Bar
tholomew McCarty, Fire Room. Aaron Holcom,
saloon cook, New York. Henry Hardenburghei,
tdiip cook, New York. Tim McKugh, seaman.
Total—49 passengers saved on board Norwegian
Bark J£!len.
The survivors by tho bark {Jllen speajr in the
warmest terms of the noble conduct of Capt. John
son and his crew. For their passage into Norfolk
they gresented him with a purse of $2,600.
Capt. Badger had with him S2O,UUU in gold in a
carpet-bag, and $20,000 in drafts on New-York. He
gave the drafts to his wife, who is on board the Ma
rine, and put the carpet-bag in the Captain’s office,
which of course went down with the steamer.
More Favorable Accounts.—The Brig Ma
rine at Norfolk.—The brig Marine mentioned in
the accounts above as playing so important a part
in the rescue of the passengers of the Central Ame
rica, arrived at Norfolk on Friday evening. The
pleasure of announcing her arrival is increased by
finding on board of her a much larger number of
the saved than was supposed. Instead pf fifty she
had one hundred of those rescued from the steamer
on board. They consist of 41 male adults, 32 female
adults and 27 children—total 100. Most of these got
on board the steamer Empire City and proceeded
to New-York ; about twenty or thirty came up to
Norfolk in the brig.
It thus appears that one hundred and forty-nine
have been saved in all.
A slip from the Norfolk Herald says:
The passengers who came up in the brig were con
ducted to the National Hotel, where they met with
every attention and kindness from Mr. Walters and
family which their destitute condition required ; the
ladies in particular, who had left the steamer only
partially clothed, and some of them indebted to the
gallant and noble-hearted tars of the Marine for
clothing to protect their delicate persons from the
rude assaults of the weather, presented au appear
ance on their arrival that might have moved the
flintiest heart witH oompassion. And then the grief
and despair of those ot them who were in suspense
as to the fate of their husbands on learning that they
were not among the saved—altogether presented a
scene of sadness aud woe which beggars description.
The condition of these unfortunate women ana their
orphaned children, thus left utterly destitute and
hopelees, soon spread through the city, and yester
day meetings were held by the Merchants and Me
chanics’ Exchange, and by the citizens generally,
and measures taken to provide immediate relief for
the sufferers, and we are gratified to learn that up
to Saturday evening nearly $2,000 had been raised.
Statement of Geo. E. Ashby, Chief Engineer
of the Central America. —We left Havana at
9J o’clock on the morning of Tuesday, the Bth inst.,
with a strong head wind, aud by 12 o’clock m. on
Wednesday, had made 288 miles. Thursday, at 12
m., wind freshening, had made 212 miles. On Fri
day, the 10th, it blew a heavy gaJe.
About 9 o’clock in the morning of Friday, I dis
covered that the ship had sprung aleak, and was
making water fast. I reported the fact to Captain
Herndon. Owing to the increased rolling of the
ship my own force was unable to supply coal fast
enough . and by the Captain’s direction, I made
up a gang of about 30 men from the steward's de
partment, passing the coal up by hand, and in bas
kets, &c.
KAfter I obtained this increased force, there teas no
deficiency of coal.
About 11 o'clock, the leak still increasing, the
pumps were put on and the donkey pumps started,
but owing to the “list” of the ship, the water being
in the lee bilge, the pumps would not touch.
It still continued to blow heavily, and I had the
bilge injections put on. But by the time the water
rose up to the injections and pumps, the roll of the
water had put out the fire m the (lee) starboard
wing furnaces. The leak continuing to increase, a
gang was formed, comprising passengers as well as
the crew, to bail from tne engine room. Up to this
time, there was little confusion, and some of the
passengers in the after cabin were ignorant of the
danger and of the active efforts that were being
made for our mutual safety.
After a while the water which had got into the
coal bunkers became so much heated by contact
with the outside of the boilers, that it became im
possible to keep the men in there. I myself stood
in the almost scalding water until further efforts in
that quarter were impossible. The iron plates of
the floor were torn up by the action of the water,
apd were aashed backwards aud forwards by the
roll of the ship.
In order to keep up the fires, as the draft of the
furnaces had diminished, I went to work with a
gang of hands and tore down the steerage berths,
stanchions, and everything else that would burn. —
In the meantime, got up Bteam in the donkey boiler
on the upper deck. In the afternoon the engines
stopped for want of steam—but I afterwards man
aged to get up steam in the port boiler with the
steerage furniture, and started the engines again. I
again put on the injections and worked the pumps
from the donkey boiler. Another gang got to work
In the after cabin, by order of the Captain, bailing
with buckets.
Before sunset, the water reached the port boiler
fires and put them out; and the ship was at the mer
cy of the sea. .
In order to bring her to wind, Captain Herndon
had the after spanker hoisted; but the sail blew
away. Canvas was then spread in the mizen rig
fing for the same purpose, but ineffectually. All
anda were then called and huddled on the weath
side of the forward deck; but the ship still refused
to bring up. Sail was set forward to try to get her
off before the wind ; but the forward sails, like the
spanker, were blown away.
Captain Herndon then n&d the fore yard lowered,
and used with anchors and some 80 fathoms of line,
for a drag. The foremast was also cut away, carry
ing all the rigging. No expedient, however,proved
availing.
Meanwhile the bailing was kept up in the engine
room, wxth buckets, pork barrels, &.C., with whips,
and in the cabin and forward lower steerage by
gaugs with buckets throwing out about 400 gallons
per uiinute. The ship labored heavily all night, and
ail who could continued busily at work.
During Friday morning I found that the starboard
wheel and guard had settled several inches, which
I reported to the Captain. The shaft having set
tled, a great deal of water came in through the shaft
hole Thi? I stopped with blankets, wedges and bra
ces. and had a large sail placed inside of the wheel
on the shaft.
Saturday morning it was thought we had gained
on the leak. Managed to get steam np in the don
key boiler with whatever wood we could iay hands
on : and worked the donkey pumps by band as well
as we could, lhe leak, however, gained on us
again. I was called daring the morning to go and
look at the second cabin state rooms, as the water
was coming in through the dead-lights. Found the
water 4 feet deep in the lee state rooms. Had all
the dead up, and cut a hole through
the deck of the seoond cabin that the water might
run below.
Before mid-day I became fully convinced that the
ship would soon go down. I gave my watch ana
purse to one of the passengers. Mrs. Thomas, and
requested her if she was saved, to give them to my
mother. _ . . „
About *2 in the afternoon, we saw the bng Ma
rine Capt Burt, who bore down and bailed us. and
promised Capt- Herndon to lie by us—though the
brig herself was disabled with the loss of her fore
yard topsail and übbocm. Boats were then low
ered by order of'Captain Herndon. We had six
boats in ail, one was washed off the davits on Fri
day night, and the port forward boat was loet in
lowering. „ , ,
I was then ordered by Capt Herndon to launch
the metallic life boat from the upper deck, which 1
did with twelve or fourteen men. She stove to
pieoee with me in her. under the starboard guard. I
came on deck again, aud Capt. H. ordered me to put
all the ladies ana children into the three remaining
boats He inquired if I was armed. I told him I
had a knife winch a passenger had given me iu the
morning. He said “I will try to get a pistol for
you, and one for myself.”
When all the ladies and children, but three, had
left—the boats going and coming, and the brig be
ing three or four miles to leeward, Capt. H. expreee-
ed s wwh to have the brig nearer and more boats.
In consultation on the upper deck both he and the
firet officer. Mr. C. Van Uennsalaer, concurred with
me in the opinion that ahe could not live till night.
I aaid, “If I can be of anjr use to you, command
me.” He said “Yea—go hi the next boat and get
the brig'a boat. Offer him every inducement to
come near and stay by ua aa long aa possible. Do
this—for I know I can trußt you.
When the next boat came, after the last three
iadiee and three or fonr males were put in, I aaked
Mr. McCarthy, a passenger, if he would go with
me, and “aee me through to which he agreed.—
He and I then got in—and a passenger jumped
down from the upper deck on my shoulders, I
drew my knife on him, as a threat to prevent oth
ers from doing the same, and the Captain called to
me not to cut him. We then shoved off—Capt. H.,
through his trumpet, leiterating his first orders to
me.
After pulling about four miles, we arrived at the
brig, nearly at dark. 1 landed the passengers; aud
went on board with Capt. Herndon's message.—
While I was on board, the boatswain, without my
knowledge, shoved off with the boat. I intended to
go back in her ; but it made no difference, as she
was fully leagued.
Capt. Burt told me that his boat was at my dis
posal, such as it was; but he thought it would not
live three minutes in such a sea, as it was a mere
yawl boat. He eaid he would carry the brig as near
as he could. She was disabled ; and had only five
seamen on board, and one sick—hardly enough to
work the brig.
Two other boats came, bringing some more of
the passengers and some of the crew—wfao imme
diately jumped aboard the brig, leaving only the
steersman in each boat. I ordered the crews into
the boats again—as also did Capt. Burt and others ;
but the men refused, saying that their lives were
worth as much as others, and that the ship would
go down before they conld get to her. The boat
in which I came got back to the ship just in time
to see her go down, and Captain Herndon ordered
her off.
Th above is a plain statement of facts; and in
it I seek to extenuate nothing. I know that'l did
my duty, and more than my duty, upon the terrible
occasion. It was God's will that the rhip should be
loaf, and none of ns had power to prevent it.
I avail myself of this occasion to tender to Capt.
Burt and others who have showdered kindness up
on me aud my fellow-sufferers, my most grateful
acknowledgments. Geokoe E. Ashby.
Statement of Theodore Patne, a Merchant
of San FuAgpis.co.—l went from the steamer in a
boat to the brig Marine, immediately before site
sunk. lam indebted to Capt. Herndon’ for my life,
as I was anxious to remain, and I only went off at
his earnest request; I was infrequent consultation
with him before I went, and he asked me what I
thought of affairs ; I said, “Thank God, the women
and children are all off, and we are strong.” He re
plied, “ Yes, thank God,” and added, ‘yon take
the next boat.” This I did, but before I went he
requested me to go into his office and get his gold
watch and chain, and if saved, to carry them to his
wife. Said he, “Tell her, : ,” but hia utterance
was choked by deep emotion, and he said no more
on that subject, but changed it by saying that he
wished me to see tho President of the ship company,
Marshal O. Kobert, and the agents, and communi
cate with them in relation to the disaster. After say
ing this much, he walked away a few steps and sat
down on a bench, with his head iu his hands, appa
rently overcome. He remained in that position a
few moments, and then arose and resumed giving
orders as the boat from the brig Marine returned.
After she was filled and about leaving the ship again,
it was made known that three steerap < female pas
sengers were still on board. I imir’ b'.lely went
below and brought them torwar ihey were
placed on the boat by Mr. Ashby and the boat
shoved off, but before it oould clear the stern a steer
age passenger sprang from the deck of the ship into
the boat, a distance of twenty-five feet. The chief
engineer then hastily lowered himself into the boat
to prevent the passengers from crowding in ana
swamping if. He had scarcely got into the boat
before another steerage passenger jumped from the
deck and fell upon tfe engineer’s back. He seized
him by the throat and drew a dirk knife, not, in my
opinion, for the intention of using it upon the pas
senger, but for the purpose of deterriug others who
orowded the decks from following his example. I
was then lowered into the boat, and bid the boat,
and bid the oaptain “good bye,”
The boat was now pushed’ off again, when a third
steerage passenger swuug off the deck aud tumbled
into tho boat, at the same time dropping from his
pocket into the ocean a package containing $2,000
in gold dust. Charles McCarty, chief engineer of’
the steamer “Golden Gate,” but a passenger on the
Central America, also got aboard the boat. We
were then towed in safety to the brig. Mr. Ashby,
agreebly to the request of Captain Herndon, asked
Captain Burt, of the brig, for the brig’s boat and
crew. The reply was thatjhe had no boat to spare,
and that it would not live five minutes in such a
sea. Mr. Ashby aIBO toldjtlie captain that Captain
Herndon wished him to lay by all night, or so long
as anything could be seen of the steamer. Captain
Burt assured U3 he would do so, but as his brig was
disabled the current and. winds wero constantly
drifting him away. After the lapse of twenty
minutes two more boats came from the ship. They
contained a few of the ship’s sailors, firemen and
Bteerage passengers. As they came alongside every
man but one jumped out of the boat upou the brig,
and refused to return with the boat. The chief
engineer, Mr. Ashby, implored them to return, but
they steadily refused. He then tried to raise another
crew, but did not succeed, aud the boats were lashed
to the brig's stem. During the night one broke loose
and tho other was dashed to pieces. The brig lay
to, but drifted away before morniug to the distance
of five or six miles. In common with the other
Eassengers rescued by tbe brig, just 100 in nuts
er, I would speak in the highest terms of the
kindnesses and unremitting attentions Cupt. Burt
aud tne crew. Many of the ladies and ohildren were
nearly bare of clothing, and they were dressed up
in pantaloons aud shirs, obtained from tbe ward
robes of the noble-hearted captain and crew, who,
whatever they lacked, supplied it from their persons.
On evening j took a boat and prew
and boarded the ship Eupluasia, Capt. W. Laug
fare, bound for New Orleans, and obtained a sup
ply of provisions. We found Captain Langfare, I
one of these genuine sons of the ocean, whose
hearts are ever ready to respond to the distresses of
others. He eheerflly supplied us with everything
we asked for and all he saw we were in need of,
and when I offered to remunerate him, he not only
refused to accept it, but supplied us with other
necessities.
On Friday I took another boat and crew and pro
ceeded towards Cape Henry Light, on the coast of
Virginia. We had gone only a few miles before a
sail was described approaching. Fearing she would
not see us I stood up in the boat and waved my
handkerchief, a signal of distress. In the course of
an hour we got alongside of the vessel which proved
to be the propeller City of Norfolk, Capt. Green,
bound for Savannah. I told him our condition, and
craved his assistance to tow us into the habor of
Norfolk. He inquired what I would give. I told
him anything that was right, at the same time nam
ing the several sums of SIOO, $l5O and S2OO. He
replied, “I will not do it lor less than $300.” I
said, “well, we are helpless, and r-ustsubmit to your
terms to go out to the orig.” So the propeller was
run down to the brig, but after getting alongside.
Capt. Green commenced bargaining again and de
manded SSOO. He finally accepted S3OO, and tow
ed us into the quarantine ground. As we came up
the harbor the steamer Empire City, bound for New
York, passed us. She was hailed and 75 of our
number were transferred to her decks and were
oonveyed to New York.
Twenty-five of us still remained and we arrived
in Norfolk on Friday evening about 7 o’clock. Be
fore leaving the brig, so gratified were the passen
gers at the efforts of her captain and crew, so put
forth in their behalf, that the sum of SBOO was raised
in a very few minutes and presented to them as a
testimonial. Capt. Bart received SSOO, and the ba
lace was divided among the crew, who had almost
divested themselves of their clothing to cover us
with garments.
As soon as we arrived at Norfolk we were quar
tered at the National Hotel, and the proprietor, Mr.
Waters, with the ladies of the house, immediately
commenced the work of ministering to our wants,
which attention and kindness continued up to the
moment of our departure. We were ail gathered in
the immense parlor of the hotel, and the citizens
orowded to see us, and listen to the narrations of
our “perils on the deep.”
The mayor of the city, Mr. Ferguson, had issued
an official notice calling a meeting of the citizens,
and at 11 o’clock au immense throng assembled iu
the city. Resolutions were adopted and the sum of
S2OOO subscribed for the purchase of clothing, and
the defraying the expenses of the destitute to their
homes.
Statement of Mr. J. A. Foster, of Harris
*urg.—We left Havana at 9 o'clock on the morn
ing of the Bth inst., with clear weather aud every
prospect for a pleasant passage. The Empire City
left about an hour after, and at dark on that eve
nirg we saw her smoke about fifteen or twenty
miles in the rear. We continued our course with
out any apprehensions of danger until Thursday
night, when the storm arose. It increased in vio
lence until Saturday morning. About two o’clock
on Friday afternoon information was brought to the
cabin passengers that they would have to go below
and bail the ship, as she was leaking badly. We
then formed into a gang and went to wr rk. and la
bored until within an hour of the time the ship went
down. I was informed that the fires were allowed
to go out before the water got up to them. About
11 o'clock on Friday the engine stopped and the
ship went over on her beam ends. On Friday af
ternoon tiie water did not gain, but at n’ght all
hands were tired out and the wateriucr used rapid
ly, and continued all of Friday night an-1 Saturday.
On Saturday morning there was a lull o! the gale,
the buu shone oat, and ail hands again went to work
with the hope of being aaved. On Saturday after
noon we spoke the brig Marine, of Boston, which
came under the stern of the ship. Capt. Herndon
was on the hurricane deck, and told the captain of
the brig that he was in a sinking condition, and
asked him to take off the passengers. The boats of
the steamer were then manned, and the ladiee,
children, and several male passengers were safely
put on board the brig. In this work two of the boats
stove, and only three were left. After the ladies
were put on board the brig the boats crews refused
to return to the steamer, though requested to do so
by the captain of the brig. The brig laid by at a
distance of five miies until the ship went down.—
There was just one hundred rescued by the brig.
About dark on Saturday we spoke an American
schooner, and Capt. Herndon told turn that we were
in a sinking condition, and he hoped he would lie
by until morning. He replied that he would, but
the wind and sea were so heavy that he could not
lie to. At half past eight o'clock that evening the
Bhip went down. A half boor before that time Cap
tain H. went to his state room, put on his uniform
and went to tbe larboard wheei-bouse. That was
the last I saw of him. When the ship went down
she drew a large number down with her who were
seen no more. There was a large number on the
water struggling for life and grasping whatever we
eould get bold of to buoy us on the sea. I got hold
of three small pieces of board. I was in the midst
of the crowd when we arose to the surface, and
those who oou and not swim were grasping after those
who could. SeeiDg that I must die if i remained
there, I swam to the outside, where I got hold of the
boards. After having been in the water two or
three hours I discovered a sail, and five hours after
that I was picked up by the Norwegian bark Ellen.
There were some ten or twelve on board when I
was picked np. The sea still high but lulling. Many
of those picked up were so much exhausted that we
had great difficulty in keeping them alive. The last
one was picked up about S o’clock on Sunday morn
ing, and though we tacked about until aftei eleven,
there were seen no more passengers or any signs of
the wreck. At daylight we saw three sails, but
they were so far off that we oould not hail them.—
Throughout the whole trying scene Capt- Herndon
behaved most heroically. Captain Johnson, of the
bark, treated us kindly, and his crew did ail they
could’ to add to our comfort. I know nothing of the
conduct of tbe engineer.
Statement ot Mr. Osborne.—Mr. Wm. N. Os
borne, formerly of Tennessee, but whoee relatives
now reside in Sullivan county, Ind., was one >• mrmy
the rescued. He gives us a detailed itatemem of
his experience on board and literally at eea, but ae it
rorreeponds almost ent rely with the statements of
others we are reluctantly compelled, for want of
space, to give more than his personal experience at
the darkest hour. He was last from Panama, and
was in social association with Capt. Dyer, also from
Panama. Capt. Dyer was a contractor, carpenter
repairer of steamboats and on the railroad line.—
And among those active at work was Capt Dyer,
who manned the hand pomps and kept them at
work all the time. He is undoubtedly loet.
Premising that everything had been done which
could be done, on the evening of the 12th Sept., a
schooner hove in sight, and responded to a flag of
die trees and the usual signals by guns from the
steamer She bore down, and Capt Herndon Bpoke
her, stating that he was in a sinking condition, and
Asked assistance. The captain cf the schooner re
plied : “Don’t be alarmed—there is no danger—will
return in the morning and assist you.” This was
about sunset. Charity would conclude that the cap
tain of the schooner, nearly or on a true line in the
water, and not knowing that the water in her was
last settling her, thought that ail was for the time
being safe. The schooner was soon lost 6ight of, and
all hands, after an hour’s bailing, seemed to lose all
hope, and gave up.
During the whole time Capt. Herndon was in all
parts of the ship, with an anxious face, and making
use ot every effort and suggestion for the preserva
tion cl the vessel. Cool, calm and deliberate, with
out the least apparent excitement, he gave his or
ders, which were promptly obeyed, as, under Pro
vidence, it was thought the only chance of pre9rva
tion lay. The narrator jtates that in reference to
Capt. Herndon, a more gentlemanly and courteous
commander never trod a deck. A kind answer was
always given to every query, no matter from
whom, during the tryiugscenes through which thev
went. n J
When all hope was gone, attention was turned by
all to a means of safety. “ While there is life there
is hope. Every conceivable mode of keeping afloat
was adopted. Some in despair shut themselves in
their state rooms and awaited the end. Next came
a heavy crash, as it something had given away and
was tearing the ship apart.
About this time Capt. Dyer remarked to our narra
tor that he would go into the rigging and see if he could
observe any light of a vessel. Turning, he said,
All is lost—come with me into the rigging.” They
ascended the mizzen-mast about 30or 40feet, talked
together, exchanged names and residences—he lived
somewhere in England, where his wife is; do not now
recollect A mutual promise >yas made that if either
survived to write the family of the other. They
both commended themselves to the mercy of the
Almighty, and coolly awaited the end. They each
had money, but it w* Mirown away, as that might
tend to encumber u any effort for safety. The
ship then pitched ana went down stern foremost,
ana it is my impression we were the last above
water who touched any portion of her. “ Good bye
old boy,” said he, and struck out swimming, and I
the same.
This was about 3 o’clock; after clearing the
wreck, got hold of a piece of scantling about nine
feet long—held on for two or three minutes—came
in contact with one of the hatchways, seized it, and
fastened the eeautling under it with a 6ash, which
was fortunately around my body. With a piece of
board paddled away from the crowd of drowning
men, who were around and below me, struggling on
the surface and under the water, with flowinghair and
upraised hands. Got clear and called for Capt. Dy
er repeatedly, but received no reply. Saw a light
to the leeward and swam towards it for about four
hours, ever and anon hearing someone, in my own
situation, halloo, sometimes close by and then fur
ther off. The light then disappeared and I floated
alone for about an hour; heard no noise, except the
roaring of the sea; everything was dark and dismal.
A voice was then heard at a little distance otf, and
a geutlemau asked me if I would like to have com
pauy. I replied, “I would, in case it would not
cause a collision between our vessels, and slave in
their sides. We got alongside—both had hatchways
—shook hands, and staid together for an hour,
occasionally being separated a short distance.—
Names were interchanged, and he gave his name as
Mr. Stitson, of Massachusetts. A light was seen,
and I supposed it was the light of a vessel—struck
for it, although the wind ahead; called for Stitson,
received no answer, and that was the last I saw of
him on the ocean. Paddled as best I could with a
slat picked up and saved, having an eye to a flag
staff in case of necessity. After a tug of about two
hours reached the bark Ellen, was with difficulty ta
ken on board. There was found some thirty-five
companions in misfortune, and there was found
Stitson, who had been previously picked up.
Mr. Osborne states that any information in his
power will be given by addressing him, at Sullivan,
P. 0., Sullivan county, Indiana,
Statement of Dr.O. Harvey, ofPlacerville,
California.—l was picked up by the Norwegian
bark Ellen, at 2 o'clock ou Sunday morning. With
two life-preservers and a small piece of plank I
had kept myself afloat six hours. The passengers
and crew continued to bail the ship up to the mo
ment of her going down. When it was found she
was going, most of the passengers put on life-pre
servers. Ido not think there was a sufficient uum
ber on board for all. A great many would not put
them on at all, because they had no confidence in
them. The last words I heard Capt/ Herndon say,
were “don’t be alarmed; three vessels are in sight,
and they will stay by us until morniDg, when they
will rescue us all.”
A passenger named Austin, of Georgia, jumped
from the deck of the ship into the last boat,| which
conveyed the women and children to the brig Ma
rine. The fall dislocated his right shoulder and
severely injured his chest. Wounded as he was
he was picked up and thrown from the boat into
the sea. Ho was rescued by the passengers on the
steamer and taken into the cabin. I went down
and set the limb, and we came on deck together on
ly a moment previous to the sinking of the ship. Af
ter the ship weut down the second mate and myself
floated to the bark Ellen on pieces of plank, where
wo fouund 47 others rescued. On the arrival the
passengers raised among themselves the sum of
$2,60(1, which was distributed among the rescuers
as follows: SI,OOO to Capt. Johnson, S4OO to first
mate, S2OO to second mate, and SIOO to the remain
der of the crew, ten in number. Many were dis
posed to give all they possessed. Dr. Harvey also
states that Henry Keefer, the second assistant engi
neer, in reply to a question, stated the whole of the
machinery was in perfect order, and that the pumps
were in good condition—to whicli he would be wil
ling to testify in a court of justice. He said that
the fires went out before the water had raised high
enough to put them out. On being why the
fires were allowed to go out, he said they could not
get the coal out of the bunckera fast enough to keep
them up, though there was plenty of fuel on board.
Dr. Harvey s own impression, however, is that there
was great inefficiency in the engineer’s department.
Statement of Mr9. Caruthers, of Nantuck
et, Massachusetts.— l, with the other ladies, was
received by the brig Marine, Capt. Hiram Burt. I
was in the fourth boat that left the ship. One of the
boats, which contained Mrs. Marvin and some other
ladies, was in a sinking condition when it readied
the brig. Mr. Ashby, the engineer, was in one of
the boats. I heard him ask the men wi.h him to
go back to the ship to assist him in saving the pas
sengers, but they would not. The sea was very high,
and the peril of the rescue was very great. The sea
broke over the brig all the time, and it rose very
high. The brig tried but could net get near the
steamer afterwards, as she was in a disabled condi
tion.
This statement was corroborated by Mrs. Marvin,
Mrs. Easton, and Mrs. Ketlridge.
Mr. McCarty’s Statement. —Mr. Charles Mc-
Carty, chief engineer of the steamer Golden Gate,
states that he was in the boat with the chief engi
neer, Mr. Ashby, and had cognizance of Ills conduct
before leaving the ship. The going out of the tires
was eutirely beyond his control, and he did every
thing possible for the safety of the ship and passen
gers. After landing the load on board the brig Ma
rine, Mr. Ashby asked his boat’s crew to go back
with him to the ship to assist in saving more of the
passengers, but they positively refused. He was
then left helpless, and could not have got the boat
back without help. He also speaks of the noble
conduct of one of the sailors of the brig, who saw a
man drowning, when he seized a rope and fastening
it to his body, jumped into the sea, and thus rescued
him from death.
Mr. Ea.ston’s Statement.— Mr. Easton, of Cali
fornia, with his wife, on a bridal tour, was another
of the passengers ou the ill-fated vessel. He says he
stood on the deck of the ship by the aide of Capt.
Herndon until the ship weut down. The captain
was calm, and several times remarked that he
thought the passengers might all be saved. The
captain said that lie did not know anything of the
condition of the machinery, as that was eutirely
under the charge of the chief engineer. He said the
ship did not leak badly, as the water in her was
quite warm. The first fire was put out by the ship
being suddenly'thrown ou her side, when the smoke
and steam became so suffocating that those below
had to go on deck. Capt. Herndon remarked that,
if he ever lost a ship he would be under the keel, as
he knew he would be censured throughout the whole
country. Mr. Easton was rescued by the bark El
len, after having been in the water for about eight
hours. He says that several times while in the wa
ter the persona would be brought together in the
trough of the sea, but separate again when on the
top of the waves. He did not consider the gale a
terrific one, though the sea ran very high, and
seemed more formidable because of the phosphoric
hue of the water.
Graphic Description of the Hurricane.—
Purser Denison, of the steamer Empire City, which
loft Havana one hour after the Central America,
thus graphically describes the storm :
On the 12th it blew a hurricane, lulling at inter
vals only to blow harder. The force of the gale at
this time exceeded anything in my previous expe
rience. I can compare it only to the roar of steam
from an escape pipe During all this time a low,
gloomy, cloudy sky shut out both sun and slars ;
the sea did not rise in heavy waves, but was one
plane of foam, over whicli was driven by the force
of the wind a heavy mist of spray.
Our ship behaved well, but rofled at times very
heavily, and the passengers were most heartily
frightened. On the 13th, the gale not abating, got
out of the gulf stream and slowly made our way to
ward the land, as our coal by this time began to
give evidence of exhaustion, and w'e found we
could not make New York without a further
supply. Not knowing where we were, Captain Mc-
Gowan had to grope nis waj a!oug, and finally, on
the afternoon ot the 14th, in the midst of a heavy
rain storm, which shut in the horizon to within a
few ship's length ahead, auu a frightful sea running
as the wind had partially abated, we fourlfi our
selves just about to run over the wreck of a bark
with ber mizzen mast only standing, and a oast cf
the lead gave us ten fathoms.
The crew of the bark we could plainly see on her
decks, but we could not help the poor fellows, for
we were running on a shoal off Cape Lookout, ten
miles from the land, and our only boat left would
not have lived a moment. Os course, the first thing
was to go about, and in doing so, at the risk of hav
ing decks swept, we iay with our deck actually
nearly perpendicular up and down, and with two
frightful rolls, she came about against wind and sea.
At this time, blew out a small hole in the head of
one of the boilers, which filled the cabins with
steam, and frightened the few courageous ones left.
After this, passed an anxious night, feeling our way
with the lead, not wishing to run far from shore, as
our coal nearly expended, and yet afraid to run in
for fear of being lost. If we had touched the beach,
not a soul would have been saved in the tremend
ous surf. Groping along, at ten o’clock at night,
made out at last Cape Hatteras light, and for the
first time knew where we were. Wet, bruised and
exhausted, we felt like giving three hearty cheers !
Next morning, commenced tearing up berths in the
steerage, bulkheads, crates, berth slats, ladders,
boats, &c., burning them with our coal to eke it
out, and were about to commence on our cabins as
we reached Norfolk.
Incidents. —As Theodore Payne, Esq., of San
Francisco, was leaving the eteamer to go to the
bark Marine, Capt. him his watch,
with the request that he would deliver it to Mrs.
HerndoD, should he fortunately be saved. Mr
Payne reached this city yesterday from Norfolk,
with the watch in his possession, and the request of
the captain will be faithlully complied with.
It is said that owing to the violence of the storm
there was considerable suffering among the pas
sengers on the eteamer from sea-sickness, but as
a oon as the danger became imminent all symptoms
of sea sickness disappeared. This was produced,
probably, by being overpowered by the strong
mental emotions created by their perilous position.
One man swam to the bark Ellen with twenty
pounds of gold dust around his person. He was
saved with Bis treasure. It was valued at $5,000.
Mrs. Birch, wife of the minstrel, had a beautiful
canary bird which she left in a cage in her stater
room. Before she left the ship she took it from its
cage, and placing it in her bosom, brought it safe to
the brig. Her husband secured jewelry of great
value about his own person.
The gentlemen whose wives went off from the
ship in many instances gave them their money,
watches and jewelry’ to carry with them, with
whatever checks or papers of value they had about
them.
Mr. Van Hagen, one of the lost, handed his watch
to his wife and told her to keep it as a memento if
he perished.
It is related that one of the sailora of the Nor
wegian bark Ellen sprang overboard, and tied
a rope around one of the perishing men, trusting
himself to the chances of being saved in the raging
sea.
Public Meeting. —At a meeting of citizens of the
city of Norfolk, held in the City Hall, on Saturday,
the 13th September, 1857.
On motion of Major R. W. Bowden, the Mayor
took the chair and Samuel R. Borum acted as Sec
retary
The Chairman stated the object of the meeting
to be to raise funds for the immediate relief of lhe
sufferers by the loss at sea of the steamer Central
America, when the following resolutions were offer
ed by Henry Irwin, Eq , and unanimously adopted :
1. Resolved, That a committee of five be ap
pointed by the chair to raise funds in aid of the suf
ferers by the loss of the Central America now in our
city, whose destitute condition Invokes their be
nevolence.
2. Resolved , That a committee of five be appoint
ed ,o take chargeof anff distribute in a proper man
ner all funds subscribed by the citizeus.
3. Resolved, That a committee of three be ap
pointed to ascertain and relieve the wants of such
sufferers as may need immediate assistance.
1. Resolved, Tliat the case of these distressed suf
ferers presents the strongest appeal to the benevo
lence of Christians ot every denomination, and that
pastors of the several churches in the city be reques
ted to present the subject to theii respective con
gregations on the coming Sabbath, and take up col
lections for their relief in such a way as may be
deemed best.
5. Resolved, That in Capt. A. Johnson, of the
Norwegian bark Ellen, and Capt. Hiram Butt, of
the American brig Mariue, of Boston, their officers
and crew, we recognize the true type of the gallant
sailor, ever ready to give succor to his suffering fel
low-uiau , and that their conduct iu the trying events
of the wreck of the Central America is worthy of
the commendation and applause of every lrieud of
humanity. We heartily commend them to the cor
dial consideration of ail with whom they may be
thrown; aud we request the Mayor of our city to
furnish Capt. Johnson and Capt. Burt with such
written testimonials under the seal of the city as shall
enable them to transmit to their children and tbeir
children's children, a proper reoord of their humani
ty and heroism.
6. Resolved, That by the concurrent testimony of
all the parties saved, we find that the Comniauder
of the ship, Lieut. Wm. L. Herndon, of the United
States Navy, acted throughout the tryiug scenes
with which he was sunounded, the part of a gullaat
officer, and displayed that steady coolness aud man
ly bearing which adds lustre to his name; aud that
in his devotion to duty even unto death on this
melancholy occasion, his name deserves to go down
to posterity with those of Israel, Wadsworth aud
Summers.
7. R solved, That we sincerely condole with his
bereaved widow aud children iu their affliction by
this sad bereavement; and we would offer to them
the consolation of his having died in the discharge
of his duty and at the post of honor.
The Clmir appointed the committee as follows ;
Os Collections —H. Biggs, 11. Irwin, W. T. Ueu
dreu, W. P. Reynolds, W. P. Stewart.
To A seer hin Wants. —Sol. Cherry, J. H. Row
land, W. P. Stewart.
Distributing Committee, —ll. Irwin, 11. Biggs, R.
H. Chamberiaine. G. W. Farrant, Chas. Sharp.
To the Citizens ok Norfolk.—As Captain of
the brig Marine, it was my melancholy pleasure to
be instrumental iu safely bringing iuto this port
some of the passengers of the Central America. —
For doing that which I conceived to be only my du
ty in this matter, you have been pleased to cornplt
ment me by resolutions iu your public meeting;
whilst desiring to render to you my heartful thanks
for the Haltering manner ill which you ha e been
pleased to speak of me, I desire to call your attention
to the heroic aud gallant manner in which my pas
sengers conducted themselves during the great suf
ferings and privations to which they were neces
sarily exposed on board my vessel. My brig being
disabled, heavily laden and very-weak, aud owing
to tiie want of accommodations on hoard my vessel
the cabin beiug small and cramped, could not ac
commodate more than six or eight persons, conse
quently the remaining number, (90 or 95) were ob
liged to lie on deck, exposed to the sea and spray
which wa3 constantly breaking over her, aud ta
king their meals under the same circumstances,
thereby adding to their already innumerable discom
forts, amidst all of which not a murmur was heard.
The ladies particularly displayed the greatest firm
ness and heroism, making no complaints aud content
to suffer any and all deprivations.
Whilst I am sincerely grateful to au all kind Pro
vidence for rendering me au agent iu their rescue, I
can truly state that I could have resuued none more
worthy and none who could have conducted them
selves iu a more noble manner whilst ou board my
vessel.
Respectfully, Jliram Burt,
Captain brig Marine, Boston.
Norfolk, Va., Sept. 19th, 1857.
The Numiirk of Passengers and Total Loss
of Life.—No accurate list of the number of passen
gers cu board the Central America, can be ascer
tained until the arrival of the next steamer from Cal
ifornia. Duplicate lists are kept at Aspinwall city,
and will then be forwarded. Until that time the ex
act number of tho lost, aud a full list of their names
cannot be given. By the rescued passengers arriv
ed here, the total number of souls on board the
steamer is variously estimated from six hundred to
six hundred and fifty. Mr. Manlove, whose narra
tive we give, was informed after leaving Havana,
that there wore 494 passengers on board. Suppos
ing this to be correct, aud adding officers and men,
numbering 102,
There was on board the vessel 596
Os which there were saved by the bark Ellen... 49
By brig Murine 100
Total saved 149
Total lost 447
Supposed to be Lost.—The following are the
names of a few of the persona supposod to have
been on board :
David Broderick, U. S. Senator of California.—
(Doubtful, as no mention of his being on board is
made.) Judge Hydenfeldt, of the Superior Court of
California. Mr. Lockwood, of San Francisco, of the
firm of White & Lockwood, of Lafayette, Indiana.
Isaac V.B. Nash, of New York. Dr. Parker, of
San Francisco. J udge McCorkle, of California, a
prominent democratic politician. Philip Sackbow
er, of HuntsdalejPa. Gabriel 1). Brush, baggage
master of the Panama Railroad Company, and for
merly messenger of Freeman & Co’s Express Cos.
A. G. Richardson, wife and child, formerly agent of
the Pacific Express Company, in Sacramento. S.
C. Campbell, of San Francisco minstrels. S. A.
Wills, of ditto. George Cross, of do. [Win. Birch,
of do., is saved.] Dr. Henry Bates, of New York,
a brother of George A. Bates, late State Treasurer
of California. Mr. Dean, a son of John Dean, a dry
goods merchant in Hartford, Conn. Gordon Cott
rell, of Norwiteh, Ct. Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell, of
Sacramento. Wm. Dovoner, an assayer, of New
York. Mr. Vanness, of T. V. Vanness, of Roches
ter. Miss Mills, sister of W. O. Mills, of New York.
Charles H. Boyd, of Albany. M. Meteyer, of Nica
ragua. Oliver Garrison, of St. Louis. J. W. Turm
bull of San Francisco, and wife. Mr. Clark, of
New York. Aaron Hawley, Bridgeport. Ct. Thos.
Ilawiey, Bridgeport, Ct. E. Morris Earl, of New
ark, N. J. Mr. Whitney, soil of Chief of Police
Whitney, of Newurk, N. J.
Senator Gwiu, of California, was reported to be
on board, but a dispatch from his wife at Washing
ton states that he was not to have left until Septem
ber sth.
A son of J. W. Raymond, Vice-President of
the Steamship Company, was supposed to be on
board, but Mr. A. J. Kas ton,telegraphs that die was
not.
A special despatch from Washington states that
several officers of the army were probably lost in
the Central America. Fears were also entertained
for the steamer of the sth September with the Colo
rado expedition. The steamer would have met the
storm off’ the Bahamas about the Bth or 9th. The
regular despatch from Washington states that no
officers of the army or navy were expected. The
naval officers relerred to were those of the frigate
Independence.
The New Orleans passengers of the Central Ame
rica were put on board the Philadelphia at Havana
and taken safely to their destination.
The Steamer.—Tbe Central America was a
three-masted side-wheel steamer of the first class,
built of oak witli copper fastenings. She was con
structed at Mr. Webb’s yard in New York in 1852,
and was metaled in August, 185fi. She was origin
ally named the George Law, but her name was
changed to the Central America in June last. She
was thoroughly overhauled befo e leaving New
York the last time, and the machinery was sup
posed to be in excellent order. She had an abun
dant supply of coal when she left Havana. The
steamer was valued at $300,000, and was not in
sured. The company does not insnre any of its
shipH, preferring to save the money for themselves,
which they would be obliged to expend in insurance
policies and take the chances of shipwreck and
other losses. Upon the specie and freight there
were insurances, of course, the insurances having
been effected by the shippers.
The Central America is the third steamer this
Company have lost. In August, 1853 the Cherokee
was burned at her wharf in New York, and was a
total loss. In December, 1855, the Cr& ent City
run on Minatitlan Reef, near Nassau, N.P., and
was also a total wreck. No passengers of the latter
steamer, it will be remembered, were lost, and most
of the freight was saved. Tiie following figures
give au estimate of the pecuniary loss by this mel
ancholy disaster:
Treasure—On freight from California....!l,6oo,ooo
In passenger’s hands 300,000
Value of ship and cargo 250,000
Total loss $2,150,000
Os this sum $1,600,000 is known to be covered by
insurance.
The Commander itr the Steamer.—All the
saved speak in high terms of the self-possession,
courage, aud self sacrificing exertions of the com
mander of the steamer, Lieut. W. L. Herndon. The
Norfolk Transcript learns from Mr. Theodore Payne,
of San Francisco, one of the saved by the brig Ma
rine, that just as he was leaving the ship, Captain
Herndon gave him his watch, with the request that
lie would deliver it to his wife, should he fortunate
ly be saved.
Statement of the Chief Engineer.—The
Portsmouth Transcript publishes the following ex
culpatory statement from the Chief Engineer of the
Central America:
Portsmouth, Va., Sept. 19,1857.
Editor of Transcript: —Erroneous statements
having gone forth, in connection with the disaster
to the steamer Central America, as to my cmduct
as Chief Engineer, I desire to correct them through
the medium of your paper and place my conduct
before the public in its proper iignt.
It has been alleged that the loss of the steamer
was solely attributable to ray neglect of duty in per
mitliug the fires of the engines to unnecessarily go
out, and thus renderingriLe vessel unmanageable.
The statement is entirely false. The fact is, that the
steamer filled with water so rapidly, from leaks and
the boisterous character of the sea, that the fires
conid not be kept up, though every remedy which
suggested itself was employed for that purpose.
Another statement is;, that I acted prematurely
and unadvisedly in quitting the steamer. The as
sertion is equally false with the first. After consul
tation with the commander, Capt. Herndon, and tbe
first officer of the ship, Mr. Charles Vanßensalear,
it was our unanimous opinion that the Central Ame
r ca could not live till midnight of the evening on
which she foundered, and the justice of the conclu
sion is sustained by the fact that, in a much less
space of time than predicted, tiie steamer went
down.
Previous to the melancholy termination of the
straggle, however, and at the solicitation, or rather
tbe direction of Capt. Herndon, I did get one of the
ships boats ready and placed in her all the ladies
and children on board the steamer. The brig Marine
was then coming down to the assistance of those iu
the boat and after a long effort they were safely lan
ded on the brig.
It was after this, however, that Capt. Herndon
saw the necessity of closer communication with the
brig, as also the necessity of a larger number of
boats, in which to transfer the passengers from the
steamer, and by bis direction I left in the next boat
from the steamer for the brig, to effect the desired
arrangements. On my arrival alioard the brig. I
communicated with her Captain, who informed me
he would bear down as fast as possible, but that it
wouldlnecessarilv have to be with caution, as lie was
himself in a disabled condition, having lost his main
yard and some sails. Capt. Bnrt offered the use of
his own boat, a yawl, but denounced her as entirely
unsafe -that she would not live three minutes in
such a sea. In tbe meantime two boats arrived
from the steamer with passengers and a portion of
her crew, who, on being landed, deserted their con
veyance. leaving them alongside of the bng, wi
only one quartermaster in each of the boats ’
dered an3 entreated the crew to mum the!x,ats
and return withkne to rescue others, but they positive
ly refused to comply, as all on board the brig can
testify I was thus left powerless, and had no other
alternative but to remain on board the “Marine.”
This is a brief, bnt impartial narration of facts,
which will be confirmed so soon as I arrive in New
York and a full investigation can be had. Until |
this shall occur, it is but just that public opinion j
should be suspended, as it will vindicate my char- I
VOL. LXX.—NEW SERIES VOL. XXI. NO. 39.
acter as an officer and gentleman from the aspersions
attempted to be cast on it.
lain, very respectfully,
Geo. E. Ashby.
Late Chief Engineer Central America.
Statement of John Black, Boatswain of the
Steamer—l was in charge of a life-boat, with three
men; left the brig on my 3d trip back about 7
o’clock, P. M., reached the steamer a few minutes
to 8, was hailed by Captain Herndon and Mr. Fra
zer, 2d officer, desiring to know what boat it was,
(it then being dark,) and if I was coming alongside;
answered that boat being stove and leaky was not
prudent to come nearer to take passengers, as she
would not hold them. Captain Herndon told me to
keep off—did so, for tiie distance of 100 yards or so;
aaw the last rocket fired horizontally from the star
board paddle box towards the bows; in abouf 15
minutes she went down, head first, ainiud the cries
of those on board, it being about 8£ o’clock, I'. AI.
As 1 was approaching the steamer, aaw a fore and
att schooner rounding her stern and cross her bow,
could not see her name, or learn whether ahe res
cued any ot her passengers, rs the sen was running
high and crosswise, which rendered it unsafe to be
•oonear. John Black,
Boatswain Steamer Central America.
Survivors Arrived in Baltimore. The
steamer North Carolina, Captain Cannon, brought
up from Norfolk yesterday, about fifty of the pas
sengers a:id crew of the Central America who were
rescued by the brig Marine, with several of the sur
vivors by the Ellen, among whom are the following:
s Airs. Thomas W. Badger, husband saved on the
Ellen. Mrs. Jane Fell aud two children. Airs.
Lyntha Eilia and four children, husband lort. Mrs.
Dr. John Travis and two children, husband lost.—
Mrs. J. Van Hager and one child, husband lost.—
Mrs. Almira M. Kittredge. Mrs. Eliza G. Caruth
ers. Mrs. Harriet Lockwood, Mias Rose Alice Lock
wood, Miss Harriet Lockwood and Master R. A.
Lockwood, of San Francisco, wife and children of
R. A. Lockwood, Esq , who irt lost. Theo. Payne,
of San Fraucieco. Charles McCarty, engineer of
Golden Gate. Judge A. C. Monson. of Savannah.
Dr. O. J. Harvey, of Piaeersville, (saved by the El
len ) George E. Chief Engineer of the Cen
tral America. J. A. Forrester,Murphy’s, Califor
nia, (saved by the Ellen.) J. B. Clarke, (saved by
the Ellen.) A. J. Easton and lady—husbauu piek
ed up by the Ellen, and lady saved by brig Marine.
Mrs. William Birch, lady ot William Birch, minstrel,
saved by the Ellen.
Relief of the Sufferers, &c.—About twenty
five of the survivors of the Central America, who
arrived from Norfolk yesterday, are now at Bar
num’s among whom are a number entirely destitute
including several widowed mothers with their chil
dren. They have, however, beeu most hospitably
provided for by the proprietors. Mr. McLaughlin
yesterday opened a subscription list at the counter
of the hotel for their relief, to enable them to obtain
clothing and reach their friends. Up to last evening
several hundred dollars hail been subscribed.
The hotel was thronged all day by persot s listen
iug to the recital of exposure and suffering, and
questioning the survivors as to parties supposed to
have been aboard the steamer. The list of passen
gers was lost, and’nothing cau be ascertained with re
paid to those on board until the duplicate list has
been received from San Francisco.
Captain Johnson, of the bark Ellen, is also stop
ping at Barnaul’s, and was welcomed heartily by
those who he had been so instrumental in saving
from tbe ocean, a-j well as b£ our citizens generally.
Some of the sufferers have lost every thing ex
cept the clothing they had on. The quantity of
gold in the hands of the passengers w'as very large,
most of which was cast on the deck before she went
down. Captain Badger brought up his carpet bag,
contauing $20,000, nearly one hundred pounds of
gold, and threw it down in the Captain’s officer,
when others followed hie example, aud an immense
pile of buudles and packages are immediately
deposited there, all of which went down with the
steamer.
Chief Engineer Ashby was also at Barnum’s yes
terday and left last evening for New York. He pro
fesses his ability to prove that nothing was neglect -
ed on his part for the safety of tiie ship, and is much
hurt on account of the aspersions made by some of
the passengers against his conduct and character as
an engineer. He says the water rose on them so
suddenly that it, was impossible to pass coal to the
furnaces, and the heat and steam was so great as to
drive them from the furnace room.
The survivors attribute the disaster altogether to
the fact of the pumps all being out of order. They
were able to keep the water at bay for several hours
at a time by the slow process of bailing, and assert
that with even one of the hand pumps on deck in
good order they could have gained on the leak. The
donkey engine was also out of order, and could not
be brought into service after two attempts, and
they allege that it was from neglect in the Engineer’s
department that the pumps could net be brought
into service.
Sufferings on Board the Brig Marine.—The
passengers rescued by the brig Marine, of Boston,
one hundred in number, speak in the highest terms
of Capt. Burt and his crew, who made every sacri
flee in their power for their comfort and relief. Her
disabled condition rendered it impossible for her to
keep closer to the steamer, which, from its great
weight, and being filled with water, floated slowly
with the wind, whilst the Marine drifted rapidly
away, every moment widening the distance between
them.
The Marine was heavily laden with sugar an<l
molAsses, and the cabin being smoll was unable to
accommodate more than a half dozen with the small
children. The balance, ninety in number, were
compelled to remain on deck, night and day, for five
days and nights, exposed to the storm and the heavy
spray which was constantly dashing over them. In
addition to this, provisions were short, with the ex
Oeption of sugar and molasses, on which they mainly
subsisted. When the fact that of the one hundred
on board, 32 were females and 27 children is taken
into consideration, Borne idea of their sufferings may
bo conceived. Moat, of the ladies also had husbands
and friends ou board the sinking steamer, and were
in great distress for their safety, which added to the
poignancy of their misfortunes. They had seen
from the deck of the brig the downward rockets,
indicating her immediate sinking, and when the
rockets ceased they knew that the steamer was eu
gulphed in the tumultuous ocean, and all on board
at the me rev of the waves. The uncertainty as to
the fate of those on board was settled, however, on
reaching (’ape Henry, when the pilot brought on
board a list of those saved by the hark Ellen,
bringing to five tbe glad tidings of the safety of their
husbands and friends, but to some fifteen others
confirming tiie sad forebodings of bereavement mid
utter destitution.
By Telegraph.
Passengers by the Central America known
to bf. lost — New Yokk, Sept. 20.—1 t has been
ascertained that Senators Gwin and Broderick,
Judge McCorkle, Dr. Bates and Oliver Garrison
were not on board tbe Central Amtricft.
Among those now known to be loet are Air. Lock
wood, formerly of Lafeyette, Indiana, of the firm of
Whitehead Lockwood, San Francisco; Charles
H. Boyd, Mr. Hawley, Dr. Gibbs, Wm. McNeal, ot
the firm of Delong & McNeal of San Francisco t
Mr. Brown, of the firm of Taft. MoCchill te. Cos., of
San Francisco and Mr. Bokee, of New York, late
from China.
Passengers by theEmpire City report that when
forty hours from Havana, at midnight, they ex
changed signals with the Star of the West, hence
for Aspinwall and Havana, and it is presumed she
escaped the fury of the storm and reached Havana
in safety.
Hopes of the Safety of Captain llerdon and
others.—Richmond, Spt. 20.—A despatch from
Norfolk to the Richmond Dispatch says, that the
survivors by the brig Marine think that others have
been saved, as they saw several lights in the vicini
ty of the sunken steamer on the fatal night.
Some of the survivors by the Ellen also report
having seen Capt. Herndon after the steamer went
down clinging to a portion of tho wreck, and fit rug
gling manfully for life.
When the survivors by the Marine entered the
parlor of the National Hotel, at Norfolk, the ledies
looked around, and failing to recognize husband,
brothers aud sons, gave way to the utterance of
their grief, while Home fell helpless on the floor. Tho
scene was distressing in the extreme, and beggars
all description. The clothing stores were thrown
open, and apparel furnished to some who were al
most naked.
They award great credit to Capt. Herndon and the
officers, except the Chief Engineer. They stood to
their posts nobly, and went down with the ship.
New York, Sept. 20.—The Empire City arrived
to-day, with a large number of the survivors of the
Central America disaster, some of {whom are in a
most pitiable condition from exhaustion and suffer
ing, consequent upon the fearful scenes through
which they have passed.
A portion of the lady passengers had si aicely a
whole garment upon them, while others had not a
bonnet to their head. The officers und seamen con
nected with the Steamer look haggard and care
worn, but rejoice at their miraculous escape. The
steamer itself is in a sad plight, and bears unin s
takeable marks of the terrible hurricane she encoun
tered.
In nearly all tbe churches to-day, allusion was
mad ; to the awful disaster.
Wreck of the ('enf nil American.
We continue to receive many narratives and in
cidentsofa fearful and thrilling character in relation
to the loss of the Central America, and at, the risk
of some repetition give room to them to the ex
elusion of other matter.
Some of the New York papers give the names of
183 parsons as saved, but this ia evidently incur
rect, as the Marine rescured but 100 and the Ef.en
49, making only 149 in all.
Statement of Captain A. .Johnson, of the
Bark Ellen.—On the night of Saturday, the 12th
inst., on our course for Falmouth, England, wc
were all staffed by the cries of persons in the water.
I was below at the time, but immediately rushed
on deck, and to iny astonishment, I discovered a
number of persons floating iu the water. I imme
diately set abou’ the woik of rescuing them, anti
in a few minutes succeeded in getting four of them
on board, not one ol whom could speak, being per
fectly senseless from exhaustion. We picked up
another shortly after, who immediately cried out,
“Where is my wife ? Give me something to eat!”
I eould not learn from any of them from what ves
sel they were wrecked or what, dirtaster had happen
ed. t
After our exertions had resulted in the rescue of
ten persons, ainon whom wan Captain Badger,
who was found floating upon a piece of board, we
were informed by him that about five hundred
persons were drowned. I had four omali boats on
my vessel, one of which I caused to be lowered.
The moment it touched the water six persons seized
and upset it in attempting to get into it; they were
a’l picked up, however. I then heaved-to, and ran
down to the place where t.ie Etamer had gone down,
as near as I could It cate it from the statement of
the passengers. Isuccededin rescuing many who
were floating upon pieces of the wreck, and after
the lapse of about three hours had saved forty-five
persons. I afterwards encountered four mote, and
soon succeeded in getting them on board. The
last two men were Mr Brown and another whose
nam Ido not remember, who were found floating
upon two doors laabed together. They were fire*
discovered at three o’clock in the morning, but im
mediately afterwards they unaccountably disap
peared. At nine o'clock I saw them again, ran
down for them, and threw them a rope, which they
caught, but could not retain. After making one or
two tacks, they drifted alongside, and I got them
safely on board.
Among the passengers I rescued was Mr. Easton,
f loet him at one time, but soon (came Mww
again. I threw him a buoy, which he cJu -
tighffv, and we then drew him on hoard,
morning advanced and we fi-mwl w . pre the
considerable d’ stance, from tbe place wberejto
steamer sank, I bore do^ n or t J^ k ’ (l[l observation
ion*, 7b 13,15t ( .3i oo at noon. 1
at So ciock m tbe ■ t | i(j (; ell t r al America
saw tlie b “k t dowti, sod do not think She picked
Aft*r picking op all tbs persona
? p Stiver I sailed tor Norfolk.
1 On onr way from Norfolk to tbis ci y by radroad
the people atoms tbe loute, and parti culaily at I’ 111-
aldelphia, who had congregated at the depots mu’
Stations, were loud in their threats against Mr.
by, wbu came iu tbe same car with me, ands jine
even proposed to lynch bitn on tbe spor. Ido not
thiuk that any blame can attach to him, as from all
I could learn there was no further need for him on
board the steamship after tbe engines had ceased
working.
Descerate Struggle in the Water.— W . e.
Fletcher, of Mail e, thus describes tiie scene that
ensued just before und after the sinking of the
steamer: . .....
About eight o'clock, just previous to the ship s
j going down, and as we ail stood forward, I said to
I the men —“There will never be as many die again
■ as coolly. Boys, let ns all die like true Californians.’
An old man, who had been mining for some years
in California, fr m the same place in Maine as my
self, named David Smith, of quite a religious turn
of mind, felt no hope of rescue. His last words, a
moment before we went down, were the exclama
tion, “My God, we shall all perish!” I suppose he
was lost. Life-preservers were plenty, and each
nad secured one for himsdf. As soon as the water
struck the hurricane-deck she made one pitch for
ward, theu she pitched astern and struck in an in
stant .and went down as quick as lightning. Those
on the stern went off first, those on the bow last. I
was forward, and was one of the last that went off.
I must have gone under fifteen or twenty feet—so
tar at least and so long that I had to breathe water
while under. On coming un 1 found plenty of
things to ding to, and got hold of a door, which I
held on to about fifteen minutes, till three Irishmen
grabbed it, when I left it, as 1 was becoming so
numb that I was obliged to wann up by a little
swimming exercise.
Though a large quantity of material was floating
about, still there was a good deal of desperate s?rug
gling and fighting to appropriate articles promising
the most security. I next got hold of a trunk, but
it soon fell to pieces. But a Hour barrel directly
came in my wav; in clinging to it I soon got chilled
and had occasionally to leave it and swim to get
warm. But I did not let it get far out of my way.
I observed the Irishmen still fighting for the door
the last I saw of them* and they are doubtless lost.
After a while I came across a board ; concluded the
board was better than the barrel, and so swopped.
1 wss floating about in this manner for ten hours or
more. When I heard the waves coming 1 would
rise up and they would go over my shoulders. I
was picked up Sunday morniug about six o’clock.
A FearkulNiuht on the Waves. —Mr. George
gives a thrilling account of the scenes after the
steamer had gone down. The waves, as they rose
and fell, revealed a crowd of Innn m heads. Those
unfortunates who had lost their life preservers or
plank - while under water, owing to the force of the
whirlpool, were frantically snatching at the broken
piects of the wretk, which, breaking from the ship
as she continued to descend, leapt above the. eur
(ace and fell back with a heavy splash. Their cries
arose, that mingled into one inarticulate wail, and
then ihe lustier and less terrified shouted for assist
ance to the bark Marine, which was far beyond
hftihug distance. The waves dashed them one
agairst another at, first, but speedily they began to
sepaiate, and the last faiewel s were taken. One
man called loanother in ourinforniant’s hearing, “It
you are saved, Frank, seud my love to my dear
wife,’’ but the friend appealed to auswered only
with a gurgle of :he throat, lie was washed off hri
plank and perished as hi? companion spoke. Many
were desirous of separating themselves as far as pos
sible from the rest, being fearful lest some desperate
struggler ni glitseize hold of them and draw them
under. Olliers, afraid of their loneliness, called to
their neighbors to keep together. Generally, they
strove to cheer each other as long as they remained
within hearing, and when the toar of the waves
drowndl all but the loudest shouting, the call ot
friendship or the cry of despair was heard in the dis
lance, ami infused confidence or increased dismay
in many a failing bosom.
It was when he had drifted far from the com
panionship of any of his fellows in misfortune that
Mr. George began to realize his situation. The
night was quite dark. Occasionally, as the driving
clouds parted and gave a glimpse of sky a star ot
two would be visible, but tics was very seldomaud
offered but the faintest gleam of hope that the morn
ing would dawn fair aiul calm. The swell of the sea
was great, and successively the poor floaters, hold
ing ou to their planks with the energy of despair,
w ore riding on the brink of a precipice and buried
in the deco valley of water. Our informant, like
many of the rest, was seized with the fear of sharks.
Respiration was very difficult, owing to the masses
of water which were constantly dashed upon them,
as wave after wave roll ‘d by. For two or three
hours the water was not unpleasantly cold, and it
was not until about I o’clock on the morning of Sun
day, when they had been nearly five bouts in the
water, and a fresh, chilling wind arose, that their
lini* s begun to feel benu • usd.
Some of the incidents described to us as occurring
before or about, that time were truly thrilling. One
man, floating in solitude, and terrified at his loneli
ness, after shouting himself hoarse to find a com
panion, saw at length a man with two life preservers
fastened about his body drifted tow-ards him. His
heart lapt with joy at the welcome sight, foijthe feel
ing of desolation which had overcome him waaterri
ble to endure. He called to the other to join him, if
possible, and made every exertion to meet him hall
way. There was no reply, but the other drifted
nearer and nearer. A wave threw them together.
‘They touch.d. The living man shrieked in tlie face
of the corpse. The other had been drowned by the
dash of the billows, or had perished from exhaustion.
When rising and falling with the swell of the
waves the lights of the bark Ellen were first dis
cerned by the survivors in the water, and the thrill
of hope that at, once filled every breast amounted, it
may well be believed, to a perfect ecstacy. Let Mr.
George speak for all. lie says: “I never felt so
thankful in all my life. I never knew what grati
tude was before. Ido not know whether I cried or
not, but I know I wus astonished to hear my own
laughter singing in my ears. Ido not know why J
laughed. That verse, 1 God moves in a mysterious
way,’ kept passing in and out of me—through me,
rather, as if I hau been the pipe of an orgau. It
did not come to me by my own volition, but some
how made me remember it. When the lights ap
proached nearer, a score of voices sprang up arouud
me, crying, ‘ship, ahoy/ 4 boat, ahoy/ana then I
began to shout too. Aud I had never any doubt
that I should be saved ; ill I saw the lights pass by,
at about a half a mile from where I was, and recede
in the distance. Then I began to give myself up
for lost indeed. But 1 slowly drifted towards her
again till 1 could make out her hull and one of her
masts, and presently I floated close to her and
shouted, and I was taken up.”
“JdNNY, HID YOU EAT SISTKII’s GRAPES?*
Psychologists probably will be able to account for
one fact that has come to our knowledge connected
with this night of terror. We heard a passenger
describe his sensation.; in this wise : “I guess I had
been about four hours in the water, aud had floated
away from the rest, when the waves ceased to make
any noise, aud I heard mother say, ‘Johnny, did you
eat sister’s grapes?’ J hadn’t thought of it for
twenty years at least; it had gone dean out of
my mind. 1 had a sisters that died of consumption
more than thirty-years ago, and when she was sick
—I was a boy of eleven or so—a neighbor had sent
her some early hot house grapes. Well, those
grapes were left in a room where I was, and—l
ougnt to have been skinned alive for it, little raeoal
that I was—l devoured them all. Mother came to
me after I had gone to bed, when she coulin’t find
the fruit for sister to moisten her mouth with in the
night, and said, ‘Johnny did you eat sister’s .pea V
I did not adu to the me ami ess of my conduct by tel
ling a lie. 1 owned up, ami my mother went away
in tears, but without flogging me. It occasioned
me a qualm of conscience for many a year after .
but, as I said, for twenty years at least I had not
thought of it till when I was H ating about, benum
bed wi.h cold, I heard it as plain as ever I heard her
voice in my life —I heard mother say, ‘Johnny, did
you eat sister’s grapes V I don’t know how to ac
count for it. It did not. scar me, though 1 thought
it was a presage of my death.”
Mrs. Capt Small describes the demeanor of Capt.
Herndon as sad but firm, he found time to say to
her, “Ob’ Mrs. Small, this is 3ad. I am sorry I could
not get you home safe.” She says : “Some of (lie
ladies succeeded in saving their money and valua
bles. I remember one young lady to whom her
father handed $3,000 to Beep for him and take with
her, but she, thinking it was too heavy, gave it
back again The father was lost. There were five
ladies in tho same boat with me crossing over to the
brig. The sea was very rough, and we were oblig
ed to bailout all the way. The chief steward, who
had a bleeding of the lungs was quite feeble, was in
the captain’s room with the ladies, to be taken off
with them in tho boats, but he refused, saying he
preferred remaining on the steamer. One old gen
fleman was saved. It seemed to be the general
desire to save the feeble, sick, women and children.’’
The Worthlessness of Gold. — It, is stated by
many of the survivors of the Central America’s pas
sengers that there was seldom so large an amount of
money owned by passengers ns was in t.bo case ot
those who canm by the Central America. Many
were pereous of large means, and there were but
very lew whose immediate wealth did not amount
to hundred*, while numbers reckoned their gold by
thousands oT dollars. The greatest portion of the
passengers were returned miners, Home coming
hither to invest the capital they bad realized in
hopes to live a life of greater ea q e as the result of
their industry, and others to get {their families and
once more to go to the land of gold. But as the
storm continued to rage, less ard less of gold was
thought, of, and when, on Saturday, it became evi
dent that they were likely at any moment to bo bu
ried beneath the waves, wealthy men divested them
selves of their treasure-belts and scattered Ibe gold
upon the cabin floors, telling those to take it who
would, lest its weight—a few ounces or pounds—
carry them to their death. Full purses containing
in some instances $2,W00, were lying untouched oi
sofas. Carpet bags were opened by men and the
shining metal was poured out on the floor with tho
prodigality of death's despair. One of the paseen
gers, who has fortunately been rescued, opened a
beg and dashed about the ca'iiu $20,000 in gold
duet, aud told him who wanted to gratify his greed
for gold to take it. But it was passed by untouch
ed as the veriest dro s. A few hours before he
would have struck down the man who would have
attempted to take a grain of that which he now
spurned from him.
Exhaustion from Labor and Liquor.— Many
of the persons who were carried down by the Cen
tral America were in their cabins and state-rooms,
some exhausted by the continued tax upon their
physical energies in bailing the vessel, and others,
it i.-i said, intoxicated. Those who were accustomed
to hard work were now fatigued, and to stimulate
themselves to new efforts liquors were freely pass
ed along the line of men, and were largely partaken
of. Some indulged to such an extent that they were
at last stupefied, and were carried to their state
rooms by their friends to recover their norma! con
dition. *
A Wife who would not Leave her Husband..
Mr*. M< Neil, of Lock port, N. Y., a lady who had
been recently married, and whose husband was fin
ally lost, refused at first, to leave the vessel unless
lie eould go with her. He came into the cabin to
persuade her to go without him, but finding her res
olute in her determination, came again shortly af
terward*: and said that he would go with her. This
was a pretense on his part to secure her rescue. He
accompanied her to the side of the vessel, assisted
at lowering her into the boat, but bade her good
bye and said that he could not follow her then. The
boat shoved off, and it was the last time she saw or
heard of him, except that he went down with the
hundreds of others who perished on that fearful
night.
The Perils of the Life-Boat.— ln transferring
the adies from the steamer to the brig Marine it
was my lot, says Airs. Isaac McKirn Bowley, in her
statement, to go with the third boat. The sea was
very violent, and the prospect of outriding it in
such a little trail craft was terrible. Before going
off ! put on a !il° preserver, which was the only
preparation I could make for ir.y escape, but neith
er the life-boat nor the life preserver seemed like
safety ; for it is impossible to describe the roughness
of the waves, and the brig was a great way ofl
The rope noose was tied around me, and was
swung out over the water into the boat. 3he life
boat <• uld not come close to the side of the steamer,
and we all had to take our chance to jump at it.—
Some of the ladies, in leaping, fell into the water
aud some iuto the boat. But they were either haul
ed up again by the rope-noose, which was still
around them, or they Wire caught by the e&ilora
that m mned the boats, and palled in over tiie
sides.
gome of the ladies fell two or three times into the
sea before they oould be got into the boat. One of
them, the stewardess, fell in three times, and once
was pinched between the boat and the of the
steamer. A heavy wave dashed the boat against
the ship, and struck the poor woman a severe blow*.
This, however, occurred not in getting from the
steamer into the life-boat, but in getting out of the
life boat into the brig.
After I got safely into the little boat, and my ba
by with me, I had bus little hope of getting t*> the
brig. The peril then seemed to be greater than
ever; but, a* the ship was In a sinking conditi* n ; the
only hope seemed to be in attempting even this dan
geroua escape from fber. The water dashed into
the boat and we had to keep dipping it out all the
time. Twoiflgh waves psssed entirely ov*r us, so
that it seemed as if wt were swamped and sunk;
but the beat recovered from them both. The men
rowed bravely, for their own lives as well as ours
were at rtake. The commander ol this boat was
the mate ot the brig, and he encouraged the sailors
to keep ever/ nerve steady, and told them that it
would require the exercise of all their skill and cour
age to reach the brig in safety.
Ii was fully two hours aud a half before we got to
t?i Marine, and then we took our chance of getting
ou board. The boat was tossed about so violently
concluded on south page.