The Sun.
London, England, 1866-01-18 00:00:00

Wrcck of the Cnristiana.

The Christiana, an American vessel of 800 tons,
which set sail on Ist December from London, bound
for New York, Capt. J. H. Hammond, commander,
became a total wreck on Dec. 20th, about midway
between London and New York. Shehad previously
lost all her sails in a gale which commenced on the
3d December, off the Isle of Wight. Such sails as
could be repaired were replaced in about ten days,
and all went on well with a fair wind till about two
o'clock on Dec. 19, when a hurricane commenced,
which lasted five days. About 12 30 p.m. on Dec.
20 the storm raged with fearful violence. The sky-
light of the cabin was firstknocked in by the falling
of the spars. In about ten minutes after the main-
mast fell, breaking the bulwarks, and for a mo-
ment paralysing all on board. Soon after the fall
of the mainmast the foretopmast fell, and in a
few minutes more the mizentopmast. In the
meantime the sails were torn to shreds. At break
of day a spar fell, which broke the steward's leg.
He was trying at the time to cover the hole with
canvas, caused by the fallen skylight. The carpenter
and one of the sailors were washed overboard and
lost by the breaking of the bowsprit. A rope was
thrown to try to save them, but in vain. The boat
on the verandah was torn from its fastenings and
blown overboard. 'The boat on the portside got a
hole knocked in its side, and that on the forecastle
was blown overboard and lost. The lifeboat on the
starboard side was only a little injured. It was after-
wards repaired. Both the spare spars got from their
fastenings and rolled about the deck breakin g the bul-
warks on each side. The bowsprit was hanging by
chains, and beating with destructive violence against
the ship, all on board expecting it to knock a hole in
its bottom. This painful state of suspense lasted
several hours, every one fearing that the next moment
might be the last. At length a heavy sea dashed
over the ship and tore away the boWsprit from the
chains. The ship was no w a helpless wreck. All the
officers and crew were obliged to sleep in the ver-
andah, the other parts of the interior of the ship
being flooded with water or in ruins. Quantities of
provisions had got destroyed or damaged. Several
casks of water were lost, and it was found necessary
to put every one on short allowance. The cook had
got wounded and disabled. On the 26th December
the Catherine Boyd, an American vessel, came in
sight ; spoke with the Christiana, and promised to
wait till the sea moderated, and take all hands off
her. She was in sight next morning, but towards
night was lost sight of and seen no more. An
anxious look-out was kept from then till January
the 7th, but no sign of another sail appeared until
9 o'clock p.m., when the first mate shouted the
long hoped -for intelligence that the light of a ship
was to be seen to windward. Rockets were sent
up and a blue light burnt on board the Christiana,
and in a short time the gratifying sight of a reply
was observed from the strange vessel. At daybreak
on December 8 the flag of distress was hoisted and
the signals, " Send me a boat," hung out. Soon
after 8 o'clock a lifeboat came alongside the Chris-
tiana, which bore the name of the Varuna, a very
fine vessel, belonging to Smith, Fleming, and Co.,
1,350 tons, Capt.• Shepherd commander. At this
time it blew a gale of wind, and the sea rolled
heavily ; but Mrs. Cross, of Manchester, and her
three daughters ; Mrs. Nelson, of Liverpool, and
the wounded steward were successfully lowered over
the side of the boat and got safely away. It was
11 o'clock before the lifeboat reached the Christiana
on its second journey, and the swell of the sea had
become so great that it was found impossible to get
the boat alongside. It became necessary, therefore,
that in order to get off the Christiana those on
board should jump overboard with the lifebuoy.
Captain Hammond went first, then Mr. Nelson, of
Liverpool, and in that way all were got safely
away by 4 o'clock p.m. The gallant little boat