The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-12-29

/
| AT IL O'Clock, the 18th instant, Com. Conner ar
nyed al Anton Lizardo from Tampico in the steamer
changed to the Rartan. The Potomac frigaie come in
the same evening and anchored under Green island
isd Verde, as il is called by the Mexicans. When the
Morgan Dix sailed from Anton Lizardo the following
United States men OF war lying that place
Tigates Rarltan and Potomac steamers Mississippi,
Princeton Vixen, and Pera store ship Relief and
er Moris-formerly the Laura Virginia--had sailed
lot Iabasco with provisions, &c. for the cutter McLane
The john Adams was bloekading Vera Cruz in place Of
the SomeTs
The officers of the merchant vessels speak in warm
terms OF the promptness and vigilance Of Com. Perry,
VINO protected them by rowing guard round their vessels
al night when attacks by Mexican boats antcpa-
ted During the night which the Creole was burned
by the expedition from the United States brig Somers
party OF sixteen Mexicans, under command of Captain
Alsmea, visited a small island called Salmesa, place
used as dePose OF coal for the United States squadron,
where they found man named Murphy generally
known as Governor Murphy, who has family in this
Oh the precise situation and condition Of the Amer
can vessels, threatening him with death. Muir
Phy recognised among the party Mexican named
Flores, win whom he was acquainted, and implored
him to save his life, which he did After being informed
OF the situation OF the Morgan Dix, which loaded
with coal they started with the intention of attacking
her, but were prevented BY seeing light deck II
afterwards appeared that the cook had that moment
come out OF the cabin with light TO perform some duty
on deck and the Mexcans fearful that they would
Passed Midshpnan Rogers, of the Somers, was taken
prisoner while, in the most daring manner making
eonnosance in the neghborhood of the magazine at Vera
Cruz, few nights before his vessel was lost We give
iull account OF his enterprise in another part Of our
paMRss s ,,.,.D 10 civ. IL. ,,r,,,;.. 60, =,
loss OF the Somers, furnished US by Of attentive
correspondents, together with other letters giving add
tonai details OF the melancholy calamity:
u, s. SQUADRON, ANTON LnARDo, Dec. 0, 1916
GENTLEMEN have been requested TO make state
ment OF the circumstances attending the melancholy loss
Of The ; brig S9mers while maintaining the blockade
on the harbor OF Vera Cruz. The writer OF this was
witness OF most of the detailed and the mar
ration may be regarded as every way authentic
on the evening OF the 7h inst the Somers had taken
shelter under Green island there being the usual appear
ances indicating norher Early in the morning OF the
sth sail was reported from alot Captain Semmes got
under way to chase, and stood out miles, until he
made out the John Adams, being on her return from
Iampco We hailed her appearance with great satisfac
ton as Commodore Perry had already informed that
she should relieve us from the blockade she
came in.
As the wind had already hauled to the NORTH and the
weather threatening Captain Semmes back
to Green island, intending TO anchor he could
regain his former berth, which had proved in the pre-
yous gales to be safe and comfortable besides enabling
US to maintain our station upon the blockade.
On approaching the anchorage another sail was discov
cred, apparently standing down for Vera Cruz, through
the passage between Green island and Banqulla shoa
with the lntehhon, as was supposed, OF running the
blockade. Apprehending that the strange vessel might
succeed IN her design, Captain Semmes induced to
change his purpose and by Green island, standing
across the passage to intercept her making short tacks
between the reefs. The wind en- freshening from
the northwest, but Captain Semmes hoped be able
maintain his position until the suspicious vessel approach
ed and to cut her of from Vera Cruz this obectn
necessary press the Somers with canvass in order
to avoid falling 10 eeward upon the REEFS and finally
fetch Green island anchorage.
The Somers was exceedingly light, having on board
bred gallons of water After standing across the pas
the vessel tackled and back towards Green
island; and we approached our berth, Capt Semmes
said he would anchor; but as there was lu at the
weather sOftenel. he
to hold son little longer, and wore round and stood
across the passage again AS we neared Paaros reef,
we tackled and stood for the northern point of the Green
island reel The strange vessel in the meantime came
down rapidly, but showed no colors. While al this
point, about ha-past nine o'clock a. m, while Captain
Semmes standing the lee chest observing the
reef with his glass, the officer of the deck Lieut. James
L. Parker reported the appearance of squal The brig
was then On the larboad tack, under opsas COURSE
pb, and main trysa Capt Semmes Immediately crossed
TO wndward and ordered the main sail to be hauled up
followed upon the instant by the order to brazil up the
trysail The main sail was hauled up, but the rysail
took against the lee rigging and in part brailed up
with great difficulty, at the same time the helm put
hard up The squal now pressing her, the order was
given by the officer Of the deck to let go the lee mantop
sail sheet and the next instant to cut away all lacks
and sheets. Finding she would pay off, Captain
Semmes ordered the helm to be put down, hoping to
ing From the moment she commenced careening, she
continued to go over with great rapidly, and in
thirty seconds was on her beam ends In less than ten
minutes she sunk The puff of wind was much more
violent than could have been expected from the appear
ances OF the weather The accident is, however mainly
due to the extreme lghtness of the vessel One or two
minutes after she over most OF the and officers
had gained the side OF the vessel the tops Dr. Wright
and Lieut. Parker, passing through the weather after
port were the first to reach the chains They were
followed by several men, and attempt was made with
such means at hand, to cut away the main rig
ging, the men and officers using their penknves and
shcahknlves for the purpose. Capt Semmes, who had
been dashed on the lee sde drawn from the wa
ter, and he gained the side directed our exer
tons. The first lieutenant, the master, and Passed Mid
shpman Hynson, with large number of men, had by
this time reached the side of the vessel and were making
fruess effort for the brig was SO far over that
there was no strain upon the weather rigging. The
small larboard quarter boat the time cleared
away and dropped carefully round leeward and manned
by her usual complement of five oarsmen. Midshipman
Clarke, who had gained the maintsp by swimming from
the steerage hatch ordered by Capt Semmes to take
charge of the boat Finding that there was no chance Of
Mr.. Clarke to shove off with Dr. Wright and seventeen
men, besides Purser Steele, (who reached the boat by
swimming she clearing the wreck first inqurng
II there was room in the boat for another pull for
Green island about half mile distant and Immediately
to return If possible and lives This order was
at one executed but until some of those in the boat
had solicited by name, each of the officers left on the
declared that they would wait and take their chance with
the brig. Passed Midshpman Hynson, who had been
partially disabled by bad burn received in the firing of
the Creole, particularly mpored go into the boat
lad by the name OF Nuer jumped out of the boat and
offered his place to Mr. Hynson, and man by the name
both offers, those then declared that others might
have their places, and that they would abide on the
wreck with Mr.. Hynson Capt Semmes, who was in
impaired health also entreaed TO go but refused