The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-09-15

Commander e. w Carpenter; Aching Mas.
ter Isaac N. bnceland Passed Midshipmen John
p. Bankhead. George b Bissell: Purser George
b. Cutter; Assist Surgeon John s. Messer.
smith Midshipman Simeon s. Basse,t. Can
iain's Clerk. IA. Wilkinson together with about
fifty petty officers and seamen
Lieus. Hunter and Bergman are on board the
ST, Msrv's
The u. S. steam cutter Legare arrived here n
few days since with dispatches for Com Conner.
The day following flag of truce was sent into
Vera Cruz from the Cumberland.
Extract of letter in the New Orleans Bulletin oe
the 9th September.
With deep regret have also to inform you.
amongst other news, of the luss of the United
States brig Truxton and the capture of her officers
and crew, with the exception of her Lieutenants,
Hunter and Bergman. with about eighteen OF
twenty of her crew which unfortunate event &C.
Cured on the 18th nit. under the following cir
cumstances: The rruxton left here on the l2h,
for Tampico, to relieve the sloop John Adams,
then hockading that port with permission from
the Commodore to spend day off Tuspan, a
small port abnut 100 miles to the southwark of this
Her commander understanding that the water in
The river was good, and heing DESTROYS of filling
up before going To his station. stood in 10 three
and half athoms water for the purpose of cover
ing her boats whilst watering when suddenly
shoalIng her wafer the brig struck. and in spite of
every effort on the part of her officers and crew to
get her Off continued to strike until she finally
during the night, in gale thumped over the bar
into feet water, when the commander was forcei
to surrender. Lieut.. Bergman was despatched
In boat as soon as the brig struck to the Commo-
dore for assistance, she then being in a situation
IN which she could have been gotten off; he ar
rived here n week ago to-day
son the 18th all hopes of saving the vessel
being abandoned, 1t. Hunter, her executive off.
Ger and nine Of the crew volunteered to cross the
bar, (upon which heavy sea was then breaking. J
and attempt the capture of schooner outside fur
the purpose, if possible of rescuing the officers
and crew and then destroying the brig. The
schooner was carried, and 1t Fl. returned leav-
ing the schooner outside in possession of two of
his men, but owing TO a high sea running, it was
deemed impraccablc 10 hoard the brig, or get
from the brig to 1t. IS boat. Under these cir
cumstances. the commander gave 1t. III. perms-
sion, either TO hazsId second passage of the bar
and make the best of his way to the Commodore
here, or surrender. as he the Captain had deter
mined to do. as prisoners of war. It. II chose
the former Of the alternatives and arrived here on
the 2ist safe, though much exhausted from expo.
sure, and want of rest and food. On the way he
captured two schoOners containing double his
force. and narrowly escaped during the night two
heavily armed barges that were sent after him.
Much credit is due 1t. III. for his GOODNESS
and courage, as to his conduct and that of those
with him. is 10 be attributed only the safe pas
sage of the bar but the capture of the two schoon-
ers, and the of himself and nine American
seamen from the hands of the Mexcans"
We make the following extract from a letter
contained in an Extra from the office of the Mo-
bile Herald and Tribune. dated Sept g.
~. S. SQUADRON, OFF
"PoINT ANTONIO DE LIZAEDo,
August 20, 1876. )
9" 1t appears that Capt Carpenter of the Trux-
ton. wishing to get his vessel near shore protect
his boats while obtaining provisions. employed
Scotchman he had taken out of Mexican prize
to pilot him in. but who, whether from design OF
accident. run him aground on the 18th. On the
lIth with the exception Of Lieut.. Hunter and
bUats crew. she abandoned by the officers
and men, who went ashore to the number of about
60 in all, and surrendered themselves to the Mexi-
can commandant. They were Hospitality receiy-
ed, complimented with ball. and left next day
with guide of four men for Tampico about 100
miles further north. Lieut.. Hunter and his
boats crew put to sea, captured small Mexican
schooner and came down to our present anchorage
making in all two officers T.ieus. Bergman and
Hnnter) and about 20 men saved. AS soon as
the news was received, the Princeton immediate
ly got under weigh and proceeded to the scene Of
the disaster.
The Truxton was found beating on the bar,
bged and completely filled with water. having
abont feet over the berth deck The surf was
81 violent the bar that it was not until the 22d,
that the boats of the Princeton could board her,
when finding it impossible to get her off or save
her. she was fred and completely burned. A few
OF the best spars were brought off. but otherwise
she is total loss. She had been completely
Plnndered and slrpt by the Mexicans before the
arrival of the Princeton. Her guns were found to
have been thrown overheard. The Princeton ran
into fa,homs water (she draws l9t feet) and
was then about miles distant, the swell was so
heavy that near approach in shoaler water was
deemed dangerous"