The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-12-31

which came drifting by US We dashed this with the Ian
yards attached TO H. 20 grating, and thenceforth po
along much better Midshpnan Clark after he had anSe
the officers and men under his charge, at Verde Islam
showed off second me,-in obedience to the order INK
given him, at the imminent peril OF his life for the ga
was blowing with such violence and the sea fpD
ming heavy that il seemed impossible that so small
boat could live, and skirted the Verde Island reef to 49,
il possible to rescue any OF from the waves
His efforts rewarded with partial success as H.
picked up Lieutenant Parker and myself and one Of The
seamen. As soon as had landed, sent Midshpmarf
Clark out again, who yentuTed far from the island AZ
he thought his boat would live; but this time he returned
unsuccessful having been able to descry floating oh
ect whatever. Lieutenant Claiborne saved himself on
small hatch about two feet square, used for covering h
pumpwell, and which he found floating the wTecL
he was thrown with great violence upon a reef nea
Sacr6cos but fortunately escaped without serious in
jury. As strange II may appear TO you, there could
not have elapsed more than ten minutes, between Our
being struck with the squal and the total Disappearance
OF the Somers. feel that should not be doing justice
10 the officers and men who were under my command oa
this melancholy occasion, il were 10 close this repo
without bearing testimony to their uniform GOODNESS and
seltpossesslon under the trying circumstances IN which
we were placed; the aacry with which they obeyed nv
orders; and when all was over the generosity with which
they behaved TO each other in the water where the sug
gle was one OF life and death. have thus concluded
what had to say IN relation TO the OF the disa
ter, and our own eXertons but, with heartfelt acknow
edgmens, i remains for me TO inform you OF the gal
liant and feeling in which all the foreign 81
war lying at SACRIFICES came 10 rescue. They hoist
ed ou and manned boats Immediately, and, at the haza
OF their lives, put out towards the wreck They
hrs driven back by the violence OF the wind and b
renewed their efforts upon the first lull and had the IN
hoped-or satisfaction OF saving fourteen more Of IN
fortunate companions
To Captain Lambert of the English frgaie " Endy
mon'" Captain FARMLAND, OF the English coryeh
" Alarm" Commander Matson, OF the English bns
Daring" Captain Dubut of the French brig " Mef
cure, captain Labredoyaire, OF the French brig p
lade," and Captain Puente of the Spanish corvette
Lusa Fernandez" who all sent boats and supplied u,
with clothing and Hospitality entertained board then
ships, we owe a lasting debtef gratitude.
In conclusion Respectfully request that, at as early
day as convenient you will order court - inquiry to
investigate my conduct in this unfortunate affair.
l append lists OF the officers and saved and
drowned, respectively with the remark that have
FAINT hope that very few of those whom ! have re.
ported drowned may have reached the main land some
ten miles distant
have the honor to be- very respectfully, your obedien
servant,
r. SEMMES, Lieutenant Commanding
Commodore Nj. Z. PERRY, second in command"
Home Squadron.
Lict Of officers and men sqred from United States brig
SOmerS
X. Semmes, lieutenant commanding; NJ G. L. Cla
BONE, heutenant j. L. Parker, lieutenant; Jno
Steele, puser; Jno II Wright passed assistant surgeon
man; Amos Colson, boatswains mate; William John
son, captain OF the top; Mathew Buck, captain OF the
top John McCarjow, quariermaster John G. Vannor
Chs Seymour, ships cook John Pollen. sailingma,teT
mate; John Smith, seaman Henry Stremmell, ordinary
seaman; Thomas Muhollen, frst-class boy; George
Wakefield, ordinary seaman; William Keys, landsman
Francis Havre, seaman; William Poland ordinary Sea
man; William Thompson, ordinary seaman Christophu
Lawrence, landsman; Joseph Todd, landsman Sephu
Maynard, seaman; Samuel Bennett, ordinary seaman
Thomas ID. Burns, seaman; William Power, ordina1
seaman; Joseph Skipsey, ordinary seaman; JOSEF
Jones, ordinary seaman; Charles Nutter ordinary sea
man; Washington Cooper, landsman William Dicks
andsman Francis A. Waldron landsman james Chan
bers, seaman.-Total 81
Last Of officers and lost IN The United States bns
SomerS.
III. A, Clemson, acting master; Jno. r. Hynson
passed midshipman; VIM. G. Brazier, pursers mate
EbeneZer Tirre boatswan's mate Chs. IL Haven
surgeons steward James Ryden ships corporal james
THOMPSON, quartenDaster; Charles Lowe, quartemas
ter; Thomas Young, captain of the forecastle William
Gillian, amorers mate Matthias Gravel, captain Of The
after guard; Major Cain, captains cook Dennis Kelly
captain Of the hold; Alex Anker, quarter gunner Chas
Mcfarland, seaman; James Feavel, seaman Charles
True, seaman; John Day, seaman; William Purdy, sea
man Edwd. Mccormick, ordinary seaman; VIM. Ems
ley, frst-class boy; VIM. Guest, ordinary seaman John
Hargrave, ordinary seaman; VIM w. Cardy, landsman
John Boyce, landsman; Chas. Myers, andsman; Gle
ment c. Willen, landsman; Thomas MCGOWAN, lands
man; Jos. Antonio, frst-cass boy; Adophe Bemont,
seaman; Manuel Howard seaman; VIM w. Power
landsman Henry w. Spear landsman; James Chap
man, landsman; Lewis johnson, ordinary seaman
lgua. Leopold, seaman Thos Jefferson, landsman VIM
Il. Rose, ordinary seaman Peter Hernandez, seaman-
Total 80.
UNITED STATES STEAMER "MIssIssIpPI,"
Antp her u 4