The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1847-01-12

The barque Morgan Dix arrived at
New Orleans on the 2lst ultimo, with
adyices from the Z. S. Squadron in the
Gulf to the 18th ultimo, and intelligence
Of the loss of the U. S. brig Somers, the
particulars of which will be found below.
The New Orleans Picayune contains a
long letter giving a minute account Of this
melancholy disaster, from which we CLEAN
the following:
On the evening Of the 18th instant, the
Somers took shelter under the Green Is
land, appearances presaging a storm. On
the sth a sail was reported from aloft, and
Capt. Semmes, of the brig, got under
way for a chase. He supposed the sail
was a vessel intending to run into Vera
Cruz. While in the chase, the storm
came on. After various expedients TO
escape It's effects, an order was given to
let go the lee main topsail, and on the
next instant cut away all tacks and sheets.
The letter then goes on to say
Finding she would not play of. Capt.
Semmes ordered the helm to be put down
hoping to bring her to the wind. 1t was,
however, unavailing. From the moment
she commenced careening she continued
to go over with great rapidity, 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 APP
pearance of the weather. The accident
Is, however, mainly due to the extreme
ilghtness of the vessel. One or TWO min
utes after she was over, most of the Off
GERS and men had gained the side of the
vessel or the tops.
DR.. Wright and Lieut.. Parker, passing
through the weather after port, were the
first to reach the main chains. They
were followed by several men, and an at
tempt was made with such means as was
at hand, to cut away the main rigging, the
men and officers using their penknives
and sheath knives for the purpose. Cap
tain Semmes, who had been dashed on
the lee side was now drawn from the wa
ter, and as soon as he gained the side, d.
rected our exertions.
Finding there was no chance to save
the brig, and that she was fast sinking,
Capt. Semmes ordered Mr.. Clarke to
shove of with DR.. Wright and seventeen
men, besides Purser Steel. (who reached
the boat by swimming as she was clear
ing the wreck, first enquiring if there
was room in the boat for anOther,) TO pull
for Green Island about half a mile dis
tant, and Immediately return if possible to
save more lives. This order was at once
executed, but not until some Of those in
the boat had solicited, by name, each Of
the officers left on the wreck to come
with them. These officers resolutely de-
elared they would wait and take their
chances with the brig.
Capt. Scmmes, who was in impaired
health, was also entreated 10 go, bu, re-
fused. Lieut.. Parker answered similar
solicitation by saying he would drown
with the brig. Lieut.. Claiborne and Ac-
ting Master Clemson held the same Ian
guage. II is a remarkable circumstance
that three Of the officers and all the men
who acted thus molly aIo saved. When
the beat showed of, the gale was blowing
with great violence and a heavy sea run
ming, so hat for some moments 1t was a
matter Of doubt whether The boat would
live. Purser Steel at one time proposed
10 leave the boat for a fish-dayit be saw
floating BY. The boat however, reached