The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-06-18
OFFICIAL.
We are indebted to the Navy Department for the fol-
lowing Interesting documents:


lowing interesting documents
U. s. FRIeArE CUMBERLAND"
Vera Cruz May IL, 1913.
SIRi The enclosed copy of letter from Lieut. Ward
will announce the department the aicnp intelligence
If the loss of two OF our most estmabe officers together
with French merchant of Tuxpan one of the crew of the
Iris" and another Of the " Vixen"
Ii will be that Commander Harris had passed over
the bar and entirely out of danger but he and those
IN the boat with him did hesitate instant 10 ,ru
back to the of their companions; nor did Messrs
Dyer and West, two officers OF the - Mahonese" with
their fa boats and gallant reflect upon tue danger
they encountering in dashng into the umultuous
breakers, which had already engulled many of their
friends.
Both Commanders Harris and Pnkney had recently
oned the squadron, but in the short time they had been
with they had endeared themselves every one, and
especially me, for their amable and genemarke de-
poment, and by the cheeruness, prom ptude, and eff
cheney with which they had invariably executed my
ders
dent servant,
NJ C. PERRY,
Commanding Home Squadron.
Hon. ]. Y. MASON,
Secretary Of the Navy, Washington
U. s. STEAMER "VIxENn
on Tuxpan, May I6, 1913.
Sir In consequence of the death Commanders Harris
and Pinkney by drowning, yesterday evening"
at the mouth OF Tuxpan river, have become senior officer
present. and have assumed temporary command board
this vessel until instructions from you received
The painful duty devoves upon of relating in detail
the circumstances attending the melancholy catastrophe
which resulted so unfortunately to those valuable officers
The '' Irs had reached Tuxpan reef Sunday morn
ing, having board the commission for Ger
tain alleged frauds against the here The surf
too high for passng the bar Sunday, but Monday
morning il looked better and the officers composing the
commission, with Commander Pinkney made an unsuc
cessul attempt get In the afternoon however
pearances had improved far that second attempt
was made, which being persisted in, drowned the 1.-TWO
commanders; the French merchant, who passenger
in the Iris, from Vera Cruz John King (seaman y John
Lyons, (boy y five in all The passage of the bar was
made in the two whaeboats of the Iris and Vixen
Both boats showed of from the " Irs abont O'clock
p The ''Iris's" boat contained Commander Harris
myself Lieut. Doughty, of Marines Composing the
mssion,) with five seanen and boy. The t'Vixen's"
boat contained Commander Pnkney, Dr. Bell Of the "Vx
en-, the passenger, Mr. Duva and five Captain
Pnkney, being best acquainted with the bar led keeping
about 80 yards in advance Soon after entering the break
es the Vixens boat swamped, rolled over, and threw her
crew violently Oft The lris's boat followed, just giving
the other bcrth and passed the bar with great rapdity
on the of two At the moment of finding
selves safe within the bar, and looking back upon
fades baeted and tossed in manner which it seemed
they could not long survive, but feeling animated
boat which was, them perish in the attempt
Capt Harris rounded the boat head the breakers and
pushed her for the of peril Just, however,
within reach OF friends, and had drawn in
them boat also became engulfed by the breakers
and her crew. seeking safety by cngng the keel,
no longer able to render aid to others
At this moment Commander Pinkney sank exhausted.
Commander Harris was thrown after, by the break
es from the bottom of his boat and, being able to
gain her. he also sunk, did likewise Mr. Duva and the
and boy lost The rest, still cngng the boats
oars, ded outside the bar, through the breakers by
the force OF stronger than the waves rendered
by great fall of rain in the river the night previous
Whilst thus drifting, Passed Midshipman ~ c.
West of the schooner Mahonese, lying within the bar,
had aid and dashing by througha surf which
~ p1arf, in
Bell and seamen, who had dred through the breakers
on oars-Mr. West himself having saved of the
men by punging after and sustaining him until the
could come to his aid After performing this service, Mr.
West waited the line OF the
who boats to be dritted within his reach The
galantry devotion and judgment displayed by this officer
worthy of all praise. At the moment when had
within reach of Mr. West Acting Master Dyer, of the Ma
honese had successfully passed through the breakers
infinite hazard and both together recovered the remain
der of the survivors, CATER they had been in the breakers
nearly hour and conveyed them the French baraue
Eliza, Captain Monla at anchor outside where all
treated with every possible kindness and hospitality for
which warmest thanks due.
The bodies, the boats and all else with u.s. drfted to sea
but in what direction to look for them, yet ignorant
shall however, after consultation with persons fam liar
with the of currents here, institute search which
hope may prove successful.
Very respectfully your obedent servant,
JAS. H. WARD, Lieut.
Commodore M. c. PERRY, Commanding Home Squadron
gshp Cumberland, Vera Cruz.
UNITED STATES rReArE "CUMBERLANp"
Vera Cruz, May 20, l84S
SIR: have the satisfaction of informing the depa
that the bodies OF Commanders Harris and Pinkney to-
ge with those of the who their lives
the time the bar of Tuxpan, have been found
and inferred with the honor of in the cemetery of Tux
pan. Arrangements being made for their transmission
to the United States.
have the honor to be, with great respect, sir your ODE
dien servant, M. c. PERRY,
Commanding Home Squadron.
Hon. JOHN Y. Mason,
Secretary of the N avy, Washington.
WASHINGTON NATIONAL MONUMENT OFFICE