New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1848-04-07
Loss of the Prize steamer Petrita.


TLAcATALPAH. March ~. 1s4s.
SRI deeply regret to write you about the loss OF
the prize steamer Pe,rta;" Out 90 is is as fol-
lows: On the morning OF the l4th inst got under way
the Z. s. ship Albany from there 10 Anton Lizardo
The morning at sunrise we got under way for this
place. the weather being pleasant and the wind moderate
from EN.E Before reaching the bar Of Alvarado the
breeze had increased make rough that
felt quite anxious for the safety Of the Petra." We
found on reaching there, the was breaking nearly
across the bar. We went without difficulty, and
thought without having sustained any damages
Knowing the very defective condition of her hull and
planking from decay and the rsvsses of the worm we
greatly relieved on reaching Avarado, 10 ind she
did not leak more than usual.
After two hours delay there got underway and pro-
seeded up the river, the bge-pump keeping her free
some two hours after we had anchored II was reported
to us that the gaining upon tie pump. We
dered the carpenter TO examine he could ind the leak,
who reported very serious one In the plank near
the bottom about mid ships where one OF less character
broke cut last Summer. We then ordered quantity OF
tsred oakum 10 be put the hole which put
.ared canvas then secured by board ard oak shear,
which eecluay stopped that leak. This time there was
two feet water her hold In spite OF all hands constant
pumping the water continued gradually to gain upon
We ordered steam 10 be got up for the double pur
pose Of trying to clear her with the bse Injection and
running her into shoawaer We found after two or three
revelations II would not work. owing 10 the sraner being
nearly destroyed by rust. We then ran her into mud
fat opposite the cotton factory BY this time the
ter nearly up 10 the furnaces and continued gradn
ally until fne ectted INTO the ABOUT
/ o'clock in the morning. Il was prsvidentla that we
permitted TO reach place Of safety before the effects
Of the rough outside and upon the bar became so Sc
rious. To us she has long been floating miracle.
We never weighed anchor TO leave port without the
full consciousness Of the eminent risk OF our lives
We are now dismsntling the Petrita and shall remain
here until farther orders from Commodore Perry-who
has not As yet returned from Taoasco, where he wen!
some two weeks ago. The following Is a list OF the
United States prize steamer Petritas ofcers Lieut..
Comg S. b. Bssel, Acting Master J. NJ b. Ctz. Second
Ass'nt Engineer r. W. johnson, Third Assnt Engineer
Lafayette Caldwell, Capts Clerk George Is. Vincent
The PetIts. II you, recoileei WELL was the steamer
Champion that once ran on the North River and was
bought and brought 10 New.0rlosns. She then be-
tween New. Orleans, Mobile and Pensacola, commanded
by Capt. j. AcBaker. who has now the Government
steamer A. X. Hctzol. tow-bost at Vera Cruz.
The Vixen, Conr Ii Pinkney, and the sPithre
Acg Comr Bennett. here assisting to dismante the
Petrta- l am you're very respectfully, BErHCEL.
TERRIBLE EXPLOSION on THE PORTAGE RAIL
Road Honidavsbaug. lpril g. lets.0n Saturday, April
the locomotive David r. Porter was starting from
the depot at Gayspor with train OF cars the boiler X
ploSed upward with report that was heard all over
Holuda, sburg ana Gsysport The cast iron dome with
rods safety valve and part Of the neck Of the boiler At
tached weighing about 800 lbs carried some 200 feet
In the air. thrown field $50 200 feet from the
road the shed the boiler was torn TO pieces, and
ore Of the upright posts SIX feet long and three IN
ches square, carried across the turnpike and intervening
space 800 feet and driven almost horizontally into
the roof Of house. where still sticks, projecting Ike
flagstaff.
The engineer. Mr. John wasnes was STOPPING over the
rsrg the time Of the explosion. looking Al piece Of
iron he placed TO carry drop on the arriving
10 this position be Is indebted for bis le had be been
standing erect usus he must have been instantly killed
As IL L. severely though hope not dangerously
sealded on the face breast and left HIS cap Wa,
torn from hs head part carried 20 the turnpike and par
following the dome 10 the field. The fireman. Henry Tsy
lor had Just left the platform ard was letting on the
pun ping beam and escaped unnurt- lfsnnsylvsnian
Posi-. OFFICE ADvERTisIsG.-The publishers o.
the Detroit Aarvassr (whig) have brought suit ssaDs
Mr. Bag the Detroit Postmaster, TO recover In damages
IN. vass of the Post; Once advertising for the month
Mach The case tried the 18th OF Mach, ant
so.ne rather Curious facts elected
The advertising has been given TO the Dereu fres Press
(Ilemocracl Ii proved, however thai the city cir
cnlstcn OF the Advertiser 52 and hat Of the Fss Pres
olx Ss5 according which the advertising ought 70 b
ever 10 com panee with the act OF Copes to the for
rar The pubshsrs OF Tho fSpsrfssr demansed IL, VIII
proof OF their eircasto in February fostmssfe
rsfossd 10 an change deolarne that he would ex
anime into the The let OF JAY panuns nisel
or instructions from the Postmstef Genera cessnsfin
mt, AZ ire tine for and the award Of the sd
yetistnr the paiaf taking the ground ih.t no time
BY the aud that TIE Postmaster General IA
no sht 60 select the day, or TO maze me
II appeared in proof that the Postmaster himself on
~ ,hs nropetors Of the Free Prsa receiving bait %
nts The ease wa held under a4visensnt By the cur
P The dscisior wa against the Postmaster, WIN
,.,ssmept Of damages for sI o. being me vans OF 70
Advertising for the month Of hHca'