Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-12-07
FnoM CAMFoRNrA-L Loss OF SHIP MAINE,oF

FRoM CAILFoRNfA-Loss OF SHIP MAINE,oF
FAIRnAvES-THE COLD REGiON.-We have
been puirtciy furnished sy A. r. Nyo, Es,. with
the following extract of letter received by him
from A. Ten Eyck, Esq. dated st. Francisco,
Sept. :-"The schooner Honolulu arrived here
from Columbia River Aug 25th, and reports the
loss Of the ship Maine Nelcher, of Fairhaven.
In attempting TO enter the river on the afternoon
Of the Odd or 24th Aug she struck on what is
called the Middle Sands of the Bar, where the
English barque Vancouver was wrecked in May
or June last. She dragged her anchors all night
the sea making a breach over her. In the morn
ing the officers and crew left her in their boats
and reached the shore in safety. The ship soon
ofter went to pieces, and nothing was sIveG.-
She had 400 barrels Of oil. There was no pi-
lot on board the pilot Of the port was engaged
in taking in an English brig, which the Mline
attempted TO follow.
A day or two ago the Flora, Capt. Potter, of
New London, anchored in Whaleman's lIarbor,
on the opposite side Of the Bay. Yesterday the
Captain fearing he would lose all his men, weigh
ed anchor, intending to go to sea. After get
ting under weigh, the crew finding the ship was
headed out, refused duty, and the Captain was
forced to return and anchor here. Last night
nine of the crew gagged the watch, lowered one
of the boats and rowed off. They have not been
heard of since, and are now probably half way
W IliC SOlu ItSiOIs uc 10 81 HIpiItlo Oul
with only $50 bbs. of oil. Every vessel that
comes in here now is sure to lose her crew, and
this state Of things must continue until the squad
ron arrives, when, ii the men war men do not
run off too, merchantmen may retain their
crews.
The whale ship Euphrates, Of New Bedford,
lett here few weeks since, for the United States
to touch on the coast of Chill to recruit. The
Minerva, Capt. Perry, Of New Bedford has u
bandoned the whaling business, and is now on
her way hence to Valparaiso, for u cargo of mer-
chandlse. Although two large ships, four barques
and eight or ten brgs and schooners have arrived
here since my return from the mineral country
ABOUT four weeks SINCE with large cargoes of
merchandise, their entire invoices have been sold.
Vessels are daily arriving from the Islands and
ports upon the coast, laden with goods and pas
sengers, the latter destined Tor the gold wash
ings
The volunteer regiment Of U. S. soldiers have
been mustered out Of service, and have mostly
gone gold hunting. Much sickness prevails a.
mong The gold diggers; many have left the
ground az X, and -msny more have discontinued
their abors for the present. and gone into the
more healthy portions Of the country, intending
10 return after the slcky season has passed
From the best information can obtain there are
from two to three thousand persons at work at
the gold washIngs, with the same success as
heretofore, The rainy season will commence
by the first of December, and those engaged in
digging gold will have to remain where that
month finds them I'LL along in March, rs it will
be impossible for them to get down into the set
Elements on account Of The pecularliies of the
soil and country. Tho whole country am credi-
bly, informed, in the valleys and on The plains
west of the California mountains and west of the
gold region, is almost entirely overlooked with
water during the winter months so that ii is with
The creates, difficulty that access can be had 10
preparations accordingly, by providing Them
selves with a four or five months outfit. BY the
first of October the number of persons at the
gold wOshings will not fall short Of four thous-
and" Now Bedford Mercury, Both.