The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-03-22
The Loss OF the Steamers Tweed and Forth
on the AIacrans.

The Loss OF the Steamers Tweed and Forth
on the AIacrans.
Ed. NEW YORK HKRALD,-
have seen, with regret, the reported loss OF
the English mail steamer Forth, on the Aaerans,
Uhe Spanish word for ecprplOns,) which is a large
and very dangerous reef on the Campeachy bdhks
Having anchored at that reef in the late war, IN
United States schooner OF the gulf coast squadron,
beg leave to communicate some remarks, sug-
gested from the perusal of the unfortunate occur
renee.
1t is a remarkable coincidence that two fine
English steamers should have been wrecked on
that reef 1t Is far from my. inteation to impute
the accidents TO the fault OF carelessness The
steamer Tweed was wrecked at night, on the
northern edge OF the Alacrans, about the early
part of the year l847, and nearly everybody on
board persisted. On small island, by the anchor
age, the bodies Of number lie buried rude
tomb stone here and there bespeaks the sad event.
was on board. and, proUdentially saved. He and
an English gentleman, passengers, seeing no hope
OF safety by holding longer to the wreck resolved
to venture IN heavy rolling breaker to the reef.
their hold IN heavy roller, they were borne BY 1t
through violently agitated SURF to the rect. upon
which they obtained foot-hold in water waist
deep, and quite smooth, and thus were saved.
or southeastern edge of the reef, but without loss
of life. The schooner E. Simpson, of Balti-
more, freighted with stores and horses for our ar
my, then at Vera Cruz, was wrecked at that rect
dDOut MATCH, 1910 a ldISc part VI Tic stOIcS,
and all the horses (over co., were lost And since
the accident TO the Forth, an American vessel has
been reported to have been wrecked at the same
place.
About the Alacrans, the northeast trade winds
prevail, and blow at times very fresh; softenng
the severe northers to light and moderate variable
breeZes, and to nearly calm weather. The current
is generally westerly, and averages knot, and
knot and halt the hour. 1t flows at times easter
ly, from the effect of the norhers. The reef les
Judge with ne chart at hand, about ninety miles
from the coast OF Yucatan, is formed like halt
moon, conceived to the south, and affords, IN the
curved and only soped side, anchorage in good
holding ground and smooth water, unees the wind
be very southerly fresh 1t embraces about ten
miles of latitude and fourteen Of departure, and
presents all round. save to the South. rugged break
ers of imminent dsnger. There are several small
Yucatan Indians was employed, by Campeachy
house, in the tortoise shell fishery and the manu-
factuling of barila. No drinking water Is to be
had, but green turtle and fish are abundant there
In etsaming or sailing in the Gulf of Mexico,
care should be taken, as safe rule at night not
to be to the southwark of the latitude Of Havana
when making departure, In any Of the mcridlans
OF the separated groups of reefs which stud, with
the Alacl ans, part OF the northern edge of the
Campeachy bank. But if the coast side be reached,
the bank may be navigated, inside all the groups
referred to, with the lead, In from ten to twenty
fathoms of water, less than that If ordinary care
be taken, and with safety, at night. Bunts Coast
Pilot Is the best work extant in truthful descrlp-
ton of the bank, and gives the position of two
shoals, on the coast side, through not dangerous If
care be used, which are not laid down on the best
charts, which, for correct sound,ngs, are of cid
Spanish surveys. A LIEUTENANT,