The New York herald., 1850-12-29
vHE DISASTER TO pnE STEAMSHIP OHIO.
Higly Interesting and !Graphic
Account of her Passage.
,uR NORFOLK CORRESPONDENCE.

leaving Havana. On Wednesday morning our steam
was up, suchors weighed, and all the passengers
sstipg Of than 800 in number anxious to start
tor New York; among them some ladies from New
Orleans and Havana
Ths steamer had proceeded few yards on her way
whsp soi%xt jelt felt the whole vessel -
though striking against heavy substance In the
water. At the engines we're stopped for an sco
dent had occurred Something had broken about the
maehinssy snd on examination, 1t proved to be the
bursting fa cylinder head Of the starboard engine,
which rendtred 1t useless until repaired 1t requr-
ed severs hcurs for the cooling of the water and meta
before the extent Of the damage could be ascertaned
but, when the exact state Of affairs known, 1t
pronounced impossible to repair the aged engine
before reaching New York The larboard engine there
FORE was oLiy servicesbls for the voyage. Captain
schenck however, after consultation aud re-
lection determined to proceed to although antici
pating longer psssage as one half the power Of the
machinery was lost He consequently made every pre-
oarstion to meet the probable emergencies
On Thursday, the 10th inst, again weighed an
ehor, with some hopes and many forebodngs. For the
first two days our speed was good but the third
somewhat diminished. As yet accident had oc.
cured the tranquil, the skies serene, and
no indics.ions OF o change On sunday evening, the
wind hethened hcm the southeast, and before the
next moining, tremendous storm blew from the
northwest. 1t has been my misfortune to wit
mess at sea one Of greater violence The vessel reslsd
before the blast and was toss ed like afeaher the
mountain waves.
At this sime, it found impossible to proceed, as
the engine stopped and the vessel broachsd to-
During daylight on Monday, we lay to. But what
change had come over every object on board As tn
storm the steamer felt It's effects and with each
tuccsssive roll articles heard falling with crash
and noise anusual even In sailing vessels The tables
and chshs in the long dining saloon came together
with arosr that left doubt Of their utter demo
liton. Next crash followed Of glass and dishes; and
jars and jses, fruit and other decscies in the pan
try mingled their sweets with the general confusion
In the social hail. better fate awaited its inmates
In the bar kept for the accommodation OF the passen
gers the marble slab slid from its locality the decan
ters bottles, glasses, eordials liquors. SC, started
from their places and the whole strewsd upon the
.noor in common ruin In the kitchen, heavy
bar had fallen upon the roof crushing IL, through
which the water poured. On deck, the waves dashed
their foams, and the spars white with the saline
spray, as In hoar frest.
when morning came, the scene frghtful to
many and gloomy to all. The fires between decks, ex
eept at the engine sxtinguished. Nothing
to eat drink to be had, for thu kitchen
in water table could be used for the pieces
upon the foor; and withal dishes other fragile
ware remsined 1t was impossible to walk or even
stand upon deck, and equally impossible to sit else
where, without holding on to some fixture. For the
ost part the passengers rcmained In their berths,
but dicult 10 retain possession Of them In the
rolling Of the vessel In the taoon the ladies' In ter
TOR and In despair had collected to receive whatever
onsoaon and comfort the unding circumstances
afforded But With every lurch they were thrown from
the sofas OF fthsy elung to them was at the risk
of disooated hand or arm. The gentlemen rem
dered then every assistance although at every change
flseaty they were liable (as happened often to be
r.. s.Inx AL
righted IL, position.
Cold meat hard bread aud water were all that could
De tupplhd from the stores on this sad Monday, and
when the day closed more dismal sight of cheerless
seldom has been shut out from view where
NO positive disaster had occurred. Those who sought
their state found II impossible to rspose
smid the rear OF the waves without the many sounds
frcm within and the violent iurching and tossing Of
the steamer yet the wind had somewhat abated.
In the evening the engine had been put In motion,
and We started coue but with little prospect
of making much headwsy. Vessels had been seen
through day laying and At short distances
fron us. One steamer had passed us to windvard,
bound apparently to Chsrsfton, and With her steam
up.
About midnight the ssd announcement was made
from room room that ths vessel had sprung leak,
and vas filling with water that no time was TO be
lost-and every on board was required at the
pumps and Buckets. 1t seemed as though we were
about TO Dc rsh without the mournful consolation
of its being in the light of day. With heavy but de-
termined spirit put the toughest Of my clothias,
ready to my part encounter the Impending dau-
ger, and repaired deck. elung to the ropes and
chains TO myself from falling overheard, while
looked arouEd to psnetrste the darkness OF the hour
The engine had stopped the fires we're sxtinsushed,
and thiok mist, arising nom the furnace, sthsd mJ
brtathing. Here was an appalling sight and what
added to the catastrophe the fast that the pumps
we're all out Of order, in unssrviceable state
Same buokets were rigged " hish were losered dos
In the hold aud hand over hand the attempt vas bsns
ix feet in aspth and which had already ross TO ths
level Of the boilers The efforts to start pump ended
bucksts which were in use In the night, aud 10 the
rolling OF tse ship, the msn cuns TO the ropes sha
under every disadvsntags the wofk OF pAi'ns vas 10
knsr ds,lisht on TUESDAY, pump sas Pot In order,
and we be- an mase some Impression on the lssk.
Assin the dootor was sble with lts pump, 70 thros
out water; but the dlminuon Of the quanuty In .ne
hold vas not psrcsp.ise 70 @.ay f.Itssa1 tss
pump and buckets Yet everJt thing was sloomy' IN
and s M . ss'" aOS 20
etil our exsrticns and sunerings were me same
At Disht the issk vas reached and stoppea %. .ns
general Leakage in the heavy roll OF the sea req
unr.mitting attention. At ths period ior the mrs.
time the fmpression among the ksowinr Uor ws hi
were safe uniess nsw misfortune should bsfall us
We we're nov nearly wssred out With consts Of lIoer
nnl WetcbfuE Oho' IVA N'tff eihs' ".Nt'f -.
hour each time all called - the deck TO labor In
the wipd cold, and water. Wet aud worn oat, Ti,n,
out rest, sfeep, or warm TODD we WORKED on snd
Christmas morning darped on the sl cheerlefs eoene
Our efforts had nov becJwe perfectly rega.r sni n
.eyttematc. We knew every iuch we nah Ga neli ,hs
water had sunk TO the level of the hoor oeneath tne
iurnsoe the hr-s ~efs In base>nd We hoped We soon
might have steam 20 help ma UnfOrtunstsy, tAe pump
attached TO the msehntry vas on the star0Oard en-
eiLe, and consequently wss useless At las the engine
wss started, but quantity OF sheet iron had fallen
near the shaft and prevented its revolving This IN.
pedimest required time for rs. removal and, wh,n
done IL discovered that coal had washed from the
foor grating below the crank Here, again. hours
were consumed Fears also vere entertained that
even then tine maehinery would be crippled AL poe
tiby. About nine oclock toe coat was
aot out and ence STATED aud the vessel was
stssdy Nov could get comfortable, vars food 20
sst which revived the dropping spirits and reiresneo
the strength cf all tolerabi, dinner st tne Ptopsr