The New York herald., 1850-06-13
OUr Panama CorrcspoWdencs.
Id

Oux Panama Corrcspomdenos.
PANAMA, May Is, 1850.
hifrestirg Account of the Yoyags of Steamer To
bago-Vesseis IN the Straits of Magellan, &c. &c.
have just arrived at Panama, and finding that
could communicate to you some ws in reference
10 a voyage from New York to Panama, ia the
steamer Tobago, owned by Capt. Cieaveland
Forbes, and commanded by Capt. Thomas Mac
kinney, touching at Rio, the Straits of Magellan
and Valparaiso left New York on the after
noon Of the second day OF January-I embrace the
opportunity.
We proceeded to sea with all sail set, and under
full head Of steam. After having three days fair
wind, il changed directly ahead, which continued
go until nearly up with the equator Thence to
Rio we made good run. Arriving in Rio, and
finding IL very sickly, we made all haste to get TO
ses az ain, which, after taking in a supply of Goals,
was done in three days from our arrival While
IN Rio, and when going out of the bay, we rounded
10 under the stern OF the seventy-our gun ship
Ohio, and requested them to report us in New
York, where she was bound. Our captain
informed them if they would send a boat on board,
he would give them bundle of the Nerc York
Herald, which Was very quickly done and very
ceptabe TO them ind all along the coast that the
Herald Is sought after more than any other paper
printed in the United States.
Our voyage from Rio was a very rough one.
When off the River Plate, we encountered one OF
those heavy Psmpero's, blowing tremendously for
seven days. While laying TO under close reef sails,
we discovered our beat TO be on ire. Immediately
all hands We're called TO extingush the same our
Captain himself heading the men in the coal bunk
ers Fortunately we exinguished the fire before it
had made much progress. While these gales lasted
the was running very high at the time, the YES
sci proving herself TO he an excellent sea. boat.
While laying to under the fly of the mainsail. the
wind blew hard as TO blow our smoke pipe
down, parting all the chain guys, and il fell
across The two fore braces, which prevented it
from going overheard. In this situation we were
obgedto remain until moderate weather, before we
could replace il; we hnaly succeeded, after much
difficulty. On entering the Straits Of Magellan, we
spoke the schooner Rochester, (March lyih) from
New York, bound to San Francisco being then four
days trying TO get in. Also spoke the EAglsh brig
Prospect, from Liverpool, eighty days out, who
ported the ship Solon, from New York, having
struck on a reef oil Cape Virgin, with loss Of
anchors and chains; was obliged 10 put back 10
Mcntevdeo, leaking badly. While at anchor in
Possession Bay, the Enghsh steamer Gergon, from
up the Straits, came 10 an anchor astern OF us
We were informed that she waiting for the
arrival of two barks, sent out in search of Sir John
Franklin; (while we were in Valparaiso she came
in, having towed the barks throueh) The next
morning, after passing the first Narrows, we dis
covered, on Cope Barance, vessel ashore, both
masts gone, which proved 10 be the Northern
Light, from Boston bound to San Francisco
Our captain sent the first officer on shore 10 them
offering assistance, if needed; but finding they did
did not want any, we proceeded on course.
On going on shore at Port Famine, we found most
part of the inhabitants had formed new settle
ment about thirty miles 10 the eastward of Port
FAMINE, called Sandy Point, and where they in
tend keeping supply Of wood ready cut for steagi-
ers passing through the Straits, which will indeed
he good thing, IL is very tedious work cutting
wood in most Of the harbors, Jack Harbor being
considered the best place for cutting wood. la
Jack Harbor we found laying, cleaning and wood
ing, the schooner Oriolsn, OF Portland, bound to
SaV E.an tla .,p hal. Iinot
in the same harbor, bu, had run down TO Sandy
Point 10 obtain further supply OF wood. After
having obtained a sufficient supply of WOOD we pro-
ceeded ON. When up with Port Call Ant we disco
vered a ships long boat and yawl making signals
Of distress; on coming up with them, we found
them TO be the officers and crew OF the British
bark Manuela, (22d,) nineteen in number, bound
TO London, loaded with copper and iorty-sx thou
sand dollars in specie, from Valparaiso. When in
long. 20, lat. t6, the bark sprung leak, water
gaining them very fasi-all hands AT the pumps,
but could not free her They were obliged to bear
up for Cape Pillar, in order To beach her but find
ing no place, they were obliged to abandon her. AT
the time, she was going down veiy fast. II coming
on dark they lost sight Of her very shortly after
getting into their boais;-il was supposed by the
officers that she must have gone shore at Cape
Upright, on the southern side OF the Straits. and
gone TO pieces. All hands. when picked up, were in
a very exhausted state, with swollen feet and
hands. Our captain rendered them every assistance
in his power TO make them comfortable. After get
ting them on board, We returned back To Port Fa-
manser, proceeded on as far as Plaza Parda. AZ.
ter coming TO anchor, (30Ih), the brig Doctor Hitch
cock came in, being then twenty-six DAYS in the
Straits, frum Fall River bound TO San Francisco.
The next day, getting under way, in company
with the brig, we finally made Tuesday Hirbor;
after that, got under way and tred TO get out past
Cape Pillar; but, meeting with very heavy gale
Of wind, were obliged to return 10 the lIarbor Of
Mercy, in company with the brig Rena, Of Ham
burg, bound to San FJaDcisco-had been eighty
days in the Straits OF Magellan; also reports The
bark Abby Baker, Of Philadelphia, bound TO San
Francisco, seventy days in the Straits, besides
merous other vessels wind bound, most OF which had
been laying in the Straits from sixty to eighty days
After making several attempts to get out by Cape
Tillar, our captain abandoned the idea, and con
cluded TO proceed up Smiths Channel and, be-
heye, the second American vessel that ever at
tempted TO 60 through. Finding IL to be a fine
channel, we proceeded on without any difficulty.
The ship Virginia was in Valparaiso, from New
York, bound to San Francisco, first of May; would
sail again on the sixth Of May; also. the bark BY
ron. from Maine. | would recommend Smiths
Channel Ms safe and much shorter way Of get
finn N pood offinp Nj