The republic., 1851-01-01
LATER
Disastrous Voyage OF the Onto.

The TO lowing letter has been addressed by Mr..
BRANTz MAYER to the editor of the Baltimore Sun:
''I promised at the moment of my arrival yester
day give fuller details of our recent disastrous
voyage than could then offer you, and proceed
now TO fulfil my pledge with deep gratitude for
our deliverance from peril, and sincere hope that
the recital will awaken the attention OF all con
cerned in steam navigation to the necessity OF
guarding carefully the lives and property of
those who entrust themselves to the elements in
such vessels on the ocean
"Our voyage from New Orleans to Havana was
delicious pleasure trip. The smooth, the
breeze fresh, and the eng ines worked admirably.
On Monday evening, the 10th of December, we
made the light the Moro Castle just after sunset;
but, the rigid rules Of the port deny entrance to
vessels after that hour, we were obliged TO remain
outside of the ha arbor until the next morning. At
day break the engines were put III motion, and as
the sun entered the magnificent port OF this
beautiful island, between the Trownng batteries
which protect II on both sides OF the strait and
from every emnenCe commanding the roadstead.
sAbou eleven O'Clock all the official visits of the
custom house and police had been paid TO the Ohio,
and we were allowed to land for the day without
passports or personal inspection. AS soon we
reached shore, the passengers distributed them
selves in parties as TO improve their short time
most advanageously in seeing as much as possible
of the city and its environs. Some devoted them
selves TO the purchase of cigars and sweemeats for
friends at home; others were presented to the new
Captain General ana Governor, Concba, whom they
found to be pleasant young, and intelligent gen
and did not fail TO pay visit to the tablet in the
Cathedral, behind which the bones of Columbus are
said to repose After dinner nearly all The passen
gers and many Cafornians who had mean while
arrived in another steamer from Chagres, mounted
voantes and drove out TO the beautiful pasco5, the
Corro and the Castles, encountering, in the course
of their drive, hundreds of fair Havaneras, whose
gay Costumes and sparkling eyes accorded well
with the splendid tropical scenery of palms, plan
tains and gorgcrous flowers and foliage which
spread out on every side. The delightful evening,
the balmy air and the splendid moonlight, in :
duced almost all to prolong their ride until after
dark, and it was not until near midnight that we
were ON board the Ohio again, after enjoying a
couple of hours at the Opera in the Tacon Theatre,
where saw y crowded asseinblagc OF the beauty
and fashion of Havana.
Wednesday, the 18th, was pleasant, sunny
day, and at o'clock we got up our anchors and
proceeded on our voyage TO New York. Scarcely,
however, had we gone half the length OF the har-
Dor, towards the Moro Castle, when sudden tre-
NOR experienced throughout the steamer. She
stopped at once, and tho anchor was again thrown
out. For more than an hour no one among the
passengers could discover what the matter;
but at length we learned that accident had hap
pened to one Of the engines, which was being re
paired Those who we're In authority appeared
aversc speak the subject, and returned short
answers when addressed about il. The impression
left my mind, however, from all l could learn,
was that the mshap was quite trivial, and that ali
would soon be we'll again. did not, however go
ashore till after dinner, and II was not until then
that became aware of the fact that of the
steamers engines was entirely disabled, but that
the only effect would be to make voyage longer,
for hich we would be supplied more amply with
water fuel and food Eight O'Clock of the next
day was fixed for our departure,
',We PASSED another aiternoon and evening in
Havana very pleasantly, listening to the charm
ing music OF the military bands playing before the
Governors palace, while the fashionables OF the
city drove out in their poantes by moonlight and
formed listening circle around the plaza, or
strolled in gay crowds beneath the stately plam
trees with which il il planted
"At midnight we're again on board and, on
the morning of Tuesday, the 18th, went to sea