Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-01-14
From the Baltimore Patriot.
THE MAIL STEAMSHIP ONO
U. S. STEAMSHIP Ono, ,
New York. Jan q 1as,

u.
New York, Jan. s, 1851
To BRANTz MAYER Esq.
Dear Slf--N umerous engagements must be my ex-
cuse for not earlier noticing your communication the
Baltimore SUM- protesting 10 give an account OF the late
voyage of the Ohio. hope whatever | may feel
bound to say toyou will be received with proper feel
ing as act strictly from fduy in contradict
ing oyour statements, calculated to injue my
puation and that of my ship.
Yousay, "The Ohio was dispatched on this voyage
carrying between three and four hundred souls, with
but four boats all Of which capable OF bearing
more than seventy-fve or one hundred individuals"
am prepared to prove that the Ohio is as well pro.
yided with boats most packet.shps. The idea ola
ship carrying from three to four hundred passengers
and crew oione hundred or more being provided
with sufficient number of boats to carry all off, in
case of wreck is absurd. The boats of the Ohio are
urge strong pink sterned boats, and according to
your own calculation, should have least sixteen or
twenty of these boats to accommodate the passengers
and crew and with double the number of passengers
as is frequently the case would require double the
number ofboas. Now, please tell me, sir, where, on
board the Ohio conveniently stow thirty or forty
heats? Better send tender with me at once. Again
you say:
we'd in the hour of danger
The Ohio is amply and we'll provided with pumps,
which were in perfect order when she left Havana. and
which under ordinary circumstances, would have been
quite sufficient for any emergency but human foresight
cannot provide against all dangers incident to sea
ite otherwise we would be as safe at sea in bed
rooms on shore. Then,
"Being vessel of several thousand tons burden, she
lett Havana with but single engine, whose capacity
was evidently unequal to the propulsion and preserva
ton OF so large mass Of metal and timber in stormy
weather.
This is bare assertion, made without any knowledge
of your own My impression was, when left Havana,
that my single engine was quite sufficient and must
have strong proof to the contrary than your
on, before shall be convinced that behaved impru
IDENTIFY in attempting the voyage. However, swill
leave that ship musters, ship builders and engineers;
and they agree with you, then the great advantage OF
double engines single falls to the ground, and
steamship owners may save themselves this enormous
additional expense in future.
''She was inadequately supplied with spars and
vas to ride out the gale when steam talled," &c.
Ii the lligate Congress shond unfortunately be dis
mased during her present cruise, will any one blame
the government because it did not provide her with
apparatus before she left The Ohio s steani-
ship, and her rig precisely what is required Tor
ting vessel never than five six days and
in danger Of getting short oftuel. II were going
to make long voyage in her, where economy OF fuel
was an object, should rig her differently.
"Ihe leak and the water that proved nearly fatal
were not detected, we understand, until the fires
almost exnguiehad by the rising flood under the fur
naces."
the captain bound to inform his passengers when
ever he detects anything wrong on board his ship?
knew OF the leak hours before communicated it to
any one. was reluctant to alarm the passengers, and
if it had not required their services two thirds of
them would not have known the ship had leaked at
all
"a vessel like the Ohio kept afoat and brought
into port after she had been so strained as to break
two or three OF her hog braces, by the efficient
OF four ash buckets, or In other words, baied OUT,
&c:
With regard to the "hog Braces we were all deceive
ed-none were broken-and il all had been, it a
matter Of little importance. These "hog braces are
vded. Relating to the cash buckets" they did US
good service, certainly, and, in the handling OF hem
no man worked harder than yourself; but you appear
TO have forgotten that large number of passengers
We're faithfully and constantly working at the pumps,
to hich we were quite much indebted the ASH
buckets" These pumps were never out OF order, ex-
cept when choked with coal DUST then few minutes
sufeed to draw the boxes and clear them, when they
were again at work. Well do | recollect the music
of their claer throughout the long, long nights and
days of our suffering. An unwngness to discour-
age you ALL who doing your best to free the ship
from water with rude implements put into your hands
alone prevented my informing you that had far more
confidence in the service OF the pumps than IN your ash
buc kets."
No one appreciates more highly than | do the eer-
vices OF our gallant friend, General Howard; but tho
General must do me the credit admit that the sug-
ciently, came from me; and the General issued
general order board my ship, disbandng his for
cess can only say he forgot for theirs and only me
what was due to me as captain OF the ship. pledge
you my honor never heard OF this general order until
read it in your published account. /
Mr.. Reverdy Johnsons kind and considerate de.
portment toward me, can never forget; and do
believe he ever said l told him the ship would 60
down in two hours declare, most emphatically, that
never said so-and, that Inever thoughtso.
After the gale was over, one Of the engineers-not
lion proposed to him, that one time he would not
give twenty five cents for the ship. As to his fear
with regard to The machinery "dashng out the ribs and
sides oithe ship every engineer denies having, ex
pressed any such apprehensons, and do not think
here is one OF them silly enough to entertain for
moment any notion go supremacy ridiculous
l again repeat MIR Mayer, that | make this reoind-
IF with no unkindy feeling toward you and now that
you have had time to alay, in some measure the very
natural excitement under which you were labourng at
he time you pub llshed that account if you will take
nit that there is good deal of exaggeraton in all the
etais, growing of scanty and incorrect information
furnished you by others, The Ohio is expected to be
ready for sea by the 26th inst After all she has gone
'rlde in her than ever hope some time to have you
With me when you will feel compelled to admit that
'ou have done injustice to as fine ship as ever loated
| am, very truly your friend
JAS, FINDLAY SCHENCK, Lieut. U.SN N.
Commanding steamship Ohio.
BRANrz MAYER, Esq Baltimore.
LETTER FROM BRANTZ MAYER. ESQ.
BALTIMORE, Jan. IL, 1851.
To JAMES FlNELAY ScHENcK, Esq.
Lieut. u s. Navy, commanding steamship Ohio:
Dear Sr-l obta ined this morning copy OF the New
ork Herald of yesterday in which find the letter
ou have been pleased to direct to me, controverting
ome OF the arguments and statements contained in my
to the Baltimore Sun, touching the
ent disastrous voyage OF the steamer commanded by
ou.
| am opposed to newspaper controversies and dis
nssions especially in relation such matters involve
centic skill, knowledge and care; but the very
eous OF your letter demands and equally civil re-
ly, and shall probably address to you at my
est convenience.
At this time. will only detain you by denying that
allege Mr. Reverdy Johnson to have said that you
told him the ship would SO down in two hours
gu W i'll find such statement in my letter, and you
doubtless gathered from some OF the ANONYMOUS
rcles published by PASSENGERS and Others exhibiting the
ad plight ottle Ohio during the gale
Very sincerely, your friend,
BRANTZ MAYER.
INrrANA SENAroR.--The Hon. Jesse D. Bright las
We learn through the Telegraph has been reelected
United States Senator by the Legislature OF indiana,
o,n in session tn serve Siy wears from the exnira