Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-02-21


Arrival OF the Afrtea.-safety of the Atlantic.
The British steamship africa, arrived at her wha
in New York, on the evening of the 10th inst, will
Liverpool dates up to the LIST. The most importan
Intelligence she brings is the safety of the atlantic
most OF whose passengers came over in the itrica.
1t will be recolected that the steamer Atlantic
lett Liverpool on the 2Sth December. She was ther
IN line steaming condition and without any appre
hension on the part of her officers in regard to the
voyage. 1t was blowing strong gale from the w
s. w at the time of her departure so much so as tt
render it impossible to land the pilot On the Goth
Deo' at "a r NJ, she passed Cape Clear and fairly
commenced the voyage for America by plunging al
once into heavy head of sea and encountering stor
N.Y. strong western gales, which continued without
ntermisson from that time up to the day of the &C.
cldent, which occurred the 9th January, at noon
when in latitude 46 II and longitude Al West II
bowed strong gale from N. N. w.
At fl, p. NJ, the engine was stopped, as it was
hrst supposed, by the eng ineer, account of the
breaking of eccentric rod to the starboard engine
On examination it was determined to 20 ahead a.
gain, working that engine by hand but another turn
of the wheels proved that the accident was of
rlous nature. The main shaft found to be bro
ken completely, though in diagonal direction, tear
ing the sarboard tiller block. An additional
luton after the first sOppage caused part of the
shaft to lap over the other thus fracturng both til
Ter blocks, and rendering the engine perfectly use
canvas, the wheels lashed and all hands employed
during the Mi ht and the following day in sending
up her square yards and stripping her wheels of the
floats, task at difficult and dangerous in a
gale of wind. The decks at the time were covered
with ice. Fortunately this was accomplished with
out accident On the 7th and 9Th she lay to with
hope of an abatement of the storm and change of
wind
The Captain and all hands were exceedingly anx-
ious to reach some port on the American coast. On
the 9TH the wind hauled to the northwest and be-
came quite moderate sail was Immediately made
and her course shaped for Halifax $50 miles distant
and New York 1.400 miles This weather continued
until meridian of the 10th, when observation
placed the ship $50 miles south and 70 miles west of
her position at the time Of the accident gale
now sprung up again from the southwest. and it be-
came necessary to heave the ship to; for even with
moderate weather it evident to all that she
could do nothing by the wind adverse under canvas
At . o'clock A M. of the 18th, a large ship passed
bound to the eastward, but she either did not see
the Atlantic Or if so took no notice of the signal of
distress
At 10 ?. NJ, after taking an account of the stores
on board and considering the apparent impossibility
OF reaching America with the ship in her disabled
condition, the captain determined, with the assent
OF his officers and passengers to bear up for the coast
OF Europe, and on the 22d day nothing occurred of
Importance. She had strong gales and high seas,
and the ship made average distance of $50 miles
per day. and in that interval run 400 miles. At
o'clock 2. NJ, on the 22d January, to the great
delight OF ALL she anchored safely in the harbor of
Cork, Ireland which fact alone, when considering
the immense size of the ship her small spars light
conVass and heavy machinery is sufficient to prove
her splendid sea boat, and must add in no small
degree to the reputation of her commander for pru
dent and superior seamanshp.
In regard to the conduct of the passengers under
such trying circumstances. too much cannot be said
hey bore the misfortune with becoming and COM
nendable tortlude and cheerfuness, and testified
eaving her at Cork their highest regards for the
noble Captain, and expressed full conviction that
10 better steamer could be placed upon the seas
hey all declared deep interest in the vessel, and
expressed degree of deep gratitude for their safe
eturn, to which, IN great degree, they were in
ebted to the superior management of Captain West
nd the surprising strength of the noble steamer
The Atlantic had on board $50 IONS of freight
nd considerable quantity of specie, which the
teamer Cambria was chartered to bring over, and
robably sailed from Cork direct for New York on
ne 4th instant.
Before the Africa, left, arrangements were making
tow the Atlantic to Liverpool for the purpose of
aving her repaired
The President of France, Lotus Napoleon, and the
'ational Assembly still at variance and the new
1inistry has been forced to resign.
1t being three weeks since the previous change of
minister's in Spain, it full time for the resgna-
on OF Navarez, which accordingly took place. Two
'eeks is the usual duration of Spanish Ministry.
The German question is nearer settlement than
was The war in Schleswig Holstein has been
iscontinued or suspended.
bSrThe Jail of Randolph county, at ASHFORD, was
urBed during the night of the Eth inst 1t was set
re to by runaway negro, who was the only person
onfned in it. His object was, no doubt to get out
very effort to get at the negro so as to save him
rom death proved unavailing; and when informed
hat he must perish in the flames, he confessed that
e was the incendiary, implored mercy, wrapped his
lanket closely around his body, and laid himself
own, after which was heard, save some
iercing shrieks at the falling in of the roof. His
ody was, of course, entirely consumed. The build
ng is destroyed, being cracked in several places.
FIRST CASE IN OHIo.-The first case under the
resent Fugitive Slave Law came up in Cincinnati
n the 18th inst 1t caused considerable excitement
ut was finally ended by the woman, claimed as
lave expressing desire to return with her master
EARLY TN THE F1ELD-The Portsmouth (Virginia)
Vhig has hostcd the name of Mr.. FILLMORE as a
andidate for the Presidency in 1852. We think,
fter all, Gen. ScoTT will be the next Wing candi-
ate. That party has lost the South at any rate,
nd must make bold push to elect by the vote of
be North alone, and Scorr is their man. He is the
FREELY candidate.