The Nevada journal., 1851-10-30
WRECK OF THE STEAMSHIP UNION.

WRECK OF THE ST EAMSHlP UNION.
The news of the wreck of this
steamship on our coast in July last,
and under so mysterious circumstances,
created considerable surprise and con-
sternation among the Eastern shipping
interests. AS has been before inti~
mated by our own papers, the unfor-
tunate occurrence was brought about
in so peculiar manner as to render
the suspicion that it was caused by
gross carelessness or design on the part
of her officer. We give the following
extracts, which describe the wreck,
and give additional facts not so gene
rally understood, from letter written
by 4. r. Hickman, of Lawrenceville,
Ky, and endorsed by many of the
passengers, that has been copied into
nearly every commercial paper in the
Union.-[ Picayune,
Steamer Northener, July 90, 1851.
The loss Of the Union is, perhaps,
the most unaccountable and unpardon-
able accident that has ever occurred
beneath the notice of American navi-
gators; and, at the earnest request of
the undersigned passengers, we Will
attempt to give the facts relative to
tho wreck, as nearly as we can, and
leave the reader to draw his own con-
clusion. The Union left San Fran
cisco on the 1st inst, bound to Panama,
with about two hundred and thirty
passengers, commanded by Captain
James Marks. She had also on board
SO boxes of gold dust.
On the morning of the third, ru,
NOR was ahoat among the passengers
that the Union came well nigh running
into schooner. during the night, and
that no lights were up, or watch on
deck this rumor, however, passed off
without creating any excitement or
alarm. On the morning Of the fourth
we we're not in sight of land, and the
day seemed to move off rath,r dull,
when at length Capt. Marks hoistcd
the flag Of our country and fired one
gun, in memory Of the anniversary of
American independence; the boatmen
entered too deeply into the celebration,
and became intoxicated, and remained
so during the day.
About three o'clock, on the morning
of the 9th, passenger by the name
of John B. Holman, went on deck to
enjoy the fresh air, as the night bad
been quite warm. lie informs us that
a roaring noise attracted bis attention,
in the direction of ,; and an close
he saw the breakers roll-.I
ing along the beach quite plain; and
he saw, from the direction the vessel
was running, she must certainly strike /
in a few moments he could find no
watch on deck, and the hclmsman was
too drunk to manage the wheel. He |
to give the alarm, but before |
any one came to his call, the vessel
struck a reef of rocks, and Jared her
to the centre, and before she had fully !
recovered from this shock, she struck
again at this time, the first mate made |
his appearance on deck and sang out
hard port-but too late. She was
already within 200 yards Of the shore.
Four Of her lengths in the direction
she was heading, would have placed
her on a bluff at least fifty feet above
water. Immediately back Of this bluff,
a mountain was quite distinct, three
hundred feet above the first ledge Of
bluffs. How vessel properly COM
manded could have gone ashore upon
such bold bluffs as are here described,
we leave for seamen to discuss.
The utmost confusion prevailed for
about five hours, during which time
the passengers and provisions were
all safely landed, and all the gold dust,
save one box containing about $4,000.
We will pass by the uneasiness man
ifested By the passengers, that we were |