New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-04-01
THE WRECKED STEAMER.
The Nicaragua Rsate-wreek OF me steamer
Nartn- America. &c.


San Imam del Sur has grown into quite
.;u...l. village since passed this way in the
.,onth of September last but the progress OF I'm
n,ovsmtIt iaDgushes 10 consequence OF the o's'a
cIss thrown in the way Of the acquisition oil s'es
., Int, by the Government OF Nicaragua. Many are
n,.na,eo 70 build handsome stores and dwellings az
100, 90 lana can be obtained We arrived here, AZ
.,a,.e in nv last a. late hour on Sunday nishf,
n. sot az February and after . welcome and needed
,.,o.e of twenty four hours, we were stsamins OUT
NJ the harbor, in the joyful anticipation oil reach
IN, the desired haven, and at the same time the ter
mi, atom of all suferngs incident 70 long ana a.
best vearisome voyage.
Tn. North America, in addition TO the large num-
30, ~ nsssensers who came out ON the Pfomstheus'
,ooA On 6eayd at San Juan between one and two
hundred nus, some OF whom had been waiting ior
two On sarss weeks for a passage up. Ofthsse addi'
tisus 70 our previously ovrcrowded vessel, some
had been lef. by the previous steamer, In conse'
ouepce of utter inability to take them on board
spother TACT TO the many Others showing the way
The people are ticheted at New-York beyond tne
mesr of transport, either across the country OF on
the steamers az this end o. 9 ,ne rouss VINO is
desirous 10 get to California, and then iedve MN ~
the chances Of going through a. best ne may: W
the subject Of packing extra human lfeigh! On oosa9
'' HAD two coed state rooms and beside found in
Can't Blethen and Parser Norton very pleasant ana
eenslemanly officers, though vas easy sse .ua'
pine, and insffciency In the ssewaros oepstnens,
eveYy thing went at SKIES and sevsns. for Gay OF
two confusion worse confounoeon relenea ,lmos'
mpreme You could not step at night without tread
fua on some one, nor move above or below wltnout
GLOWING your neighbor, so absolutely packed was
ever pant Of the vessel. But as said, having our
n
vsiled tAoueh TO do % about similar TO resi-
denes in buchadnssser's fiery furnace.
The consequences OF Gro wdins tne steamer 70 IsI
h.vond in capacity to accommodate very soon
msnfes.sd itself It was found impossible on the first
nieht 70 provide supper for the cabin ana
after setting four ave tables OF ABOUT one nundreo
each, the steward gave up, having completely ex,
haustec his larder. Myself, and large number OF
others were unable to get "a sight" ana turned In
minus our suppers The next day the steward began
st o'clock In the morning. and bre akfast was over
Q little before noon Recommending az hsil-past
two dinner lasted till six, and II was well toward
pidnIshs before tea was concluded IL was the last
attempt at providing three meals per day. and tnere
after We were but too happy to be FED win most ex
ecrable provisions, badly served up--t"ce gay.
Those who had ladies we're entitled 70 seat at the
first table, and we consequently bad an agieeaoie
!" fast from half.past two +. NJ I'LL so'ciock next
morning. .,...
a. placid as a mill-pond, and we glided along the
coast quietly that not the most delicate lazy couid
complain OF the fsintest qualm." Those VINO had
suffered most severely on the hst part OF the voyage
were rapidly recovering their aPpetites and good
looks, and no vacant seats were seen al oell-cail
On the 25th, Just at shutdown, We passed steamer
several miles distant on our iar6oafo supposed 70 DO
the Pacific ten days from San Francisco, and within
two days OF her port The Cult OF Tehuaniepec,
two hundred miles across, bowed no evidences OF
very recent visit from Boreas and so the lookedior
plunginE and rolling Of our steamer dld not tase
place The high lands to the nor;hward OF the gulf
soon appeared, and we were again coasting along
the shore, some times almost within stones throw.
Mary thought 1t close shsvlSg-9tneIs :. allowed
Thus, for five days, calmly gllded our noble yessei
over the waveless Pacific. The days were bright
and warm, the nights growing more lovely as inc
moon increased her "horns," and all hearts looked
forward to speedy arrival upon the golden shores
where centered their warmest snicipsIlons OF nap
pness and prosperity.
the upper decks were Gro sded with the ladies and
gentlemen till a lac hour, seeking relief from the
oppressive atmosphere In the caolns below. Mid
night was near. Gradually the various groups had
retired, and all was still save few stragglefs who
could NOT afford to forego single moment the
enjoyment OF the balmy bieezes that famed the
placid moonlit sea. On our starpoard ehe snore was
distinctly visble, and those who we're watchful aud
obstIvant could heal the sullen roar Of the resound
ing surges, US they broke at regular intervals upon
The lobg extent of white SANDY beach
Twenty minutes before twelve. A. wac sssorSsy
night The moon, yet an hour high shlning brightly
In coudless sky, when The eight hundred souls on
board, who we're just In their early sunbefs, we're
Awakened and nearly thrown from their bershs oy
-suJe en- AID terT6c shock The steamer, under full
headway, had struck, and ,rds at that moment a fhs
MIDST Of The looming breakers which always, raised
by the long heavy swells dash IN thandeIs upon Inc
whole Pacific coat The cry was raised that the
steamer was upon The rocks, and for a few moments
the rept ated and heavy "thumps" she made as the
surf struck her. seemed 10 JUSTIFY the uush o, tue
alarming cry. The fearful scene that for a brief
period prevailed, no pen or language can adequately
portray. The cabins were CROWDED VITA men,
women and children In Their nlghtclothes, ana
calculations Of terror broke rom many as tAe snip
received in rapid succession, staggering blows fr0m
the breakers. IL was nearly Impossible TO stand o.
walk, except BY holcing on 20 supports OF some
hind It was soon ascertaiped thai, instead o.
rocks, the steamer was upon the beach and as she
was fast settling in the SAND as the suTges drove hef
brOsdside on, and the sea smooth, appre6snsons OF
immediate danger from oreSsns ", gave Nay 20 as
surances of SAFETY, and quiet soon Geigned thToush'
out. StiI, the boats were being hoistei over 10
leeward. and preparations mace for sending line
on shore that the passengers might DE iiEdea, TIE
time passed heavily and anxiously 10 all on BOARD
The moon went down the shore could hardly be
seen The vessel by the force OF the surf, had Desa
caIeened to windward, and thus for I'VE long, long
hours, till daylight the passengers awaited TIE so
nessures taken to send them ON shore. Favorable
% were all the circumstances to the safety OF so
many souls sill the night will be lons remembered
for us painful inceriluoe. AS sur following sur:
struck, the vessel quivered In every timber, and
cYeaked rnott piteously While the spray dashed IN
broad sheet OF foam high above the top OF the smoke
pipe. The people had been sent to the scsSard for
the purpose of keeping her steady-aad ,or several
hours the shout VAS raised, "ssnd oy for the
breakers !r aud each frightened his hold upon the
nearest support, as the wave came tumbing on with
atenihc crash.
When the fret shock vas felt was a, a loss 10
comprehend the cause of she shouts and confusion
which greeted my waking. shipping out OF nv oertn
lpYoceeced quietly to dress myself, when emerged
into the cabins 70 ascertain the nature OF the disas
ter and to reassure those Who were most alarmed.
II was certainly a trial for any one 20 encounter,
those few moments when no one knew but the ship
was really on the rocks and might go 10 pieces
short time, when few OF all board could expect to
escape a grave beneath the pillows. must say, 10
the honor Of nearly every individual. man, and
child, that more canness aud seltpossession could
not have been shown by veterans 10 scenes Of peril
Mcss Of the ladies quiet, and seemed TO look
upon the critical situation IN which they we're plac 81
with fearless demeanor- and this, in vessel so
crowded as ours, when panic might 50 readily pre-
vail, 10 high testimony to their presence OF mind
Al daylight a line having bssn secured on shore
to one OF the boats NAH uoon the ach, word