The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-04-28
From the San Francisco Wig, April 1.
Burning OF the independence.

Burning Of the independence.
We published yesterday an account OF the loss OF the
Vanderbilt steamship Independence, Captain sampson,
sunken reef few miles from Margarila Island,
north OF Cape ST. Lucas That account, though giving
the most important facts connected with this dreadful at
fair, did moi forth the particulars We have been in
uoduced Doctor b. Torbett, surgeon OF the lnde-
pendence, who, hours conversation, has put us IN
possession OF mass OF information portion OF which
give below.
The island upon which the Inflated steamer was
wrecked is situated the coast OF Lower California.
1917 miles north OF the point known as The Cape 81
Lucas The coast in this region. bold and rock bound,
is in many places inaccessible Tor vessels boats and
presents iron barrier to The luckless ship coasng lis
rocky projections The spot where the steamer struck
was on point OF sand beach, extending seaward from
the coast OF the island, but covered at high water.
The steamer was going under fine head OF steam on
the 10Th OF February when aybreak, though before
the light perfectly clear, she suddenly struck and
stopped The land could be towards the coast but
very ndislincty Al the moment the vessel struck
understandable OF confusion occurred board
rush was made by the passengers 10 the various hatch
ways, ami the upper deck was soon entirely crowded
with human beings Capt Sampson the wheel
house, and at ordered the engineer to back her.
which done, the steamer backing off with apparent
The land at this time appeared the lar board
bow, and made Out IN narrow point or cape me sea
was smooth and the steamer drawing seven feet OF wa
ter no breakers visible from any quarter The
conclusion not violent, but of such force as 10
tue whole ship, and IN few moments every soul
on board was The upper deck
AS the vessel was backed into deep water,
Captain Sampson gave secret orders that Inc pumps
should be sounded when II was discovered that there
were eight feet OF water in the hold II OF import
that this alarming fact should be kept from the pas
sengers to prevent confusion, while instant measures
were adopted to beach The ship The available
spot The news, however, quickly flew from mouth to
mouth, and then ensued scene of which no idea can
be given to those who have been similarly situated
Here was the population OF small town, with many
women and children, death staring them in the face,
and visible OF succor at hand. rush was at
made for the most valuable articles OF private prop
erty Many were thus trampled and bruised But II
was soon found that the ship could be kept afoat and
her head pointed up the coast with the intention OF
bleaching her IN some convenient and safe place: 10
facilitate this, an immense amount OF dry wood was
heaped into The furnaces and heavy head OF steam
kept up. Our informant th inks they must have run up
the coas nearly five miles before suitable place was
found. During this time quiet had been somewhat re.
stored on board and the greatest anxiety was manifested
in the progress Of the vessel Daylight had dawned,
and they found themselves running along rock bound
coast surrounded by stupendous mountains, entirely
destitute OF verdure and apparently unnhabited AT
length large guley ravlne was discovered, which
appeared TO make out into sand beach, and into this
nook the bows OF the steamer were turned The crowd
great around the stern 10 avoid the anticl
paed danger OF the conclusion, that the hemsman could
with difficulty steer the ship She was, however, beached
handsomely and with considerable force. Had this been
the only danger, there doubt that every soul
board would have been saved; but In the exertons 10
get up hurry the vessels progress. tremendous
hea, had been made in the furnaces the WATER fast
increasing the vessels hold stopped the fues and OBJ
sructed the draugbt into the chimneys the furnace
doors OF burst open, and vivid volume OF
flame twenty feet IN length shot forth into the reroom
driving everybody before il with the intense heat. in
stantly setting the wood work into blaze. All efforts
TO control The flames were utterly Intellectual, and from
this moment the fire rapidly the vessel But in
describing the origin OF the fire have gone beyond the
story OF our informant
When the steamer beached with her bows on, and
before the flames had broken out rush made for The
bows, but the sea- though smooth Oft the Shore in
heavy surf on the beach, and there distance of
some three huRdred yards between the vessel and the
land Capt Sampson gave the order 10 lower away
boat, and the chief with other undertook
carry line 10 The Shore The progress OF the boat was
had xKiI cd
on board the ship; but, some OF the sailors on
board had predicted, she was swamped by the surf
were thrown upon the beach, the two barely
Gaping with their lives second boat was now low
cred and manned by volunteers from among the fire.
men, who, do not hesitate 10 say, have shown
themselves the noble hearted and heroic of by
their ioude and courage through the terrible
which followed These brave fellows reached the shore,
and succeeded IN making small three inch hauling line
fast 10 projecting rock which al hauled tight
by those board. third boat lowered by order
OF the captain, in charge of Captain Steel experienced
khipmaseT, who was passenger board. During this
time the ship remained immovabe, the surf striking her
IN The stern, and perhaps tending 10 set her me nto the
sand. The third boat having been lowered found
that she half full of water and OF no service unless
baled out, and Dr. Corbe sprang into her for that pu-
pose this effected, six ladies passed down into the
boat among whom were Miss Conway, Mrs Haley Mrs.
Seymour, and Mrs Cools there other ladies
whose have not learned the boa, rode the
first breaker bat filled and swamped by the second,
and those already shore rushed to the OF the
ladies, and dragged them to the beach. Dr. Corbett
in this boat, and gaining the Shore turned towards
the ship at the cries OF terror proceeding from her. and be-
held the quarter deck enyeloped in flames.
And now ensned one of the mos, narrowing scenes
ever recorded in the history OF shpwecks The flames
eaped rapidly The alter part OF the ship. driving
the before III and dozens sprang into the water
and struggling in the surf All the boats
now gone and II impossible TO regain the ship from
The shore or 10 render any succor whatever Dreadful
cries and screams proceeded from the ship which, min
Ped with the roaring OF the sea, the cracking OF the
flames, and the shouting OF those shore, who could
only gaze hepessy the sight have been an era
oil terror in the lives OF those who beheld il from the
beach. As the flames advanced forward, the unhappy
victims were forced into The and every surf came
women and children Such scene has before been
witnessed the Pacific coast To add to the excitement
the flames had communicated 10 the powder maya
Zine, which exploded tearing The and 10 pieces
and splnerng all that portion OF the chip The two guns,
surrounded by the flames, also their solemn booming
over the scene 1hose who were fortunate enough TO
etwhin reach OF their friends shore were dragged
bali dead out OF the reach of the surf while Others
swept around the stern OF the steamer out 10 sea-
there being strong current making seaward from the
ship. AT one moment not less than thirty corpses and
bodies OF the dy ing the edge OF the SURF some of
them dvesied OF clothing Ont of a party of eighteen
Jews who were board, sixteen pershed from the
weigh, OF coin il supposed which they attempted to
bring with them through the waves. The outward
rent above mentioned carried off numbers OF persons who
good swimmers, and who would Otherwise have
been saved Several thus floating were swept
away The baggage such would float. also went out
with the ebb hone OF il was saved by drifting 10 the
shore
We have spoken above of the manly conduct Of the
sailors, hrernen and coal passeTs Some of these noble
leows disregaTdng their danger, seized little oh IL