The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1853-05-12
Wreck and Burning of the Stenms hip
Indepe ndence.

We copy the following particulars in relation TO
the destruction of this vessel from the San Francis
CO Herald, Of April LIST.
The Independence, as all who had TO do with her
will remember, never favorite ship IN the
present instance it is stated that passengers
went on board San Juan with species of ANXIETY
resulting from the appearance Of the steamer, and APP
parent incapaciv, in point Of size to accommodate
many human beings without prospect Of some
uatv.
Our informant observed, that it the opinion Of
nne-tcnths OF the passengers that the chances
against their reaching San Francisco. The ship was
crowded +; much that many were obliged to
sleep deck with the crew, and ii who came
board at Acapulco, understood there were All
souls on board.
The morning OF the 10th March clear, the al
mosphere rnre and transparent; the vessel struck
about five O'Clock, while the decks we're yet strewn
with sleeping passengers.
Immediately after the vessel touched, most Of the
passengers came deck the rocks we're distinctly
visible, reaching about two feet above water. and
about quarter of mile from the beach the su {
high, and series Of breakers stretched along
the beach, dashng over the rocks With violence. I'M
mediately upon striking, the Captain gave orders to
back; the engines reversed, and the ship gil
ded into deep water; they then forv ard about
Two miles, when the water WAS found to be rushing
in with fearful rapidity. At this time there
much excitement confusion board; the steeragc
passengers were quiet, and the ladies behaved re-
markably well. Men were stationed with buckets TO
keep the water down ; 1t gained rapidly, however,
and It's pressure forced open the furnace doors.
Captain Stecne, passenger, then advised Capt.
Sampson TO beach her, which was done
she struck, the eng ines stopped working, there
high surf between the vessel and the beach, render
IN communication with the shore apparently rerots.
The passengers ordcrl, enough until the fire
broke out; they the smoke comm. up from beiuw
and some asked the Capt and crew il the ship
on fire they answered 10, and that there was
danger. They believed themselves safe, even as 10
the preservation of their baggage, and so great
this feeling of security, that Of the ladies re-
MA med IN bed.
When the flames began 10 burs. forth, and The
alarm OF fire sounded confusion and Ii light began
TO reign men seemed deprived ii reason 5y excess
Of terror and leapcd wildly the sea, where they
buieted the waves nadl. for time, and then ven;
do..n like lead.
The FIRST boat that sent to communicate with
the shore was swamprd; The sailors chung 10 the boat
and were thrown in safety upon the beach. Another
boat started under the guidance of Capt. Seene
this succeeded in reaching the shore witha line.
The flames now logan to rage with redoubled vio-
lcncc tae wind driving the smoke aft, SD that most
OF the passengers conGrcga;ed about the bows
Of terror, confIs and suspense ensued which battles
d'scriPton many wee 50 frightened that they made
scarce any edoIt 10 swim bnt wont down without a
struggle others, cast back and forward with the
poAelui surf, battered ana bruised against the rocks
gave W hc hsht and sank from sheer eNhauston.--
Most al the par sen,ers bad assembled rron The bows
to escape the driving flames and sutiocating smoke;
group If nine remained upon the poop INIT! driven to
the waier ky the heat OF their number, seized
win ,uj,ea ranic lcaped ove. b9a,d - i floating
,rar, missed it and GroN aes. the others acting
more deliberately, reached the shore. But few we.c
saved by the batsbn; two hJai.oads under stand;
st of those who sax cd iuacd shore On sgaf,
benches and other articles thrown owen boasd Mary
ct the ladies were saved by the luoyancv If their in
facd clothing, which enabled them 10 i.cat upon the
water.
TO add to the excitement, the flames had now com
muaIcated 10 the powder magazine, which exploded,
tearn. the run and stern to pieces, and siiincrng
all that portion OF the ship the two guns also
rounded by the flames, sent their solemn booming
the scene. Those who were fortunate enough TO get
within reach of their friends Oh shore, dragged
halt dead out OF the reach OF the sun, while Others
swept round the Of the steamer, OF out to
sea. there being current making seward from the
ship. At one moment net less than thirty cor:scs
and bodies OF the dying the edge OF the surf,
some of them Invested Of clothing Oui Of rarty of
IS Jews who were on board, sixteen persisted ilom
the weight OF coin it is supposed they attempted to
bring with them through the waves. The outward
current above mentioned, carried Oh Numbers Of per-
sons who were good swimmers, doated, who would
otherwise have been saved several women thus
floating were swept away.
The following act Of devotion, and its unfortunate
result is sad to relate A Mr. Ta,lor swan to the
shore with his child upon his back, and placed the
.ufint III safety upon the bank then, through the
masses Of wreck, through floating spais ard strug-
Cling swimmers, he made his way back to where he
had lett hs vile cling ing, IN the water the rudder
post. He bore her also to the beach, but she had
been so much bruised by being repeatedly dashed
against the ships bottom by the heavy waves, that
she did survive bless her husband Tor his devo-
ton. She died OF boa,d the Meteor.
Mr. Saunders AMI four others floated three miles cut
to sta upon hen coop. They picked up by
Capt. Sampson who went to Their rclie! in boat
Inc water was ching'y cold, and they were COM /
pIetely exhausted and bcaImbed with cnging, be- (
meath its surface for several hours, their a raft.
II is supposed that many floaed sea and were
lost, the tide the e5b. There EDDY /
at the bow, aud some were drowned b, being drawn
under by the suction of the sail that had been passed
beneath.
There were four boats in ALL three of which were |
Of iron they capable Of holding ten persons
each. A gentleman, whose name did not learn, /
attempted to swim ashore with his child upon his |
back, and supporting his wife with handkerchief TO
which she clnag; she was torn away, bu; managed |
to cling to rofc, while he proceeded and save the
child. lie then returned tn HIS wife, and they both
started again. Just then person Jumped ON the |
ship, and falling, struck The lady upon The head she
was stunned, and immediately sank, despite her hus-
bands efforts; the latte, Goaied 10 sea uron Il srar
he was an EngIshmin and a good swimmer, but WAS !
about To let g in DESPAIR, when fellow passenger
hard by cried to him to hold on, boat was com
ing. He did so and saved
a great number OF Passengers sustained themselves
in the water by clngng to the cable & etched 10 the
shore This cable was suddenly slsckened, letting
the unior,unaes down into the wafer. Many were |
drowned by this, including several adies--but few
we've saved by elinging to the rore.
Capt. Sampson and DR.. Watch. a passenger on
board, threw over DOORS trunks, and other articles to
the swimmers. Many Of those in the water were
crying and shreking and prayus render
ing the spectacle piteous in the extreme.
Some Of the sailors and remep, disregasding their
own danger seized little children in their arms. or
ashed them to themselves, and attempted to gain the
shote--several are known 10 have thus sacrificed |
themselves. We have space or heart to insert the
numerous affecting instances Of courage and se.sac
riiice of which We have received accounts. Among
them most conspicuous is that Of MIR. Tarr, Of Sacra
nento, who lost his life in attempting to save son
IF Mr.. Watson. They came ashore togc her-both |
drowned. One Of the fsemen, whose name we did |
not learn, b. oush shore two children, whose par.
.nts were both drowned. Another fireman brought
beautiful boy ashore to his mother, who had Just /