The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-05-04
Terrible Loss of Life.

Terrible Loss Of Life.
The steamers United States and Star
Of the West have arrived at New York
with late dates from California.
They bring intelligence Of terrible loss
of life by the burning OF the steamer lnde.
pendence, which occurred on the 18th Of
February. She run ashore on the shoals
Of Margaretta Island, lower California,
when she took fire and burnt. 500 pas
sengers were on board. 100 OF whom are
known to be lost, and it is the opinion of
many of the saved that the loss Of life
exceeds $50, exclusive of children; some
estimate the loss of life at 200.
The passengers Of the Independence
strongly censure the captain for the man.
ner in which the steamer was permitted to
strike upon the reef. They say that the
morning was perfectly clear, and when
the captain was warned of the danger. he
replied, "Go to hell and mind your own
business" Afterwards, however, he be-
haved with great courage and humanity.
To add to the horrors OF the scene. the
fire reached the powder Magazine, which
exploded with terrible force, shattering the
steamers stern to pieces, and scattering
the fragments in every direction. Many
passengers were blown into the sea; others
jumped in, and were Immediately carried
off by the strong current sweeping from
shore. Many who had previously reached
the shore were unable to render assistance,
and were obliged to remain passive spec
tators. The ship finally swung round te
the beach, where the coal took fire. The
vessel was totally destroyed.
Captain Sampson states that the whole
number OLIVES los, from the independence
was one hundred and twenty. five, includ-
ing fifteen of the crew. In his statement
of the disaster, he says the first boat launch
ed out was swamped, butthe second reach
ed the shore with line. Two other boats
were then launched, in which passengers
were being taken ashore, when the flames
having got such headway that those aboard
became wild with terror and jumped over
board. Spars. matches, tables, and every
thing moveable were thrown to those strug-
Cling in the sea, and by these means many
others reached the shore. One hour af-
ter the ship struck the beach. she was an
entire sheet Of flames, and the only per-
sons aboard was the captain and one coal
passer. Boats from the shore then reach
ed her, into which the captain got, and
succeeded in rescuing three boat loads
from the waves. 3ao5
!. Captain Sampson then took boat and
pulled round to Magdalen Bay, where he
found the schooner A. Emery, which i'm
mediately proceeded to the island. Mean
time, however, the passengers went across
to the south side ofthe island where they
found boats and whaling ships. The pas
sengers were all taken on board these
ships, where their sufferings were relieved.
tered to take them to San Francisco, where
they arrived on the 3lst of March. The
Captain states that if the steamer had not
taken fire, not soul would have been lost.
and also states the reefs on which she
struck is not laid down on any chart.
Two attempts to fire San Francisco were
made on the night Of the goth March.
The people Of Sonora are emigratlng to
the banks Of the Gila to escape the attacks
VI buO hPuSuS ihuiohS'
The clipper Teugus sailed for China
with 800 Chinese passengers.
mine of native sulphur has been dis
covered near diamond spring.
"A severe fight had taken place at Sugar
Loaf mountain, Shasta Valley, between
the Pitt River Indians and party of pack
ers under VIM. Bruner. Several of the
Indians were killed.
Mr.. Aubrey and party from Santa Fe,
reached Los Angeles on the Gath of March
with a large drove of sheep He left Santa
Fe on the 14th Of November, and had no
rain until he reached the deserted camps
On the Gila river, around which were
strewn the bodies of human beings, sup
posed to have been murdered by the In
dians.
The mining news from all parts Of the
country is most cheering.