Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1853-05-05
Statement of the Passengers.
FROM the San Ftnncl.eo Hefala of Ann /.

80 great has been the anxiety weighing upon
the public mind regarding the fate of the I'M
fortunate Independence, that il was almost re-
lief, although a mourniu one, to learn the parii-
cuars of her mishap; to know that she had not
gone down with all on board. but that some were
saved to tell the story of their disaster. We
have conversed with several of the surviving
passengers, and have gathered various details
that will prove interesting; these we place be-
fore the public as they were given, without com
ment but in the belief that the simple narrative
Of an eyewitness to the horrors Of the scene
must be the medium of communication. The
Independence, Ms all who had to do with her will
remember, was never a favorte ship; in the
present instance, it il stated that most of the
passengers went on board at San Juan with
species of anxiety, resulting from the appearance
Of the steamer and apparent incapacity, IN point
OF size, to accomodate so many human beings
without prospect of some casualty. Our nior-
manis observed, that il was the opinion OF nine
tenths Of the passengers that the chances were
against their reaching San Francisco. The ship
was crowded. 50 much so that many were with
out berths aud obliged to sleep on deck. With
the crew, and fourteen who came on board at
Acapulco, we understand there were four hum
dred and fourteen souls on board.
The morning of the 10th March was clear
the atmosphere pure and transparent; the vessel
struck at about O'Clock, while the decks were
yet strewn with sleeping passengers. The spot
where the shipwreck occurred, with many patti
culars is given in Capt Simpsons account. pub
llshed on the first page of this mornings paper /;
our narrative shall consist only of such facts as
have not as yet been related
Immediately oiter the vessel touched, most Of
the passengers came on deck the rocks were
distinctly visible reaching about two feet above
water, and about quarter of mile from the
beach; the surf was high, and a series Of break
ers stretched along the beach, dashing over the
rocks with violence. Immediately upon s,rik-
ing. the captain gave orders to back; the engines
were reversed, and the ship guided into deep
water they then ran forward about two miles,
when the water was found to be washing in with
fearful rapidlty. At this time there was not much
excitement or confusion Oh board the Storage
passengers were quiet and the ladies' behaved
remarkably ell. Men were stationed with buck
ITS to keep the water down; 1t gained rapidly,
however. and its pressure forced open the fur
mace doors. Capt. Steene, passenger then adj
vlsed Capt. Sampson to beach her, which was
done; as soon as she struck, the engines stopped
working; there was very high surf between
the vessel and the beach, rendering communca-
non with the shore apparently perllous.
The passengers We're orderly enough until the
fire broke ont they saw the smoke coming up
from below and some asked the Captain and
crew II the ship was on fire; they answered mo-.
and that there was no danger They believed
themselves safe, even as TO the preservation of
their baggage, and SO great was this feeling Of
security that some OF the ladies remained ODD bed.
When the flames began TO burst forth, and the
alarm OF fire was sounded, confusion and fright
began to reign men seemed deprived ofrcas0n
by excess of terror, and leaped wildly into the
sea. whore they bufleled the waves irantcally
for time and then went down ike lead. The
first boat that was sent to communicate by line
with the shore was swamped; the sailors chung
to her and were thrown IN safety on the beach.
Another boat was started under the guidance Of
Captain Steene this succeeded in reaching the
shore with a line
The flames now began to rage with redoubled
violence, the wind driving the smoke aft, so shat
most Of the passengers copyrighted about the
bows: a scene of terror, confusion and suspense
ensued winch battles description; many were so
frightened that they made scarce any effort 10
SWIM, but went down apparently without sirug-
gle others, cast hnck and forward by the
powerful surf, battered and bruised against the
rocks, gave up the fight and sank from sheer ex-
hausuon Most OF the passengers had assemb-
lea upon the bows TO escape the driving flames
and suiiocaling smoke group Of nine reinain-
ed upon the poop until driven TO the water by the
heat; one OF their number, seized with "A sudden
panic, leaped overheard to a floating spar, mis-
sed 1t and was drowned the others, acting more
deliberately, reached the shore. But few were
saved by the boats-but two boat loads We nm
derstand; most of those who were saved ioatcd
ashore uOon spars benches and other articles
thrown overheard. Many Of the ladies' were
saved by the buoyancy OF their inflated clothing,
which enabled them to float upon the water
The following act Of devotion and ITS unlor-
tunate result Is sad to relate: a Mr.. Taylor
swan to the shore with his child upon his back
and placed the infant in safety upon the bank /;
them through the masses ofwreck, through float
ing spars and struggling swimmers, he nude his
way back TO where he had left his wife clnniag,
IN the water, to the rudder post he bore her al
so to the beach, but she had been so much bruls-
ed by being repeatedly dashed against the ships
bottom by the heavy waves that she did not sur
we 10 bless her husband for his devotion; she
died on bond the Meteor Mr.. Saunders and
four others hoated three miles ont 10 sea upon a
hen-coop; they were picked up by Capt Samp-
son, who went to their relief in a boat. The wa
ter was chilling cold, and they were completely
exhausted and benumbed with chnging beneath
It's surface for several hours TO their frai raft 1t
is supposed that many iioatod out 10 sea and
were lost as the tide was on the ebh there was
an eddy at the bow, and some were drowned bv
being drawn under BY the suction Of the san d. At
had been passed beneath.
There were four boats in all, three of which
were Of iron; they were capable of holding ten
persons each. a gentleman, whose name we
did not learn, attempted TO swim ashore with his
child upon his back, and supporting his wife by
a handkerchief to which She chung; she was
torn away, but managed to cling 10 a rope, while
he proceeded and saved the child. He then re-
turned to his wife and they both started again
Just then, person Jumped from the ship, and
falling, struck the lady upon the head; she was
stunned and Immediately sank, despite her hus-
bands efforts the latter foated to sea upon a
spar he vas an Englishmen, and good swim
mer, but was exhausted with his efforts he was
about to let in despair when fellow passen-
ger hard by, cried out to him to hold, boat was
coming. lie did so, and was saved.
A great number OF passengers sustained them
selves in the water by clinging to the cable
stretched to shore. This cable was suddenly
slackened, letting the unfortunate down into the
water. Many were drowned By this including
several ladies; but few were saved by clingng
to the rope
Capt. Sampson and DR.. Watch, a passenger
on board, threw over doors, trunks and other ar
ucles to the swimmers. Many of those in the
water were continually crying, shrieking and
praying, rendering the spectacle piteous IN the
extreme.