The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-11-13
shipwreck In the Pacific.

CAPTAIN SHOWS REPORT OF THE LOSS OF THE BRIG
CHATHAM.
From the Valparaiso Herald, Oct.
The brig Chatham, of San Francisco, George F..
Snow master, sailed from San Francisco on the 9th
Of September, 1852, on a trading voyage to the
islands in the South Pacific Ocean: After having
visited the Marquesas, Society, and Harvey groups,
we left WhylOOtacke ION the 2Sth Of December, for
San Francisco, with full cargo Of the produce Of
the islands. We stood to the northward until the
morning of the 9Th of January, 1862 when, at 4:3O
A. NJ, the land and breakers were deserted close
under the bows, and before the brig could be wore
she struck on the reef on the west side of low
sand Island not laid down on any chart or in
any book in my posse sion. l used every
means to get the vessel off the reef, but she soon
bilged. The natives by this time flocked to the
beach, and seemed to show every mark or q savage
all on board. A consultation was held amongst us
as to the best means to pursue. Some were for fight
ing and some for trying to make frieads with the
natives they dare not come on board, nor dare we
60 on shore. 30 proposed to make every oerpara-
ton for fight, and would 90 on shore and find out
the disposition of the natives, which course was
adopted. Every thing ready lett the vessel for the
shore across the reef telling those on board if they
awaited them. On my reaching the shore, the ma
tives laid aside their spears and received me very
kindly, kissed and caressed me- and, as afterwards
learned, they thought me curious specimen of the
human being, for they had never seen Q white mar
before. By this time the natives perceived there
were many things 10 and about the vessel they very
much needed, and they made push for the vessel
and stripped her of all moveabes they could lay
hands on, nor did they stop here but robbed us Of
everything we attempted to save they would not
permit us to have anything ALL they even search
ed our clothes, and Ill some instances tore off the
pockets in their eagerness to get the contents of
them.
After they had stripped the vessel we were dis
trbuted amongst the people OF the island where we
every moment. The weather was stormy, the
houses very poor and the natives yelling, passing
and repassjng, armed with spears Kept sleep FROM
our eyes. The next morning commenced our natu-
ralizat0n. We were all drawn together and armed
with spears and marched of to the north end Of the
island, supposed to be there sacrificed to ther
gods-for they have many-but the training ended
well, and we were each taken to our respective
carried differing only as their modes of Worship
differ, according to which of the gods they worship.
We then found out that we were considered supreme
beings, ard that we had nothing to fear as long as
they thought so. All we had to subsist on was
the cocoa nut and occasionally a bit of fresh fish.
The island produced nothing but the cocoa nut,
and the natives are both indolent and igno-
rant. | saw no marks of industry, except
in their Canoes which are built for the pur-
pose Of warfare; they from fifty to seventy feet
in length and will carry from one to two hundred
persons. / found the ialand to be lagoon island.
composed Of eighteen islands, and the inhabitants to
amount to about $500 natives They are all overruu
with rats and land crabs, that it would be impos
sble to grow vegetation if planted. The natives
worship ldOs, departed spllts OF tner own race ana
have god.men, or species Of Pagan priest among
the mselves whom they worship on particular occa-
sons. Their mode of worship would be hard to de-
scribe; 1t begins with sort of spear exercise, then
dance, then singing, crying and cutting themselves
in shocking manner across the breast, arms and
face with sharp shells, until they are perfect gore
of blood and frightfnl to behold.
As soon as the weather and the natives would per-
nit set about building boat out OF the yawl add
fragments Of the wreck which took near SIX weeks
to complete and during this time suffered in the ex-
IRENE from the heat of the sun and hunger and
thirst The crew roaming about, fared very well
from the different tents. =,
The boat complete, started with my mate, one
seaman and passenger, the ooate fSompe raas
to the suffering crew, for by this time the natives
began to think burthen TO them; hut the boat
proved eaky, and on the second day we were forced
to return We now waited for the raipy season to
pass, and in March the Gath started for the Navi.
gators Islands, If no relief could be got nearer.
knowing there was pearl fishery at Humphreys
Island, | made for it, and on the 26th, at PM,
reached the island; the boats crew consisted of my
self mate, second mate, and passenger. As SOON
as the boat was on shore, the mate and passenger
refused TO 60 farther in the boat, consequently
was forced to remain until the 10th of August, when
the English brig Caroline Hart touched at the isiand
and took me off, and to this port, where arrived
Yesterday
The Chatham and cargo we're a total loss, but all
persons we're saved and we're in good health when
left the island, though the natl yes began 70 use
them quite ill., and they probably now are, II alive,
in great suffering for by this time they can nave no
clothing at all, and COCOA nuts are scarce.
------------+~-------
GALE on THE LAKE.-A heavy blow spiaug up
yesterday towards evening In lew hours the waters
we're covered wi myrisds OF white caps ana seemed
time this fall. All last nigh. the storm continued and
has to day abated little We may expect to hear Of
disatters Nothing but good l1tk AID the best II sailing
~ Va Va gel