The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-01-02

Marine Disaster.

known and now much -frequented North Pacific ocean.
The loss OF the ship Huness has been quickly followed
by another accident will be seen from the following
tract of letter from very intelligent and adventurous
youth on board OF the ship Superior. The crew were
rescued by miracle from starvation the side. and
death the other from the savages equentng the icy
shores of Siberian Russia Why do these accidents oc
cur so frequently The question is easy OF solution
The North Pacific ocean, including Behring's straits is
now the most profitable whaling ground for our six hun
dred hardy whalemen and OF the geography of this
grand nursery OF our seamen less is known than of
any part OF the globe There not single chart of any
extent OF the coasts based upon reliable surveys
Detached sections only have been surveyed Our enter
prising fellow citizens, the Messrs Blunt of New York
by great exertons have issued the best chart exan of
these seas, entirely without assistance from government
10 foster commerce and promote and protect the interests
OF the seaman is to enrich the country and rear up
large, active, and inyincibe corps of to and
lead our navy TO victory in time OF To neglect the
great commercial affairs OF our government is TO impov
ersh our treasury and reduce and destroy our naval and
maritime strength
BY the las, dates from the Sandwich Islands il is
known that the season just closed in the whaling
glons has been most prosperous one-rch yields of oil
are the rewards OF the bold navigators What. would
ask is the duty OF government in order extend proper
facilities 10 the fleets OF ships threading their way in
these dark, hidden. and little known seas Let we'll
equipped aud efficient force be despatched at once with
ample at hand and diligently survey and explore
the route of whalers-seek ports of reugedeter-
nine accurately every island, headand--and track
the coasts, far and wde from Northwest America TO
China-hun up and locate the many reefs and islands
that now obstruct the path for steamers to China
from San Francisco. How better can portions OF our
navy in time OF peace be occupied Like adventures
ana enterprises suit the genius of our people. They
rear up and mature active minds and prepare them for
the duties and responsibilities of naval life. We rejoice
find bV nf he If
the Navy that an effective squadron, in compliance
with the late law OF Congress, is rapidly preparing
to depart the waters OF the Atlantic for the express pu
pose OF devoting several years minute nvestip alton
and survey OF the route 10 and from China and America
both from the Atlantic and Pacific shores; and also for
the primary object OF accurately surveying and preparing
facilities in the North Pacific ocean, Behring's straits
&C. The expedition is important and interesting
national enterprise. Results of nestmable vaIue both
TO the practical and scientific world may be looked for
Other nations are looking to these new fields of COM
merce, and watching our movements with interest
Squadons for similar and rival purposes in contem-
paiion abroad Let us be in advance OF them and give
every assistance TO our young and adventurous officers
who have volunteered 10 perform the hazardous and ex
posed duty
The objects Of the expedition are of great national i'm
portance, and the enterprise merits beyond all question:
the fostering and attentive OF the country during its
absence abroad We hope the proper authorities will
oeS W rs Aecp we'll win all
the means OF success
The whaling trade in all its various and rich resources
has. TO this time, although of the most prolific
sources OF wealth 10 our country been much neglected
II the expedition had other object in view than the in
teres,s OF this branch of trade, it would be money well
expended. and only and justly due to the citizens
who engage in it, and the hardy honest, and worthy
men who go abroad in the fleets OF WELL found whale
ships. Some of the many dangers arising from imper.
feet knowledge and ncoIect charts of the coasts of
Northwestern America and Russian Siberia &C., will be
best understood by careful perusa of the letter an
nexed, detailing the loss Of the ship Superior.
Extract of letter from board the ship Superior,
lost of Cape Prince of Wales, Behring's straits, Augrs;
IL, 1852;
"MY DEAR PARENTS; The barqus Black Eagle will
leave the whaling ground Immediately on the taking OF
one more whalel and thought it would be good on
porunl'y to let You hear from me. Captain Babcock
goes TO The Sandwich islands in her, and would too If
could get chance, but cannot The ship Superior
was cast away on small island (six miles long, and
about twenty rods wide) in the Anadr sea- the mouth
OF the gulf Of the Holy Cross and about half mile from
the coast Of Siberia, the lh of last month bul Tor
,unatey none OF our lives were lost We were taking
oil last Tor several days previous and everything seemed
10 indicate full ship. heavy fog shu, in abou, nine
O'Clock, a m. and, after taking in fore and mzzen top.
gallant SAILS and flying b, stood on the wind s,arboard
tacks aboard. 1t being the larboard watch below,
turned into my bunk al ak bells Was awakened BY
the sudden striking OF the ship on the sandbeach and her
careening heavily 10 eeward. Orders were immediately
gwen to scute the casks OF oil deck which amounted
10 some two hundred barrels, and 10 beaye overheard
everything we could get hold OF on deck in order to
tighten ship In the mean time two boats lowered,
10 order TO carry Hedge out stream, and after some diff
Guilty they succeeded ID settlhg Il out we sow began
TO heave on the wndass but soon became evident that
II was OF nc use, the kedge drawing Our only
chance TO the top sails and try to stand off
but II failed, and made matters worse by suing the ship
a-broadslde We now gave up all hopes Of saving
her Al this time the fog cleared up little, and showed
to us an Indian looking at about half mile off He
watched us few moments and then disappeared to the
other side OF the island Presently we saw about one
hundred OF them come running down towards u.s. drag.
gIng their hide canoes after Them and accompanied by
great quantity OF dogs They presented very far from
pleasant sight TO US, as knew not what TO expect
from them. Captain B. told TO treat them all kindly,
and he guessed they would trouble us The Indians
now assembled the beach, and made signs OF ftiend
ship, which we returned and renewed by giving them
one hundred and fifty pounds of tobacco, hachets &c.
We now went to work and erected a tent on shore,
and commenced getting of provisions, which we con-
unued doing until the 10th, when the heavy rolling OF
the surf tore the wreck pieces We fitted out two
whaleboa's to 90 TO 10 search of ship but the wind
setting from the eastward did not put out. On the
25th three ships in sight Immediately we launched
two boats, which started for them Those of us ashore
pat up SPAR and up the banner union
down, and hen made as large FIRE could In the
course OF three hours of the sh FPS back her
main yard which gave the joyful assurance that we
were noticed. We saw her hoist in our boats and
down for the land then she dropped anchor, and we
were safely rescued. We might, perhaps have had to
remain there; and how many OF would have lived
through the perils OF Siberian winter God only knows
II was the ship North Star that took us of from that
low sandy island, and II aboard OF her that write