Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1853-04-28

THE STEAMER ''INDEPENDENCE." Can
tain Sampson states that the steamer Independ-
ence had been set in shore by a current; that
breeze at the time deceived him a to his distance
from the land We gather the following parlicu.
lars from the accounts published in the San Fran
cisco papers.
When the flames began to burst forth, and the
alarm of fire was sounded, confusion and fright
began to reign; men seemed deprived of reason
by excess of terror, and leaped wildly into the
sea, where they bufeted the waves franticay
for time, and then went down like lead. I he
hrst boat That was sent to communicate by a line
with the shore, was swamped; the sailors chung
to her, and were thrown in safety upon the beach,
Another boat was started Under the guidance of
Capt, Steene; this succeeded in reaching the
shore with line.
The flames now began TO rage with redoubIed
violence, the wind driving the smoke aft, and a
scene of terror, confusion, and suspense ensued,
which battles description. Most of the passengers
had assembled on the bows 10 escape the driving
flames and suilocatng smoke. But few were
saved by the boais-but two boat loads we un-
derstand; most of those who were saved, floated
ashore upon spars, benches, aud other articles
thrown overheard. Many of the ladies were
saved by the buoyancy of their inflated clothing,
which enabled them 10 float on the water
The following act Of devotion, and its unfortu-
nate result, is sad to relate--A MrTayor swan
to the shore with his child upon his back, and
placed the infant in safety upon the bank; then.
through the masses of wreck, through floating
sPars and the struggling swimmers, he made his
way back TO where lie had left his wife clinging
in the water, TO 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
moi eury In biaSS hor hus nd To-.
She died on board the Meteor
Mr. Saunders, and four others, hoated three
miles out to sea, upon hen coop. They were
picked up by Capt. Sampson, who went TO their
rebel IN boat The water was chilliugly cold,
and they were completely exhausted and be-
numbed with cllnglng, beneath its surface for
several hours, TO their frail raft.
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 10 swim ashore with bus child
upon his back, and supporting his wife with
handkerchief to which she chung; she was torn
away, but managed to cling to a rope, while he
proceeded and saved the child. He then returned
10 his wife, and they both started together. Just
then person jumped from the ship, and falling.
struck the lady upon the head, she was stunned,
and immediately sunk, despite her husbands et
forts; the latter foated TO sea upon spar; he
was an Engllshman, and good swimmer, but
Eas exhausedlwith his eilorts be was about to let
&c, IN despair, when fellow passenger hard by,
cried out to him to hold, a boat was coming. He
did, so, and was saved
The captain behaved with presence Of mind
and courage; he was the last man to leave the
ship; most of the crew left early. Those who
iirst reached the shore, did all that lay in their
power to assist the others The steward, James
Heron, among others, was inde@tigable in his
exertions
Among the incidents Of the day, after tho
wreck, child was born on The beach, and is now
healthy and thriving; the mother was carried
across the mountains in hammock, and even
walked part of the way to the boats.