Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1853-05-05
Loss OF the independents.
l29 LIVES LOST.

of a terrible shipwreek which occurred
on the Pacific coast on the 10th Of February
last.
1t appears that on the morning of that fatal
day, shortly before daylight, the steamer struck
a bar and Immediately stopped, of the coast
of Lower California. The captain, who was
standing on the wheel-houso at the time, or
deied the engineer to back, and when the en-
CINE went into reverse motion the ship left the
bar without any trouble In few minutes
the whole Of the crew, numbering 324, were
on deck, most Of them in their night clothes
As soon as the vessel was backed into deep wa
ter, the captain gave secret orders to sound the
pumps, when it was discovered that there we're
seven or eight feet Of water in the hold. This
fact could not long be concealed, and when it
was discovered by the passengers scene of
confusion, more easily imagined than de-
seribed, took place on board. The captain
thought the ship could be kept aaoat for some
time, and determined to run upon the beach at
the FIST convenient opportunity. Her head
was accordingly turned up the coast and great
quantity of dry wood put into the furnace, and
a heavy head of steam soon accumulated un-
der which the ship flew like an arrow along
high, rock bound coast for about five miles,
when a deep ravine, leading from the water in
to a sandy beach upon the island, was discov-
ered Her bow was Immediately turned into
this gully, and with one accord the passengers
ran toward the stern to avoid the concussion.
As soon as she was beached, they ran TO the
bow which caused the water TO choak the fues,
and Immediately the doors burst open and the
flames poured forth in tremendous column,
twenty feet high. The ship was three hun
dred yards from shore and high sea running.
The captain ordered boat to be lowered
which attempted to carry line ashore, but was
swamped.
Three boats were sent ashore from the burn
ing wreck, during which time she was bedded
more firmly in the sand by the action Of the
serf upon her stern. Six ladies started for the
shore in one of the boats, but abeut midway
the boat was capsized and the ladies were saved
by the exertions of those who had reached the
shore before them. On looking back they be-
held the deck in flames. And now ensued one
of the most narrowing scenes ever recorded in
the history of shipwreck. The flames soon
spread over the ship, driving the unfortunate
sufferers before it, and dozens, to avoid the ag-
onies of roasting alive, sprang into the water
and were seen struggling in the surf All the
boats were now gone, and it was impossible to
regain the ship from the shore or to render any
succor whatever dreadful cries and screams
proceeded from the burning mass, which, min
gled with the roaring of the sea, the cracking
of the burning rigging and the shouts OF those
on shore, who could do nothing to rescue their
friends who were perishng in their sight, must
have been n scene of terror and horror at the
contemplation of which the heart grows sick.
AS the flames advanced the sufferers were driv
en- off into the water and every serf came to
the shore freighted with corpses or half drown
ed men, women and children. To add to the
terrific scene the flames had now communica-
ted to the powder magazine, which exploded
with tremendous crash, splintering the stern;
while the guns, surrounded by the flames, sent
their solemn booming over the scene.
Those who were fortunate to get within
reach of their friends on shore were dragged,
half dead, out of the reach of the surf, while
others drifted far out into the sea and pershed.
At one moment not less than thirty bodies were
on the edge of the surf, divested of clothing.
Sixteen out of eighteen Jews, who were on
board, were dragged down by the weight of
the coin they were trying to save.
The officers and sailors behaved most man
fully Some of these noble fellows, disregard
ing their own safety, took childIen and women
in their arms, or lashed them TO their persons,
and thus attempted to save them. Several of
them are known TO have sacrificed their lives
in this manner. We have not the space to re-
cord the many instances of courage and self
sacrifice Of which the papers give accounts
Among the most conspicuous is that of Mr..
Tarr, who lost his life in attempting to save the
life of boy. They came to shore together
both drowned One fireman brought two chill.
dren TO shore, whose parents were drowned
Another fireman brought beautiful boy ashore
to his mother, who had just been washed to the
beach, Her husband and two children had
been drowned and she supposed this one had
shared the same fate. Her feelings may be i'm
agined. Tom Sawyer. wild and reckless
scamp, but whose faults should be hencefor-
ward forgotten, went to and from the wreck
four times. He is only nineteen. After the