The weekly Placer herald., 1853-04-16
the $. s. Lewis Wrecked.

Again we are called upon to record
the loss of another ocean steamer. Van
derbilt's line seems to be particularly un-
fortunate Of late. From the Alta we
learn that. ..... .....
"The spot where the S. ). Lewis
was wrecked is about eight miles north
of the wreck Of the Tennessee, or eleven
miles above "the Heads" where point
makes out, and a dangerous reef presents
an APPALLING line of breakers at high tide.
The Lewis struck during dense fog, at
low water, upon some of the rocks Oft
this point of land. Had she gone among
them at high water, it would have been
impossible to have landed her passengers
with safety. She struck at about O'Clock
A. NJ. and Capt. Sparrow is SAID to have
expressed his conviction that the tide had
set him upon Mile Rock, and acting on
this, he attempted to back her OFT. Scarce
IIy, however, had her propel ers made
dozen revolutions, when she thumped
astern, and the fog partially lifting, Capt.
rs. was enabled to perceive the beach
cables length, ahead. He now reversed
the engines, finding it impossible TO extr-
cate the vessel from among the breakers,
and ran her for the beach. She struck on
ledge of rocks and rolled heavily from
side to side, sustaining considerable injury
from the first shock Of the rock and wave.
| The passengers were but little alarmed, :,
after the excitement of putting the vessel
ashore was over, and it was not until
two hours after she struck that the boats
were lowered She WAS well provided
with boats, and all the passengers and
their baggage with some ship stores We're
landed without difficulty. The last load
left the ship about 10 A. M. At abont
/ l2 O'Clock the female portion Of the pas
senoers were escorted to Mr. Plumbe s
saw mills, about four miles from the
wreck, where they were comfortably pro-
vided with food ana quarters for the night.
| The men took up their lodgings on the
beach sheltered by cove nearthe wreck.
The Active went to the assistance of
the Lewis, hat before she could reach her,
barely ANYTHING was left hut her hull.
| The Lewis, in one night, had completely
rome to pieces At the point on which
she struck was to be seen Il fragment OF
/ her huil-the lower portion--and even this
remnant was being fast washed apart
! Her tinberS are streWn along the beach
A portion of her upper works had become
disenpae eed from the main wreck, ana
drifted few hundred yards to the south
ward, had sought an easy death among a
more formidable line Of breakers. Only
these two vestiges Of the steamer remain
upon the rocks.
The steamers Goiiah and Active were
busiIy occupied during the whole morning
in transporting passengers from the beach
Cat the mouth of Bolnas Bay) to their
decks. The ladies were all recalled from
the saw mill and safely, with the excep-
ton of slight wetting, put on board the
steamers. The u. s. revenue cutter
Frolic, Capt. Ottinger, was also actively
engaged in service at the wreck during
yesterday forenoon. Fl
}pe understand from her agents tha
the Lewis was insured for $3.50, ,O0G, il
New York"
Marshal Ney, of France, according tC
a statement in the Savannah Republican
was ah officer in the revolutionary arm,
of the United States-his name wa.
! Michael Rudolf. He was. it is said, o
German parentage, and was born on the
Eastern Shore of Mary land. At a very
early age he entered the army; and achiev
ed distinction in Lees legion. He mar
I..L