Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1853-05-05
kTcm the san Francisco Whig md ADVERTISER April =.
Burning Of the independence!
renlbIe seens III tle lleneln
Intorsstine particulars M d.. Tcrbett.

The Island upon which The Inflated steamer
was wrecked is situated on the coast of Lower
California, l67 miles north Of the point known
as the Cape st, Lucas The coast in this re-
gion, bold and rock-bo is in many places
Inaccessible for vessels or bosts, and presents
an iron barrier to the lucllless ship coasiina its
rocky PROJECTIONS. The spot where the steam
er struck was on point Of sand beach, Extend
ing seaward from the coast OF the Island, but
covered at high water.
The steamer was going under fine head Of
steam on the 10th OF February, when at day
break, though before the light was perfectly
clear she suddenly struck and stopped. The
land could be seen toward the coast, but very in
distinctly. At the moment the vessel struck, an
indescribablo scene of confusion occurred on
! beard. A rush was made by the passengers TO
the various hatchwoys, and the upper deck was
soon entirely crowded with human beings
Capt. Sampson was on the wheel house, and at
once ordered the engineer TO back her, which
was done, the steamer backing olfwilh apparent
ease. The land at this time appeared on the
larboarl bow, and made out in narrow point
or cape the sen was smooth, and the steamer
drawing seven feet OF water; no breakers were
visible from any quarter. The conclusion was
not violent, but Of such force as to arouse the
whole ship, and in few moments every soui
on board was on the upper deck. As soon as
the vessel was backed into deep water, Capt.
/ Sampson gave secret orders that the pumps
should be sounded, when il was discovered that
+ there were eight feet of water in the hold. Il
was of importance that this alarming fact should
( be kept from the passengers TO prevent confu-
sion, while instant measures were adopted TO
/ beach the ship al the nearest available spot
The news, however, quickly flew from mouth
to mouth, and then crsued scene Of which no
idea can be given save by those who have been
: similarly situated,
Here was the population Of small town,
with many women and children, and death STAR
! ing them IN the face, and 10 visible means for
slccor at hand A rush was at once made for
the most valuable articles of private property
Many were thus trampled and bruised. But il
was soon found that the ship could be kept
( ailoat, and her head was pointed up the coast
with the intention of Bleaching her in some con
lvenient and safe place. To facilitate this an
immense amount of dry wood was heaped into
the furnace, and heavy head Of steam kept up
Our informant thinks that they must have rur
up the coast nearly five miles before a suitable
place was found. During this time quiet haC
been somewhat restored on board, and the great.
est anxiety was manifested in the progress Of
the vessel. Daylight had now dawned, and
|tLey found themselves runnino along a rock
hound coast surmorutcd nv slupcndoas noun.
tains. entirely destitute of vcrIlre. and anna.
rcntlv inundated. Al length a large gully O,
royine Was ,ii,,,,,,.l. go -.
|ort iu,5 d s''.- .,,,o turned. The GROVE
""s NOW so great around the stern to avoid thc
anticipated danger of the conclusion, that tn,
helmsman could with difficulty steer the ship
She was however, beached handsomely amC
with considerable force. Had this been the
only danger, there IS no doubt that every sou
on board would have been saved; but in the eX,
eFuOhs 10 get up steam to hurry The the vessel 5
progress, a tremendous heat had been made II
me furnaces thcSwatcr, now fast increasing II
me vessel hold, stoppedlhe ilues and oOstructcl
the draught IL The chmncyS; the furnace doors
were o. course bursied OPEN and vivid volume
oil hame twenty Ie'j IN length shot INTO the lire
room, driving everybody before 1t with the II
) tense neat and Instantly setting The wood work
: INTO blaze. All eIerts to control the lame.
were utterly Intellectual, and from this moment
NE IRE ran rapidly over The vessel. but IN de-
scrlJlng the origin Of the ire we have gone be-
You'd the story OF our informant.
When the steamer was beached with her bows
on, and before the flames had broken out, rush
was made for the bows, but the sea, though
smooth OIL the shore, ran IN heavy surf on thC
beach, and there was distance OF some three
hundred yards between the vessel and the land
Capt. Sampson now gave the order TO lower
away boat, and The chief mate with one othel
undertook to carry line TO the shore.
The progress Of the boat was watched with
eager eyes by the assembled multitude on board
the ship; but, IS some Of the sailors on board
had predicted, She was swamped by the surf, The
+ line was lost, AMI the ycnucrs, with their boat
were thrown upon tLe beach, the two men bare
" escaping with their lives. y second boat