Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1853-04-30
Destruction by Wreck and Fire OF
the Steamship Independence.
LOSS OF 100 LIVES!

The island upon which the Inflated steame
was wrecked, is situated on the coast of Lowe
California, one hundred and sixty-seven mile
north of the point known as the Cape st. Lu
cas-. The coast in this region, bold and rocl
bound, is in many places inaccessible for YES
sells or boats, and presents an iron barrier to tn
Iuckless ship eoasting its rocky projections
The spot where the steamer struck, was on
point of sand beach, extending seaward from
the coast of the island, but covered at high wa
ter.
The steamer was going under a fine head o
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 towards the coast, but very
indistinctly. At the moment the vessel struck
an indescribable scene of confusion occurred or
board. A rush was made by the passengers te
the various hatchways, and the upper deck was
soon entirely crowded with human beings
Capt. Sampson was on the Whecl-Eouse, and
at once ordered the engineer to back her, which
was done, the steamer backing off with appar-
ent ease. The land at this time appeared on
the larboard bow, and made out in a narrow
cape; the sea 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 a few moments every soul
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 it was discovered
that there were eight feet of water in the hold.
1t was of Importance that this alarming fact
should be kept from the passengers to prevent
confusion, while instant measures were adopt
ed to beach the ship at the nearest available
spot. The news, however, quickly few from
mouth to mouth, and then ensued a scene of
which no idea can be given, save to those who
have been similarly situated. Here was the
population of a small town, with many women
and children, death staring them in the face, and
no visible means of succor at hand. A rush
was at once made for the most valuable arti-
Giles of private property Many were thus
trampled and bruised. But it was soon found
that the ship could be kept afioat, and her head
was pointed up the coast with the intention of
Bleaching her in some convenient and safe place.
facilitate, an immense amount Of dry wood
was heaped into the furnaces, and a heavy head
of steam kept up. Our informant thinks that
they must have run up the coast nearly five
miles before a suitable place was found. Du-
ring this time quiet had been somewhat re-
stored On board, and the very greatest ankle
ty was manifested in the progress of this YES
sci. Daylight had now dawned, and they found
running alonga rock-bound coast
surmounted by stupendous mountains, entirely
of verdure, and apparently uninhabit-
ed. At length a large gulIev or ravine was
discovered, which appeared to make out into a
sand beach, and into this nook the bows of the
steamer were turned. The crowd was now so
great around the stern to avoid the anticipated
danger of the conclusion, that the helmsman
could with difficulty steer the ship. She was,
however, beached~ handsomely and with consid-
force.
Had this been the only danger there is no
doubt that every soul on board would have been
but in the exertions to get up steam to
hurry the vessels progress a tremendous heat
had been made in the furnaces; the water, now |
increasing in the vessels hold, stopped The |
aues and obstructed the draught into the chin
neys; the furnace doors were OF course burst
open, and a vivid volume Of flame twenty feet in
shot into the fire room, driving every |
body before it with the intense heat, and in
stantly setting the wood work in a blaze. All
ectual and from this moment the fire ran rapid
y SNSi lax sCoSSi. - u III uCSCIlOIli8 llc UTIgIH !
If the fire we have gone beyond the story of
our informant: y
"When the steamer had beached with her |
BOWS on, and before the flames had broken out,
rush was made for the bows; but the sea,
houg smooth off the shore, ran in heavy surf
IN the beach, and there was a distance of some |
100 yards between the vessel and the land
Capt. Sampson now gave orders to lower away
hnof nnI tho ,b;of r,ofo with &bo sflo. ,ol,. !
ook to carry a line to the shore. The progress
ssembled multitude on board the shig; but, as
vas swamped by the surf, the line was lost, and
he venturers with their boat were thrown upon
he beach, the two men barely escaping with
1anned by volunteers from among the men,
eeded in making a small three-inch hauling
ne fast to- projecting rock, which was at once
auled taut by those on board. A third boat
'as put in charge ofCapt. Steel, an experien-
shipmaster who was a passenger on board.
'uring this time the ship remained ilnmovable,
le surf striking her in the stern and perhaps
ending to set her tirmer into the sand. The
iiio oodI was tnen lo"ercu; IL was lOHnd Llat
he was half full of water and of no service un-
'ss bailed out, and DIR. Corbett sprung into
er for that purpose; this effected, six ladies
'ere passed down into the boat, among whom
'ere Miss Conway, Mrs. Haley, Mrs. Seymour
nd Mrs. Coots. There were two other ladies'
hose names we have not learned. The boat
ode the first breaker, but was filled and swamp
, by the second, and those already on shore
lshed to the rescue of the ladies and dragged
lem on shore. DR.. Corbett was in this boat,
nd gaining the shore turned towards the ship
the cries of terror proceeding from her, and
eheld the quarter deck enyeloped in flames.
"And now ensned one ofthe most narrowing
ever recorded in the history of Ship
reck; the flames leaped rapidly across the af-