The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-04-26

have not as yet been related.
Immediately after the vessel touched most Of the pas
teDgers deck the rocks were distinctly visible
reaching about two feet above water about
Of M mile from the beach; the surf was high, and
the rocks with violence Immediately upon striE
ing, the Captain orders to back engines we're
reversed and the ship gded into deep they then
forward about two miles, when the water was f,nd
to be rushing in with fearful rapdity At this time
there vas not much excitement confusion on board
the steerage passengers quiet and the ladies be-
haved remarkably well. Men stationed with buck
n H. i ssna
Captain Steene passenger, then advised Captain
Sampson to beach her which was done as soon as she
high surf between the vessel and the beach rendering
communication with the shore apparently perlous. The
passengers orderly enough until the fire broke ont
they saw the smoke coming up from below, and some
asked the captain and the ship was on re they
answered no. and that there was no danger. They be-
neyed them elves safe, to the preservation of
their baggage and SO great this feeling of security
that some Of the ladies remained in bed. When the
sounded confusion and fright began to reign men seem.
ed deprived OF reason by excess Of terror and eaped
tically for time and then went down IKE lead The
first boat that sent to communicate by line with
shone was swamped the sailors chung to her and
started under the guidance Of Captain Steene this sue
ceeded in reaching the shore with q line.
The flames now began to rage with redoubled violence
the wind driving the smoke att that most of the pas
sengers congregated about the bows of terror
confusion and suspense ensued which battles description
many frightened that they made scarce any effort
to SWIM but went down without struggle: others cast
PACK ana iorwasd by the powerful surf battered and
sheer exhaustion. Most Of had assembled
upon the bows to escape the driving flames sufoca
driven TO the water by the heat of their number
seized with sudden panic eaped overheard floating
deliberately reached the shore But few were saved bv
the boatsbut two boatloads we understand. most Of
those Who we're saved oated ashore benches
were saved by the buoyancy of their inflated clothing
which enabled them to float upon the water.
suit II sad to relate "A Mr. Taylor swan to tfe shore
with his child upon his back and placed the infant in
safety upon the bank then THROUGH the Of wreck
through floating spars and struggling swimmers made
his way back to where he had his wife clinginc in
the water to the rudder post He bore her also to the
peatedy dashed against the ships bottom BY the heavy
that che did not survive 10 bless her husband for
his devotion. She died on board the Meteor.
Mr Saunders and four others foated three miles out
to sea upon hen coop. They picked up by Capt.
Sampson who went to their relief in boat The water
was chiney cold and they completely exhausted
and benumbed with cnging, beneath its surface for
several hours, to their fra raft 1t is supposed that
many aoated out to and lost the tide was on
the ebb There en- eddy at the bow and some were
drowned BY besg drawn under by the suction of the sail
There four boats in all three of which were Of
iren they were capable of holding ten persons each
gentleman whose name We did not learn, attempted to
swim ashore with his child upon his back supporting
his wife with handkerchief to which she clung she was
torn away but managed to cling to rops while he pro-
and they both started again. Just then person jumped
from the ship and falling struck the lady upon the
husbands Efforts the latter aoated to sea upon spar
he was an Enghshman. and good swimmer but was ex-
hsusted with his Efforts he about go despair
when fellow passenger hard by cried out to him hold
boat was coming. He did SO, and was saved.
great number Of passengers sustained themselves in
the wster by cngpg to the stretched to the shore
This cable suddenly slackened letting the unort-
mates down into the water Many drowned by this
including several ladies' but few saved by cngng to
Cunt sampaon ana nr- w.,Ahs r.....s.- 90 s..ra
threw DOORS trunks and other articles to the swim
mers. Many Of those in the water were CONTINUALLY
crying shrekpg and praying, rendering the spectacle
pteous in the extreme.
rage he was the last man to leave the ship OF the
crew left early Those who first reached the shore did
steward James Herron among 0thers ndefatigable
in his exertions.
As the swimmers approached the shore, planks were
thrown out to them and those that had eyaned lit 10
strength waded out into the surf lend helping hand
to their comrades many they in fell exhausted
hour, completely Frustrated with extreme e1ertion The
ladies displayed the utmost kindness and consderation:
scany wardrobes they had saved With articles Of CLOTH
ing for many of the poor wretches utterly naked
to the and) and made shoes to protect their
feet while travelling the island in ch of succor
They remained the island three days and wo nights
during which time they suffered much from lack OF
water several water casks oated ashore but the LIQUID
they contaip was impreguated with salt az to be
useless On Thursday they obtained barrel Of molasses
and another Of vinegar they mixed the two, and it
swcred the purpose of quenchng their thirst. After
wards they managed to drill hole into rock with
spikes. which furnished scant supply of bracksh wa
ter, which they sucked through quilts. Eight miles in
land some water discovered and several went
thi,her in search of it. The island is barren and dest
tute Of all vegetation except species Of prickly pear
several coyotes were seen but other signs of life
About fifty of the passengers carried one of the ships
boats eahng about ton the island on their
shoulders ana launched her in Marguerite bay. They
also carried small cannon procured from the
wreck and little powder, which by chance was brought
BY they attracted the attention Of those on board the
whaleships which we're lying twelve milos OF
The captains Of these vessels Immediately patched
beats ashore with provisions and water The shpwrecked
party taken Off in the boats and dis ribued among
the different vessels, aboard which they remained fifteen
days the Meteor was then chartered and all went aboard
cept some twenty including several ladies' who prefer
red proceed in another ship to the Sandwich Islands
Many acts of individual courage perfo, many
that probably will never to light One gentleman,
after reachI the shore unnurcd again the
week or brought off child he had no family on board
nothing to tempt him to return to danger pas sed
except the noble desire to preserve human fe Another
threw his three children overheard aud followed after
themthey were all drowned 1t is supposed that three
or four perished in the flames suocaed in the
smoke.
stated by several Of the passengers that 59
persons exclusive Of children, lost Seventeen
children and fifteen females perished.
Tne following interesting incidents taken from the
statement OF Dr. Corbett:-
When the steamer beached with her bows on, and
before the flames had broke out rush made the
bows, but the sea- though smooth of the Shore in
heavy surf the beach, and there was distance of
some three hundred yards between the vessel and the
land Capt Sampson gave the order to lower away
boat and tho chief mate with other undertook to
carry line 20 the Shore the progress the boat was
watched with eager eyes by the assembled multitude
board the ship but some of the sailors had predicted
she swamped by the surf the line lost and the ad
yenturers with their boat thrown upon the beach,
the two barely escaping with their lives.
second boat now lowered and manned by volun.
teers from among the fremen who do no hesitate
say had shown themselves the noble hearted and
heroic Of by their fotude and courage through the
terrible scenes which followed. These brave fellows
reached the shore and in making small three
inch hauling line fast to projecting rock which at
hauled taut by those on board. The precise OBJ
ect Of this line do not porceive, it that n-
mediate not made of it, and third boat
lowered by order of the captain this boat put n
charge of Captain Steel experienced shpmaster who
was passenger on board During this time the ship
remained mmovable tha surf striking her in the
and perhaps tending to set her rmar into the sand
The thId boat having been lcwared 1t found that
she half full Of water, and Of service unless haed
ont and Doctor spranx into her for that plrpose