, 1853-08-27

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and the ship, which hung by the keel, be-
gan to thump heavily. Every sea forced
her further upon the shoal, and as she had
now become completely unmanageablc, the
sails were furl.d. The stream cable and an
chor were got ready, and the FIST cutter was
hoistcd out. Lieutenant Emmons was sent
To sound around the ship in various ditec-
tons, in one Of tie waist boats.
Al this time, the wind having veered 10
the norihward and westward, was freshcn-
ing; the air was hazy and fog was form
ing the ebb tide had begun to run strong,
and meeting not only the ocean waves, but
an opposing wind, in a short time formed
breakers which completely envcloped the
ship. These breakers soon stove in the FIST
cutter, and rendered her useless. Such was
the fury Of the sea, that it was with great
difficulty Lieutenant Emmons reached the
ship, and the boat was secured.
With every sea the ship lifted anil struck
heavily, and much solicitude was therefore
felt lest it should be mpracticable to get the
launch allolt; but no boat could have lived
alongside Of the vessel for more than few
moments.
The lighter spars were now sent down,
and the pumps were rigged every exerlion
was made to save the masis and lower yards,
by which the launch might be hoisled out
as soon as the sea would permit it.
Captain Hudson, finding that the ship was
leaking badly, ordered the watches in gangs
to the pumps, which were thencelorward
kept in action until the vessel was abandon
ed. Every possible exerlion was made to
bring the ships head to the sea, but with
out much effect, for the ruddor was soon
disabled in consequence Of the iron liller
being broken off The rudder was thus left
TO thresh about with such violence as to
threaten TO tear away the siern-irame.
At last, by heaving de shot overheard,
and starting the water, the ship was so much
lighlened that, by means Of the larboard an-
chor, which had been cast free Of the ship,
she was hove round with her head 10 the sea.
there was only nine feet depth Of water
alongside. Al 4j minutes past the chain
cable parted, the ship was again thrown
broadside 10 the sea, and began again to
strike heavily.
At 30 minutes past ! l it was high water I;
at P. N. the sea was rapidly increasing I;
and at 2 A. NJ, the breakers were making
continued breach over the vessel. by which
the bulwarks were slovo in, and the spar
deck flooded The water was knee-deep Oh
tho gun-dcck, and the stockholders were bur
icd in it. The night passed heavily, with
little hope Of the ships holding together till
morning. Al last the day dawned, and with
the coming light, and at the extreme fall oi
the tide, the sea providentially abaled.
at six O'Clock in the morning, large
canoe boarded The vessel, manned by crew
Of Chinook Indians, and having on board
old Ramsey, the pilot, with a coloTed boy
belonging to the Vincennes, Of the name Of
John Dean. The latter, who had been len
by me with Mr.. Waldro1 at Astoria, had
persuaded Ramsey and the Indians 10 como
of, for The purpose Of rendering assistance.
The launch and boats were also hoisted out,
few provisions put in them, and part Of
the meR and officers embarked, with as little
delay ms possible, and Just as they stood, for
fear of overlooking the boats, and thus caus-
ing the loss of all. In these, Lieutenant
Perry, with Purser Spicdrn, the sick, the
naiuralisis, and the charts, books, and ships
papers, were sent off, to be landed in Ba-
krr's Bay. The boats landed all not ncces-
sary TO row them, in safety and succeeded
in making a second trip, in which all who
had remained on board were taken 10 the
shore, except Captain Hudson, Lieutenant
Walker, the boatswain, the carpenter, and
about thirty men.
Towards noon, the breakers again increas-
ed T; and the sea was making brrach in all
directions over the ship, which was filling
fast, the water having risen above the level
Of the berth deck. The mssts were cut
away, and the vessel lay a complete wreck,
with nothing standing but the stump Of the
mizzcn- mast
| Li,ulenanl Emmons, who had charge oI
the boats, was, during this time. using every
possible exrriion 10 make a third trip, but
without success and the crews Of the boats
were the anxious witnesses of the condition
Of the ship, without being able 10 relieve
those on board from their prrilous situation.
They Pcnovcrcd, however, in their fruilless
and laborious endeavors, until one Of the
boats, in charge Of Mr. Lewis, the gunner,
was thrown end over end, and with her
crew cngulied. Lieutenant Dc Haven was
fortunately close at hand, and succeeded in
saving those on bo1rd all of whom were
injured, and one of them severely, by the
breaking of his hip bone.
The intense excitement, both of those in
the vessel and in the boats at this moment,
may be readily imagined The accident
was seen from the ship: Captain Hudson
was satisfied that any immediate attempt tc
relieve him and his companions must be
fruitless; and that the only chance that re-
maincd, was TO preserve the boats for fu
turc occasion.
He lherelorc orlcrel thc onsirn IN h.