The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1854-01-25
FULL PARTICULARS OF TIE
Loss Of the Steamer
SAN FRANCISCO.

SAN F'RA-NClSCO
The following particulars of the loss o.
this noble steamer we copy from the New
York Herald. These accounts are from
some Of the sufferers, who give thrilling
and vivid description of the awful time. and
of their suferings. While reading thest
statements, we cannot but admire the COO
intrepidi'y of her commander and his asso.
ciat S, as well as sincerely sympalhize
with those who passed through the terrible
ordeal. 3D..
Statement by One Of the Passen-
gers.
On Monday, December 2l, the troops,
consisting of eight companies of the third
regiment Of artillery, were embarked from
s;eamtugs on board the steamer, then an
chored in the North river. They numbered
rank and file, some five hundred men. The
officers. with their families, together with
The soldiers wives and ftmales--a certain
portion Of whom were allowed 10 each COM
panv-brought up the number 10 about six
hundred. There were twenty or thirty 9th
er passengers The crew numbered from
one hundred to one hundred and fifty; SC
that, all told, there were between seven hun,
dred and fifty and eight hundred souls or
boz rd.
On Wednesday morning the steamer drop
I'd down to the Quarantine, ana anchored
for the night; weighed anchor, and stood
out to sea.
Our voyage was now fairly commenced
~ last every obstacle had been overcome
and the gallspt ship, with her head pointed
10 the south west, moved steadily, though
not swiftly, on her course. She was detuly
isde---fsr too deeply, as Tie result proved
Her engines we're new and untried, and tht
strain upon them great.
Friday morning, the Esd, rose brightly
on our course. We had entered The Gull
Stream, and tie weather, which yesterday
had been chilly, and caused the ladies and
childien TO gather about the stove, bad be.
come nlld The wind was still from The
northwest, With sea enough 10 cause the
dinner table to be comparatively deserted.
The day passed without incident Of any kind, /,
and give no presage of the awful disaster SO
Eoon to follow.
Immediately after tea ] retired to my
room. and af,er reading two hours as qn-
city as ii on shore, undressed and retired. -
1t soon blew gle. The ship rolled and
etched 10 degree that il was difficult to
keep my berth. Every aEace in the room,
though confined, was thrown about lii an
alarming manner.
Al Ii o'clock could bear it no longer -
The sea was q complete mass Of foam, boil
lug and swelling like a qauldron. The
steamer had blosched to twice, and had real
" become unmanageable Her head was
towards the wind Thew hole crew engag-
ed in strenuous but VIA efforts to take in
the sails; they were bown to ribbons. The
foremast--we carried no mainmast-was
wrilhing and twisting like a young sapling.
1t was large enough for the manmast OF q
one thousand ton ship. Thefury Of the temp
est was such that | could not stand before
it moment: but | seized the iron brace
connecting the ring bolts. and surveyed the
scene for moment. Then | threw my self
on my hands and knees, and made for the
nearest hatch, to get below. Swining my
self down ny t.e cabin, reached the main
deck. Here scene of confusion indescrl-
bable and conf uuding presented ITSELF
-Four hundred soldiers were berlhed on this
deck, in double rows of standee berths, three
tiers each. They bad all crept from their
berths. The live stock, OF which there was
considerable, had escaped from their pens
on the same deck, and soldiers, buIlocks.
calves, pigs. sheep, and, poultry, were all
mingled together amid the broker sfandees.
The sea washed over the deck with every
roll of The ship The lanterns were extingu
ished, and the darkness was almost total.
About one o'clock the foremast came
dcwn almost over my head, crushing in the
hurricane deck. SATURDAY morning the
cath, had at last dawned upon US, and this
awful night had an end.
While passing between the second and
after cabin, l felt tremendous sea rike
the ship, but | had no idea of the awful CON
sequences. 1t was the announcement the
final Of the awful tragedy which had been
going on through the night An oyerwhel-
IpingTsea had struck the ship on her star
board quarter, carried away the starboard
paddle box, both smoke stacks. the whole
prsmenade deck abatC TIE paddle boxes, two
rows Of state.rooms, Of twelve each, on the
main deck, and stove in the main deck hatch.
This was the smallest part Of the havoc. -
Al one fell swoop nearly one hundred and
tty human beings were swept into eternity.
The majority were private soldiers Of the
different companies Of th Thir Artillery
One company lost all, ,but ten fits members.
-Four officers went twiih them: Colonel Wash
ington. distinguished at Buena Vista and
other hard fought fields; Major Taylor and
wife; Captain Field, and Lieutenant Smith.
The sea was covered with drowning men -
The roar OF the tempest smMhered the
"bubb!ing cry Of strong swimmers in their
agony" In few msments they sunk to
rise no more till the sea gives up her dead.
Two of all thecrowd succeeded In regaiping
the ship-Mr. Rankin, an>army suttlsL and
Mr.. 49,, merchant, Of Rio Jaleriro, Z