Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-01-25
Full Account Of the Loss of the Steamer
San Francisco.

in the ship Three Bells, at New York on
Friday evening, was announced in the Age
Of "Wednesday last, give most thrilling
accounts Of the terrible storm she encoun-
tered on tho night Of the Oath ult., and of
the subsequent narrowing scenes and dread
ful loss Of life that ensued
We eannex the following interesting state
ment given by one Of the passengers.
Friday morning the 23d, rose brightly
on our course. We had entered the Gulf
stream. The day passed without incident
Of any kind, and gave no prestige Of the
awful disaster so soon TO follow.
Immediately after tea / retired to my
room, and after reading two hours as quiet
ly as it on shore, undressed and retired
But l soon found there was no sleeping. 1t
soon blow a gale. The ship rolled and
pitched to a degree that it was difficult to
keep my berth.
AT IL o'clock | could bear it no longer
rose, dressed hurriedly, and went out up
on the deck. The scene, as | stepped on
deck, was terrific. The sea was complete
mass Of foam, boiling and swelling like
cauldron. The gale was terrific. The steam
er had broached to twice, and had really be-
come unmanageable. Her head was to-
wards the wind The whole crew were en-
gagged in strenuous but vain efforts to take
in the sails. They were blown to ribbons.
The foremast-we carried no main mast
was wreathing and twisting like a young
sapling. II was largo enough for the main
mast of 1000 ton ship. The fury of the
tempest was such that l could not stand be-
fore il a moment.
About one o'clock the foremast came
down almost over my head crushing in the
hurricane deck ! feared now that the deck
would be swept clear Of everything, and de-
termined to take refuge below.
While passing between the second and
after-cabin, felt a tremendous sea strike
tho ship, but had no idea Of the awful con-
sequences. 1t was the denouement-the
finale Of the awful tragedy which had been
going on all night. An overwhelming sea
had struck the ship on her starboard, both
smoke stacks, the whole promenade deck
abaft the 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. At one fell
swoop nearly one hundred and fifty human
beings were swept into eternity. The ma
jority were private soldiers of the different
companies of the Third Artillery Four
officers went with them Col Washington,
distinguished at Buena Vista and other hard
talihg.. GaIa2; Maj. Taylor and wife Capt.
Field and Lieut.. Smith. The sea was COW
cred with drowning men. The roar of the
,Nb he { hol 6 ekr
swimmers in their agony In a few mo
ments they sunk to rise no more till the set
gives up her dead.
Another sea like that which struck US
and our fate had been that of the President
not a soul would have survived to tell thu
tale. But it pleased merciful and Al-wist
Providence to say to the sea, Hitherto shall
thou come, and no further, and here shall
thy proud waves be stayed 1t is proven
bal that drowning men catch at straws, anC
instinctively did many of US lash ourselve
to life-preservers though in the raging bill
lows Of that angry sea, FIVE hundred mile
from the nearest shore, one would have bee
but little better dependence than the other
Ascending the companion way, from th
saloon to the main deck, | seated myself Q
the head Of the staircase, and surveyed tn
scene. The steamer was, in all her uppe
works, perfect wreck The sea was rur
ming mountains high and every billow tha
came with its curling cresttowards us, seen
cd about to pour into our shattered deck an
sink us.
Il was not so to be. We were in imm
nent danger of laundering; but our gallaI
and undaunted commander, Capt. Watkin
whose exertions during all that fearful nig|
had been almost superhuman, directed q
his energies to save us. TO tighten the sh
and stop the leaks were the FIRST objects.
1t was found that the water gained upc
us rapidly. The steam pump had becon
obstructed. Fifty soldiers were detailed
commence bailing. All day and all mig
the work went on without intermission.-
Still, with every roll the ship took in lar
quantities Of water, and we gained little u
on the leak. Sunday morning. the 25t
the day Of the nativity of our Blessed
viour at last dawned upon US. The 81
llghted up little; there was a short glea
ofsunshne, and the sea calmed little.
sail or two were seen in the distance,
none approached us. The work of baili
and pumping went on, and we had gain
on the leak. Monday, the 26th the q
continued with little abatement. All mig
Sunday the wind roared round our devot
ship. The waves thundered against {
sides and stern like cannon at the gates
beleaguered city. Sleep was out of
question For three nights we had no
We discovered sail not far off.
approaching US she proved to be a bri
we spoke her. She reported herself sh
Of provisions, and after supplying her.
with barrels Of beef and pork we had thro
overheard she went on her way On Tu
day, the 9th, discovered another sail be
ing down upon US, She proved to be
barque Kilby, Of and for Boston, from n
Orleans, loaded with cotton, thirty-fve
out by authority Of Col Gates, comma
ing the detachment she was chartered
government to convey the troops to
nearest accessible post. Tuesday was
rough to disembark any part of the comms
but on Wednesday, the 2Sth, Col. G.
and family, Maj. Merchant and family,
Burke, Captains Fremont and Judd, '
their families Drs. Saterlee and Wirts,
some others whose names are not recollec
were safely embarked on board the Ri
Some forty or fifty soldiers, and some
dieIs' wives, also embarked-in all ne