Washington sentinel., 1854-01-10
6eneral yntelligente.


The san Francisco--We give below all the in
formation we have received of this unfortuna.e 9
steamer up 10 the time otgoing 10 press last night
The prevailing opinien here, among nautical men,
is, that she is safe and that, guided by Lieuten-
ant Maury's Chart Of Winds and Currents, the
steamers sent in search OF her will be able to find
her, and rescue those on board from their unhappy
situation. and bring her into port. The following
particulars of her construction find in the Bos-
ton atlas ofthe 9th, which was written before her
critical situation had become known.
She was built by New York's greatest marine
artizan Mr. William ii. Webb, under the nspec-
tion of Commander Kearney and Captain Bell
both officers Of the United States navy She had
two engines of 1000 horse power EACH on the
oscilatng action; lie paddle wheels, of twenty
eight feet diameter, were constructed ON newly
discovered scientific principle, called "Morgan's
eccentric" or 'feathered float = her frame, which
is of oak, was caulked before panking, that the
starting of a butt, or even whole strake, would
not affect her safety; her planking, deck frames,
ceiling and all other parts OF her hull as strong
as the best material could be put together.
Her commander, Capt. Watkins, IS well known
as one of the best sailors belonging TO New Eng
land.
STEAMSHIP SAN FRANclsco.-The following dis
patch was received yesterday by the Secretary of
the Navy, from Messrs. Aspinwall & Co., owners
OF the steamer San Francisco:
NEW YORK. Jan. S.-The mate of the brig Ma
poleon spoke the steamer San Francisco, Decem'
Der 20. lie gives consistent and intelligent re-
port, and states that Captain Watkins had plenty
OF provisions. He had, however, lightened the
There
The brig Napoleon was, at the nearest point
within thirty yards Of her. and saw twenty male
passengers on deck. The cabin, hurricane deck
forward, and wheels were standing. The damages
to the steamer We're merely in her upper works,
amdships. The wheel houses were gone, but the
wheels were entire, and both guards in good
order. The mate is sure that the rudder was all
right. The foremast was gone above deck, but
the mizzen-mast ian important fact toward her
safety was standing. Both smoke-stacks were
entirely gone. The hull looked TO be in good
order. The sea was heavy, with strong night
breeze from the northwest. As far as could be
ascertained, the steam-pumps were working.
The steamer was again seen on the goth De-
cember safe, with the drag out forward, and her
head TO the wind. The damages TO her occurred
in the gale of December a. which was intensely
severe.
Among those on board il is said are married
daughter Of Mr.. Everett, and married RI daughter
of Judge Taney, the wife of Colonel Taylor.
The Secretary of the Navy has directed the
steamer North Star, at New York, 10 be chartered
ohicered, and manned, and sent to the relief of the
San Francisco.
The revenue cutter Washington was dispatched
from New York, on Friday, for the purpose Of rem
dering aid 10 the disabled steamer.
The following is an extract OF a letter from an
officer of the navy to the Baltimore San, dated
January 7th: -
"Supposng all these reported accidents TO have
happened, they not, in themselves, barriers TO
the preservation OF the vessel and those on board
"Ifthe vessel has been dismasted, jury -masts will
be rugged out ofthe spare spars which every vessel
carries to meet similar emergencies. Though the
progress of the ship would be necessarily slow
under jury-masts, the northerly winds now pre-
vailing on our coast would take her 10 the south
ward in fair weather, and fair wind 10 the West
Indies.
9 The engines, if disabled, may have been sub
sequenily repaired in which case, from my per-
sonal knowledge of the resources and energy OF
Captain Watkins it is possible he has gone TO
Rio de Janeiro-but most probably he is returning
TO New York, under steam.
"Captain w. is the ablest man in his vocation,
/ know. He has been in worse scrapes at sea
than the one recently reported without losing his
vessel, or any one on board"