The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1854-02-06
Wreck Of the San Francisco--Rescue OF

every thing necessary-and as a craft of the
sea was considered as strong as any vessel
could be built.
The San Francisco was chartered By
Government, and had on board over 900
souls
Now forathe voyage, the wreck, the res
cue: ,-'h III ,.s
The San Francisco left New York, De-
ccmber 22d. That day, and the next, light
breezes played upon the water. AS the
might of the 23d drew 10 a close, fresh
breeze sprung up,--the clouds heavy, and
the wind angry. On the Oath, buffeting
~iR@s blew. Now it was calm now wild.
But at 8, p NJ, the whistle Of the tempest
was heasd, and the sea rose rapidly.
At 10, p. NJ, that day, the San Francis
CO hroached TO, head to the northward.
Every effort was now made to stem the
waves, and to escape the violence of the
xiR&s. ..
la saim. The tempest blew the sails into
rsgs-stean., even, was poweress The
ship at Il, T. NJ, that day, was going ten
knots, when she again broached to, to north
ward, AND adj efforts to get her off, failed.
The sails were rent-the ship abored
severely. Ali the people were ordered for
ward in osder 90 prey pare for the worst
Ats. Z. M, the engine stopped-the
end Of t6e air pump piston rod breaking off,
the SPEAKER, also, blowing away, leaving the
steamer at tive mercy of the wind and
waves. ..a.
Now came scene which battles descrip-
tioa. The ship lay in a trough OF the sea.
Every wave which came tearing her guards,
ioosening her Aanks fore and aft on both
sides, aud uaakiug her q wreck The water
begau TO gain The ship was lightened all
hands were engaged III clearing decks bail
gangs wece arranged but all seemed to avail
nothing rHa1 . ;ga--aall
At7P. M. the foremast went overheard
with all the rigging attached. At 9 A. NJ,
shipped heavy sea, which swept the sides
of the ship, and washed overheard large
number of the passengers, including Col
Washington, Major Taylor and wife, Capt.
Field, Lieut.. Smith, two ladies, names un-
known. three civilians, also unknown, andI
about $50 privatcs: Brooks Ga waiter), the
barber, and young man named Duckettl
(the carpenters brother) were killed. Upl
10 this time the water had ga ned much-I
The ship was now open in the seams over,
the wales. A large part of her quarter deck
was stove in, and it was only by the great
cat exertions that the ship was kept afoat
A gang of soldiers was set apart to hold
DldUketS dTOuUu ttle SHdllS 10 u IeNtUJ tlle{
flowing in of water Made an attempt to
cut away the mizzen mast, but it could not
b. accomplished on account of the ships la
boring. ha'a-'
The scene here was terrible Lieut.. Win
der thus describes the wild fury of the wave
which caused death to stand out upon the
waters as living thing:
| had gore below but few moments be-
fore this terrible crash, and was lying t the
foot Of the steps at the time. never expe-
riencedsuch sensation as when the water
came pouring into the cabin, together with
the debris of the upper cabin, down upon
my head and breast. | was swept across
the cabin with terrible force, but after three
attempts succeeded in regainng my feet. !
supposed that the ship had broken in half,
and that we were fast sinking. | followed
after some saw going on deck, and on
reaching it my blood ran cold at the sight
of the poor fellows struggling among the
fragments in the sea the waves were, to
rny eyes, frightful we could render no as
sistance whatever, and, in fact, expected
ourselves that we should go down every
minute.s With great difficulty we clung to
the deck, the sea making a perfect breach
lover US, ,'and the cold so great that an hour
longer must have finished us. Close by me
No; "a md bol