The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1854-01-25
Total Wreck Of tine Steamship
SAN ERANCIsCO.
Qs5 LIVES LOST!
pETAII.s OF THE DISASTER.

IL
at New York on Friday last, we are in pos
session of the details of the loss Of the new
oeean sseamer San Francisco, which left New
York fer California, on the 23rd ult., with 800
passengers consisting of U. s. troops and their
families:
The San Francisco encountered Forth |
west gale on the night o! the Gath, and The
piston rod TO the air pump was the first t. give
out. This accident, ae the vessel bat,led with
the terrific gale caused her 10 swing round 10 the
mountainous seas then running, and she receiy-
ed blow after blow, which speedily reduced her
10 wreek The sails That had been firmly
clewed to the yards, we're snaiched from their
fastsrings, the masts went overheard; and final
ly, atremendous sea tore up the decks and
swept away everything upon them, includ-
ing not far from one hundred and fifty men, all
the lifebenls, &c. Some of the passengers, in
dispair, threw themselves into the SEQ.
The principal sufferers by the tremendous sea
which swept the deck Of the San Francisco al
O'Clock in the morning Of December 18th,
wers the troops About one hundred and fifty
of them, perhaps more, were swept into the sea
at this moment, and persisted, including Col. }.
M. Washington. who had served his battery
with SO much skill and effect in the battle Of
Busna Vista: Major Taylor and wife; Capt. Il.
B. Field and lst Lieutenant, X. H. Smith
Also, two ladies and three civilians, names un-
known. Almost the entire loss OF life, except
=. aI tbta vf,, INT
All the army officers on board, except those
absye named, are understood 10 be safe.
Besides one hundred and fifty to one hundred
and seyenty-fve who perished by drowning
not far from one hundf ed died Of disease. chiefly
fatal dinrrhea. occassioned by en,ing improp-
erfood, in connection with anxiety and exposure
Mr.. Wickham, one of the officers of the ship,
estimates the totals loss of life on board of this
shipe or from on board Of her, at two hundred
and seyeniy-iye, which approaches one-halfof
tse whole nnmmber who crowdud her decks
when she left this port for SIN Francisco, DE
sember z3. The troops which she took on
board, were companies a. B, D. G, fl, H. J, K,
and L, Of the third regiment United States
Artillery. The companies, with non-comms-
stoned officers, staff and band Of the regiment
constituted force according to statement
then published. of about five hundred men,
A few days since we published lat of the
names Of her passengers
The San Francisco was fine ship Of three
thousand tuns burthen, and built BY VIM. Fl
Webb, of this ciy, in substantial manner. =
The Three Bells fell in with the wreck in lat
40 l2, lon. So so, and took off two hundred
and twenty passengers, whom she brought II
this city. 1t appears that from the time the un
fortunate steamer was spoken by the brig Ma
Poleon, on the 26th, till found by the Thre
Belfs, she had dfifed distance Of aeventy.fiv
raiIes to the eastward and nintv miles 10 III
northwaId. she was on the norlherly edge o
the Gulf stream. about three. hundred mile
south of Sable Island off Nova Scotia.
Lieutenant Wipder, in command Of compan,
G, on board Of the Three Bells, makes the fol
lowing interesting statement 10 the Journal Q
Commerce, in relaiioa 10 the disaster:
Tho steam ship San Francisco, which lei
this port in gallent style on the go ult, il
thirty-six hours after she passed Sandy Hoo
was a total wreck. On the night of the thir
day, violent gale set in, and Lieutenant Win
der, whose stateroom was en- the upper deck
found that the after guards were tearing u
close By him, and that water was flowing ii
copiously. In a shor, time, it was q foo, deep
and the trunks and other rnoveabies were wash
ing about.
About daylight he got up, and ascertaine
shat the ship had broached foo. presenting he
side to the heavy seas, which were fenrfull
rough. He then went into the lower cabin
he found a group of ladies collected al the ioc
of the stairway, on mattresses, to keep iher
from the water of which there was goo
deal on the floor. Laying his head on one {
the steps, and holding on 10 the banisiers
steady himself, be was soon asleep. Blu, onl
ashort time elapsed when the ship was struc
by heavy sea, Immediately followed by a lr
mendious rush Of water sweeping down the cor
Panion.way, carrying with 1t pieces Of limb'
and various articles.
Lieut.. W.was struck CO the head and brea
ey rae inues, inJnring MIN serVerelv, and
was swept across the cabin with force almo
sufficeEt TO stun him. After repeated efforts |
was enabled to regain his feet, and saw persol
climbing up the steps. He followed, and IL
scene presented on reaching the deck was su,
as no pen can describe. The.ship vas rolf,
fross side TO side, at the mercy of the waves, Il
sea breaking completely over her at every 70
Before him lay the bodies Of two dsad soldie
killed by the fall of the upper cabin; and ,
surface OF the waves for considerable distan
was strewed over with grea, number of go
isrs, who had been brought into the cabin
protect then, from the weather, struggling
their lives.
Allthe boats were swept away, both whe
houses we're gone. besides large quantity
live stock, intended for provisions. hen-coo
r. ~