Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1854-02-01
From the N Y. Journal of Commerce, Jan. Ia.
MARIA TIVE OF THE LOSS OF THE
SAN FRANCISCO. "H

| NAkRAIIFE OF THE LOSS OF THE
SAN FRANCISCO.
We last night went on board the ship Three
Bells, Capt. Creighton, Of Glasgow, at her an
chorage off the Battery, and through the polite
ness of Lieut. w. A. Wnder, in command of
Company G, were favored with n succinct narra-
tive of the terrific scenes through which he had
passed
The noble steamship San Francisco, which
left this port in gallant style on the 23d ult., in
thirty-six hours after she passed Sandy Hook,
was total wreck. On the night of the third
day, violent gale set in, and Lieut.. W., whose
state room was on the upper deck, found that the
after-guards were tearing up close by him, and
that water was flowing in copously. In short
time it was a foot deep, and the trunks and 9th
er moyeables were washing about. About day
light he got up, and ascertaned that the ship had
brcached to, presenting her side to the heavy
seas, which were fearfully rough. He then went
into the lower cabin, where he found group of
ladies collected at the foot Of the stairway, on
mattresses, to keep them from the water, of
which there was good deal on the floor. Lay
ing his head on one of the steps, and holding on
one of the bannisters to steady himself, he was
soon asleep. But short time elapsed when the
ship was struck by heavy sea, Immediately fol-
lowed by n tremendous rush of water sweeping
down the companions carrying with it pieces
of timber, and various articles. Lieut.. w. was
struck on the head and breast by the latter, injur
ing him severely, and he was swept across the
cabin with force sufficient to stun him. After
repeated efforts he was enabled to regain his feet
and saw persons climbing up the steps. He
followed, and the scene on reaching the deck
was such as no pen can describe. The ship was
rolling from side TO side, mt the mercy of the
waves, and the sea breaking completely over her
at every roll. Before him lay the bodies of two
dead soldiers, killed by the fall of the upper cab
in and the surface OF the waves for consid-
erable distance was strewed over with great
number of soldiers who had been brought into
the cabin to protect them from the weather,
struggling for their lives. All the boats were
swept away, both wheel houses were gone, be.
sides a large quantity of live stock intended for
provisions, hen-coops, &c. At least one hundred
and fifty men, including four officers, were
among the lost. The struggles of the drown
ing animals frustrated the efforts of many to
save themselves, which otherwise might have
been avang. AS twas, nothing could be done
to save them, and tho whole were soon ingulph-
ed in watery grave. The officers lost were
Col. Washington, Maj. Taylor, (and wife) Capt
Field and Lieut. Smith. Nothing but the top OF
the upper cabin remained all the state rooms
having been washed away, with those who occu.
pied them. Some Of the masts went over pre-.
viously. The primary cause of this disaster was
the breaking of little piston rod to the all
pump, probably not more than q inches in diam
eter.
During the gale many persons were washed
Oft the vessel but were enabled to regain their
position by the return of the wave which bore
| fhop, owav Saruaonf Rroup uyos xvo chod off mo
less than four times. The first wave swept him
away twenty feet, and the next bore him back
Several soldiers and two cabin passengers had
similar experience.
The next move of Lieut.. w. was to scramble
over the dead bodies before him, to seek place
more secure. Officers were seen holding on to
the deck, to save themselves from going over
board. The ship now looked as though she was
full Of water, and had settled down TO the wa.
ters edge, and Lieut. w. thought the deck was
separated from the hull, forming sort of raft
In addition 10 these horrors, the cold was in
tense, and it being impossible to retain a hold
Lieut.. w. went to the miZzen mast, where was
Lieut.. Murray, U. S. ~, whose impression, also
was that the ship had broken in two. This po.
sition was retained until the lst mate approach.
ed with an axe to cut the mast away, but in this
he failed. They then left for the starboard quar-.
ter, where there were several officers, Gone with
wife and child,) partially dressed, every sea
breaking over them, and it still being intensely
cold. All, however, seemed perfectly resigned
and calmly awaited their fate, which it was tho't
few moments would decide. Some had on life
preservers. One was offered to Lieut.. W., but
refused, as it could only have served to prolone
life a few brief moments. The suppositon was
that all except the five or six around him had al
ready perished; but upon looking into the cabin
he saw many there, principally ladies. The wa
ter there was about ankle deep, and part of the
. main deck was broken in. Water entered with
every roll. Many persons forward knew moth
ing of what was going on aft, and were in acom
paratively good condition.
All that day, the ship was expected to &C
down every minute but in the evening, Capt
Watkins, commander Of the ship, who conduct
ed himself with great bravery. directed the off
GERS to keep the privaes bailing water at the en-
: gine-room, hoping to make the pumps work.
Incredible labors were here performed For tht
first two days and nights the men worked inces
sanity, and during four days with trifling inter
mission. The engineers worked night and day
trying to get the pumps in motion. Wheneve
the wind increased, bailing was continued mor
actively. Finally, oil hands became completel
exhausted, and many were sick. However, tn
water was got under, as the gale abated, and eff
forts were made to tighten the ship and stop tn
; leaks. Hope revived.
: On the 25th, a sail was deserted, which prov
: l Il 49, l. HI -