Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-01-16
THE WRECK OF THE SAN FRANCISCO.

This forms an imposing climax to the extra
ordinary series of disasters that have occurred
during the last fifty or sixty days The history
of the calamities Of this period, caused by con-
Aagratons and by tempests, if truthfully and
concisely compiled, would comprise a volume
of incidents Of thrilling and unparalleled in
tercst. The New York papers are in great
part filed with narratives Of this last stupen-
dons catastrophe; and yet, after reading them,
we feel that the descriptions given are but
faint and that but little has as yet been told.
The particular and familiar descriptions Of the
many participants in danger and suffering are
requisite to mako up q full and satisfactory
account.
The San Francisco is pronounced to have
been Gone of the most substantial steamers
ahoat, having been constructed by Mr. VIM
II. Webb, under the immediate superintend.
enee Of Com. Kenney and Captain Bell, Of the
Navy, and Captain s. Kiddy, Of New York
She contained all the modern improvements
had two oscillating engines, each Of one thou.
sand horse power; and her cabins were sn.
perby furnished and decorated, haying state
room accommodations for three hundred and
fifty passengers besides berths for one thou
sand in the steerage. Her commander, Capt
Watkins, was long engaged in the Pacific
trade, and enjoyed the reputation Of being IN
able and experienced officer"
Of the several narratives hefore us we select
the Statement by one Of tho passengers u
the Mem York HerGid,n as follows.
Ga Monday, December 81, the troops, Don
ssting Of eight companies of the third Regi
ment OF Artillery, were embarked from steam
tugs on board the steamer, then anchored IL
the North river. They numbered, rank and
file, some five hundred men. The officers, with
their families, together with the soldiers wives
and families brought up the number to about
xix hundred. There were twenty or thirty
other passengers. The crew numbered Iron
one hundred to one hundred and fifty; 50 that
all told, we were between seven hundred and
fifty and eight hundred souls on board
On "Wednesday morning the steamer dropped
down TO the Quarantine, and anchored for thu
night On Thursday, the 22d, she weighed m
Choir about 10 o'clock, and stood ont 10 sea- Al
IL passcd Sandy Hook, and discharged ON
pilot
Oar voyage was now fairly commenced, and
the gallant ship, with her head pointed to tn,
southwest moved steadily though not swiftly
ON her course. She was deeply laden--far toe
deeply---as the result proved Her engines
were new and untried, and the strain upon
them great Thursday was q lovely morning
the sea calm and smooth, with gentle brcezc'
from the northwest
Friday morning, tho 2ad, roso brightly on
our course. We had entered the Gulf Stream
and the weather which yesterday Ind beer
chilly, and caused the ladies and children I,
gather about the stove, had become mild.
Immediately after tea ! went 10 my room
and after reading two hours rs quietly as if o.
shore. undressed and retired. There was NOR,
roll 10 the ship than had previously exper
enccd, and the wind seemed ireshening but
thought nothing Of II But soon found thcr,
was no sleeping. IL soon blew a gale TIL,
ship rolled and pitched to degree that it wa
difficult to keep my berth,
| At u o'clock could bear il no longer
rose, dressed hurriedly, and went out upon tht
deck. The gale was terrific The ateamel
had broached TO twice, and become unmanage
able. Her head was towards the wind Tn,
whole crew were engaged in strenuous bu
vain efforts TO take IN the sails. They wer,
! blown to ribbons. The foremast--we carrieC