The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-05-25
Loss OF the Bark Walter CIaxton and Loss OF
life.

from the Alta California April al
The bark Walter Claxton, Capt. Joseph w. Folger,
started from Mendocino the 2lst April with load of
lumber for this port and when about ten miles out u
was discovered that she partially filled with water.
heavy ser struck her about this time and thre her
her beam ends, and she after turned completely
bottom up. She had on board sixteen persons, includ
ns ing ,ns s;se.s and crew. who succeeded in getting out
running very heavily, upset almost Immediately,
and the mate Samuel Perry, from Nantucket Mass,
drowned raft was gathered together Of the floating
lumber with which the bark freghted, AID number
OF the passengers and crew got on IL.
Capt Turner of the schooner Tann,o having witness
ed the accident got underway quickly as possible,
and went to the assistance Of the shpwrecked psrsons
but as the sea was rolling very heavily and the wind
having no ballast he could not approach very to
the shore They passed the body Of Mr. james Stuart
this city, which floating in the. water. Three mem
we're picked up and brought to the city in the Taranto
These Scre Henry Coons passenger, John Moore pas
drowned Mr. Stratton, a Scotchman, engineer at
Stuarts mills, and Mr.. Cox.
Capt. Turner reports that Charles Bessenctt, ths
second mate and two three Others seen .
raft the breakers and probably all drowned.
Capt Foger, Capt. Frederick Myrick, and passenger,
name not known, in the boat which partly
fed with water padding with piece Of board toward
the mouth Of the Albion river Capt Turner thinks thero
chance Of their safety but the probability is
that at least thirteen have been drowned.
Tie Walter claxton bark Of 1856 tons aud be-
longed to the California Lumber Company. The loss BY
her will be about $40 600 She loaded with 1870 001
feet Of lumber which has been her usual freight Much
Of Il piled deck, which cause Of her being
easily capsizd She has been heretofore commanded
By Capt 7. s. Anircws and this the first trip OF
Capt foger who IL said to have been nm experienced
I master II IA said that the plain o the julius Prn
Ro reiuscd TO 10 the assistance OF The ship wrecked
Persons and that had he done so they might all have been
satcd
1hc San Francisco Hcrold Of the 11th inst says:-we
harm from Capt lent OF the brig North Bend arrived
yererday from Mendocno that the bark Walter Clax-
lays In the mouth Of the Albion Harbor, bottom up
lie could the bodies Of two under water lashed
10 the aIboar main rail bot were unable TO clear them
account Of tho surf The body Of Capt. Folger
found the 26th inst about half mile north Of Albion
lie badly bruised and cut and entirely
paied lilo was buried at Mendocino the day he was
iound
TIC paper Of the 25th adds;-we learn that tho
mate Of the schooner julius Prngle arryed 9th from
hcndocno) was watching the Walter Claxon, by means
OF spyRass, when she went out over the bar he saw
three heavy board the vessel She was then under
fore and mninopea jb ana rpanker. The vessel appa
rcnty would not her hcln- and a. the sea had
washed away the fore scutte she fast ding lie
(he mate) also them when they their ensign
at half mast lie Immediately vent forward and began
to clear away the decks reef sails r p order TO get
under way and render the bark assistance, III ros
sibe. After all was ready, Captain Holmes. OF tho
James Pringle refused TO go, although they could
some persons the bottom Of the vessel
schooner Taranto could get there ahead Of HIM at tho
time he knew his vessel the safest Of the two,
the Tsranto had ballast in her. and was blowing
gale at the time After spending further time In
getting the julius Prngle ready with the assistsnoe OF
portion OF the Taranto's crew, Capt Holmes stil re-
fused CO. CaptsTurner Of the Tranto Immediately got
under way and succeeded In saving two three pcr
sons the risk Of losing his vessel and the lives Of all
board IL the opinion Of the mate, that Captain
Holmes had gone to the assistance OF the Walter Caxtou
most OF the unfortunate sufferers might have bccn takea
OF the wreck before she drfted among the breakers
The Walter Caxton second class vessel, Of go
TONS and built at Elliot, Me-, in 1850. She was
owned in Boston, by Mr. 8. Hanscomb- r. IxnAIDI