The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-05-14

State California No steamer left the port OF Saa
Yrsnsiseo under favorable auspices. The know
ledge that Mr. AspinEall President OF the line,
aeou. TO sa in her. Inspired people with the idea that
very shcrr trip 10 be made, and slight reduction
the price Of passage added to the above cause Great
ed the unnsna crowd on board. Among them we're ma
nv the ladies who done so much 10 advance the
condition OF society IN California.
The journey or voyage was so agreeable till our
misfortune oseurred that all seemed delighted with the
tbip, her officers, and themselves
On the night OF April 2s29 at A. NJ or thereabouts,
the ship struck what supposed 70 be a detached
rock at the extremity Of oucsra Reef This is line Oh
rscks extending in west Dortherly direction rom
small island OF that name and partially bsrrsg ths
issnds 10 deg north latitude, and 2lo miles
from Panama
followed for moment tending 20 inspire the mind with
awe, each one whispering TO neighoor, what IL itf
What has happeneoi Rushing 1amSitoasy On aecs,
er. The noo)e steamer was aground in about twelve
feet with the deep water Of the under her
stern most her forefoot Knocked away stem broomed
and coming in rspdly-steam roaring through
the ercaps pipe and the beam at As degrees he engine
beng on its cen tre.) All this required but few mo.
nts for its full comprehension for the people generally
were pretty cool, and discipline prevailed.
"Beash her as quick God will let you" said Capt.
Tyler the commander who FROM the quantity OF
water in the ERE room TO say nothing Of the smell OF
produced by the water entering the furnaces that
found it's way the after hold wing to the inclination
OF keel and buoyed her bows from the rock by rea-
son of which she came gently off, and, rolling heavily,
shifted the immense bulk OF passengers from side 70
side the hurricane deck turnback cleared her oil
the reef turn ahead and she struck again beng slow
10 answer her helm now She struck tremendously,
though tho swell. set from under her. and let her down
upsp the rockssbe careened badly and took in water
on her starboard guard -
the shock, and this time there went up shrek as
though the last moment had come. Once more revo.
luton back, bell 20 go ahead, and she swept
gently by the hidden dangerdres all out, and but little
steam, and sank in still water, near smooth SANDY
beach
Many OF the ladies now begged be landed but their
fears were queled, and all remained quietly on
beard till the j. L. Stephens came along and took us to
Panama, only two days alter u was a comfortable SNIP
wreck, however disastrous to Commodore Watkins.
IL should be mentioned that all the treasure and
mails were saved the Golden Age, and that
strenuous efforts under Mr.. Aspinwals dctaton were
being made to the ship. He remained at Panama
for this purpose and viii return in the FL Dorado, via
Havana and New Orleans.
[From the Panama Herald, May 81
This morning about IL o'clock considerable excite
Atnt caused by observing steamer coming up the
Bay, which soon discovered TO be the John L.
Stephens, which left here Monday morning last As
she neared her anchorage, il seen that she was
crowded with passengers and the conclusion at
arrived at was that she had picked up and returned with
the passengers of the Colleen Age. This proved to be
correct the following being the particulars far
have had tbs means of gathering them :
The John l.. stephens lett here on Monday morning
about o'clock with 500 passengers &C. for San Fran
CISCO On Monday afternoon at P. NJ she fell in with
beat belonging to the Golden Age, in charge Of the
second mate from whom she learned that the Golden
which
she was then distant about eighty five miles She i'm
medaey proceeded to the locality Indicated and her
sgral guns being answered by the Golden Age she
succeeded in reaching her about A. M. ON Tuesday
morning, Ist OF May Early in the morning she took
al the passengers mails and treasure board and
turned TO this port this morning, as before stated
The folio wing letter from Capt Mclean (who was
passenger the Age) to II. H. Munro, Esq, the com
pasys agent here and which he has kindly given to
for publication will be found to give full account Of
We would premise that the Golden Age left San Fran
cisco the 18th ut at p. NJ, with 500 passengers
and ahont 81 300, 0t0 in specie.
H. II. MUNRO, EsQ.-A little after midnight of the
perfectly smooth and good moon from thence Captain
Watkins steeIed direct for the passage between the
isand Of Quibo and Qucsra, nclnng to the shore of
the latter in order to keep clear of dangers (sunkeR
rocks) laying towards tine shore of the other named
island. At about A. M. of the 10th, the ship going
over the ground at the rate of fourteen miles per hour
for the aud apparently clear of the reef
OF Quicara laid down upon the captains charts she
struck full and fair. The captain deck himself
night and doing all that skilful and prudent navga
tor could to guide his ship in safety The calm
and smooth, without any appearance or Indication of
hidden danger. Instanty, upon striking, an immense
volume Of water rushed into her forward; the pumps
all put in immediate requsition, boats cleared
away, 10, &c In i've minutes the engineer reported
The water rising with great rapidty utterly beyond all
efforts of the pumps At this time we had fifteen feet
feet forward and fathomn aft and amdships
The captains drst intention of landing his passengers
instantly frustrated by the dty Of the rise OF
the water il the hold and her setting aft from the depth
I'D Il imperative to drive full length the reef.
At this instant she rolled heavily and her bow fell OF
the reef or rock Having good head OF steam, Wat
kns determined to little further for the main
reef, which he knew laya short distance ahead, Upon
starting she rolled heavily from side TO side and seefed
Wildly coming TO too much, and striking second time
He backed her of. keeping her stem clear, and again
went ahead, running along the reef, delaying his pur
pose Of Bleaching her long he bad steam to force
her ahead until he should find spot Offering the best
chance of saving his passengers. OF course, time aew
and thus passed another Ave minutes, the wser up to
the furnaces of the port boiler and above those OF the
had steam in the bolers-the engineers and remen up
10 their necks in water in the fire room. few hun
dred yards ahead we could make out small cove be-
ysnd the point Of the island bighted apparently with
sand beach. The steamer still went on, under command
vi her helm the water still gaining above the pumps
baiipg &c Another five minutes, and the balance OF
the ffes were out. We had about hundred yards yet
to 90 10 cove, which now nerry ABREAST Of
The captain put his helm hard apcrs and hsaded right
on the beachhe water along the side continued deep
and the engine turned over very slowly On we went,
sounding ten fathoras, sf@ fsthoms, and finally she
stopped her bow within thirty feet of the shore but so
slow was the moving that felt the stop. We had
IL feet all round the boilers had only steam enough
left TO make some three revolutions after
rance from sudden and fearful danger-rcm the
Arctcs iatewe paid tribute in admiration to Watkins
for his admirable cooness presence OF mind and great
efficiency, quick thought and prompt action.
The reef rock which she struck could not in my
opinion have had more than foot less water on II Tran
full tide, would have taken her all clear II APP
pears to 10 be sunken rock or reef laying OIL the
reef which makes out from the northwest point OF
uicara SO far be ascertained, the only injury
il forward the scarf OF stem and keel being the spot
The wood here doubtless stove in Watkins has
had large pumps constructed being of course unable to
work any OF those attached 20 the engine by steam He
got sail around the bows, but as yet has been unable
20 get under her. from her taking the sand. Last
night he tried his fun force OF pumps those he had
sTueted together with that worsed by the donkey"
CINE, for which there Is q separate boiler.
The result showed that the rise OF the water with the
tide only one half OF the rise when no pumps were
employed Hence BY dischArgng double the quantity Of
water he is able 20 do, he free her entirely
Goat her and the sail under her Bottom properly
all this he proposes 10 do also the construction OF
eeFer DAM which will perhaps enable HIM 10 plug up
and copper the hole Thus the chances good for
his saving the ship He certainly will leave no stone un
turned.
cannot omit TO mention tbs perfect behavior OF the
passengers in all respects. The discipline quietly but
effectively maintained from the first moment Of peril,
with the prompt taken inspired general conf