New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-03-19
MARINE AFFAIRS.

ship Hermann, Capt. Higgins reached this port yes
terddy. She brings intelligence to the 2ssh ult
which, however, has been anticipated By the Africas
advices. The Herman did not 60 to Bremen, 10 con-
sequence OF the large quantities Of ice in the river
Weser, but stopped at Southampton whence her ais
were dispatched TO Bremen overland.
The L. S STEAMSHIP MASSACHUSETTS, TowIxG
The DECATUR THROUGH THE STRAITS OF MAoEL-
Ian We have been favored by Judge Meigs With
the following extracts from letter Of his comm
Richard W. Mead, Esq., commander Of the Z. 5.
steamship Massachusetts, under date OF VALPARAISO.
Jan. IS 1855. After putting into Rio on the eth
Sept, and getting new masts rugged, the Lieutenant
continues:
In nineteen working days l was again all atlantic.
with mast and ready for sea- detained till Nov
Is, making passage TO the Sraits Of Magellan under
canvas, for never use steam except going in and
out Of port and then only With head wind These
are very rigid Instructions from the Department. |
anchor ed under Cape Possession the 18th Dec IN
Der, On the 18th, while taking it easy to my grea,
surprise, discovered vessel on the north side Of
BORA, under Patagonia side, fftytwo miles from
Cape Fronwel the most southern part Of the
American Continent. Tried my 32-pounders every Is
minutes which echoed the land Of desolation.
The vesse proved to be the U. s. Sloop-of-War De-
had got within lO3 miles OF the Pacific, and could get
no further. The wind and current appear always to
90 togeth or here and when there is any wind it bows
gale, and at other times it is calm. She va, in
her SSH day from Rio and 81 days in the Straits aud
short Of provisions. Thee we readily supplied her
with. tell you she was glad to see US. We towed
her through the Straits touching at Playa Paida and
the Harbor Of Mercy; this we did-countns total
time we had her in TOWN ! day and IL hours
against strong W. by n. wind, blowing right
on end from the Pacific, and current against
rs The q satest excitement prevailed as we rounded
the bay to anchorage the crew, in their Joy, without
permission rushed up the rigging and greeted US with
three lusty cheers. never heard them given before
with mere true feeling, returned them in thu same
spirit January ith towed her out Of the harbor Of
Mercy. and in an hour after we were in the Pacific
she wa, then in her O5th day from Rio, and her siih
dsy in the straits. At $3.50 p. NJ, bal towed her
good offing, 20 miles West of Cape Pillar where we
parted to make the best Of our way to Valparaiso.
I reached Valparaiso frst shall remain here simply
to wood and water and take fresh provisions, and
then proceed with all haste to San Francisco, which
port hope to reach in As days after starting.
The Decatur, but for the Massachusetts,, would have
had to put back to Rio. She is the Grst of
our square-rigged mer-of-war that has gone
through the Straits; I towed her l03 miles,
the most difficult portion Of them.
The straits this portion Of them-have never been
faithfully surveyed; and in spite of the directions OF
Fitzroy AID King, clever men, are the most diff cult
part for sailing to overcome. The straits are
admirable for steamers and for vessels under canvas
bound TO the Atlantic.
p. S.-The Decatur is telegraphed, and will soon
be at anchor. r. w. ".
NAVAL IHTFLLIGEscx.-The IT, 8. ship Vandalia
Jno. Popes, Commander was in Shanghai Dec. IL,
and bad guard of her men shore for the protec-
ton of the Settlement. guard from the French and
English squadrons also on shore for the sane
purpose. The Surveying vessels, steamer John Han
cock and scbr. j. Fennimore Cooper were also at
Shanghai at the above date, refttipg for cruise to
the northward Tho following is a list of officers
attached to the Vandalia: Commander Jno Popeei
Leuts Thos. r. Roote, VIM. B. Whiting, Alphonse
Barbot Acting do, G. V. Denniston; Acting Master,
f. +. Grey; Surgeon j. Y. Mason Assistant do,
Benz. Vreeland; Master Mates, Sloan, Wheeler and
Ashbury; Carpent Bull; GUNNER, Wilson; Boat
swain, Bell SailDaker, Brayton.
United States steamship San Jacinto Commander
| Stribling from Key Wet via Havana arrived at
Philadelphia on Saturday afternoon for repairs, hav-
|
| Hatteras.
U. S. sloop-of-war Portsmouth, Commander Thos.
A. Dornn was at Tahiti goth Dec, TO sail for Nor
folk in few days.
U. S. steamer Princeton, Commander Henry En-
gle, remained at Havana sth inst.
U. S. storeship Southampton, Lieut.. Commanding
Julius J. Boyle was at Tahiti Goth Dec to sail soon
for New York.
The United States storeship Relief arrived last
night at this port from Rio Jsneiro which port she
left on the nth Jan. The following is list Of her
officers: Lieut.. Commanding S. c. Rowan; Master,
S.P. Carter; Purser, Geo. r Gris.od Passed As
sistant-Surgeon, Edward Hudson; Passed Ndship-
men, James Thornton, W. Queen, and ID. b. Har-
mony.
The Relief brings home number OF sick from the
Independence and Savannah.
The United States soop Germantown, Commander
Lynch, and steamer Water Witch, Lieut. Com. Page,
were at Buenos Ayres on 22d January.
Los OF THE PAcKEr.SHIP HENDRIX HUDSON
! SAFETY OF THE PASSENGERS AND CREw.-Tae ship
Hendrix Hudson, Capt. Smith, of and from New
York eth inst. bound for London, with cargo con-
sstirg of l. 100 tuns guano, ~ cases oil, and 800
slaves, encountered gale from f. n. Z 10th inst,
which crippled the chip so badly that she sprung
leak which increased so fast that she had to be aban
doned on the morning of the IL, in lat 3sO 40, on
700 and at A. NJ. she was seen to sink stern fore
most. During the gale two sailors were washed
overheard The bark Elk, from Boston for Phtladel-
phis fortunately hove in sight, and took on board
Capt. Smith, his wife, four officers, two passengers,
| steward stewardess, seventeen seamen, and four
| boys-aI Of whom took their departure by the four
| o'clock train on Saturday for New-York.