New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-06-09
STEAMER BEN. FRANKLIN IN DISTRESS.
Coxsspsadeucs Of The N. Y. Trbans-
OLD POINT COMFORT,

OLD POINT COMFORT,
Wednesday, p. NJ, June 6, 1855.
Ihsye lust arrived here in the steamer Besj.
Franklin, which was obliged TO put in here -
her way from st. Thomas to New-fork o. as
count Of her leaky condition.
The Franklin left st. Thomas Oh SUNDAY, tho
9th MAY, as the Captain and Engineers thought
in perfectly seawortby condition. Ii was 5000
however discovered that her machinery ct the
best worked very badly, as even with the
aid of sails she would not make more
than from four to six knots an hear.
We had to lay to several times for repairs
Oh Sunday, the ID inst, when in latitude aocuf
go we met heavy weather with one or two mod
crate squalls She ran well however through tho
day and until 10 or III o'clock at night, when,
probably from a violent blow she experienced
the bilge injection pipe gave out, causing
her to make water rapidly. Ii required
till day light to repair the pipe temporarily
by swathing it around with oilcloth and canvas.
She then commenced running again. IL was 5000
found that other leaks had taken place aud the
water was fast gaining upon her. Her steam
pumps being resorted to, proved TO be choksd
by ashes, cnders &c and to be otherwise out u
order so as not TO be able to relieve the ship Some
of her crew were sick she was short handed Of
fremeu and coal passers, and in consequence the
alternative presented TO the passengers was to sink
or work the hand pumps while the crew worked
the engine and ship. At 3 o'clock on Monday morn
ng--the water covering the tioor OF the hre-room
and rapidly making its way to the fires--the male
passengers to a man promptly came forward ana
manped the pumps throughout that day and night
by regular watches. Fortunately two experienced
kh.,n usnkar M Al fonk tia
helm, which they retained entirely till we took
pilot this afternoon which left the regular officers
of the vessel and all the crew to the working
of the ship On Tuesday morning the water had
increased to such degree that the pumps
were wholly unable to free her, and IN addition
to the pumps, passing out water IN buckets haa 70
be resorted TO. -Four or five hundred buckets
were passed up in this way. While TINS opersuon
was going on and every man was working as II for
life and the greatest gloom rested on all minds,
suddenly the engine stopped, and it was discovered
that the pipe that had previously given way hed
again failed She did not commence running again
till noon from which time, her pipe having been
thoroughly repaired, her engine has continued 70
operate Monday afternoon, in consideration OF the
extremely uncertain and critical state oil the snip
and engine and the supposed danger OF attempting
TO reach New-York, the passengers unanimously
peitioned the captant put into Norfolk II 1t were
possible, and the ship consequently was hauled up
for said port
We have been singulary favored with smooth
seas and fayorng breezes through tho Gull and
ND to this pont-<o which benehcent providence Wa
feel that the safety of lives and ofthe ship s due
Had we met rough weather it is the opinion OF
those who should know that in the extremely do
ranged condition of the machinery and pumps II
would have been impossible to keep her from sink
ing. deeply laden as she was with Goals for Pa
cihc VOYAGE and with cannon and other implements
of war Tor the Mexican Government. Ms 1t Is her
passengers and crew are pretty Thoroughly usod
up and could hardly have held out for twc days
longer
! cannot avoid expressing the opinion that her
captain and engineers are censurable for permit
ting her TO 90 to sea in her lly-ftted conaition-
The fact is she had been lying in the harbor OF st.
Thomas for eight months and now She had put to
sea with old rotten sails and ropes, and without the
least trial of her machinery. Such careless triing
with life on the ocean deserves the severest rep
rebenson. The steamer proceeds tonight to Nor
folk where she will lie until those in New York
interested are heard from Her passengers mostly
leave in the steamer for Baltimore this evening.
The following il her Passenger List:
Wu L. Cazenesn u. g. Commissioner TO 81. Domingo hrs
Cszeneau c. j. Helm u. g. Consul at St. Thomas, MIs Hsm
Pickett IT, s. Consul nj Vera Cruz Mn Pickett hsy Eli
sha Whtesey Mrs Whttesey Master David q. Whttesey.
Conn; g. d. Guyle Geo T. Preston, Boson o. d. IIsssm
Mrs Spa1dng Misses Frances Ellen and oornca Spana'nx
j. De bin ST. Domingo Chss Donoghus Mrs. Donoshue 81
Crox; Simon Planas exMDster OF Foreign Affairs o. vens
zues T. L. Cszenoys FIancseo Cazsno,a Lorenzo yoss n
Henques and servant VeDezuels It. de Adecos ~ Penf.
Porto fco; r. de Aldeeos ST. Thomas; Iheo heuz, S~n-
zerlsnd.