The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-07-15

Great Suffering among the California Passen-
.engers, ~ way o. Nscsrasua-One Hum
The rue Californian gives the following account Of the
dreadful sunerings endured by the passengers who
kft New York in April last for California, by way Of
The steamer Orzaba left New York the 9Th Of April,
way Of Nicaragua On the 10th she arrived at San JUAN
and the passengers disembarked BY means OF open
boats they started up the river during soaking ram Inc
exposure caused them much suffering. When they ar
rived at Castillo they were informed that the transit
the country closed and after two days delay
,urng which they were constantly exposed to the
weather, they told that If they chose they could
return TO New York; but only fifteen minutes were al
lowed them and they compelled TO abandon their
baggage in they concluded 60 back three hundred
OF the passengere determined to push on.
They were taken to Granada, where they were de-
tanned q month, notwithstanding that an epidemic was
prevailing there. Here the most fearful disease COM
menced to rage among them. In four weeks seventy
time they suffered every parliamentary were without
means and those who had money were compelled to put
up with cxtortion and robbery at every hand
On the 10th Of May, in the evening" reached Ora
NADIA Of tie arrival Of the Sierra Nevada at San Juan del
Sur, and tn hours given the surviving passen
gers sick and wei TO get on board the Lake steamer AT
the time II was pouring rain and pitch dark. The sick
carried down in the best manner possible all get
ting oroughly drenched. Upon reaching the landing Of
the Lake steamer they kept in the rain until all had
exhibited their tickets, which detained them several
houre Finally all wei e crowded on board but before
mornr thrs Of the sick died al sent shore.
On the Lake steamer the scene described as having
been dreadful The passengers were crowded together
sick to lie down. For nineteen hours they thus con-
tined suffering every torture OF body and Of mind seve
others died while attempting the journey from the Lake
TO San Juan.
Aer they en- barked in the Sierra Nevada the sickness
TO this port thirty three deaths occurred The following
are the Dames Of those who died -
May 3D. Geo sSe ia. Key shmhnso
nnn, q John cso1%,Ssy pierre yssaea Eshasd
26h-Iucus Miller - Pingaus Edward Bay, VIM. Long,
John Ssss
Sscaryi Aug: Moncrs Downing ss'szialani q Mrs.
Mainland. Toal-3s deaths from fever and darrhoa-
The suferings the Sierra Nevada beggar all descrp
ton. The officers Of the steamer did all in their power TO
alleviate the r suierings but that was little. No time
lost in disposng of the dead, and the body hardly
allowed 70 get cold before thrown overheard The
safety Of the living demanded that there should Be no un
The Sierra Nevada arrived at San Francisco on the 9th
Of June.
Golden Gate-Arrest or the Offender.
seaman by the name Of John Bowen, from Boston,
was most grossly matreated the Golden Gate, during
the passage from Panama, by Mr.. Farnsworth the
cond mate from the injuries Of which treatment he died
reports Of The ma,ie,, ans is impossible to say what
the real facts We suboin the statements OF several
with whom We have met in order TO give all sides and
opinions, and shall rely upon legal investigation which
will be had, for the truth and real facts in the
From Mr. Potter, formerly engineer Of the Panama,
that Monday morning, the 9th inst, when of the
coast In the vicinity Of Cape St. Lucas the deceased
other hands In rng the sails After the lapse OF
moments, the mate observed that John not attend
ing TO the duties assigned him, and going into the
iorecastle he was found lighting bis pipe The mate
then placed him In irons in the engineers room, where
he kept about eight hours when he discovered
70 be sinking and removed, but he died shortly
after. Mr.. Potter Gays the physicians examined the
body, and Of opinion that death was cause1 by
congestion OF the brain. He was perfectly healthy
and ntffa til ba ofRs
whole voyage.
One Of the hands on the steamer sys that they were
all ordered deck to .hortea the sas and all went up
toeether-John having pipe In his mouth As he came
upon deck Mr. Farnsworth said TO him, "You smoke, do
your III smoke you, !" and with this he hurriei him be
low where he placed In irons, and stationed In
place where the doctor said man could NOT live i've
hours for the heat and steam.
MR.. BENSEr's STATEMENT.
Mr. Bennett passenger, and old caifor man, says
that the place sherc the deceased confined not
20 hot as has been represented and within eight
stsnty' To satisfy himself Mr.. Bennet went down and
stood In the position, with heavy wooen coat for
three quarters Of hour and he did not experience
comfortable heat. He thinks the very much in
hquop which must have been the cause Of his death
when the Of the death, and its cause became
known throughout the boat there considerable
element serious fears were entertained OF an out
break a mutiny; but better counses prevailed and
the matter deferred until the vessel should reach
port. Soon the ship boarded information
conveyed TO the Vigilance Committee and also to the
legal authorities with complaints for the arrest Of the
mate and after the boat touched the wharf he
taken into custody by the officers, and ID confined in
the station house.
Our informant also states that this same mate had
difficulty the ship, while the passengers coming
On board at Panama. with some person belonging 70
some other ship, who came up passenger and who de
mined 70 the mate the company for ths
injuries received from him. and the deceased the
principal witness OF the transaction.
The matter viii be speedily brought before the courts
for investigation when further particulars WILDE diyuged
Of ths sta ange and inhuman transaction.
Libel Against the seesuSssr Golden Gate.
A libel was he'd the Adnvsfy side Of the United
States District Court before Judge Hoffman, in which
james Mcclure and Thomas H. I1acs two passengers by
the Golden Gate her last trip from Panama claim