New-York daily tribune., 1856-03-13
MARINE AFFAIRS.
THE BARK AMELIA.

Port-au-Priuce as prze-vessel, having been seize
there by the United States Government Lieut..
Henry Erben of this city, whe was placed in COM
mand of the Amelia, came passenger in the ANA
zon, having charge of the sailors, whom he put on
board the receiving ship at Baltimore We are in
debted to one Of the officers entrusted with the
prize.vessel for the following account:
I'VE sailed from Port -au. Prince on the nigh. Of the
LIST of December in condition little prepared to
counter the storms of an unhospitabe coast but Il
was deemed advisable TO get away as soon as possible
from Port Prince on account of the fearful fever
then there We had not got fairly to sea when we dis
covered the vessel to be than ever dreamed
oi-sa.lng badly very leaky, and scarcely steering at
al-in want besides of thousand things which were
not at our command. These things drove u, from our
course and compelled to pass round the south coast
of Cuba ard so up through the Gull of Florida into
the Atlantic Ocean intending to make the first port
we could On the twenty fourth day out we passed
clear of the Gulf of Florida into the Atlantic, and max
ing for the Port of Charleston or Savannah, when
fearful gale overlook us nearly destroying our vessel
and driving us to the eastward. This was but the
commencement of our trouble. For ten days it con-
tnued to blow with greater or less violence, until the
yessel. sails md rigging were nearly worn out, and
would not be able to keep her ahoat by constant
pumping; yet, continuing on, we stul ioped 10
reach either Norfolk or NewYork before worse
weather On the 5th of January we were within one
hundred miles of New-York, with high hopes of get
ting in safely but on the afternoon of that day the
wind which had been westerly, shifted suddenly to
the north and commenced to blow very hard. We
made eycry preparation to encounter the gale, and, If
11.v ahIf n IN
tine TO the north and east east south and east SOUTH
and 40 on all around the compass, blowing tremen-
dous gale for the period of thirtysix hours During
TINT time the officers took their nn at the pumps TO
prevent her from sinking. 1t was fearful sight to
behold the sea- lashed into perfect foam and break
itg over us constantly. There was not dry spot on
bond and no one entertained the hope OF living
through the gale Our greatest anxiety was to pre-
ven, the water from gaining on us, and it was with
the greatest difficulty the could be persuaded to
continue their Jumping. At length after thirty-sx
hours' duration the gale abated. and it WAS truly
pleasant to see the change the counenances OF the
men from that of the utmost seriousness and gravity
10 one of hope and safety. We still determined to
reach New.York up to the 9th of January when, from
the state the vessel was in-.hat of a mere wreck
and from the carpenters report it could be easily de-
teiInned we would not be able to stand another gale
In addition, we almost out of proyisions-having
sailed with only thirty days allowance, and it being
then the iortieh day out.
No port on our own coast being accessible we
bore up for ST. Thomas, hoping to meet with sone
vessel that would relieve our hunger and thirst Up
to that time none had come but rather avoided
Us as a thing too suspicious to approach. we sup
posed there provisions in the hold OF the vessel
but after several fruitless attempts found nothing but
one barrel Of rice and bread, but In such condition
that was only barely possible and under such ciTcum-
stances to eat it. We however found the ship was
filled with rats, and we managed with them and the
lice to make quite comfortable meal. On the %th
of January at daylight we discovered a vessel and
made an attempt to speak her. but the sailing qualities
Of our craft did not admit of our doing so. On the
morning Of the 2eth came the cry OF " sail hoF IRON
alon 1t was long time before we could determine
the strangers course, &C. As we approached each
other he made desparate attempt to escape, us ana
would have succeeded had he known the miserable
sailrg qualities of the Amelia but we were upon him
before he was fairly Of it, having ayailed our
selves Of every advantage OF manouVerng 70
catch him. At length he met US, showing his longi-
tude on great black board over the side. We re-
turned the compliment halling him. saying we were
sixty days out, and 10 want OF barrel oil bread or
-four for either of which would be most thankful.
He replied he had no bread to spare, and for some
minutes we were doubtful whether we could get the
four At length he told us he could let us have some
-four. In an instant the sails aback, the boat
an, and Lieut.. Erben boarded her. The boat re-
turned with only small quantity OF flour, ana that
not very good. 1t was very acceptable, however
After this we continued separate courses she
proved to be the Englsh brig Ida, from st. johns ana
bound to London. We replenished oar small stock oil
water by the rains and got along very well. On the
morning Of the 3st Of January passed the Sombre-
ro and arrived on the let of February at the port Of
ST. Thomas. The United States Consul, Major Helm,
took charge of the vessel and cargo The vessel was
pronounced uns. aworthy, and condemned The cargo
will be shipped 10 New York, with the exception OF
the powder and ball cartridge, which were destroyed
by the leaking of the vessel. Lieut. Erben arrived IN
Baltimore on Friday last with the sailors on board the
Amazon
RUNORs ABOUT The PACIFIC.
There were various rumors in circulation yesterday
concerning the fate Of the Collins ste amshp Fachc'
One story was that the City cf Edinburgh saw anoa'
on the ice some furniture which was thought msh'
have belonged to the missing steamer out persons
familiar with her furniture say that II does not CORE
spond with the facts
There was also a dispatch from private source
that the Quaker City lad seen the wreck OF the
Pacific but it is pretty certain ths this story grew out
Of the one mentioned above, and has no foundation
in fact.
The Arabia which left Liverpool on the lst OF March,
and arrived at Halifax yesterday brings no news Of
the Pacific.
HIRING oF FSLAyEs-IxPoRTAST LEGAL DECISIONS.
| Tile Supreme Court Of Tennessee decided az last
term that the brer Of slave was not authorized to