The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1857-09-26

| lightning we discovered that we were being
scattered over wide area, and soon found
ourselves entirely alone ON the boundless
| ocean -,
There was nothing, or very little, said,
except that each one cheered his fellow com
rade On. Courage was thus kept up for
two or three hours and think for this space
of time none had drowned but three who
could not swim because exhausted. After
this, gradually one by one passed away to
eternity. The hope that boats would be sent
to us from two vessels we had spoken soon
fled from US, and our trust was alone in
Providence" what better trust could
you or l ask for?
saw my comrades sink fast, and at
O'Clock that night was nearly alone upon
the ocean, some two hundred miles from
land. heard, however, shouts from all who
could do so, that were not far from me- but
| could not see them.
Within an hour from this time I saw a
vessel, which judged to be about one mile
from me. Taking fresh courage struck out
for the vessel, and reached it when nearly
exhausted. and they drew me on board of it
ropes. 1t proved to be a Norwegian bark
from BaliZe, Honduras, bound for Falmouth.
England. | found on board of her some
three Of my comrades, and at % o'clock next
morning we had 40 noble fellows on board,
and these are all | know of having been
saved.
The Central America went down about
600 miles off Cape Hatteras
In reference TO the number saved and lost
the accounts differ materially, but average
the saved nearly as follows:
BY the Marine, o.
By the Norwegian bark Ellen, 49,. 80
By the bark Saxony, 3
1913
Among the known to be lost we notice
but three Illinois names: Benz Colts, Of
Hancock Co. ; Robert Hughes, Chicago; and
Richard Wilton, Quincy. Senator Broder-
;ck, of California, is also supposed to DC on
board.
Capt. Herndon, who is also probably lost,
was native Of Virginia, and IS years Of
age. lie entered the l. 5. Navy as a mid
shpman at the age of 10, and had been in
the service of his country ever since He
was commander Of the famous exploring ex-
petition up the Amazon several years ago,
which has made his name familiar to all sci
entifc men. He is spoken Of in the highest
terms by all the passengers, ana stood to
his post until engulphed by the wreck.
The brig Marine and bark Ellen beth put
into Norfolk, where they met the Empire
City, which had left Aspnwall and Havana
on the same day with the Inflated steamer,
and which from Norfolk took the passengers
to New York, where they arrived on the
Goth, nearly all OF course in destitute con
dition. scarcely clothing enough to hide their
nakedness. Their wants. however, have
been literally supplied BY the people Of New
York
. Passengers saved by tie Marine, think
that others might have been rescued, as they
saw several lights in the distance on that
fatal night. They entertain strong hopes Of
the safety of Capt Herndon, who was on
the wheel-house when the ship went down.
He was last seen clinging to a plank, and
struggling rnanfully for life.
John Black, boatswain, was in the life
boat when the ship went down, and saw
fore and-ait schooner sail around her stern
and cross her bows few minutes before
dark, but could not see her name. lie thinks
she picked up many Of those who were
laundering in the water.
As to the gold by the Central America. it
is estimated tina; about million is insured
in London, and five hundred thousand dol
lars in New York. In reference to that in
sured in New York, the Insurance company
has resolved to pay the loss at once, upon
proof of loss, without taking advantage Of
the thirty days delay allowed them. The
foreign insurance Will be paid at the same
time, according to a clause in the policies.
The freight list and other papers Of the
ship were all on board, and duplicates can
not be obtained from San Francisco under
five or six weeks.
The aggregate Of loss viii be nearly 81
go, 900 in treasure, and about ;wo-thirds of
which is insured in London.