American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1857-09-25
TERRIBLE DISASTER.

LOS0 w IllE SIEAMEN GENT
RIAL AMERICA.--SOME SIX
HUNDRED LIVES SUPPOSED
TO BE LOST.
CHARLESTON, Sept. 1.-THE steam.
er Thomas Swan, from New York, ar.
rived here this morning with the mel
ancholy intelligence of the loss of the
steamship Central America, from Cal
ifornia.
The Thomas Swan spoke on the 18th
inst, about Is miles north of Cape
Hatteras, the Norwegian barque Eloise
which had on board 40 of the passen,
gers of the steamship Central Ameri-
ca. The passengers stated that the
America foundered on the 18th inst,
with 700 passengers, of whom only
sixty were saved! There was nothing
said of the crew or of the specie.
The tremendous gale in which the
Central America founded commenced
on Thursday evening, the 10th inst
The next day at 2 o'clock the ship
sprung IA leak, and notwithstanding all
the efforts Of Capt. Herndon, of the U.
S. Navy, and his officers, the water
gained rapidly. At this juncture Capt.
Il. W. Badger, with great GOODNESS,
and, at the same time, extraordinary
decision, presence of mind and skill,
organized company among the pas
scngers, who commenced bailing the
ship, the engines having stopped, and
the pumps having been rendered en-
tirely useless. In consequence of the
machinery stopping, the ship fell off in
the trough ofthe sea, and lay over on one
side, allowing the water to flow in rap,
idly. The bailing under the direction
of Capt. Badger, went on vigorously;
different gangs passing up with the
water in buckets, &C., through the
hatchways. About six o'clock in the
afternoon, the foremost was cut away
to relieve the ship, and the water did
not increase for several hours; but the
passengers, by midnight, were worn
out by the labor of getting up the wat
or. Up to this time all hands arercp-
resented as having worked manfully.
Matters remained in this condition un-
til 4 o'clock on Saturday morning, the
18th, when the gale somewhat abated,
but the sea continued very heavy. The
bailing now was renewed with great
activity, pork barrels &o., being rugged,
and the water drawn up through every
hatchway; but the water gained rapid
ly; it became evident that the ship
must sink, and assistance was anxious
ly looked for.
RESCUE OF TIE LADIES AND CHILDREN.
AS soon as twas asccrtained that the
ship must sink, signals of distress we're
hoistcd, and at 2 o'clock sail was dis
covered to windward-at 3 o'clock the
brig Marie, of Boston, came to the as
sistance Of the sinking ship. Two of
the steamers five boats were lost in
getting them down, and in the remain.
ing were placed the women and children
with four men to row and one to steer
in each. In the last boat that left the
ship there were only two women, and,
the boat was then filled with men, and
among them was the First Engineer.
The effort of the passengers to keep
the steamer ahoat was vigorously going
on--at 5 o'clock the brig was five or
six miles to lceward and it was impos-
sible to get nearer to the steamer
and the boats could not get alongside.
The second cabin floor was now under
water, and the bailing went on with
all possible rapidity-the stern loud
voice of Captain Badger being heard
in every part of the ship encouraging
the almost hopeless passengers in the
last effort to save the lives of those on
board. A schooner was spoken and
the captain promised to lay by the
steamer all night, but being short of
sail, she drifted far to leeward. The
bailing continued till o'clock, when
the water had reached the upper saloon
deck, and then the work Of getting out
the water ccascd-no vessel or boat in
sight.
SINKING or TIE 1LL-FATED SHIP.
Ten minutes before the ship went
down, rockets were fred from both
warehouses, in the usual way Of indi.
eating the sinking condition of ship,
and then the moment of terror arri-
we'd. At 8 o'clock every person got
what he could to save himself. Two
waves swept entirely over the steamer,
wild shrieks, of despair burst from the
lips of the hopeless crowd that throng-
cd the decks; the sea yawned, and the
floating castle, with many struggling
being, went down in the fearful vortex,
an one vast burial blcntp'
Many, however, succeeded in the CT
fort to keep aaoat, but they soon drift
ed apart, and were compelled to con-
tend alone with the heavy rolling sur
,,o. 4l,l tl,oolopol o,,nr,,