New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-09-21
STATEMENT OF WILLIAM BIRCH.

We left Havana on the 9Th inst. with fair weather,
which continued for one cay. On the second dsy the
wind commenced blowing fresh, and increased until
the 10th inst when the hurricane came do IN IN great
fury Did not know that the ship wac leaking until
Friday nornir g, when Capt. Badger proposed 10 go
below and begin 20 bali the ship In tbs hrst gang
sbou. two hundred went from the CABIN, and large
force went to woik in the steerage. line was fom-
I'd up from the seoend cabin hatchway, and the work
was continued without cessation until Saturday morn
ing when barrels were prepared for each OF tue hatch
WAYS and the balipg vert on. On Saturday morning
the water was within four feet Of the second cabin
floor. The fires were all extinguished before two
o'clock on the afternoon Of the llth. The sea was
very heavy ard at two o'clock on Saturday the first
sail as seen from the wiHdward, and came 90 IN un
der TIE stern Of the ship Being much lighter she
AEON drifod to the eewad She proved to b the brig
Marie of Bostop and she lay 10 abOuta mile distant
Preparations then made TO get the snau boats
overheard. One had already been washed off the
deck and another was torn IL pieces IN lowering IT
into the About O'Clock we began to get oil the
females and children and in two hours they were all
safe On board the Marine. All this time the ship was
in the trough Of the sea- The last OF the ladies' three
10 number were in the boat with the chief engineer.
ask him if he would not take me IN, and ne SAID
he would DO all he could for me, and asked ne to
20 apo call James f.. Birch which cid, be being at
that time in his state room dressing Two boats
bsck afterward but they were soon filled up. The
boat went aft ana took in only lew passen-
gers.
md each prepared to take care Of himself. thHn
nut on lfe-preserver and went into ststeroom,
where were Jas. 4. Birch, and a man named White,
from San francisco. The butchers were then build
ing raft forward ana proposed TO 20 and Join them.
We started and Just Is we got opposite the smoke.
pipe tremendous struck the ship and she went
entirely under, to rise no more. When came to the
surface after being several times struck with pieces
Of timber there was large lumber in the water, in
the greatest CONSERVATION. got hold OF piece Of
board and succeeded in catching sash, which held
to. At this time ii quite dark but tried to cheer
these who were near me. After having been 10 the
water for ABOUT six bours, / sail, and all
called until we heard and the vessel csme up TO
rs which proved TO be the Norwegian bark Ellen,
ard we were taken on board.
The captain stated that when be was twenty miles
distant from US bird appeared on Eis vessel, and
three times flew in his face, which caused hun 20
change bis course ten points ana thus ne came to Us.
| waS picked up about3 O'Clock On Sunday mornlog,
and the boat about hsli-past 10 on Sunday morning.
The search continued until after II O'clock but
We Jaw DO more. About an hour before toe ship yeut
down q schooner came down and the captain sal he
would asst us. but we saw no more OF hin Until next
morning when he about ten miles distant
The captain of the brig treated with grost kind
ptss and did everything possible for our comfort.