The Nevada Democrat., 1857-10-28
APPALLING DISASTER.
Loss of the George Law and California
t.t.r Passengers.
Four Hundred Passengers Drowned, and
Two Millions OF Treasure Lost.

On Saturday, the 18th of Sept, the Steamship |
Central America, formerly George Law, from
Aspinwall for New York. having on board the
passengers and treasure shipped from San Fran
cisco by the steamer Sonora, on the goth Of
August, foundered in gale, while of Cape
Hatteras. By this calamity over 400 persona
and about two millions of treasure were lost
The women and children, in all, 173 persons
were rescued. OF the officers of the steamer,
only the second mate, boatswain, chief and as
sistant engineers were saved. The events of |
this terrible disaster, succinCtly stated, are as
follows:
On the morning Of Tuesday Sept. 9th the Cen
trail America left Havana with fair weather.
In the afternoon of that day a heavy storm
arose, which in the course Of q few hours in
creased in fury until it became one of the Wild
est hurricanes which for years has been expert
enced The steamer labored hard, but no fears
Of danger were entertained by the officers or
passengers, until Friday, the llth, when the en-
CINE ceased working, owing to the vessel hav-
ing sprunga leak which prevented the men
from passing the coal forward to keep up the
fires. Having no steerage way, the steamer
fell off into the trough Of the sea, causing her
to labor heavy. On inspection of the pumps
trey we're found to be wholly unserviceable, aud
lines of men were formed during the afternoon
to keep the leak down by bailing.
Their efforts In bailing were successful until
eight o'clock in the evening Of the same day,
aud though after then the leak gained on them,
they did not cease their efforts until within a
short time before the steamer was carried down.
The morning of Saturday, Sept. 18th, brought
with it slight abatement Of the gale. Further
efforts were made to use the pumps but they
were found to be 30 out Of repair as to be use
less. About two O'Clock 10 the afternoon of
Saturday a sail was discovered to windward and
in an hour and half she hove to under the
etarn of the Central America. She proved to
be the brig Marine Of Boston. Two Of the five
seas; the others were at once lowered with the
view of removing the passengers to the brig.
The first was placed under the command OF
the boatswain Mr. Black, and the second under
Mr.. Aspey, the chief engineer, at his request,
and on his promise to return for the other pas
sengcrs. The ladies and children were convey
ed in safety to the brig, after which, forty-one
of the men were also transferred to her. At
this time ii was dark, and the boats were COM
pelled to close their trips, added to the darkness
the brig had fallen off to the leward, owing to
her. own disabled condition. She continued how
ever, to lay by; at o'clock P. N. the steamer
was struck by heavy sea; she gave launch,
and sunk, stern first, engulphing for q moment,
all who were on board. Within brief time
the surface of the ocean around the spot was
covered with the fragments of the vessel which
had broke loose from the deck, and hundreds
Of human beings were eagerly grasping for
them in hopes to save their lives.
Many we're killed by the fors-mast as they
rose. Others were in the cabin, aud were car
red down with the vessel. About o'clock on
the morning of Sunday, the Norwegian bark
Ellen was observed approaching. Those who
we're yet alive ha llooed to her, and she at once
hove to and commenced to pick up the suffer-
ers By 8 O'Clock 10 the morning Of the same
day she had rescued forty-ninc, all the survivors
of the disaster with 10 sight. On Thursday, the
18th she arrived at Norfolk, where che transfer
cd those whom she had saved. on board the EN-
pire City, which steamer had also been compell-
ed to put in there in distress. AS the Empire
City was coming out on Saturday the 9th Of
Sept, she fell in With the brig Marine, with the
other rescued passengers, and took them all on
board. and arrived in New York on Sunday,
Sept goth.
The following is an alphabetical list of the
persons known to be SAVED. and is, we believe,
almost complete. There may have been few
picked up by the unknown schooner that are
not in the list.
Afford, Henry, Canada East;
Ashby, Geo. A. Chief Engineer G. A.;
Agulo c., Lima;
Adams, VIM A. Placer county, CAL;
Athosah Mrs. Eureka, Cal;
Badger, Capt. Baltimore;
Bennett. Louis child;
Bliss, VIM. Cal.
Bassford, VIM. Cal;
Bumel, Henry. Illinois;
B1rr, L. Albany. N. Y;
Bailey, Mrs. Mary, Cal;
Birch Billy;
BRIDE, Thos.. Cal;
Brown, Edw. sailor;
Black. John. Boatswain;
Badger. Mrs. Jane;
Badger, Capt. F. W.
Badgely. George. N. T.;
Bowley, Mrs and 2 children;
Brougham Frederick, sailor;
Brugene, Geo. N. Y.
Burt Hiram;
Cummings, John. Wis;
Clark, James, sailor;
Clash. John. fireman;
Childs, II. e
Chase. VIM. Michigan;
Casey, W. j..
Cummin. John, Nevada county;
Casey ]. NJ. Arkansas;