The Nevada Democrat., 1857-12-09
Loss Of the Russlan Msn-of-war Lefort.


The Journal de Sc. Petersburg, Of October LIST,
publishes the following details of the lOss Of
the Russian ShiP-of-theline Lefort, already an
nOunced. The disaster happened on the morn
ing OF the 22d Of September:
''It has pleased Providence sheuld partici-
pate in one OF the greatest disasters that can
happen at sea- and to make me witness Of the
instantaneous and inexplcable loss of one of
the vessels in my feet. A few minutes have
suffced for beautiful ship-of-thc-lne, tho
roughly sea.worthy, to be engulphed by the
waves during tempestuous night. Not cry
of distress reached US from the scene Of the dis
asttr, although we were but four cables length
distant to windward. Not one survives to ex-
plain to us the cause Of this unparalleled catas-
trophe.
''On the 2Sth of August (September 9th) four
ships-of- the-line-the Imperatrice Alexandra,
the Vladimir, the LefOrt, Of "a guns, and the
Pamiat Asova, of "A guns, which were in the
Point of Revei-received orders to arm and re-
turn to Cronstadt. Ten days afterwards the
Pamiat Aseva quilted the reads, towcd by a
steam frigate. The three other vessels were
ready to set sail two days later, they had water
and provisions for month, and their stowage
was the same as at the end of their cruise in the
preceding year; the Lefort was thoroughly re-
paired at Cronstadt in 1852. l had received
instructions to profit by the favorable weather
to set sail, without waiting for the steam tugs.
On the 9th of September (2lst) got under sail
with beautiful weather aud favorable breeze
from S. S. W., the barometer making 20 79
English. A little later the wind freshened, and
abreast of the Island of Rothskar we were oblg-
ed to take in two reefs in the top-sails.
"At half past eight, p NJ, after passing the
Island of Hochland, the fleet was making more
than eleven knots. The wind increasing / Or
dered third, and then fourth reef to be taken
in. The barometer being at 29 Is, and weather
foggy, we sailed as close as possible TO the wind
endeavoring to keep our course by short tacks
until morning; each time gave the signal for
the vancouver. At half past eleven the wind
shifted to the west, at midnight to the north
west, and at four O'Clock to the north, with
squalls and snow. At day break we were neal
the Island of Grand Tuters. The feet was on
the starboard tack, the Imperatrice Alexandra
little to the windward, and the Vladimir in
the wake of the LefOrt. with four reefs in her
top-sail.
"At a distance of five miles trem Tuters, we
veered; during our vancouver the Lefort ap-
peared to us as if wishing to veer suddenly a
violent squall laid her on her side. Though her
sails were let go, she leaned over SO much to
larboard that we expected her masts would go,
but she continued gradually to lean over till
she foundered in the short time that the Vlad-
mir took to tack about. The keel of the Lefort
appeared once, and was then swallowed up in
the waves.
Exclusive Of the commander and twelve Of
fcers, the vessel had on board 743 seamen, SO
women, and II children.
This disaster took place on September 10.
(22,) ut twenty.three minutes past seven, A. M.
at five and half miles to the north-nerth-east
of the Island of Grand Tuters, at depth of 80
fathems. After this unparalleled catastrophe,
the wind continuing to increase, we brailed up
the foretopsails and topgallantsails and after
wards the maintopsais. and decided to anchor
at a depth Of 81 fathons, letting out all the
cable of two anchors. Fifty-three hours after
wards the wind calmed. and the steamers arriv-
ing in the mean time, towed us to Cronstadt.
"Signed by the rear-adniral,
~