Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-11-27

The New Orleans papers bring US the particulars
of the collision between the steamships Galveston
and Opelousas the latter bound to Galveston, Texas
passenger on the last named boat writes to the True
Delta as follows:
On the night of the 18th, about quarter past
twelve o'clock, was awakened in my berth by
shock, as il the vessel was struck by lightning.
rushed on deck and found it crowded with passengers
all in the widest state OF excitement-the lsdes
screaming and the gentlemen running to and fro The
first consciousness had of danger was hearing the
themselves, there two lepreservers In each state
room. hastily made for the cabin to get life pre-.
server but reaching it found the water in 1t ankle
deep. hastily retraced my steps, and on reaching
the deck again found the steamer sunk to her gun
wales. The passengers then ran to the hurricane
deck but in about three minutes she had sunk to that
deck. .
The scene of wild confusion and dismay which
then presented itself beggars all description. The
life boat then cut away aud some fifteen ortwen.
ty jumped into her, and others jumped into one OF
the quarter boats, when both boats started for the
Galveston. then some distance from the wreck. At
this time did not see the Galveston and was totally
unconscious of the cause of the disaster The lie.
boat before reaching the Galveston was oapszed, and
several of the passengers sunk TO rise no more.
held on to the stern Of the steamboat Opelousas and
while in that position was joined by the second engl
neer This officer had secured plank, which ens
80, believing the Opeousas was aground. In few
moments, however the Opeousas, from the weight
suppose, of her machinery, broke in two and turn.
ed bottom upward. Seeing the Galveston In the dis
tance struck out for her, and, after ewimming,
think about quarter Of a mile, was picked up by
one of the Galveston boats. Capt. Ellis, who WA
clinging to pirogue bottom, was also picked up at
the same time.
II appears that both boats being under full bead.
way, ths Galveston struck the Opelousas on the star
board side little forward of the whee.house, cut
ting her nearly in two and smashing her machinery
so that the stesm from her boilers soon filled the ca
bin, rendering it impossible to distinguish objects
distinctly.
The following is list Of the lost:
Gen Hamilton, Of South Carolina Judge Juo
Clellsnd New Orleans; Mr. Smith, mother aud young
lsdy, of st Louis; Lucy Williams, Of Layaca, Texas
c w Wilmot, of Hardin co. Ky; child of c w VIII
mot, Kentucky; Miss Mary Pittmsy, Nashville, Ten
nessee; - McFsrlsne, late mate Of The steamer
Jasper two children of G Williams, of Columbia,
Texas; child of Mrs Fouts, Of Buchanan county,
Missouri; Augustus Mendell, of De Witt county.
Texas; - Dunn. of Navarro county, Texas; negro
girl belonging to Mrs Harshberger; negro boy, third
cook on Opelousas.
The Picayune says il is feared that the following
are also lost:-H Trainer, G Hardney, Hill, A j
Hollis, Mr. Wyeth and lady.
Among the saved are Captain II Hill, U army;
r p Wood of Prince Edward county, Va, and A j
Voorhees,, of Trenton, N j. There were saved in all
So passengers and all the officers and crew, number
ing q. The passengers lost every thing they bad
and arrived at New Orleans in destitute condition