Mariposa Democrat., 1857-11-12
Our PACIFIC STEAMERS.

The following statement appears in the San
Francisco Herald, furnished by Charles j.
! Huges, Esq. Our readers will observe that
the information is obtained from an associa-
ton of mechanics, whose statements on sub.
ject of this character should be entirely relia-
BILE. The publication Of the statement has
elected rebuttng statements, showing, if true,
that some injustice has been DONE The writer
says:
will state that when, greatly to my sur.
prise and contrary to my expressed desire, !
was appointed member of the Committee on
Arrangements and Resolutions for the public
meeting of Saturday last assumed the trust
reposed in me with determination to fulfil il
to the best of my ability, "without fear or fa-
vor," and forthwith devoted myself to the
task.
Immediately placed mysef in communica-
ton with the Associations of "Ship Carpen-
ters and Ship Caulkers" presuming them
to be greater experts in the cart and myste.
ry" of ship-buildng, than lawyers or Under
writer's agents; and in accordance with their
courteous invitation, on Friday night last at
tended a special meeting of the Ship Carpen-
ters, in which several Of the Caukers united
(the absence of their President from the city,
preventing separate meetng) At that meet
ing, after calm and dispassionate discussion,
carried on between the men who had worked
upon the huks of the steam vessels included
in my remarks, cleaned the following facts,
to wit that
The Golden Gate is good ship; the Colum-
bia is also good ship; upper works of both
too light
The Golden Age, Sonora, and John L. Ste
phens, pery slightly built, and the two latter
uorm-eaten with the same remark as to top
hamper.)
The California, worm-eaten three years ago;
partially repaired then, and not overhauled
since.
The Oregon, rotten and unseaworthy.
The Panama, having been in the Bay Of
Panama two years, the parties could give no
report, but the Committee received informa-
ton from other sources as to her condition on
her recent voyage to this port.
The Republic; pumps defective and useless,
when she struck six years ago. and the vessel
leaky, and compelled to resort to them daily
to keep her free, when placed on the Oregon
route.
The Northerner, worn out, and the Fremont
little better.
The Pacific, staunch boat, If in order.
The Sierra Nevada, very weak boat.
The Commodore Qate Brother Jonathan)
was built in 1850, in New York, for "Solnd'
boat; has been raised tpice since; had five
feet of water in her hold the last time she was
in port and left without proper repairs; q
note her safe return on Sunday last)
The Uncle Sam, safer ship than the Sono'
ra or John L. Stephens.
The Orizaba, a good, staunch vessel.
The Cortes, bottom sound, and recently re-
coppered; upper works defective.
1he Constitution, IN gOou conultion since
her repairs.
The Senator, about to lay up for repairs.
The Goliah might be safe for a voyage across
the Bay of San Francisco.
The Sea Bird, staunch and in good order
The Santa Cruz, good boat.
The foregoing condensed report, after the
opinion of the meeting had been taken on
each vessel separately, was carefully read over
by me, and affirmed by a general vote
| do not know that my memory served me
as to all the steamships in our waters, as had
no list of them; but named all | could re-
call, and endeavored to obtain reliable infor'
nation respecting them.
Yours CHARLES j. HUGHES.