The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-09-25

n comparatively early hour, and cowardly
deserted his post, thus surrendsring oil con-
troll over his department, and cutting Oh the
most valuable auxiliaries Of safety. This
opinion has excessively prevailed among
those rescued, and been shared by Captain
McGowan. OF the Empire City, who has
had excellent opportunities TO become nc
quainted with all tho facts Of the cass, and,
knowing these facts, he Indignantly refused
the Chief Enineer a passage from Norfolk
to New York in his steamer"
NEw YoRK, Sept. 10. OF the gold by the
Central America, it is estimated that about
n million is insured in London, and $780,
900 here.
The gold coming TO Duncan, Sherman x
Co.; Rotb, Hallett & Co.; Hoag L Co..;
Wells, Fargo & Co.; and Rowland & As
pinwall, is insured abroad.
Mess. DreIel's shipment, which is the
only other large one, is insured here.
The insurance companies have resolved
to pay the losses at once, upon proof OF loss,
without taking advantage Of tho thirty
dawes delay allowed them.
The foreign insurance will be paid ut the
same time, according to clause in the pol
icies.
The steamer was valued at $500, 600, and
was not insured. The company does not
insure any Of its ships. The freight lists
and other papers Of the ship were oil on
board, and duplicates cannot DO obtained
from San Francisco under FIVE or six weeks.
The steamer had six or seven hundred
life preseryers and SIX life boats. capable OF
carving ut least fifty men each. Two OF
them were Francis metallic boats, and Others
were wooden boats with alright tanks.
Up to o'clock to day, nothing was known
in this city OF the whereabouts of the Ha-
yana mail, but il is reported to have been
thrown ashore at Norfolk, and on its way
here in charge OF sumo one. IL this rumor
should prove incorrect, and Capt. Mclio-an
was obliged to keep his mails on board, they
will probably reach here tomorrow morn
ing.
The aggregate of loss will be near tw.
and quarter million Of dollars ON treasure
and vessel, about two thirds Of which is inc
sured IN London. The loss to our market
will, therefore, consist mostly in the delay
of settlement, and this is already provided
against TO great extent.
The Worihlesnsss Of Gold.
On Saturday, the last day the steamer re-
manned aAoat, when il became evident that
they were likely at any moment to be buried
beneath the waves, wealthy men Invested
themselves of their treasure belts and scat
tered the gold upon the cabin floors, telling
those 10 take il who would, lest its weight
few ounces OF pounds-should carry them
to their death. Full purses, containing in
some instances $1,000, were lying untouch'
cd on sofas. Carpet-bass were opened by
men and the shining metal was poured out
on the floor with the prOdigality OF deaths
despair One Of the passengers, who has
fortunately been rescued, opened a bag and
dashed about the cabin $4,000 in gold dust,
and told him who wanted TO crafty his
greed for gold to take it, But IL was pass
ed by untouched as the veriest dross. A few
hours before he would have struck down the
man would have attempted TO take grain
of that which he now spurncd from him.
We copy the following additional par
ticulars from the Boston Traveller OF Mon
day.
NdicmeM of Capt. Badger.
Captain Badger, one Of the rescued pas
sensers of the Central America, who has ar
rived at Norfolk, states that the gale increas-
cd until > o'clock on Friday the llth, when
it was perceived that the engine had stop
ped and the ship fell off into the trough Of
the sea, which caused her TO make consider.
able water around her lee shaft and the lee
lower dead lights.
Ii was aiterward ascertained that tie
cause of the stoppagc Of the engines was the
neglect of the fire and engine department Ia
get coal along from the bankers to the trc
and engine. depar ment last enough to leep
up the fires. Consequently all the engines
stopped, rs wellas al! the pumps attached
to the engines.
The deck pumps were out of order and
at Capt Bidse''s suggestion, compnies
were organized, whilst the stewards gangs
and deck hands went down to pass the coal
along.
BY this time, the fires were put out, and
the water became so heated in the hold OF
the ship, and the steam engendercd was 50
great. that they were compelled to abandon
piSsing the coal The ship then lay ut tho
mercy OF the waves, but she did not labor
hard. We then started several gangs ut
balling, as the only hope Of saving the ship.
At my suggestion the captain ordered the
ioremast 10 he cut away, which was done
abopt six O'Clock.
From four o'clock till eight the water
was kept at bay. An attempt was made to
raise steam in the donkey boiler. Berths
were torn up and thrown into the furnace
tn raise the steam 90 start the pumps, but
all 10 no avail. The cause could not learn.
A dag was proposed but failed. and the ship
continued in the trough OF the rea. Bail
Ing still went on vigorously, and was kept
up all night, gangs, who were changed as
often rs they became exhausted. Toward
morning the men were beginning to fail
and the water to increase IN the hold OF the
ship.
ii o'clock on the morning Of Saturday
the l2th, the gale abated, with heavy sea
running. They were encouraged by myself
and Others with the assurance that the ship
would hold out. Every passenger remain
ed cool, and seemed to forget his danger in
the united efforts to save the vessel. There
was no weeping or exhibition Of despair,
even ON the part of the females.
At eight o'clock, another attemIt was
made to raise steam in the donkey boiler to
pump the ship, but without avail. One
proposed To box the pumps, but on inquiry
no carpenter or tools could be found, and
the water gained rapidly. The lee SHAFT Was
shrouded in heavy blankets to stop the leak,
but the water burst through.
At two o'clock on Saturday, a sail was
reported to windward, and at halfpa three
she came under the stern. Boats were inn
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