Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1857-09-26
.wEUL CALAMITY.
Loss of a California S!ea"er-Se'e"
E,Iodred and FIfiY LiUeS Lost

wav from California to New York, toun
dered at sea, off Cape Hatteras, on the
18th instant. She had on board abou
700 passengers and crew of nearly loo
men. Out Of this large number, II i:
stated. not more than $50 have been saved
showing loss of more than 500 lives
She had'on board upwards Of two millions
in gold which has also gone TO the bot
tom of the ocean.
The Central America was commanded
by Captain w. l.. Herndon, of the UNI
ted States navy, whose explorations oil
The Amazon have made his name familiar
to the scientific world of Europe and A.
merica. lie was native Of Frederlcks-
burg, Virginia, and was regarded as one
of the bravest and most accomplished or
fcers of our navy. His loss will be
widely and deeply deplored. This Is by
far one of the most appalling Disasters
tina, we have ever been called upon 10 re-
cord.
This i'll fated vessel left Havana Sep
TENDER 8lh, having had delightful wealh-
er and calm sea from the time of Ieav-
inc AspnwaIl. In the afternoon OF The
dav Of sailing from Havana,a fresh breeze
struck up, and on Wednesday morning,
the 9th, it commenced blowing very
strong. The gale continued all day, and
at night it was increasing and raining in
torrents. On Thursday, the wind blew a
complete hurricane and the sea ran very
high. Through Friday the storm ragged
with unabaling fury, and at IL o'clock
A. NJ, it was first known among the pas
sengers that the steamer had sprung a
leak and was making water fast. During
Friday night the waller gained gradually.
The fatal Saturday came at last, but
brought nothing but increased fury of the
storm. At 7 o'clock (says the account of
one of the saved passengers we saw no
probability of keeping ahoaI much longer,
although We felt that if we could do so
until morning all would be saved. In a
short time heavy sea for the first time
broke over her upper deck, and all hope
faded fast away from Responding hearts !!
Life preservers were supplied TO all, and
as we sent up two rockets to attract alten-
ton of any sail that might still be near us,
a tremendous sea swept over us and IN a
moment more the steamer went down
think some 400 or $50 souls were al
that moment launched upon the ocean at
the mercy of the waves. The storm by
this time had nearly subsidized, and we all
kept near together and went as the waves
took US. There was nothing or very lit
lie said except that each one cheered his
'ellow comrade on, and courage was thus
Kept up FOR two or three hours. and |
think for that space OF time none had
drowned, but those who could not swim
became exhausted and one by one gradu
ally passed to eternity saw my poor
comrades fast sinking around me; and at
| o'clock on the night was nearly alone
upon the ocean, some 200miIes from IanG
however, still heard shouts from all that
could do SO that were not far from me,
but | could not see them. Within an
hour from this time | saw a vessel,
Judged about one mile from me. Taking
fresh courage struck out for The vessei
and reached it when nearly exhausted, but
was drawn ON board by ropes as soon
as perceived. The vessel proved TO he
bark from BaIize, Honduras,
bound for Falmouth, England. | found
on board Of her some two ur three of my
comrades, and at g. o'clock next morning
we bad 40 noble fellows on board.
Three boats, passing shorty after the
wreck, rescued a number of the passen-
gers floating on fragments Of the lost yes
sel-making in the aggregate l49 persons
saved out Of the 600 apd more on board
the vessel when shesunk. These have
been landed at Norfolk, Baltimore, and
New York in most destitute and distress
sed condition. The accounts they give
Of this most deplorable affair are truly
distressing.
When the survivors by the Marine en-
tered the parlor of the National Hotel, at
the ladies looked around, and
failing TO recognize husband, brothers or
sons, gave way to an ureraEce OF Their
grief, whilst some fell helpless on the
floor. The scene was distressing In the
extreme, and beggars all description. The
clothing stores were thrown open and aP-
parel furnished 10 some who were almost
naked.
A portion of the lady passengers had
scarcely a whole garment upon them,
while others had not bonnet 10 their
head. The officers and seamen connect
ed with the steamer looked haggard and
careworn, but rejoice at their miraculous
escape.
PARTITION OF THE MCDoNoUGH Es-
TATE.--The report Of Branlz Mayer and
Theodore G. Hunt, Esqs., appointed to