The Feliciana Democrat., 1857-09-26
Loss or TIE STEAMER CENTRAL AMERICA


LOSS or TIE STEAMER CENTRAL AMERICA.
This steamer foundcred at sea, 200 miles from
Cape lIa,teras on her passage from A.pinwall to
New York. She had on board 700 passengers and
crew. only lol Of whom it is supposed we're saved
There was also H. 900 Of treasure lost with the
vessel The following is the statement of one OF the
rescued passengers. Mr.. Childs: tccgraphcd TO y.
q. Delta
We left Havana on the morning Of the 9Th Of Sep.
temper We had experienced delightful weather and
a calm -ca from i.rnwall to Havana.
During the afternoon Of the day we sailed from
Havana. Nhe sth) fresh breeze sprung up, cohtni-
ing all night -
On Wednesday morning Il blew very strong. The
gale continued throughout Wednesday and at nigh,
had increased to u hurricane.
The sea ran very high at this time, continuing
through Thursday
on Friday the storm still ragged with undated
fury. and 1T II o'clock In the morning the announce
mrnt was made 10 the passengers that the steamer
had sprung leak and was making water fast.
A line was formed and the men went to worli
with will, baling the water from her engincrooms.
The fres were already out. the water having come
In sufficiently 10 eXtingush them.
We gained on the water 20 much. however, as to
be able 10 get up steam agaln but. nniortu.
nately. held our vantage but few minutes. when
the engines again stopped working, and this time
forever.
The bailing was continued In all part. Of the shp,
and kept mp until She finally went down.
/ During Friday night the water gained gradually.
but we were all in good spirits. and worked to the
best OF our abilities hoping that when morning come.
We might possibly be enabled TO speak to some vessel
and be saved from the fate that was staring us In the
face.
The fatal Saturday came at last, but Instead Of
snccor. brought nothing but an increased fury on
the part of th'.storm.
We still worked Oh with beating hearts until
about o'clock in the afternoon. (ot Saturday. the
l2th1 when the storm lulled little. aud the cloud
began 10 break away
4 Hope was now renewed In our breasts. and We all
worked like giants until O'Clock in the afternoon,
when 10 our great joy we spied sail.
Our flag was at half-mast. end we fired cur guns
to attract the attention OF the vessel to us.
The welcome arrival, which proved to be the brig
Marine, Of Boston, bore down upon u. aud o. we
watched her nearing we considered safety certain.
The brig came near enough to -p"ak u. and. hav'
Ing learned our condition, lad.by at about q mile
distant.
! We had only three boats saved now, and in these
we placed all the women and children. and had the
satisfaction TO gee that they wcre safely put on board
the brig
So far % good, hut evening was fast approaching
At this time wr discovered another sail which re-
spond d to onr call. and came near ".
Capt. Herndon explained our condition. and asked
them to send IT. boat, rs We had none lett ours hay
ing all gone to the Marine with our women and chil
drcn
she promised TO comply WIN onf captain SFPqh,.s
but that was The last we saw 81 hef except ~ as
tance, which grew greater every moment
Atseyeh CLOCK III tie evening we ~" hp posi-
hility oi keeping Htr aioat mngh iohscF' "ihohS'
we Know u we could 40 50 ul1 morning VIC "ou''
r all oe sa'la saoa hlef II beca'hs nsh.. 49,
About this ume neasy Nv t'r w, h'st rn .'i'v
broke over her upper aeeR' a'a oii our Hopc7 Nu!'
away.
= Lille prcsefSeis were lihhisa.aseis sHpPte" W u"
! and we sent up TWO POCKETS.
: Very sooh y tremendous sea swept oF-r Us ~
'h1 sse'n,, :, , = WI apm.i - - mn. % ~ c In,
II iniiih inal 1heie Meie ~ i'at 'non'"' i"' ~
e area ana MY SOUS iauhehea upon 'pt oss"i va
q piaeaa III Tue il.ley " 10 ."Nc''
2 me Storm hah ~ ul!s 'lmle eh'rf's s'p," ~
= we an hept no he"i 'ose'net - po.a'O'' "''' -
1f Win 1ae wave ,,.,,, ,,
IN ih'ie was hothihs' W u, , ,,",t' W. .,,J ~"
'N,eli mn eell op en- NJ ~ CIV , a %
ana our courage WIS 'hns hept up 'o' wv VI '''''
~ hours .,,.,. ,.a,,,.,.,,, 5.,...o, :,
;! '''us ' - - - -, r.n,, ,yt..,.sti,,'
d but now one by one our party gradually passed IN
N eternity
=, The hope that boats would he sent TO our rcscl
he by the two vessels We had spoken. and which hf
III lep iis tip. soon fed from usssHa cur trust ~as aol
~ in PRO, idence What better trust could we ask vi!
Is Eternity looking us in the eyes?