The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-11-27
The Loss OF the Steamship Opelousas.
STATEMENTS OF THE CAPTAIN AND ONE OF TIL
PASSENGERS THE SHIP.

The Loss OF the Steamsh1p Opelousns.
STATEMENTS OF THE CAPTAIN AND ONE OF THE
PASSENGERS OF THE SHIP
from the New Orleans Picayune, Nov. 10.
Capt A. Van Horne Ellis and Purser Lyons of the i'll
fated steamship Opeonsas who returned TO the city last
evening in the special train from Berwick Bay place
in possession of fuller intelligence of the recent dreadful
disaster in the Gulf The statement of Captain Ellis will
be found below, over his own signature. From Mr..
Lyons we learn in addition, that the steamer Jasper,
Capt Flanders, from Sabine Pass arrived at Berwick at
O'Clock yesterday afternoon reports having fallen in
with portion OF the wreck or cargo 1t is certain,
therefore, that have heard the last of the unfortunate
steamer.
The freight of the Opelousas measured AGO barrels,
according To the usual urement, valued at about
so00o4eo barrels for Galveston, $40 for ndianoa II
consisted principally Of pork, -four, corn sugar, molasscs
and coffee, and destined for almost every place in
the interior Of Texas-San Antonio Victoria, Seguin,
For this latter place about 800 barrels for W. H.
Merwether, Esq, who himself passenger board,
ana with ms wne fortunately saved MI. Lyons, the
clerk unable to say what insurance fany was effected
on the freight
STATEMENT OF CAPT. ELLIS.
Left Berwcks Bay for Galveston Sunday afternoon.
Passed the light ship at AIS p. NJ wind about +. n. f.
At Sis sounded Tiger Point y fathoms short
~ after having fathoms were clear Of the flats steer
ing W. by = for Galveston bar. AT few minutes of III
r. NJ looked squay over the land, but presently
cleared of and left starlight night overhead but slight
haze the horizon ordered extra bright light
be set about l5 feet up the forestry the light
stern sometimes went out, without, being instantly per
ceived. went my accustomed round OF the ship before
midnight and found everything in order boats all right
three and plug dashed in each then ordered the
I'd mate TO call me the wind came out from the north
ward and kept lookout for the Galveston, which vessel
passed when visible about 1875, dsaia from 10
three miles other occasions then lay down with my
clothes all and presently heard them hosting the lib
and foresail. short time after Mr.. Jewell called
that the Galveston near about points
board bow, and that he had kept her a. our ship of
little. jumped up AM saw light in that direction close
10 us, and thinking would pass, in 10 get blue
light, SIX of which had ordered from New Orleans that
very trip; but when stepped out after few seconds
detention, the light Ia green one) disclosed the Calves
ton at full speed, running directly To beam ut the
same moment the second mate cried out, 'hard-a star
board" but boat swinging she struck
about ten feet from galley, and ten feet from where
and hung climbed up on her bows 10 get line that
might fasen her 70 my boat when she clear she
would be close by bu, one, and feeling her
back astern, jumped hack To my own ship Isaw the Gal
yesions bows solid she left by the light OF
furnace doors shining through the hole she made which
also showed that poor boat done for. seized
ahatchet from my room reused up the purser who
me, and attempted 10 rush aft 10 my passengers,
but the steam escaping from the broken pipe and also
from the fires which were being put out nearly threw
me down. and burnt my lungs that IL time
before | was successful. ] found Mr. Mcfarlane busy
with the port boat, in which already several
men sang out to him. "wll you take charge Of that
boatf AYE, aye, he cried, IN manly tone and well
he did his duty, though tic boat eventually swamped
alongside the Galveston and he lost his life whilst saving
others. then ran TO the other side, but they had
hooked and capsized tho boat she lay bottom up.
| came across Mr. Fowler, engineer, and my second
mate and cried out to them and TO the passengers
let W haul out the cboas from under the half deck
but when we got there they all save the officers jumped
into them. cut the ashlngs and drove them out, when
they scattered some jumping overheard, and could
not move the boat The water was then knee deep on the
upper deck, and ran forward, followed by 10
by chance any ~ my people there. As got
the wheehouss felt her breaking up and had but
time 10 seize little about eight feet long, which
put the female and passenger who had just then ap
peared when swash Of water took clear rolled over
several times but swan alongside and kept balanced
well as possible. saw several boats near, which sup
posed from the Galveston, about half mile OF and
after some time one approached with several hanging
outside holding female Ia his lap and hanging
L
aboard but said, iwc're full more; hut
Of my own crew was aboard and recognizing nv voice
forced the boat and took tho woman and with me
aboard. then ordered him 10 make way FOR the Galveston
a. the boat full enough without me and after some
dcmur they left ! did not then wish 10 live. |
veral boats passing aud the cries the wreck ceasnr
supposed most OF my unfortunate safe.
rghcd the canoe, and nearly freed her Of tho water,
but my strength failed me, and could not get in.
presently picked and after some delay got on board
the Galveston. saw ono Of my boats alongside, half
full 81 water and sang out my men two answered me-
and all three got baled her and started again
for the wreck There then fresh breeze and short
ugly We fsyl In with the pilot house shcat One
man, poor carsman. hurt his hand and took tho
After pulling about for half hour fell In with several
boats in one recognized, 70 my JOY, Mr. Young, my
pilot. with two oarsmen; in another my mate, and In
another my second mate. | getting very sick with
the salt water swallowed, and recollet little else but
picking lp drowned man, until was hostcd aboard the
Galveston where Captain smith received like father
and himself and officers stripped their wardrobes TO co,he
There was no need Of lie beins lost as therc was
wreck enough 70 Goat 500 people hut the men jumped
overheard IN their fright. saw two Jump the rail.
draw their revolvors and FIRE away One All but drowned
himself In vain efforts barrel The noise CT
escaping steam made difficult FOR orders ~ be heard
the rush Of water and cracking of the ibers need
eesy frightened into belpessness many unaccusomed 10
the sea
The opclousas was built AT Grccnpolnt New York and
launched last March. She LEFT New York under my
command, the ed of April last aud have slept bat
two nights out q her since She IL beautiful order,
the greatest pride In her being the fastest
boat in the Gulf ] saw her keel laid, and knew every
plank her Her engines we're built at The Alaire Works
her cylnier 46 inches and ~ feet stroke. think
''' w. '' 4 VAN HORNE ELLIS.
NARRATIVE OF A SURVIVOR
Harrison II Hobart, Of the surviving passengers.
says'I was passenger the Opelouss Captain Ellis,
bound from Berwcks Ray 10 Galveston. On the night Of
the 10Th, about quarter past ~ O'Clock was awakened
IN my berth by shock II the vessel was struck by
nehtnrg. rushed deck and found crowded with
passengers all IN the widest state Of excementhe la
dies screaming and the gentlemen running TO aud fro The
nrst consciousness | had OF danger hearing the
mate and steward calling the passengers TO
save themselves, rs there two life preservcrs
IN each staieroom. J hastily made for the cabin TO
get lie preserver but reaching found the water
In Il ankle deep hastily retraced my steps, and on
reaching The deck again found the steamer sunk ~ her
gutwaNes The passengers then ran 10 the hurricane
Deck but IN about three minutes she had Nink 70 that
deck. The scene 0f wild confusion and dsmay which
then presented itself beggnrs all description The life
boat was cut away, and some nneen or twenty Jumped
into her, and others jumped into 81 the quarter boats
when both boats started for the Galveston then some dis
from the wreck (At this time did not the
Galveston and totally unconscious OF the cause Of the
dsaster.)
The lifc boat before reaching The Galveston cap
sized and several ~ the passengers sunk 10 rise no more
held on 10 The stern 81 the Opeousas, and while IN
that position, joined by the second engineer This
officer had secured PLANK, which enabled him W shove
~ from the wreck. I did not do su, believing the Opc
Iousss was aground In Nw moments, however, The
Urcouea, from tie weight suppose ~ her ma hncry.