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

tho bosom OF the ocean, Win 10 nopo pus
desth. At quarter past one o'clock in the
morning, the Norwegian barque Ellen came
running down with free wind. The crica
of distress rerched those on deck, and they
hove 10 under short sail. Tho task OF res
cuing the passenger was nobly commenced,
and by nine O'Clock the next morning, for
ty-nine had been picked up. Diligent search
was made until IL o'clock, but no more
could DO seen.
They bore away for Norfolk, with fair
wind, and arrived ut Cape Henry on the
18th, where myselfand four Others embark
ed in the pilot boat and arrived in Norfolk.
Thrilling Scenes at NorfOR-&rOng Hopes
Entertained for the Safely Of those not
heard from.
WASHINGTON, September 20.
A despatch to the Petersburg Erpress,
from Norfolk, yesterday, says the passeu-
gers saved by the Marine think that others
have been rescued, Us they saw several lights
in the distance on the fatal night.
They entertain strong hopes Of the safety
Of Capt. Herndon, who was on the wheel
house when the ship went down. He was
last seen clinging to a plank, struggling
manfully for life.
When the survivors by the Marine entered
the parlor Of the National Hotel, Norfolk,
thrilling scenes were presented. Ladies
would look around, and, failing to recog-
nize hush and, brother or son, would give
utteance to their GRIFFIN long cries, or fall
helpless to the floor. The scene was distress
ing in the extreme. and beggars description.
Great praise is awarded to Capt. john
son, Of the Ellen, and his men.
Mr.. AshJy, CHEF Engineer.
Mr.. Ashby. Chief Engineer Of the Gen.
tral America, left here this evening for
New York. lie says he is ready to nee,
any Investigation that may be ordered as to
his conduct in leaving the steamer, or the
manner in which he performed his duties.
He says he left in the boat by the Captains
orders. to arrange with the Captain OF the
brig Marine to bring bis vessel closer, and
that the crew Of the boats refused TO return
to the steamer with him, all dcserting the
boats.
The Boston Traveller says Of the disaster
Probably large portion Of the lost were
hardy, enterprising men, in the prime OF
life, who, in their long absence from home,
had faced inconvenience, dangers and pri.
vations Of all kinds, and were cheerfully
hoping to enjoy their hard earnings with
their old Il lends on their native shores
Their sad fate will cause many tears to trick.
lie, many sobs to swell. and many hearts to
ache during the coming winter, which will
be desolate indeed to the afflicted relatives OF
those who have thus suddenly taken their
departure.
It's seldom that such an overwhelming
casualty occurs on the ocean. We do not
remember q parallel to the present case since
the French transport Amphitrite went down
of the coast Of France. some quarter Of a
century ago, in sudden squall, with about
eight hundred conyicts on board, most Of
them handcuiicd and fettered, and, consc-
quently. unable to make any effort to save
themselves.
From the accounts now received, not far
from one hundred and fifty persons have been
saved from the Central America, and there
is iaint hope that some few Others may
yet be heard from.
From the n. Y. Herald:
In the absence OF passenger list Of the
ill.Elted steamer, our apprehensions rs to
those on board, are augmented by the fear
that among the lost are large number OF
the officers and crew OF the United States
frigate Independence. We learn however,
from Washington, that no officers, either OF
the Navy or War department were expected
by this steamer, and it is to be hoped that
none were on board.
The Central America was very deep in tho
hold, and very broad in the beam-built to
carry crowd Of passengers and the great
surface she would present to the sea, broad.
side on, undoubtedly neutrllized the Efforts
Of her officers to keep her atloat. Nautical
history has accounts Of several remarkable
hurricanes, in which the power of the wind
is exemplifcd in marvellous manner. One
OF these hurricanes occurred in 1850, in the
West Indies. when twenty thousand lives
were lost, aud rocks were taken from out Of
the sen in seven fltsoms of water and cast
upon shore. Since 1921 there have been III
hurricanes of this character. but they have
generally extended as far northward US the
coast Of Maine.
Some idea Of the extent Of the gale, can
be formed from the fact, that steamship Per-
sia ,xperlenccda touch of 1t on Friday week,
when she had her decks swept, though her
course was good deal to the northward of
the track Of the Central America and Em-
pire City. It's fury reached as far south at
least as Wilmington, North Carolina. Tho
elliptic or Iarabolic course Of the winds is
not singularity the whirlwind, however,
appears to have been unexampled in violence
and in the length Of time which it contin.
ued. Nautical men are frequently unable
to struggle with such hurricanes. They
come almost without warning, and &c, in
an entirely different way from ordinary
gales.
Aside from the great Inconvenience to the
mercantile community from the loss Of the
specie, there are hundreds of letters from
miners in California to their friends or
families, containing remittances, the loss Of
which will be deeply fet. Perhaps many
families were depending on these receipts
for the payment Of rent, or the purchase Of
winter stores. the lack of which will occa-
sion much suffering, and form no little pro-
portion in the unfortunate results OF this
terrible calamity.
The Central America was the steamship
formerly known as the "Georgc Law" She
had recently been repaired at an expense of
some 100000, and although represented as
seaworthy there are rumors that she was
not, and the company are censurc for allow
ing her to be put on the route by some.