New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-09-21
STATEMENT OF MRS. BIRCH.

Among the lady passengers was MIS-. v Birch, the
wife of Billy" Birch, the famous comedian OF the
San Francisco Mnstrels Mrs. Birch is young, petite
in form, and in personal appearance very attractive;
added TO this she is possessed Of lively viyacity
which renders her very interesting IN convorsaton.
She was married to Mr.. Birch on the 10Th Of August,
the day previous to the departure of the steamer from
San Francisco; and, though the honeymoon Of the
young people has not been very propitous, yet, as
both are saved she looks forward with bright hopes
Of the future. In the cabin of the Empire City Mrs.
Birch was an object Of general interest. The ready
ard intelligent manner in which she depicted the
events connected with the disaster they under
her notice. led her statements TO be sought with avid
ity by the repoers She, ike the other rescued pas
sengers, with few exceptions, but sparsey clad
zone having more than three four articles Of apparel
on their persons
Mrs Birch's statement IA az follows:
The Central America left Havana about half past
rne oclock the morning Of Tuesday the Sh OF this
month with prospect ola speedy voyage. The weather
then fair and as most Of the passengers had re-
covered from the sickness the genera anticipation
was that the few dsys which reinaaed would pass
meiriy by: But while We were yet on deck the wind
BEGAN 10 blow with great terceness. and soon il
sumed the strength Of q whrlwind We were forced
10 leave the deck and the word brought into the cabin
was that I'VE mutt again expect rough weather The
rolling Of the steamer soon gave evidence tina.
were in the nidit Of fierce storm, and vito the in
crease of III gale sea sickness sgan seized the passen
gers 10 make their positions the more uncomfortable
We passed the night the sofas in the on the sea
sickness rendering it impossible 10 occupy state
rooms. On Wednesday and Thursday the storm con-
ii, ned 10 increase in lis fury and was scco npaned
with heavy rain. On Frcay the steamer careeued
over on her right side, ard the crackings Of the
finders which were heard 81 short intervals a.
a heavy see would strike us though we hsd
no mseisrcs 20 safety, yet suggestive Of
the idea that tue strongest vessels were NOT always
proof against the Storm By Thursday 1ish. the seas
breakilg over the steamer had dashed large quantities
of s,er into the stateToous, and subsequently, they
were no, used The irst ntimston we had that there
yss suv danger was when Captain HorndOn came into
the CABIN 90 Friday morning and asked the gentle
rnep 10 stand by and got up the buckets aud some
blankets 10 keep down the leak. The request vas
oheyed with alscrity ard the blankets at once
produced Soon the buckets We're placed IN requisi-
non ard afeYward barrels were used in bailirg on.
the v.,er All Of Friday night the bailng was con-
nusd xitbout ptsrnssion and the men that the
leak was not gaining kept alive the spirits Of the men
and r, pev,d the hopes Of the wo nen. The women
had remained quiet spectators OF the scene, If they
spoke az all Il was only by way Of encouragement,
Willie some who felt realZrg sense OF oar danger,
ard desiring 10 10 al they could TO aid in the efforts
10 save the lives Of al boad asked TO be permitted
10 assist in bailing and glad 10 hear that there
10 nece ssity for them 10 act a. yet Inc women
were ell frightened but they conducted themselves
with admirable GOODNESS amid the danger with which
thew vere surrounded On Friday night the condition
of things on the steamer vss uncomfortable in the
eat,ere. the seas were Constantly bealing over U.s.
and the water tberefrom Dashed down the hatch Ways
Tie fopss Of the subsistence OF the gGle encouraged
W in the belief tina, We would De rescued eilher BY
beng enabled 10 pursue c>ure or by beiDg trans
frsd to o;boy vessels. Ihe appearance Gf tbs bri,
hsIire OF Bos.g, increased our hopes, aoi WIN she
had Lsen .isn.j.l, arsrSenen:s were psJe - az