The Placer herald., 1858-05-15
From Our Regular Correspondent.

The following, from our regular San Fran
cisco correspondent, was received too late
for last weeks Herald, but as the informa
ton contained does not lose interest by the
delay, we give place for it in this ISSUE
SAN FRANcIsco, May 9th, 1858.
Friend MitcheU:-This morning, the Gold
en- Gate, which yesterday steamed so gallant
ly from our harbor, with her crowd of home
ward bound passengers. has again returned
to port. Yesterday afternoon, at o'clock,
about fifty miles from the entrance, running
in smooth sea, she again broke her centre
shaft. This is the third time that it has
happened, under almost precisely similar
circumstances. The Chief Engineer and his
first assistant, were looking at the working
of the engines, and one of them had Just
remarked that he had never seen them per-
form better; the words were scarcely spoken
before the crash of the shaft struck their ears,
the steam was cut off instantly, and the en-
gnes reversed before any further damage
was done, although the wheel to which the
broken crank was attached, necessarily made
several revolutions before the ship lost her
headway. Preparations were instantly made
to remove the broken machinery, and at
o'clock, p. NJ, she was under steam on her
return arriving as above stated this morn
ing. The shaft was new one-having been
used but one trp-the size is enormous, be-
ing twenty inches thick of solid iron. There
does not seem to have been the slightest
flaw, as the fracture shows perfectly bright
and unstained in every part. What caused
the accident is, and probably always will re-
main mystery. The engines and shafts,
which are unsurpassed by any ever built, rest
upon solid and heavy frame of cast iron,
which renders it perfectly impossible for
any portion or part OF them to get out of
time. The sea was smooth, so that there
was no extra strain or surging on that ac-
count. The accident is unaccountabe. The
Sonora had gone to Benicia to undergo the
customary repairs, and when the news Of the
disaster arrived there, was in what might
be called state Of dishable-ter er machine
ry being all taken apart, and her boilers
undergoing repairs. The workmen will have
a busy time-in thrty-six hours her engines
will be in order boilers repaired, 500 tons
of coal on board, treasure, and stores of all
kinds bedding, DC, transferred from the
Golden Gate and she will be at the wharf at
San Francisco ready for sea. In the mean
time the passengers will have presented their
tickets at the office and had their berths as
signed to the ether steamer. At the time
appointed they step on board, and are a.; in
on their way, without loss Of time greater
than two and a half or three days from so
serious an accident as breaking a shaft at
sea- No set of men have ever been more
abused than the Pacific Mail Steamship Co.,
0 mean the company on this side) but every
one must acknowledge that they spare no
expense to secure the safety and comfort of
their passengers. They never permit YES
sci to 90 to sea without having undergone
thorough and critical examination, and are
never without spare steamer at each end
of the route ready coaled, which can 90 to
sea at an hours notice, to the relief Of
vessel in distress. 1t is true they charge
what seems to be high price, but you must
remember that when you pay your passage
you also insure it; if one steamer breaks they
have another ready to take you on your jour
ney. Have any of the many opposition
lines, manifested the same care and attention
for the public safety? If so have yet to
hear of it.
The steamer Commodore arrived last even
ing from Puget's Sound. The continues
favorable as regards the gold, but regarding
the navigability of Frazier's River at this
time, stories conhict-one person says 1t as,
and another says 1t IS not navigable. What
may be considered significant is, that the In
dians refuse to 60 up in canoes. The trail
from Whatcome to Fort Hope, will not be
finished for five or six weeks, so that it is
evidently "hard road to travel" Flour is
worth 500 per barrel and beef and pork
are not to be had at the mines at any price.
The river is so high that only portion can
worl until II falls OMIKRON