Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1859-11-26
THE STEAMER NORTH star.

A passenger who on board the steamer North
Star on her outward Trip has communicated to the New
York Courier detailed account Of the disaster from
which make the folio wing extract:
About A. NJ. on the 2sth there a cry of land
ahead. and immediately afterwards the ship struck while
going eleven knots. Every effort made to
work the or but without success as she proved
to be hard and last on coral bed Daylight disclosed
our position as also most miraculous escape. IL appear
gerous reefs over which the surf broke with tremendous
force Had we changed course but trihe, and
gone upon either OF these rocks fate would have
been sealed, and the ship broken up in few hours at
best
At preparations were made by Capt, Richie to place
the passengers shore. The ships boats TO the number
Saranac and by noon all safely landed though the
surf was running high The passengers were all quite
calm and behaved admirably The presence of the Sar
anaes people contributed greatly to this confidence and
without thoir assistance there would have been great
fusion and probably loss of life.
All hands were now work TO remove the coal,
In the meantime party dispatched TO Fortune Is
land, distant some sixty miles in order to procure asss
lance and send on supplies "Plana Gays Tone Of the
group Of French keys) is small island four miles
square, OF coral formation quite barren void OF water,
and slight elevation above the Our supply Of water
quite limited so il became necessary to place all
short allowance aud for three days but one aud half
pint was served to each person.
Capt Richie, OF the Saranac, detailed party OF his
TO erect tents the island and provide much
possible for the comfort of those shore The
gers all comfortable the circumstances would
admit but few sick, and without single death remark
able after much exposure and in crowd of nine hun
dred souls. The heat, too. excessive, and many
suffered exceedingly FROM thirst All provisions and
water sent on shore placed in charge of committee
appointed by the passengers for that purpose and good
order and regularity observed. First second, and
third class treated with equal fairness and all served
alike Too much credit be aserbed this body for
their cNcrtions and the faithful in which they
acquitted their trust.
Daring the encampmeni the island presented n very
lively, animated scene. All Of the ships sails
verified into tents and that the committee stood
spicuous in their midst At stated hours the camp
mustered and all formed into line ratons then
distributed. and the small allowance of served
delicate females accustomed TO comfort and luxury,
took their places with the rest aud all Jared alike. Those
that appeared weakly aud least calculated to endure
hardship fatigue seemed TO be the most reconciled
and complained but little For four DAYS the crew
the Saranac worked away most faithfully, throwing
coal and employed every means in their power to get
the vessel aioaL After repeated trials their
efforts at length rewarded with success and the
morning OF the Slst the steamer hauled oil. Com
modore Vanderbilt may thank his for this timely
assistance and the safety OF his ship IL truly
most fortunate matter that Capt Richie happened be
board with has Without their assistance the
steamer would have remained in constant danger, and
likely TO TO pieces the first heavy blow Weeks might
have passed before material aid arrived and in the
lime 1t would have been extremely difficult have kept
up supplies IL pleasing TO mark the spirit of order
and Suboriinaon in Captain Ritchie's command. I'm
known TO their supSrors and but passengers on the
ship they obeyed with all aacrty and were kept at work
day aud night. We Of the Saranac may consider
selves fortunate in commander of such experience and
50 knd.hearted man. While the passengers were on
the Island he unceasing in his efforts and received
many blessing from the poor women there.
The actual amount of damage sustained by the
will not be ascertained till she goes into dock but all
appearance IT will not prove very great; portion of
her oreoot and some copper gone, also both anchors
and one chan with the loss OF perhaps FIVE hundred tons
of coal.