The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1859-11-26
Git!lmnnn Qispattb.
SATURDAY MORNING.
NOV. 90, 1859.

The Accident TO the Steamer North Star.
A correspondent Of the New York Courier
gives the following description Of the acci-
dent to the North Star, on her way to Aspin-
wall:
1--WE sailed from New York on the afternoon
OF thursday, the 20th uit with some 900 pas
sengers on board, including the officers and
crew OF the u >. steamer Saranac. now on
their way TO relieve those attached to the shin
Stationed In the Pacific and of Panama The
Atlantic, OF the opposite liue, left her wharf 1T
me same time, and continued in company un-
III the evening of the second day W hen she
changed from our course and was last seen TO
vino ward, OF our starboard bow, we steering
nearly due South.
For the first two days we experienced
rough weather, with strong northeast gales ON
the third il moderated and the sea went down.
The North Star is fine vessel, and offcered
by gentlemanly, experienced men, but in this
instance she,was decidedly over crowded, and
with but little comfort aboard. Many that
engaged passage for first cabin, found their ac.
commodations little better than second class
On the night of the 9th we were in close
vicinity to the French Keys, group of barren
islands through which lies the entrance 10 the
Mariguana passage, passing between Cuba and
81. Domingo. The night was dark, with q
strong wind on Shore SO common providence
would have suggested the propriety of lying
to, but this would not do; the Atlantic
might beat us, and the captains instruc-
tons were to make aH speed.
About A. NJ, onsthe 18th. there was cry of
land ahead, and Immediately afterwards the
ship struck, while going eleven knots. Every
effort was at once made to work the steamer
off, but without success as she proved to be
hard and |ast on coral bed. Daylight dis
closed our position, as also a most miraculous
escape. Itappeared that we en- tered a narrow
passage between two dangerous reefs,
which the surf broke with tremendous force;
had we changed from our course but trifle,
and gone upon either OF these rocks, our fate
yp hos pd nd
up in few hours at best. At six preparations
were made by Capt. Ritchie to place the pas
sengers on shore. The ships boats TO the
mum ber of seven were manned by the officers
and crew of the Saranac, and by noon all
were safely landed, though the surf was
running high. The passengers were all
quite calm, and behaved admirably The
presence of the Sarauacs people contributed
greatly to this confidence, and without their
assis tanee there would have been great
confusion and probably loss of life. All
hands Were now set to work to remove
the coal, and other measures taken to Tighten
and float off the ship. In the meantime
party was dispatched to Fortune Island,
distant some sixty miles, in order to procure
assistan and send on supplies. "Plana
Gays Zone of the group of Freach keys.) is
small island, some four miles square, OF coral
formation, quite barren, void of water, and
slight elevation above the sea. Our supply Of
water was quite limited, 50 it became neces-
sary to place all short allowance, and for
three days but one and half pints We're 10
each person served. Captain Ritchie, OF the
Saranac, detailed a party of his men to erect
tents on the island and provide as much as
possible for the comfort of those on shore
Saturday, the 29th, some four or five small.
boats arrived from Fortune Island, and brought
news OF the arrival of our party at that place.
These boats were all manned by blacks, wreck
ers by profession, and q most forbidding,
pratical looking crew, caring more for spoil
than to render assistance of any kind
Their demands Were most exorbitant bur
q n n N
by which limited quantity OF water was
supplied. The passengers were all as COM
Portable rs the circuns tances would admit,
but few sick, aud without a single death, re-
markable after SO much exposure and in
crowd of 900 souls The heat, too, was ex-
cessive, and many suffered exceedingly from
thirst. All provisions and water sent on
shore were placed in charge of q committee
appointed by the passengers for that purpose,
and good order and regularity Were observed.
lst, I'd and Sd class were treated with equal
fairness, and all served alike. Too much
credit cannot be aScribed this BODY for their
exertious and the faithful manner in which
they acquitted their trust. During the ELL
campment, t, the island presented u very lively,
animated scene. All of the ships sails were
converted into tents, and that of the commit
tee stood conspicuous in their midst.
AT stated hours the camp was mustered, and
all formed iuto lines, rations were then dis tri-
buted and the small allowance OF water served;
delicate females, accustomed 10 every comfort
aud luxury, took their places with the rest,
and all Jared alike. Those that appeared weak
ly and least calculated TO endure hardship or
fatigue, seemed to be the most reconciled and
complained but little. For four days the crew
of the Saranac worked away most faithfully,
throwing over coal. and employed every means
in their power to get the vessel orce more
afioat. After repeated trials their efforts were
at length rewarded with success. and on the
morning of the 3lst the steamer was hauled
off Commodore Vanderbilt may THANH iii.
stars for this timely assistance and the safety
- =. --l,:,