Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-03-18
Terrific Storm.

Great Sacrifice Of Property.-The
San Francisco Aita California of the
18Th ult. gives the following account of
the gale which compelled the steamer
Uncle Sam to put back to that port alter
having thrown overheard large amount
of freight :
f" The steamer Uncle Sam returned 10
port yesterday morning, at o'clock,
having been driven back by terrific
storm, which placed the vessel in great
danger, and compelled the sacrifice Of
large amount of property.
The Uncle Sam left our harbor at z
O'Clock yesterday morning, in the face of
strong head wind, which continued to
increase in strength till ten o'clock at
night, when it had become so terrific, and
the sea ran so high, that it became evid-
ent the steamer could not live in ii with
out being relieved of the large amount
of freight which encountered her upper
decks, and rendered her top heavy.
Accordingly orders were given that
all hands should go to work throwing
overheard everything on the upper decks,
and as there were 500 men on board, q
busy scene was presented, though not all
would work. Some were liStless and
Indifferent others were praying, some
swearing, and some said it was of no use
to do anything-the vessel must found
er-their lives were not worth two cents
piece. The sea was running mountai ms
high, and wave after wave broke over
her to the great peril of all on deck. OF
course, all the men were as wet as they
could be, and this in a fierce, cold wind,
which driving through their soaked gar
ments made many think it the coolest
weather they had ever felt.
), There were about 46 tons Of barley on
the upper deck, and that was soon tossed
overheard. The pack-saddes and GpaT-
, ejos for perhaps 400 mules followed
Then went large number of barrels of
provisions. Then went 1900 sacks Of
, coal which was in the forecastle, and
weighed down the bow of the boat, so
. that the seas swept in and threatened to
! put out the fires.
7 There were 200 mules on the upper
r deck, but it would have required five or
I six men to get each animal overheard,
: and in case of lurch, all these men
:, would have been in danger of going
r over too; so only few-not more than
e half dozen-of the mules were thrown
: over. But nothing else was spared
e spars, marine tackle-even tie valuable
n trunks and carpet bags Of the officers and
p passengers were all sacrificed. The
It value of the property thrown overheard
e is not known, but it is supposed by some
persons on board to amount, perhaps, to
/ $4,000. There is a possibility that
some lives were lost by the seas which
: repeatedly swept over the vessel
n At half-past eleven all the loose stuff
r on the upper decks had been cleared Of,
e and the vessel moved easter, and at mid
w night the wind slackened. The captain
then turned the steamer about and made
in for port, where she arrived, this morn
m ing, as already stated.
+ P. S. Since writing the above, we learn
r that there were no lives lost, although IN
the confusion at the time Of throwing TIE
to deck load overheard, it was supposed
III that some Of the men were carried OF
IL their feet and over the leeward side Of
at the ship.
u The injury to the vessel is but trihing'
OF and soon repaired. An intelligent gen
tleman who,was on board the vessel stated
nd TO US that the strength and buoyancy o.
the ship was their only salvation, ana
IN that had she been weaker craft win
d the same load, would inevitably have los'
a them all