Weekly Trinity journal., 1862-08-16
The Golden Gate Disaster.

The San Francisco journals relate many in
stances Of both heroism and heroneism connected
with this sad disaster. In Captain Pearson's ac
count, it will be observed that he speaks Of hav
ing noticed a change in the direction Of The
steamers bead, and how she afterwards headed
for the shore. IT seems that there were three or
four men al the wheel, and all left it except
brave sailor named William How'd. He remained
al his post until the flames were in his face, and
then left for a few minutes to get rope. Hay
ing cut off rope, he returned, beaded the
steamer for the land again, lashed the wheel, aud
thea dropped overheard by a rope, and is for
t1Dately among the saved. But for this cOur-
ageous man many more lives had been lost.
Mr.. Madison, who was steward of the Golden
Gate, Just before be jumped from the ship, was
approached by Mrs. McMulen, who said she did
not about herself but wished him to save
her youngest child. He took the child in his
arms and threw himself into the sea. When be
approached the shore he used his utmost en-.
deavors to save his charge, but his strength was
unequal to the effort. lie was compelled to sac
Iliice the child in order to save himself which he
did by mere chance.
While thus standing at the bows graspng my
rope Continued Mr.. Bates,l little girl, a lovely
Httle child about eight years Of age, came up to
me and asked me to save her. Her name was
Addie Manchester, and her father lives in San
trancisco. She said
%, mister, can you swim ?"
told her ] could. She begged me so hard to
rave her that | determined TO do so anyhow. |
told her would try to save her if she would do
just as ! told her She said
'' will do Just you tell me. Save me, do,
please. | don't want to be drowned
] showed her how to act--to get on my back
and grasp me tightly, but that he must not choke
me. She promised to do just as told her. She
was quite cool. Just as the fire got up to us the
vessel struck the bar. got over taking Adde
with me. She held on to me tight, as | told her
to DO. ! struck tor the beach, not far off. The
breakers ran very high. | got past the first one
in safety with my burden. got past the second
one also After passed the third one ] found
that Addie was gone. ! turned round and saw
her going down behind me. A man on a plank
who was passing, grasped ber by the hair and
pulled her on his plank. | saw she was safer
than with me, so ! continued on aud was drag
ged on the beach. lay on the beach insensi6le
for half an hour. When l came to saw Adde.
She was lively.
a girl (whOse name we were unable to learn)
showed herself to be a real heroine. As soon
she heard the cry Of " fire." she rushed to the
deck, and seizing life-preserver, threw herself
into the sea- With heroic courage she battled
the waves, and reached the shore. Then, instead
Of seeking her own comfort, she watched the
shore, and as fast as her exhausted companions
were washed towards the beach, she would rush
to their rescue In this manner the heroic girl
saved seven or eight souls When the steamer
arrived here yesterday, she at once called a car
riage, and jumping into it, drove up to the resi-
dence of her relatives, and was the first to an
nOunce the disaster and her own safety.
Mr. Murphy, one of the saved, says that while
the panic was greatest, little boy, some two
years old came running up to him asking him to
find bis mother, from whom he had been parted.
The woman turning to Mr.. NJ begged him TO
rave her boy. lie told her he would try, and
taking him on bis back, asked some one to tie his
burden 10 him. Then the Rev. Mr. Keith drew
bis handkerchief and fastening it to Mr.. Muir
phys handkerchief, Mr. Keith lashed the little
one TO the back of his preserver-" The Lord
save you and the child, said Mr.. Keith, and with
this benediction, Murphy leaped into the sea
The two were saved.
Mr.. Holiday states that lady whom he die
not know, approached him, bearing an infant il
her arms She said, 81 believe you are Mr.. lIol
liday" " Yes, madam" Can you save my
child - 81 don't know, madam, that | shall b,
able to save myself" IF my children (sbe haC
another child three years Of age can be saved,
will consent TO be burned in that fire." As she
spoke she soemnly pointed to the cracking
flames as they luri0usy ragged in the center o.
the ship. She never left the vessel-perished
probably, by drowning, but her children were
saved.