The weekly Butte record. [volume] (Oroville [Calif.]) 1858-1864, 1862-08-16
The Golden Gate Disaster.

The San Francisco journals relate many IN
stances Of both heroiSm ana heroineism con-
nected with this sad disaster In Capt Pear
sons account it will be observed that he speaks
Of having noticed change il the direction Of
the steamers head, and how she afterwards
headed for the shore. 1t seems that there
were three or four men at the wheel, and all
left it except a brave sailor named William
Howard He remained at bis post until the
flames were in his face, and then left for few
minutes to Get rope. Having cut of rope
be returned, headed the steamer for the land
again, lashed the wheel, and then dropped
overheard BY a rope, and is fortunately among
the saved. But for this courageous man many
more lives would have been lost.
Mr. Madison. who was steward of the Gate,
just before he jumped from the ship, was APP
preached by Mrs. McMullin. who said she did
not care about herself but wished him TO save
her child. He took the child in his arms and
threw himself into the sea. When he ap-
preached the shore he used bis utmost endea-
yors TO save his charge. but his strength was
unequal to the effort. He was compelled to
sacrifice the child 10 save himself, which he
did by mere chance.
While thus standing at the bows, grasping
my rope (says Mr. Batesl a little girl, love
ly little 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 Francisco. She said :
90 mister, can you swim p
l told her | could. She begged me so hard
to save her that determined to do so anyhow
| told her l would try 10 save her if she would
do just as l told her. She said
Il will DO just as you tell me- Save me,
please. | don't want to be drowned"
l showed her how to act-to get on nv
back and grasp NE tightly, but that she must
not choke me. She promised TO do Just as
told. She was quite COOL Just as the fire
got up to us the vessel struck the bar. got
over, taking Addie with me. She held on to
me tight, as told her to DO. l struck for 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 Ad-
die was gone. turned round and saw her
going down. \ man on plank who was
passing grasped her by the hair and pulled her
on his plank. | saw she was safer than with
me, so l continued on and was dragged upon
the beach. lay on the beach insensibe for
half an hour When l came to saw Addie.
She was lively.
A girl Whose name we did not learn) show
ed herself to be real beroine. Assoon as she
heard the cry of Fire" she rushed TO the
deck, and seizng a life preserver, threw her
self into the sea. With heroic courage she
battled the waves and reached the shore in
safety. Then, instead Of seeking her own CON-
fort, 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,
she at once called carriage, and jumping into
it, was driven up to the residence of her pa
rents, and was the first to announce the dsas-
ter and her own safety.
Mr.. Murphy, one of the saved, says that
while the panic was greatest, a little boy,
some two years old, came running up TO him,
asking him to find his mother, from whom he
had been parted. The woman, turning to Mr..
NJ, begged him to save her boy. He told her
he would try, and taking him on his back,
asked some one to tie his burden to him. Then
the Rev. Mr.. Keith drew his handkerchief,
and fastening it to Mr.. Murphy's handkerchief,
he ashed the little one to the back Of his pre-
server The Lord save you and the child, i"
said Mr. Keith, and with this benediction, Mr.
Murphy leaped into the sea. The two were
saved.
Mr.. Holiday states that lady whom he
did not know, approached him, bearing an in
fant in her arms. She said, " believe you
are Mr.. Holiday ?" Yes, madam" g Can
you save my child ?" Il don't know, madam,
that shall be able 10 save myself?'' If my
children (she had another child but three years
of age) can be saved, l will consent to be burn
ed in that fire. As she spoke she solemnly
pointed to the cracking flames as they furious
y ragged in the center of the ship. She never
left the vessel-perished, probably, by drown
ing. but her children were saved.
The San Francisco Call gives the following
additional incidents of this catastrophe
J. NJ. Murphy says there was more money
round the decks than would have loaded down
four men. \ man named Brady threw down
three hundred ounces, tied up in an old gray
Shirt saying
Boys. if I 60 to the bottom no one can
say gold sunk me"
He was saved. Another passenger. Mr..
i IL !