The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-11-09
Tho Loss OF tho Republic.
INTERESTING STATEMENT or CAPTAIN q. r. RIVER
0F THE TWENTIETH NEW FORK BATTERY.


Tho Loss OF tho Republic.
INTERFERING STATEMENT or CAPTAIN q. =. RIVER.
0F rHE TWENTIETH NEW FORK BATTERY.
TO The kDrdR o. rHk HERALD
partial statement having been published many OF
the city journals purporing 70 naate my experience
With regard TO the wreck Of the steamer Republic, beg
that place may DO given extended notice OF
that marine disaster.
The Republic on which was passenger sailed from
New York on the 18th ut but compelled TO anchor
on Staten Island until tho next morning Saturday and
Sunday, the goth and 2lst, passed. with delightful
weather, tho brisk gale which sailed having sub
sided, during which, however, the top work OF tho
vessel leaked.
On Monday morning the sky overcast, presenting
every appearance Of coming storm, the wind blowing
from the northeast aud augmen.ing continually. Late
IN tho afternoon the gale increased with terrible force,
creating high running sea.
On Tuesday the tempest waxed more boisterous and
Captain Young gave orders tighten ship by throwing
cargo overheard, as the steamer leaking badly.
went to the engine 70 assist in baling, and
manned three hours until relieved and then volunteered
TO participate In removing the cargo.
BY seven H. tho water gained fast that every man
on board was impressed either to the pumps to
assist in balng This condition Of things lasted until
about half hour before driven the small
ooais No wonder pumping proved useless as there
but single donkey pump In the engine room, and this
was the only at all servceabe for relieving the
sci as there werc no deck pumps Fore and aft the
steamer we're two force pumps, one OF which was
moved and rugged up in the engine room but IL soon
gave out and proved utterly worthless. Al time
through hercuean Efforts managed keep the water
about level, but were speedily tired out when the
water gained upon very rapidly.
About Wednesday preparations we're made to
launch the boats raft, which been hurriedly
thYpa fha h0afs and ihc
were aoa,cd. The former, speedily loaded by
and remen towed from the vessel by the captains
gig, under command Of the second mate. There were
but -four boats the steamerhree large and the
captains gig four Dared boat The ladies' accompa-
MED by their husbands first placed In two Of the
larger boats The first mates boat filed with
passengers with orders TO proceed to the raft and after
placing them upon IT, TO return to the vessel The
second mates boat next alled with like directions
bat tho object OF these commands II Is impossible to
comprehend.
was in the second mate's--Mr Edward Ryan s--boat;
but, upon nearing the raft, which had drfted about
mile from the wreck, discovered 1t to be overaden
Besides those upon refused 10 receive any additional
persons This before the first mates boat had yet
reached the raft Captain Young his boat fast TO
the raft and ordered to hitch TO him. We complcd
but when high sea drove us near TO HIM he OFT
came near 10 him We told him that our boat was over
crowded. and that had neutrality-suspicious. water
Let mo remark that both these necessities il was pos
slble for to have obtained previously, were
ordered to start at moments notice and were not al
lowed to ship in boat either water provisions al
In answer to our remonsirance Captain Young bid
remain by him until morning, when he would distribute
boat heavily laden that unless would take
one from among could not live until morning.
To this he replied In loud tone Of voice. 'Sinl thenl"
This language shocked u.s. well tended dis.
couragement, coming, AS Il did, from the commanding
officer Of the steamer to whom all naturally looked for
advice and consolation.
The boats driven by the high seas soon after parted
company; and that the last OF The captain
his boat When the morning dawned began TO re.
waters Of the Atlantic overcrowded boat leaking
badly without chart compass water or provisions save
piece Of salt ham which had better been thrown
board How this frail boat in this disastrous condition.
managed to live during the terrible sea then running is
perfect miracle, especially as continually
flown, and were forced TO perpetual balng
Our suherings became most terrible FOR during the day
agony grew almost ntoerabie The extent Of misery
may be imagined when we drenched 10 the skin ex.
POSED To almost instant destruction endured the psngs
of thirst and hunger well the depri sleep
four dresry nights and three days OF terror and
famine
on saturday we ccn,rived 10 rig sail made out or our
undercothng but sooner being driven along
al heart cheering rate than the wind chopped around
10 the westward, and carried by II still further
from the shores ardeny longed 10 reach To add
10 our calamties during the evening Two large steamers
hove in sight, but failed 10 notice signals OF distress
As they disappeared The horizon all hope OF
ded within us, and no pen can adequately depict
Saturday night, especially as The wind began
10 freshen and the roll Of the 10 increase
nifty aggravated our despondency in tho breaking Of
rldder leaving wholly AZ the mercy Of wind
wave This last disaster filled cup OF misery and
resigned ourselves TO the anticipated certainty Of q
brny death We ceased baling and the boat
manced gradually 10 settle down suddenly the cry Of
'sil ho!'' fcaroused dormant energies and per-
ceived large schooner bearing directly upon Every
renewed his efforts salvation replaced tho
broken rddei each 0iled bang with refreshed
vgor before the lapse Of half hour, which
seemed almost century we we're IN board the schooner
Harper
Captain Combs alive To- the dictates OF hnmauity
received Us with the tcndcrcst soliciudc. providing
with dry clothing and the best Of everything his
sci could afford. ON Monday morning reached Port
Royal where received innunerable attentions
the officers OF the sixth United States infantry to whom
and the OF the Harper we, the survivors Of the
Inflated Republic, tender sincere thanks.
In conclusion let Inc ray HAT the Republic was Org
nally known the Tennessee, and serious doubts had
been entertained To her scawcrthness; be this Il
may am morally certain that the loss of the steamer
attributable wholly Ia the absence ~ tire proper
Der Of pumps while had there been adequate number
of boats difficulty would have been experienced IN
one was in, had both provisions and water aud
pass; at least am positive, of my own knowledge that
two of them had, IL not the whole
By the loss Of the steamer l, IN addition 70 my physi-
cal nfctione have suffered loss Of my baggage,
siderable amount Of money, and everything | had
board the vessel Other Of fellow IN
the same NJ ght and assnrcdly u hard Tor a
discharged soldier be- suddenly beret Of all the
ngs Of well fought campaign through the cupsbiliiy
or Speculation
By the publication Of tbs YOU will oblige
b y RIVER late Captain 20ti y. y. battery
Loss OF the Brig Eliza Reed.
Captain Benz Tuxo late Master Of the brig Ella Reed
who arrived At Philadelphia TUESDAY last makes the