The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1866-01-07
4fuipa.
WIN. CAMERON 3 co., Publishers.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 2, 1866.
WRECK or THE CONSTITUTION.
Detailed Account of the Disaster by
the Captain of the steamer.

/ From the New York Times, Sd
Capt Greenmsn, late master of the
steamship Constitution, wrecked on
| Cape Lookout shoals, arrived at this
port last evening from Merehead City,
n. C., in the steamer Louisa Moore,
and makes the following statement:
Saturday, Dec 2Sd, ll:90 s. m, left
the dock at Savannah with 3 csrgo Of
72S bales of cotton, q crew Of 3S men,
10 cabin passengers, 3 steerage, and 8
men found slowed away after leaving,
in all 81 souls passed Tybee Bar 2p.
m, wind blowing gale from north
east; at p. m bore up for Port Royal
Harbor where we anchored at p. m
in company with steamers San Saliva
dor and Leo, wind still blowing gale
and weather looking bad.
| Dec d, a m.-iot underway, and
proceeded to sea Wind light from
Southwest with a heavy sea running
from southeast Ship going about nine
knots, and rolling badly. 6p nj he
packing from Joint Of steam-pipe bleY
out; blew of steam and repaired it,
causing a delay of three hours. 25th,
4 a. m.-Psssed lightship, supposed to
be on Cape Fear shoals, but 4Onnd her
TO be about eight miles to the west
ward, in fifteen fathoms water
At a m. got soundings on the
shoals in 10 fsthoms; a. m, sounding
in Is fathoms to the eastward OF the
shoals, at which time the steam-pipe
gave out, caused by the rolling of the
ship; blew off steam TO repair the pipe
and secure the boiler, which was work
ing some; got under way again at 1880
p. IN steam-pipe still leaking, and en-
| gineer reported it not safe to carry more
than 10 inches of steam 1t being fog
gy through the day, could get no obser-
Vation, and the ship not having steer
age-way part Of the time, could not keep
s correct run of her; but TO the best
of my judgment made the end of Cape
Fear shoals to bear S. w by S. 40miles,
and Cape Lookout shoals n. E BIZ z 45
miles distant Stecred E. \. b AT u
midnight got sOundings in 20 fathoms;
ship running at the rate of seven miles
per hour, with nine inches steam. Doth,
3. NJ, got 20 fathoms Pam, II faith
oms, steering same course. At 220 8.
m, ship struck on what proved to be
the outer shoals of Cape Lookout,
Judging myself to be at the time
we struck about II miles to the
westward, and had been steering
f n. l., which would have cleared US
of the shoals, in four hours after going
on, ship was full OF water; made every
effort to get her off but was unsuccess-
full
At daylight 9th a dense fog prevail
ed, and being in the midst Of the break
ers, it was too rough to launch the
boats without Immediately filling.
Called all hands and organized boats
crews One boat [ put in charge Of
Capt. French, a passenger another to
Capt. Lane, passenger; another in
charge of the mate, and taking charge
of the remaining one myself, and had
everything ready to leave when the
sea moderated, or in case the ship
showed any signs of breaking up 10
a. M. Cut away the foremast p. m
Fog cleared OF with light breeze,
from northwest, and every indication
OF pleasant night, the sea still running
too high to launcha boat with any degree
of safety; called a consultation of the
passengers, all of whom preferred to
stay by the wreck than to take TO the
boats. / also gave permission to any
of the boats TO leave, but none would
risk it. At midnight the wind com
menced breezing from the southwark
and the sea to oincresse; the ship swung
two points 10 the eastward and began
to show signs of breaking up ordered
the boats TO be launched; my boat was
launched successfully, but Immediately
filed requested some of the passengers
to take her, but all refused, and the
boat after lying alongside a short
time broke adrift the crews at the
same time attempted TO launch the
other boats, but they were stove by
the sea- which was now breaking
feIHely over US, and the ship break
ing up very fast. The only chance now
left to save ourselves was By clinging
to pieces of the wreck OF cotton bales.
Attain. Of the 9th the whole side
fell in, with q large number Of the
crew and passengers clining to it, all OF
whom were thrown into the sea. The
next sea that came carried the fore
castle with II, and on which wss
standing with several others After
being in the water few minutes
succeeded in getting on a piece OF tim
Der where there were three Others, of
ter being washed of il several times;
saw another raft, which | hailed, and
found the second mate and steward on
it. I swan for it, and succeeded in
getting to it, calling for my compsn-
ions to follow me, two of whom reached
in safety, the other going down before
he could get to it. Could see a mum
Der around US hailed foF the mate; he
answered that he was on a raft all
right. At daylight, 2Sth, could see
two RATS, with men on them, drifting
to the n. Z At y o'clock, could dis
cern the light house on Cape Lookout
3 pm. saw q boat coming toward Us
,, which proved TO be the boat that wa
] lost from alongside and had beer
picked up by four Of the crew. After
Z getting into her We succeeded In pick
= ing up two passengers; cruised around
the vicinity Of the wreck for some time
, but could find no Others. Started foi
1.-THE beach, but finding it too rough tC
b land. lay by for the night next morn
I ing succeeded in reaching Cape Look
! out, where we landed at pm. Dec
%, after being on the raft and in th'
boat forty hours After arriving at tht
Cape, dispatched boat to Beaufort u
get some steamer to 60 out and cruise
At dsylightJthe steamers Goliah snC
Cormin went out, the latter shortly al
ter broke down end returned, th'
! 6oliah came back in the Afternoon
without success Have heard nothiDl
since Of the Others.
THR NAMES or TIE LOST.
! The following are the names of tn
passengers lost, as near as can be ssceI
tanned:
Miss Land, residence unknown: Capt
Sherwood Of savannah; Capt French