The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-12-23
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wrecked near font AhO Nuev0 about sixty miles 70 the
southwark and Of the twenty nine souls board but
three succeeded in reaching the shore alive None of
the Six females saved and only passenger the
other fortunates the chief mate and q seaman
The Coya was an iron vessel Of FIVE hundred and
thirteen tons register built the Thames and was con-
sdered first class craft in every consruc-
ton as well as in equipment She rallied the I'D Of
September last from Sidney for this port loaded with
COAL and few hours would have carried her in
safety 10 her destination or nothing saved
and those thrown shore found themselves almost in
state Of nudity. They fortunately habta-
ton whore. when morning came, their Immediate neces-
stiles provided for and from there they
warded to this city.
STATEMENT or GEORGE BYRyEA
Mr. Byrnes Ia the sole survivor Of all the passengers
board the i'll fated vessel ana his account Of her
going ashore and her subsequent destruction very in
teresng He says that after leaving Sidney they called
at Ptcarns Island the l3h OF October continued
the voyage tho day After leaving there and
until two days before the disaster everything
pleasantly, and they had continued fine weather On
the 23d Of November they approached the coast Of
California, the weather became thick ana squally so
that no observation obtained and IL remained the
the day following, that the vessels true po
ston could not be ascertaned On that evening the
captain judged the vessel to be by dead reckoning
within the visibility of the Faralone Light. at least
twenty miles to the westward off shore As dark
ness came on the bark was standing in towards the
land under short canvas having only close reefed
and main topsa and fore tOpmast staysail About
half past seven in the evening the captain and pas
who had the watch deck reported TO the captain that
the land was in sight to eeward. Going on deck nme
diatey, the helm ordered up in order TO ship
oil shore; but being under such short sail her move
ments were sluggish and before she could pay OFF the
other tack and Roadway she struck with tremendous
force the rocks and thon swung broadside on to
lifted on them and came down again with terrific
violence her bottom was stove in and the hni became
fxture thon the hugo breakers began roll completely
over the vessel carrying everything before them; the
boats were swept away like much paper and there
appeared to be no hope that any could be saved
By this time the passengers had all rushed deck with
th4 S3ceRoR Q! Mrs. Jefries, who only two days pre-
The scene now became appalling; the deck was being
forced up by the pressure OF water from below making
NOSE that was heard even above the roar Of the
bvaers and giving all board warning that the vessel
would very cease to afford them fo0thold or
shelter; the women were screaming with frantic grief
and one by they washed away to lesward and
drowned One gentleman took off his life preserver and
placed upon his wife in the hope that II might secure
tremendous roller now bore down upon the ship and
IL broke tho vessel nearly everything was swept
clean from the decks arg At tho same time the vessel
nasts in the water. The few souls that now remained
(about ten in nnmber) were holding on 70 the taa with
to only drawers and shirt In order not TO be encum
bcred with clothing whom compelled TO take the chance OF
and the upinvng rocks that reared their black heads
n saaSss n . ss ysss
constant 0reuchng as To be almost unable to make FUR
thor oreriop to save their ves aud when they looked
leeward the sight Of the coast iron bound with the
q being able 70 secure footaod, oven il dashed
pieces The view they had was rendered even moro DIE
NAL By the darkness Of the night Destruction sarsd
their fate in silence: and the end soon eame FOR the
hull began to break up rapidly and in short time
thA mali hPf
and at the mercy Of the raging, roaring surf.
Five all that conld now DO seen, tossed and
Der were to be savod the had gone 10 their long
account Thor voices, only few hoars before hoard
ss 81 n s
wild OF the gull sounded their reqniem The
first to be thrown ashore was one OF the seamen
chung with all the desperation Of drowning man. He
was frequently buried meath the and came near
being carried out to by the rush Of the returning
waters but finally one heavier than tho carried him
on the rocks and LETT him there. The next Has Gh
Bs who syss this sSs buoy
and likewise near being Carried back by the reco
Of the sea the last q reach the land was The chief
cork iifc belt he had been, up to the last moment,
with the captain and second mate and they had desired
him to secure himself BY sshns 70 the on NJ nasbes
ashore the wreck; but he declined doing 80, prefer
ring to take his chance In another way When washed
away he found tho belt not able 70 support him ANA ne
obliged TO get hold OF piece Of board which was
| floating near by to aid in keeping him nhoat He was
dashed with great violence against the rocks ana badly
hurt but in the end secured his footing 90 thoroughly
exhausted these poor fellows that IL was with the
greatest difficulty they crawled up 70 point out Oh
The balance Of the night was a sad and miserable in-
tcrval for the three survvors shey dug hole N me
| they awaited they coming Of day AZ soon as ~ Wa
| dawn and they were enabled 70 examine surrounding
objects thoy deserted signs Of civilization not Tar on
They were near the ranch or Messrs. Fish Camp and
they started for the farm house, where they
Hospitality received and their immediate wants re-
4 Iicyed, After having recovered somewhat from the
hardshps Of the night, and refreshed themselves ney
come ashore from the wreck. The body Of Mrs Jsres
was found, and was buried, "a wei ~ the
would permit No other bodies were escS hnd
nearly disappeared but few pieces remains 70 marx the
lives. '''' y 1'''' ''' ~ 49, 49,
| srArEurvr or coorr~ rHR syAntN
This young man, the only one saved Of the foremost
hands gives some additional details Of interest concern
Ing the melancholy catastrophe. The substance OF the
Is about the that OF Mr. Byrncs but there
that The captain and officers did ali in their power
the lives Of the and passengers, immedatey
after the vessel went sshore Tor w evident IRON N
the cargo that the wreck would be total one and that
the bark must TO pieces The long boat was cast
Adrift and effort made Ia launch herr bnt heavy
sea tumbhng nboard she was washed away before any
| one could be placed In her
appeared Only few broken spars and few pieces Of
rope tnmbng abou, tho surf remained. few chests
zone OF too belonging 10 the crow aud passengers HAD
| been washed on shore.
| The Coya had full cargo Of coal, somewhat exceed
Ing thh Of the ship, consigned 10
Macondrny Co. Of this city She built the river
Thames, London and made fine passage here ron
England her rst trip. She last in this port about
year since She 6ne vessel Of her class, and was
lost from defect IN her construction She was owned
in London, and probably was insured there party bias
the of the wreck by the consgneee IN
order anything that may come ashore, ana 70
look for and inter any or the bodies oil the lost nss
| sea may yield up.
/ LIST or pAssxSavns
Dr. Rowden and wife, london; Mr.. Jeifrcys wife and
baby Portsmouth: Mr. George Byrnes, syiney--saved;
| Mrs Iassotta Napa Valley, Cal. Mrs. Pearson Gan
| Francisco; Mrs Paige and daughter, captains wife.
l CoyA.
Captain Paige, Thomas Bairstow. FIRST mate, saved
| william Carr, second mate; James SHELTON, sailmaker
Frank Bsshby, carpenter; John smith, stewards James
| -, cook, name unknown; John Smith, seaman; lon
L NJ A..