The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-01-22
THE GERMANrowN MURDER CASE.
LOSS of the Steamer "Charles BentOn''-
She Becomes Disabled I'm the Gale of
lhe 7th, an0 IL Abandoned Off Hatteras
ON the 18th, Etc.

We are indebted to the purser of the steamer
Charles Benton for the folio wing interesting par
ticulars of the abandonment of that vessel at sea
on the 18th instant:-
The steamer Charles Benton sailed from New
bern, n. c., on her return trip to New York, on
the 9th inst, at P. M, with full cargo and
deck lood of cotton, and six days fuel, the ave-
rage length of the run being about three days.
On the 7th, at 10 A. NJ, passed through Hatteras
Inlet, and headed northward, with a fine
southerly breeze, vessel going about eight knots.
At p. NJ. heavy gale sprung up from the
north, which continued with terrific violence,
accompanied with snow and sleet, until
Wednesday evening, the 10th, when the wind
somewhat abated, the sea, on the contrary,
rising, for the strength of the gale had made "a
long sea-" which did not have much effect on
the ship. Atthis time we're steering N. e., sea
running very high. About p. NJ lost the
rudder; but by setting the foresail, reeted,
managed TO keep her head to wind. The next
morning Qlth) all hands set to making a new
one, using for the purpose a topmast and as
heavy planking as could be obtained At noon
found by observation that we we're about one
hundred miles northeast of Hatteras. having
been blown across the Gulf Stream and out OF
the usual track OF vessels. In the afternoon
tried the new rudder, which, however, was
smashed up in few moments.
Next day (l2th) rugged another one on the
scull principle, which would not work. AS may
be we'll imagined all on board were in high
state of alarm from the fact that, besides being
without any steering power, but very little coal
and provisions remained. In the afternoon took
down one of the boats davits and commenced
building a third rudder, but found it would not
be strong enough to stand the heavy seas.
About 2. M. sighted schooner, the Robert
COJeT, the first vessel seen for some days, which,
on our hosting the signal of distress, came along
side and made as if she would lay by us all
night. BY this time it had been concluded to
abandon the steamer in the event of our not
being able to get a tow, which the schooner
could not do; so the next morning were much
stressed at her not being in sight she having
left us during the night.
On the morning of the 18th took work of the
evening before to pieces, and got out large two
and half inch iron gratingirom the englne-room,
which, after being clamped on the davit, was
planked over strongly and bolted. In order to
| be able to work at this had to heave overheard
the deck load of cotton. Also on this day1beean
using rOsin-part OF cargo-as fuel, which, how
ever would burn well.
18th (Sunday) )-Got the iron rudder fixed, and
ii seemed to answer as well as expected. Steered
west by north. Found that there were but three
days. provisions left. Vessel leaking considerably,
| but kept the leak down with the steam pump.
10th, A. M.--Lost one of the rudder guys,
| but fixed up another. Noon, lon 1870, lat'
1929, sighted brig steering W. N. W., and sig
nailed her; sea still running very high. | +. M
steering rope parted, leaving the Vessel com,
pletely helpless. 2 p. M, brig alongside, ana
finding that the vessel could not be kept ahoaI
much longer, boarded the brig IN the lle-Doat,
| leaving the steamer in sinking conatl0n. on N Az
P. NJ. we're all on board the MoWsGeHo Captaln
| Moore from Savannah for Boston, having peen
| able to save but few effects. me same night
| had a heavy gale of wind, which would probably
have made an end of the Charles Benton.
l0th.-Arr1ved at Holmes Hole, whence most
| of the crew and the passengers were taken TO
New Bedford by the steamer Heten AUGUSTA, and
thence to New York, where they arrived on
| Saturday night.
To'Captaia Moore is due the highest praise for
his kindness and gentlemanly treatment of all,
| and the passengers and crew OF the benton de-
Sire to thank him through the public press. A
testimonial signed by the officers and passengers
were presented to him before leaving the brig
NJ Y. Herald.