New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-12-16
THE LOSS OF THE MoNoNGAHELA.

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THE LOSS OF THE MONONGAHELA
DISPATCH FROM COMMODORE BIssELL-THe WIS
Sell THROWN HIGH AND DRY By AN EARTH
QUAKE OFF ST. CRoIx - EXTRAORDINARY
PHENOMENA.
UNITED STATES STEAMSHIP NJ oSoNGAHELA,t
ST. CRoX, Nov. 81, 1867. )
SIR have to state, with deep regret, that the
United States steamship MoDongahela, under my com
mand Is now lying the beach in front OF the town OF
Frederckstedt st. Croix where she was thrown by the
most fatal earthquake known here. The shock oc
cured at o'clock D. M OF the 18th inst Up to that mo
ment the weather was serene, ana no lnuuealon W
change showed by the barometer, when STOOD az 80 g
grees Is minutes The first indication had OF the earth
quake violent trembling Of the ship resembling tne
blowing off Of steam This lasted some 50 seeOHus, anu
Immediately afterward the water was observed TO De re-
cedng rapidly from the beach. In moment the current
changed and bore the ship toward the beach, carrying
out the entire cable and drawing the bolts from tne Ee
speed toward the beach Another anchor was ordered
to be let CO. but IN few seconds she was IN 700
yards OF the beach, the hux Of the water checked her
speed for moment and light breeze from the laDd
staysa might pay her head of shore, that IN the
reHlx of the wave she might reach waters sufficiently
deep 10 float her. and then be brought up by the other
anchor. These sails Immediately set and she
payed of SO as to bring her broadsde to the beach
% or 80 feet hgh it carried us over the warehouses
receding took her back toward the beach and left
her nearly perpendicular ON the edge OF coral reef
where she has now keeled over to an angle OF 10
degrees.
after the watss Of the bay subsidized their naturally
TRANQUIL state leaving high and dry upon the beach
During her progress toward the beach sue struck heavily
two times the first urch carried she rifle gun on
the fOrecaste overheard Had the ship been carried IL
feet further out, she must inevitably nave DeeD
forced her beam ends resulting, fear IN heI
total destruction and the loss OF many lives PToyi
denaly only four men were lost these were III me boats
the time the shock commenced The boats that were
down were all swamped except my gig, when Was
crushed under the keel, killing my coxswaa, mos,
behaved with GOODNESS and subordiuaon IL AFFORDS
Inc great pleasure to state that after careful eXamina
ton Of the position and condition OF inc snip am enaoisu
report that she has sustained no ireparaDe damage 70
her hull The steInpost Is bent ana some ~ Sce W me
lower pne Of the rudder gone, but 10 other danage
sustained by it, No damage done 20 her hull more sen
Gus than the loss OF several sheets OF copper torh Ho~
her stanford bilge and from her keel -,
She lies the edge OF coral reef, when forms
thus be launched In 10 feet OF water at 100 feet from the
that the bottom Of the bay visible where there wa
before, and is now, 40 fathOms OF water ..,,,-
suggest that Mr. j. Hanscom be down with suitable
material for ways ready for laying down. ana mana rnD
bic obstacle to her being put ahoat providing gang o.
10 or u good ship carpenters DC sent aoS Win ING %
sustained no injury. valuable snip may thus De saved
to tie navy with all her stores ard equipments
Rear-Admral ]. s. Palmer, commanding H. A. squad
ron. St. Thomas.
REPORT FROM COMMODORE BoGGs OF THE DE
SOTO.
WASHINGTON, Dec 15.-Commodore Boggs
Of tine Tpes states a & cg af had
previously dispatched ON board sailing yesseI de-
received by the vessel under bis command together With
the Monongahea at the Island Of st ThOmas which has
II is ascertaned that the injuries received by the De
Soto ia the late violent hurricane consisted mainyin
thrown with great violence against wharf These IN
jures were soon repaired The Mononganea vas S
from the water aud will not be got aiioat again
without being regularly anncneu Ihe iIen she 70
hv he a
throw her side l00pOund gun stationed on the
OF ye Of The crew Who aid not succeed in securing
hold at the time OF the urch were washed overheard aud
lost The machinery good order, aud easily be
worked Preparations will be Immediately made toward
completing all necessary repairs, and getting the vessel
ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS CONCERNING THE
EARTHQUAKE.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 15.-The following Off
GERS the steamer MOnOngahea are oil board the DE
surgeon W r. Hord; Chief Engineer j. O. A. Zeigler;
Lieutenant, Harrington; Ensign Lyons; MidshpmeD, j.
s. Richards. J. N. Hemphlll, A. b. Carter l. T. Hanse
G. j. TIobrg hurst; Third Assistant. H.w. Force.
The DE Soto lett ST. Thomas az noon Dec making the
passage in six days and half. Although considerably
damaged by the earthquake she leaks but very little
The earthquakes were Of frequent occurrence from
Nov IS up TO the time the DE Soto sailed but they were
not Of great violence The principal damage caused
by the first one, which shook the buildings TO pieces and
the smaller which followed only served 10 khoeA
down the remaining few that had resisted the first shock
The De sotos bottom was temporarily repaired by the
divers from the wrccsng cOmpanys schooner COmpet-
ton from NcwYork. The officers and crew Of the De
Soto are all well.
Fever board the L. s. steamer Don had caused me
death Of six OF her crew. but there were no new cases Tor
sc, eral days before the leaving Of the Dc Soto
The officers OF the DE soto say they never before eN-
perenced ANYTHING so terrific the earthquake. They
we're at the time dressing shore II being about
o'clock IN the afternoon when their attention was at
tracted by dull heavy noise, and all hands came on
deck 10 ascertain the cause OF IT, None seemed 10 under
stand what IL was except the ChefEnglnecr who has
been in the service about 20 years and who
declared that It was an earthquake, ana that
they would presently a large wave, az they
were always accompanied by one OF the officers then
looked over side Of the vessel and discovered To his
disInay that the water recedng from the rOor ana
that the vessel being left high and dry The Chlef
Engineer then called their attention 20 wave about two
miles out, which rapidly approaching the vessel
The DE Soto laying under one anchor, Nhch Mas
speedily and the struck the vessel amidsMp
terrific force, carrying her far up the harbor ana
breaking the cable. Two OF the ships boats were stove
and third carried away, hut was subsequently re
covered The wave receded and returned no less tnan
six times and STAYED her keel causing her TO leak con
sderably. This damage was subsequently temporarily
repaired