The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-12-06
THE WRECKED SHIPS. oF-WAR.


History OF the MOnOnRahela and Dc Soto.
A telegram from Havana announces the COM
Dlete loss of the United States corvette M0non-
Rahela, seven guns, Commodore s. b. Bissen, at
COntratown, Santa Cruz, 0y being driven ashore
by immense seas, raised by tremendous
earthquake. Official dispatches received in
Washington confirm this Intelligence, and add
that the Runboat De Soto, ten guns, Captain
Charles s. Boggs, was lost at Santa Cruz by
being dashed ashore and crushed to pieces.
The Susquehanna, the flagship of Rear Admi-
raj Palmer, commanding the North AtlaLtlc
squadron, was at Santa Cruz, aiding the officers
and crew of the Monongahela and the other
vessel. She seems to have experienced the
effects of and was probably damaged by the
earthquake and hurricane Whichs swept the west
Indies with such appalling and calamitous force.
We have no details of the disaster further than
oar correspondents announcement, but we
should consider II almost miraculous II some
lives were not lost in the fearful wrecks. The
press advices do not state that any loss OF lie
occurred, but private adVices received in Wash
ington intimate that there were casualties
resulting from the catastrophe,
u is stated in these reports that the greater
part OF the officers aud crew OF the De Soto were
saved, while a portion only Of those OF the
MonOngahela were rescued. Before giving
implicit faith to this sad report, we prefer 70
await further intelligence. We are, however,
likely to hear Of great loss among the merchant
shipping when full accounts are gathered ana
forwarded to us. The earthquake was Iel' owe. owe.
a large area, and the accompanying storm must
have work ed sad havoc in the unprotected har-
bOrs OF The Antilles.
The corvette Monongohela, attached to the
North Atlantic Squadron, was built at the Phila-
dephia Navy Yard in 1851, Merrlck d. Sons tur-
nishing the engines. She was 1878 tons bur-
den, and carried since the war seven heavy
broadslde and pivot guns. She was one OF the
fastest corvettes In the navy, and saw much
hard service in the war. she was engaged IN
the 6rst attack on Port Hudson; assisted at the
siege of that stronghold; rescued the New Lon
don from under the guns OF College Point;
silenced the guns Of the Rebel battery at Aran-
Zas Pass, Texas, and assisted to capture II; and,
nnally, under Captain James III. Strong, per
formed Distinguished part in the Mobile hight,
when she attacked and rammed the Tennessee
twice, ana aided to demoralize and use up her
crew, sne mas been attached 10 the North
Atlantic squadron since 1865.
The DE Soto was a Well-kuoWn merchant
steamer before the war. She was purcbased
and htted out as blOckader in 1861 carrVine
ten guns. she was fast, we'll built aide Wheel
steamer OF 1900 tons burden. She was excaed
ingly fortunate during the war in canInrIno
blockade runners, one Of her omtnanders ha ~
ing realized over 500, 900 10 prize money In one
cruise. ehe succOred the defenseless peOOla ol
Cane Haynen VI the time of the attack az me
British slOOp-OEWar Bulldog, and Bhe subse
qUently conveyed Mr. Secretary Seward and
party on their trip 10 the West Indies. She hA,
bean two wears attached 20 the North Atlantic
squadron IN the West ladies.