The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-12-13
LOSS OF THE MONONGAHELA.
Letter from Commodore Blssell-Ome einl
Report OF the Disaster-Tho Vessel
BsAchsd by n TerrIbIs Earthquake =
Shock on Sc. CrOix, Etc.

Report OF the O1naegeE-Vho Nes'eA
BoAchsd by a TerrIbIS Earthquake -
Shock on st. Croix, Etc.
u. s. STEAMSHIP MoNoNaAHELA, (2d rate,)(
st. CRoIx, Nov. II, 1857. !
Sir-I have to state, with deep regret, that
the United States steamship Monongahela.
under my command, is now lying on the beach
in front of the town of Frederickstedt, 81. Croix
where she was thrown by tho most fatal earth
quake ever known here The shock occurred
at o'clock p. M. of the 18th inst, Up TO that
moment the weather was serene, and no indica-
ton of a change showed by the barometer,
which stood at 800 l5, The first indication we
had of the earthquake was violent trembling
OF the ship, resembling the blowing of OF
steam This lasted some thirty seconds and
Immediately afterwards the water was observed
to be reeeding rapidly from the beach. In
moment the current was changed and bore
the ship towards the beach, carrying out
the entire cable and drawing the bolts from
the kelsen, without the slightest effect In
checking her terrific speed towards the
beach. Another anchor was ordered to be let
90; but in a few seconds she was in TOO shoal
waters for this to avail. When within a few
yards of the beach the retiux Of the water
checked her speed for moment, and light
breeze from the land gave me momentary
hope that the jib and dforetopmaststRysailm might
pay her head Off shore, so that in the retiux of
the wave she might reach waters sufficiently
deep 10 float her, and then be brought up by the
other anchor. These sails were Immediately set,
and she payed on so as TO bring ner OrOauSlde
10 the beach. When the sea returned, In the
form of wall of water twenty five or thirty
feet high, 1t carried us over the warehouses into
the first street of the town. This wave In re-
ceding took her back towards the beach, and
left her nearly perpendicular on the edge of "a
coral reef, where she has now keeled over to an
angle of fifteen degrees.
All this was the work OF a few moments
only, and soon after the waters of the bay
subsidized into their naturally tranquil state,
leaving us high and dry upon the beach.
iUn Or rat
lurch carried the rife-gun on the forecaste
overheard. Had the ship been carried ten or
fifteen further out, she must inevitably have
been forced over on her beam ends, resulting,
fear, in her total destruction and in the loss OF
many lives. Providentially only four men
were lost; these were in the boats at the time
the shock commenced. The boats that were
down were all swamped except my gig, which
was crushed under the keel, killing my cox
swain, most valuable man. During this ter
rife scene the officers and men behaved with
nEe'nGIS me great pleasure to state that after
a careful Examination OF the position,
report that she has sustained no irreparable
damage to her hull. The stern post is bent, and
propeller and shaft uninjured. The lower pintel
of the rudder is gone, but no other dam age is
sustained by It, No damage Is done to her hull
more serious than the loss of several sheets OF
her keel ~
which forms a solid foundation, on which ways
may be laid She can thus be launched in ten
feet OF water at one hundred 1eeG from the
beach. Gentlemen looking at the ship from
shore declare that the bottom of the bay was
visible where there was before, and Is now, forty
fathoms of water.
To extricate the ship from her present posi-
tIon respectfully suggest that Mr.. j. Hanscom
be sent down with suitable material for
ways, ready for laying down, and tndia-
rubber camels to buoy her up. think there
is no insuperable obstacle to her being put
afoat. providing a gang OF ten or twelve good
ship carpenters be sent down with the Naval
Constructor, as her boilers and engines appear
to have sustained no injury. valusble ship
may thus be saved to ths navy, with all her
stores and equipments.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. b. BIssELL, Com. Commanding.
Rear Admiral J. s. Palmer, Com. II. A. Squad
| ron, st. Thomas