The New York herald., 1869-01-07

I6o miles from the Gulf Of Mexico, on the other
side OF the Continent The ship when placed before
the wind, did not act well; she listed earfully and
matters wore anything but an encouraging aspect.
After half an hour the jury steering gear got out Of
order; the engines again sto ped and the ves-
sci was once more at tue mercy OF wind anu waves.
BY five O'Clock 7. NJ. all again was Ii order, ana
alter s,eaming twelve hours the Costa Grande shore
or Guatemala, was reached. The PASSENGERS con-
sidered their escape almost proyidential, aud fele
immense relief when tho ship pursued her course on
PERILous SITUATION or THE SHIP.
During the many hours. the Constitution was
drifting about some apprehension was felt that the
rough usage she was receiving might 30 strain her
timbers as to cause heavy leaks. As mentioned
before The that struck her told severely on her
upper works, and 1t was with the utmost difficulty
person could maintain footing on the decks. The
men at work on the spars had ropes lashed around
on board. The boatswan (Noonanl particularly dis
tngushed himself for his GOODNESS and fearessness,
as at times portion OF his body was submerged In
the sea, and the next moment he was to be seen
elevated high in the air. IL turned out that no leak
occurred but what would have happened II tho rud
der continued unmanageabie during the night 1t u
easy to imagine.
THE CREW.
The Pacific Mail Steamship Company have large
number OF Cinnamon In their service. They act as
laborers on shore and sailors on board their ves
sells. The compensation they receive IL much below
that paid white men, and, a. is well known, power
1u organizations exist In California to check the
Immigration OF what are called .coolies.m The
Constitution had considerable number or Chinese
hands, and truth requires to DE SAID very few OF
the class Of mariners generally known as ableb0died
seamen. The fact Is that when anything had to be
done requiring skill experience the actual labor
had to be performed by the officers Of the ship them
selves Its true that the voyage from san francisco
to Panama in nine cases out oi tea is made without
encountering severe weather; but at times storms
occur, and 1t is serious question II chinese the
right material to work Ships Ia such emergencies.
Certainly, the passengers the Constitution woud
have felt far more at ease II the crew was composed
OF such men as are to be found on the Rising star.
PREPARATIONS FOX THE WORST.
During Wednesday, 23d ut Captain Hudson,
overlook taking the necessary measures for the,
safety OF passengers II the worst came to the worst
The life raft was prepared for instant use as Wen as
the ships boats. The saloon doors were closed and
locked with the exception Of small portion the
main entrance, and similar arrangements OF pre-
cautions were carried out IN other portions Of the
vessel. 1t was hardly necessary to have taken the
latter trouble for the passengers were cool as the
officers and looked upon The matter, amid the howl
ing Of the winds (and there Is no exaggeration In
using the word ''howling'') with the greatest COM
posure. All-Ihen and women--knew there was un-
common danger and that their lives depended upon
the wind holding OIL shore, and that at least the
chances OF reaching Panama or some place OF safety
being equal to the task II would have to undertake.
The steerage passengers and numDer Of sailors
from the United States steamer Pensacola returning
home, worked very manfully during the day.
Captain Bursley OF the bark Moneta, who was pas
senger also contributed his valuable services at
moment when real, practical seamanship was OF tho
NECESSITY FOR GREATER CARE
The amount Of space occupied in describing this
but the experience OF ten hours sucn as mentioned
ID more than enough to satisfy any person OF tho
perlls OF the sea for lifetime Very often the ship
has over one thousand passengers and II 1t had SO
happened that as many were on board two weeks
since the panic that would have arisen would have
certainly resulted In most disastrous consequences.
As 1t was there were but a limited number, COM
posed OF persons not strangers u dangers OF every
kind, and consequently Is remarked above, they
were cool and unmoyed. But the disaster should at
least have this erfect:--A more thorough examina-
tion OF steamships before proceeding 10 sea- aud on
the Pacific coast the employment Of more expert
enced and efficient men before the mast
MORE STORMY WEATHER.
To resume an account of the voyage to Panama, IL
only necessary TO add that the Jury steering gear
worked well to the last On Christmas Day ana the
day following the weather was very bad aud the
Constitution mad all she could do to face the sea,
which was running very high. 1t was natural
enough that apprehension should be entertained as
TO the rudder for II 1t gave way again little hope for
safety would be left The vessel was run with
moderate pressure Of stean and arrived al Panama
Monday, December 70, at ten Il. M. She was about
twenty hours behind schedule time. Before reaching
port IL was stated on authority VI captain Hudson
that he would have the vessel ready Tor her return
to San Francisco at the appointed time. Arrange
ments were made to hoist the rudder out, to be re-
placed by new one ana II was believed that re-
placing the foretopmast carried away would he
the work OF only lew hours. But II was undonbt-
edly the opinion OF every one-both landsmen and
seafurng-that ordinary prudence demanded tnat
the Constitution should have pretty thorough over
hauling before again venturng with human freight
10 encounter "the dangers OF the deep"