The New York herald., 1869-04-23
suIpwaEcK on HE JAPANESE COAST.

Loss Of tho Steamship ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS of
Two Hundred Lives Reported Lost.
The Japan Herald of February "a gives the follow
ing account OF the loss OF the Pacific mail steamship
Hermann
The steamer Hermann left Yokohama on the 18th
instant at noon, with WIND northeast blowing fresh,
for Awamori, port near Hakodate, under Japanese
charter, with some 100 japanese passengers and a
crew OF eighty officers and men, all told. At half.
past five P. M. they had reached point about six
miles east Of Cape King wind north-aortheast and
heavy southwest weather. the vessel was kept along
tue coast at aalstance Judging from all appearances
OF i've miles, AT nine p NJ, the vessel gong at average
speed struck reel and passed over It, drifting IN
shore quarter Of mile after she struck At this
swell! from the southwest At eleven O'Clock three
Of the ships boats were washed away from the
and crew jumped as they were drifting from the
vessels side and were almost directly capsized the
three remaining boats were lowered and tmme.
diately filled with passengers and some OF
fetched the shore, the other two having
the wreck. Some few Of the,crew from the capsized
boats managed to get ashore. The boat that sue
II sevsn a n SAFETY M shs s iss
vessel parted amdships and settled down on level
with the hurricane deck; she had, however, broken
As soon as the extent of the danger became ap-
parent the whole Of the life belts-0f which there
were sTes, dan got on deck and d,s
once precIptated themselves into the In the hope
OF reaching land, now distant about three-Quarter5
Of mile, but the coast being rugged and heavy
surf running 1t Is feared that the greater portion
were dashed TO pieces against tue rnercess rocks.
About 100 souls still remained on the vessel among
whom were Captain Newell and bis chief onicer, Mr..
Chase.
The following morning at daylight, the weather
having moderated, the only surviving boat put %
with some Japanese fishing boats for the wreck, to
rescue those who had remained. At this time moth
and upper gear, and many Of the unfortunate men
were nOating about cinging to portions Of the hur
ricane deck, which had become detached. The
stated number Of lives lost is not yet accurately
known, Is the survivors belonging to the vessel
left the scene OF their disaster at two P. M. on
the following day for Yokohama, to report the catas
trophe. They were compelled 70 set out on their
journey on foot In consequence OF the Japanese re-
fusng to supply them with Junk In which to reach
their destination. The nrst night they stayed at
Otaki, where they were most kindly and Hospitality
received by the Japanese, VINO supplied them with
food, clothing and lodging. The following morning
they started again for Yokohama which was reached
on Tuesday, the 10th, OF four O'Clock r. NJ,
Among those OF the crew who are lost are Mr..
Chase, the first ofcer, who was swept or the wreck
during the dreadful night Of the accident; Mr. White
water sender who lost his life from the capsizng OF
Of the boats, while eighteen OF the and $50
passengers are repoi ted 70 be missing.
As we have already stated, many after putting on
the life belts, made Tor the shore, which they may
possibly have reached at points higher or lower
than where the others landed. But little hope, how
ever u entertained for their safety, on account Of
the heavy surf and dangerous rocks ~ that portion
OF the coast.
Nothing whatever was saved from the wreck and
when the survivors started Tor Yokohama nothing Of
the Inflated vessel was visible but the mainmast and
one paddle Wheel which were held together BY the
machinery.