The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-12-11
TH1 less OF THE STEAMER uASKy.
Thrilling Experience of the Survivors-Two
Days ut SEA- in an Open Bont-Caiiant Con-
dnct Of Cnptain Wakep,an.


Thrilling Experience of the survivors-Two
Days ut SEA- in AN Open Bont-Gailant Con-
dnct Of Cnptain Wnkeman.
The HERALD OF tho 30 inst. announced the founder
ing at sea OF the steamer D. O. Hasn and the rescue
OF o few survivors by the schooner Grasmere.
Further details OF very interesting character have
been received.
The Haskn was sidewheel steamer OF about
LOO tons. and left New YORK the 18th OF Novem-
Der for san Francisco She was heavily loaded and
had thirty-six persons on board including two gen.
tlemen going out as passengers About noon on the
nth, two days after leaving New York, the heavy
seas commenced tearing up tho guards
next the Warehouses;. and opened tho
sides OF the steamer 30 AZ to admit
water In great quantities. All the pumps were set
at work, and every effort was made 10 stop the
leaks; but about eight O'Clock at night the main
steamppe was broken by the heavy rolling and
pitching OF the steamer, and the engines and pumps
ceased TO work. After an Intellectual attempt to
keep the water down by bailIng the commander,
Captain Wakeman, determined to abandon the YES
Sci. The steamer had three boats These were
launched as soon as 1t found the vessel must 90
down, ana the crew Immediately took possession OF
launched anu several OF ITS occupants are
supposed to have been drowned. although all
may nave succeeded IN regalnIng the steamer,
second boat pulled away with four or five
persons In her. ana AT ten O'CLOCK the captain and
eleven persons lett IN the other boat leaving a num-
Ders Of the crew ON board the steamer the captains
boat be,ng ai-s.fy, loaded down to the gunwales.
dv,s lci on the vessel constructed raft by cutting
away portion OF the hurricane deck and flashing
sYars across 1t 10 stiren IL 30 as to Withstand the
waves AT half past eleven when the captains boat
was about three miles distant from the steamer the
ms shead light disappeared at when time II is SUD-
posed the vessel Went DOWN. as she mad ave feet OF
wAter III her hod wnen the captain pulled OF. The
second boat was passed bottom up, with two men
cllnging 10 her, but AZ the captains boat was
already overloaded that Its occupants had take
tarns IN jumping overheard 10 tighten her. nothing
could be done for these two and they were lost
sight OF III the darkness.
The captains boat mad one gallon OF water ham,
plllowcase about half full or crackers and three
bottles OF gin. One oil the bottles was accidentally
broken, ana anotner was served out during the ursE
few hours TO sustain the men III their hard labor,
balllng out the boat and keeping her head TO sea.
AL uayllghG Thursday morning all were nearly ex-
hausIed. The was very nigh and from Two to
four men were almost constantly In the water cling
ing to the side the boat 10 prevent her from being
sWamped. There were Six oars. Two OF these were
lashed together, ana with the nam tied upon them,
were lowed asiern drag to Keep the boat steady
but shark soon snapped or the ham,
leaving the crew almost entirely des-
ttute of provision. Eacn OF the twelve per-
sons Including tue captain, was reduced TO a
handful OF salt water soaked crackers and swal-
low OF fresh water twice in twenty-iour hours aud
on the frs, day great suffering was experienced
from thirst The aeas came In three successive
waves which me heavily laden boat prayely man.
aged TO ride over by backing water with the first
pulling vigorously ahead and meesiIg the second
and backing agala as the third came on In the Ia
teryal nrecediny the next three waves The crew
woud pall out the boat Thus buffetiny the waves
hailinr on inc lra,l noot and aternniely iumnin
overhoorI ia Iighlen ner the crew na.sai Weiness
Sar ni'rnt Thr1,aiov an, a nor, Of Ihs sncccaniuy
nyhr araaf 1nanv sharrs ware seen hanginSS
about the boat but costant watchfuluess prevented