The New York herald., 1869-01-07
A STORM ON THE PACIFIC.

The Steamship Constitution in a Storm
Narrow Escape from Shipwreck-Thc Top
mast Carried Away and Rudder Disabled
She Drifts Forty Miles In tho Gulf Of
Tehuantepec-Safe Arrival at Panama with
Jury Rudder.
The Pacific Mail Company's steamship Constitu-
tion, Captain Hudson, sailed from San Francisco
December H. with passengers, on route to New
York. fThey arrived In this city yesterday on the
Rising Starl The Constitution encountered veo
stormy weather, and at one time was in imminent
danger Of becoming total wreck. The vessel, up
to reaching Acapulco, made excellent time. She
kept close to shore, the ocean being as smooth and
even as the face Of mirror. The ship rounded
Tonamacs and entered the Gull Of -Tehuantepcc
December % Tonamaca Is o point on the
Mexican coast from which start Is taken
to cross the Gulf, which Ia about two hun
dred miles in length, or, turning into Its
usually agtated waters make circuit OF the
coast and reenter the Pacific at point that may be
In the summer season the ships OF the Pacific Mail
Company pass along the mouth or entrance to the
gulf: but In winter, when the weather Is stormy, for
prudential reasons the coast hugged, and stretch
Of forty miles added 20 the journey to Panama
the most southern OF the Mexican States The
isthmus that separates the Gulf OF Mexico from
the waters Of the Pacific Is not more than $50
miles IN length The gales that prevail IN the
former during the winter spread across the Continent
and tneref9se ore % rnen ~ y IN .e ne Atlantic , Us
OF the isthmus nterposes no oSace to the blasts Of
the Gulf OF Mexico on one side to spend their fury
on the ordinarily placid waters OF the Pacific II rs
for this reason that steamships plying between san
Francisco and Panama sail on different courses In
winter and in summer. far the Gulf Of 1chuan.
tcpcc i concerned The sea runs very high OF shore
at this season, though after learning something OF
close shore weather about fof hight since It may be
safely stated that IL were much worse outside than
what the Constitution experienced In sight OF land
prayers would be exceedingly apropos for the safety
OF ships and passengers tnat might happen 70 be Ia
TnE DISASTER IN THE GULF.
After passing Tonamaca, the Constitution soon
reached Ventosa Spanish tor ''Windy Hole") aud
pursued the course usual in winterthat Is, close TO
shore. The weather was pleasant and calm up to
and continued to grow In violence, wnen the jib was
set TO steady the ship At the end OF two hours phe
sea meanwhile. though not remaining high, was YET
away, striking the deck and causing considerable
damage. shortly before daylight the twisting of the
rudder also gave way, and the snip left without
working steering apparatus and In plain terms, at
the entire mercy OF winds and waves.
THE RrDDER
After this occurrence the engines ceased WORKING
and active measured were adopted By Captain liud-
son and his officers TO repair the damage sustained
The frst and most important business was TO put
the rudder In order 1t was discovered on cxamina-
ton that that portion OF It above the main deck was
composed OF timber much decaycd and that Il
would be necessary to steer the snip Dy
that part Of it below tae main deck. The
two junior mates and bcatswain Carroll. Rich
OF working parties, who at once commenced TO
! rig spars, win ropes and chains attached 70
blocks 50 as 10 bring the. .rudder under control Oh
the wheel. The rigging OF jury steering apparatus
| ~ tedious and requires no small snare OIL nautcai
skill. II Is needless to state that vessel NJ sea
without rudler Ia In just the same conutiOn rs Q
tub would be II placed aioat In the middle OF the
ocean. Fortunately for the Constitution, the wind
| blew from the land otherwise there wopd not have
| been the slightest chance of her escaping being
driven ashore and going 70 pieces The sea was run.
ming high the waves, as FAR az the eye could reach,
were covered with silvery white foam, and those
/ trough OF the ocean, shook every timber from stem
| TO stern.
| JURY STEERING GEAR.
l u Ia difncult matter to arrange Jury steering
gear for vessel ~ large as the COnstfr ton. When
| u gale OF wind prevails, with short, ugly and chop
ping sea running and the ship close 70 shore, CON-
plctey at their mercy the situation In rather Sc
rious one aud sufficient 10 make the stoutest heart
| quail. Az far a. was known the rudder was rotten,
1 and even the temporary expedIent In course 0f
| preparation might fail TO work. The oncers
| sion and abored hard 10 finish the Jury gearing.
| Heavy spars, while the wind blew with extreme
Violence were stretched across the main and hurrL
cane decks extending several feet below the guards
| at each side These were secured after ten hours
| labor In very complete manner by means OF ropes
| and chains and placed In connection with the deli
cate machinery " the wheel located on the forward
| deck.
4 rHE DAMAGE FINALLY REPAIRED.
Tile Consltn was placed Tor the nrst time after
the tIisaster under the control or the helm AZ half
past three r. NJ. December 23 having driited fcawafd
| forty miles during ten hours from the point where
and ewf