Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-04-30
ShipWreCk ON the japanese Ccast.
Loss of the Steamship ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
of Two Hundred Lives Reported Lost.

The Japan Herald of February "a gives
| the following account of the loss of the
Pacific mail steamship Hermann
The steamer Hermann left Yokohoma on the
18th instant at noon, with wind northeast blow
ing fresh, for Awamon, a port near Hakodate
| under Japanese charter, with some 400 Japanese
passengers and crew of eighty officers an mer
all told At half-past five p. m. they had reach
| ed point about six miles east of Cape King
wind north-northeast and heavy southwest
weather; the vessel was kept along the coast al
a distance, judging from all appearances, OF five
miles. At nine p. m, the vessel going at average
speed, struck reef and passed over 1t, drifting
in shore quarter OF q mile after che struck. AT
this time the wind was blowing fresher with a
heavy swell from the southwest. At eleven o.
clock three of the ships boats were washed away
from the davits into which some of the terrified
passengers and crew jumped as they were drift
ing from the vessels side and were almost direct
ly capsiZed; the three remaining boats were low
cred and Immediately filed with passengers and
some Of the crew. but sad to relate, one only of
these fetched the shore, the other two having
been sWamped almost as soon as away from the
wreck. Some fsw of the crew from the capsized
boats managed to get ashore. The boat thai
fated vessel at haf-past eleven p. M. About
midnight the Vessel parted amidships and set
tied down on a level with the hurricane deck; she
had, however, broken in two before the last boat
got away.
AS soon as the extent of the danger became
apparent the whole of the life bets-of which
and distributed among the passengers, many of
whom at once precipitated themselves into the
sea in the hope of reaching land, now distant
about three-quarters OF a mile, but the coast be-
ing rugged and heavy surf running, it is fear
ed that the greater portion were dashed to pieces
against the merciless rocks. About 100 souls still
remained on the vessel, among whom were Capt.
Newell and his chief officer, Mr.. Chase.
The following morning at daylight, the wealth
er having moderated, the only surviving boat put
off with some Japanese fishing boats for the wreck
to rescue those who had remained. At this time
nothing was visible above water but the paddle
boxes and upper gear, and many OF the untOrtu-
nate men were floating about clinging to portions
of the hurricane deck, which had become detach-
ed. The stated number Of lives lost is not yet
accurately known as the survivors belonging to
the vessel left the OF their disaster at p.
M on tho following day for Yokohoma, to report
the catastrophe. They were compelled to set out
on their journey on foot, in consequence of the
Japanese refusing to supply them with junk in
which to reach their destination. The first night
they stayed at Otaki, where they were most kind
Il and Hospitality received by the Japanese, who
supplied them with food, clothing and lodings.-
The following morning they started again for Yo-
kohoma, which reached on Tuesday, the
10th, at O'Clock p.
Among those Of the crew who are lost are Mr.
Chase, the first officer, who was swept off the
wreck during the dreadful night of the accident :;
Mr.. White, water sender who lost his life from the
capsizing of one of the boats, while IL of the crew
and $50 passengers reported to be missing.
As We have already stated, many, after putting
the life belts, made for the shore. which they
may possibly have reached at points higher or
lower than where the others landed. But little
hope, however, is entertained for their safety.
account of the heavy surf and dangerous rocks at
that portion Of the coast.
Nothing whatever Was saved from the wreck,
and when the survivors started for Yokohoma
nothing of the illfated vessel visible but the
mainmast and one paddle wheel, which were held
together by the machinery.