Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1870-03-19
Loss Of the United States War Shin
Oneida.
ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY LIVES LOST.

California papers by last steamer con-
tanned full particulars of the loss of the U.
s. corvette Oneida. We republish the
account below as condensed by cotempo-
rary.
On the oath of January, within few
miles of the anchorage in the harbor Of
Yokohama, the iron steamer Bombay ran
into the U. s. steamer Oneida, the latter
sinking in less than fifteen minutes. The
fated steamer had just started for home,
with a complement of officers and men,
numbering 49, all of whom but 56, in
cluding DR.. Studdard and three junior Of
fcers, were lost. One of tho men saved
from the Oneida gives the following ac-
count:
"On passing Saratoga Spit, the wind
being fair, the fires were banked and the
steam was commenced to be blown off.
About seven o'clock, while the officers
we're at dinner, the look k-out man on the
forecastle sang out, steamer light ahead )
and the mdshipman, also on the forecastle,
gave the order, port the helm Every
thing seemed so still on board the other
steamer as to lead to the belief that she
had not observed the Oneida, although
her lights were burning brightly. The
steamer, now known to be the p. & o.
steamer Bombay, came right on, and ran
into the Oneida, striking her on the star
board side, aft the gangway, at about half
way between the main and mizzen rigging,
cutting hole in the side of Oneida,
through which the whole interior of the
gun room was visible, carrying away the
gig, binnacie, wheel and rudder, killing
the two men at the wheel on the spot
All the officers who were not on deck
rushed up, and sail was Immediately
shortened. 1t was evident to all that the
ship was total wreck. The Bombay did
not stop, but proceeded on her way; and
as the guns happened to be loaded under
circumstances already detailed, they were
fired at short intervals to attract the atten-
ton Of the Bombay, and to bring her back.
The order had been given to lower away
the boats but the life-boat was the only
one available; as the cutter was in the
cradle inboard, and as already stated, the
gig had been carried away. The life boat
was manned. DR.. Studdard, boatswain,
and fifteen of the crew going aboard of her.
Five guns were fired, but before the sixth
could be fired the vessel sunk The life
boat was obliged to leave the side of the
sinking ship, to avoid being upset or
swamped by her. The whole must have
been over within ten minutes after the
collision. None of those saved saw man
or heard voice on board the Bombay.
When there was evidently no hope of
saving the ship, the officers gathered
around Capt. f. p. Williams, on the poop,
and he was heard to say that he would not
leave the ship; if she went down he would
sink with her.
When the crew Of the ife.boat, after
pulling about awhile saw none of the crew
floating, not one of all the l60 who went
down, they pulled to land, which was
about five miles distant they beached the
boat about $40 p. M, and were kindly
treated by the natives ON shore, and having
obtained the assistance of one of them as
guide, they started to walk to Yokohama,
which they reached about daylight"
From another that was saved, we have,
; that when it was seen that the Bombay
was proceeding on her way, the life-boat
attempted to overtake large junk. to in
duce it to come to their assistance, but the
junk running before the wind; they were
unable to catch up with her, and turned
around to go back to the ship, but they
could not see her. They then attempted
to make for the place where they thought
they had left her, but they ran too high,
IL .,h 80 ,,.Lo = .nJ q, .,xrsol
around aud rowed for the shore
The bombay was ordered back to the
scene Of the wreck by Capt. Stanhope,
r.. N The Yangtse also went, having on
board the United States Minister, Mr.. De-
Long As the latter was steamiug down,
the Bombay was sighted returning. She
was hailed and asked if she had any of the
crew; she replied that she had thirty-nine
men ON board, including two officers; the
United States Minister then sent a request
that the men might be put aboard Of the
Yanqtse, but they objected. lie therefore
sent an order, which was quickly obeyed.
These men we're saved in the cutter that
was in the cradle aud foated when the
ship sank. 500 @ sH
I 4 naval court-martial is being held The
examination of Capt. Eyre, Of the Bonn
5ay, gave plain account Of his proceed
ings, and his reasons for passing on to
Yokohama, such as must produce very
different impression in mems minds from
the statement of the men who were saved
from the wreck and if confirmed by fur
ther evidence, must remove the stigma OF
inbumonity from his name
The excitement at Yokohama has been
very great, and the feeling against the caps
tain Of the Bombay is intense.
| The passengers on board the Bombay
we're quite surprised when they heard that
such calamity had befallen the vessel
that they knew had been struck, and they
all declare that they neither heard any re-
| quest from the Oneida to stay by them, or
the minute guns. ''@ 80 @ag