The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-03-11
THE GOLDEN CITY.

The San Francisco Alta publishes the follow
ing facts concerning the Golden City, from q
correspondent
The steamer Golden City left San Francisco
en- the 18th of February, with about three hum |
dred passengers. The weather was pleasant,
and everything promised pleasant voyage. We |
had been out from port about thirteen days and
nineteen hours, and had run about one thou |
sand miles, when, on the morning of the 22d,
the first passengers on deck were alarmed at
finding the steamer running head on into q |
thick 7oe, and hearing the heavy roar of the |
breakers, apparentlyin in close proximity 1t was |
evident we were dangerously near the shore, |
while right ahead, the peril still apparent to |
old sailors on the coast, the density and black
ness of the bank of fog hanging over Point
Lavaro were unaccountabe to us who knew |
nothing of the coast IL was night intensified.
Looking over the other bow, north and
west, we could see smooth sea and clear
horizon. Shortly before A. NJ, just as the
tables were let down to breakfast the steerage
passengers, the ship was felt humping against
the bottom with no great violence, but 1t sufficed
to cause q rush on deck. She rode over this
obstruction, and careered with slightly
diminished speed. She kept on her course,
without any change of position, for about two
minutes, when she struck again with great
force. 1t seemed as If 1t was intended to drive
her over this, but all efforts to clear 1t only
drove her further on. The engines were then
reversed, with view to back off. 1t was too
iate-she was hard aground She careened from
side to side with fearful force, sending mon,
women, and children into prostrate masses over
the decks.
THE FRIGHT OF THE PASSENGERS.
1t was dreadful sight, enough to cover the
bravest heart. Women were calling for their
husbands, children screaming for their mothers,
and others praying God to save them, in
manner beyond any adequate description. Pre-
eently the third mate came forward and began
pulling the pile of life-prescrvers asunder. The
men who had until now been quite calm broke
loose, and made such charge as probably never
was seen before. In less time than 1t takes to
fol1 no wa n floor.
the confusion such havoc ensued that more than
half the coveted articles were rendered useless.
The fog which interyened between us and the
shore was gradually clearing off, and by the
time we were equipped with life-preservers, put
on hlrriedly in all styles and positions, the
eager faces turned shoreward to measure the
distance to be overcome before taking the
dreaded plunge, saw the land.
GOING ASHORE.
Previous to lowering the life-boats the first
officer (Gerrick), who worked heroically to
save the ship, called for order among the crowd
assembled round the stern; he told them 1t was
help, and If they would keep cool all would be
saved. He appealed to them to behave like
men, Hto stand by him till the women
and children were all safely landed,
and finally, that he would shoot any one who
attempted to get into the boats till that was
fully accomplished. When they put off many
feared that they would meet with loss In the
angry breakers that were roaring around them.
With grateful hearts we saw them overcome
every danger, jump into the surf, and wade
ashore.
DISORDER AND DRUNKENNESS.
portion of the men went to work reulgar
wrecker STYLE and when the liquors began to
arrive the thirsty crowd would break in the
heads of the barrels and swallow it by the quart
Excited folks ran hither and thither for vessels
TO hold the precious stuff, hats played promi-
nent part In the revelry, those who wanted a
drink, and were not otherwise provided, using
them instead of cups. Soon drunken men could
be seen reeling around in all directions; de-
moralization and utter seldshness were gaining
strength with each arrival of plunder
It was apprehended at one time there
would be bloodshed If this state of affairs wat
sible to put stop to it. The third mate, with
posse OF volunteers from among the well-dls
posed, armed with axes, broke through the mol
and spilled the liquor into the water. Th
whisky ring murmured against this invasion o
their rights, and resorted to every trick to cir
cumvent the yglant officer. He succeeded O
last in restoring order and preventing recur
renee of the disgraceful scenes of the fore par
of the day.
THE COLORADO APPEARS.
A boat was sent out to intercept hers after al
exchange of signals with the shore she turne
back and steamed round the point out of sight
We were informed that the captain was goinl
to make speech and wanted us to be present
A box was placed In a commanding position
and after few preliminary flourishes the oh
jects of the meeting were gone Into pro bon
puOUCO. ne btdtCu Luub Ih~ NOiOiuuO WOul
proceed twenty-five miles down the coast to
sheltered bay where we could embark in safety
The women and sick must be attended to. II
hoped they would be found willing to do all i
their power to consummate his laudable pul
pose, and lastly that he must be obeyed. 1t
likely that had any other of the officers mad
the appeal, the result would be different; bu
few rendered their services The captain ha
lost the confidence of the people.
THE JOURNEY TO SANTA MARIA.
The journey to the Colorado yas taken u
Immediately after the Captain retired and col
tinued late that afternoon till the last had lef
We had q clear sand beach to within two mile
of the point. The small quantity of water dole
out for the tramp was soon exhausted; W
passed the night without drop. The dire,
road from here to the point of deliverance wa
not definitely known, some supposing 1t to |
over the point of the mountain, while othel
chose TO 60 inland and round lis base. 1t WI
night before any great number reached the en-
Of the beach. Then fires were built to che
the weary onos toilng on. The night w
bitterly cold; a fresh breeze blowing In fro
the sea sent Its clouds OF fog and w
right into our faces. Those who had no blanke
suffered tenfold misery. II was the most dism
time experienced since the wreck. Many can
in totally used up--those especially who h
walked barefooted In the hot sand had swoll
and burnt feet from the piercing rays OF the su
One woman was carried In, dellrious and ravi
with suffering. SO keen was the desire to 6
aboard that night that nearly half the passengs
went beyond the fires and attempted to cross :
mountain In the dark. The prudent ones car
back after getting among rocks, cactus, a
thorpy bushes. Alas for the rest: a roll-call