The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1870-03-24
On BOARD THE STEAMER COLORADO, I
February, 26, 1870.

inst:
On BOARD THE STEAMER COLORADO,
February, 26, 1870.
| The steamer Golden City LETT San Francisco
on the 18th of February, with about three
| pleasant and everything promised plea SAINT
voyage. We had been out from port about
thirteen days and nineteen hours and had run
about one thousand miles, when on the morn
| ing the 22d the first passengers on deck were
alarmed at the steamer running head on in
to Il thick fog, and hearing the heavy roar OF
the breakers, apparently in close proximity
1t was evident that we We're dangerously
near the shore, while right ahead the peril
apparent to old sailors on the coast, the den
sity and blackness of the bank Of the fog
hanging over point LaZaro, were unaccount
able to us who knew nothing of the coast. 1t
was night intensified. Looking over the other
bow, north and west, we could see a smooth
sea and clear horizon. Shortly before seven
| A. M, lust as the tables We're being let down
for breakfast for the Storage passengers, the
ship was felt humping against the bottom
with no great violence, but it sufliced to cause
a rush on deck She rode over this obstruc-
ton and careered on with slightly diminish
ed speed. She kept on her course without
any change Of position, for about two min
utes, when she struck again with great force
1t seemed as if it was intended to drive her
over this, but all efforts to clear it only drove
| her further on. The engines were then revers
ed with view of backing off. 1t was too
late; she was hard aground. Her tate was
sealed At this juncture she careened from
side to side with fearful force, sending men,
women and children in PROSTATE mass over
the deck.
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 a manner beyond any adequate de-
Iscription Presently the third mate came
along and began pulling the pile of life pre-
lservers asunder The men who had until
lnow been quite calm, broke loose and made
such charge as probably never was seen be-
fore. In less time than it takes to tell it, the
heap was cleaned off to the floor. In the
confusion such havoc ensued that more than
half the coveted articles were rendered use
less. The fog which interviewed between us
and shore was gradually clearing off, and by
the time we were equipped with life preser-
) vers, put on hurriedly in all styles and posi-
ltons, the eager faces turned shoreward to
measure the distance to be overcome before
, taking the dreadful plunge, saw the land. 1t
was less then half a mile from the Inflated
vessel 1t caused much .easiness among the
; people, calming the horror stricken, giving
promise of safety.
: Previous to lowering the liteboats the first
, officer (Gerrick), who worked heroically to
save the ship, called for order among the
crowd assembled around the stern; he told
/ them it was determined to take to the boats
0 he required their help, and if they would
! keep cool all would be saved He appealed
H. Al L. H. G1,h
y until the women and children were safely
4 landed, and finally that he would shoot any
one who attempted to get into the boats til
: that was fully accomplished When they put
. off many feared they would meet with loss il
the angry breakers that were roaring rounC
them. With grateful hearts we saw them
. overcome every danger, Jump into the sur
: and wade ashore.
Every eye was turned seward after order
9 was restored scanning the horizon for the
coming steamer. At about halfpast one
It o'clock we were cut short in our conjecture!
) Iby tidings that she was in sight. A boat was
sent out to intercept her. After an exchange
of signals with the shore she turned back an(
steamed round the point out of sight. W.
g were informed that the captain was going tx
make a speech and wanted us to be present
A box was placed in commanding position
land few flOurishes about the objects of the
2 meeting were gone into "pro bono publico.
= He stated that the Colorado would proceed
TWENTY-FIVE miles down the coast to a shelter
q ed bay, where we could embark with perfec
safety The women and sick must be attend
. ed to. He hoped they would be found will
y ing to do all in their power to consummat
Is this object.
q The journey to the Colorado was taken VI
F Immediately after the captain retired, ant
20 continued late that afternoon till the last ha
- left. We had clean sand beach to within
- two miles of the point. The small quantit
y. of water dealt out for the tramp were 500
''ff exhausted; we passed the night without
y drop. The direct road from here TO the poin
:; lof deliverance was not definitely known
a some supposing it to be over the point Of tn
:. - mountain, while others chose to go milan
~ and rounds its base. 1t was night before an
y great number reached the end of the beach
IL Then fires were built to cheer the weary one
toiling on. The night was bitterly cold
fresh breeze blowing in from the sea sent ii
" clouds of fog and wet into our faces. Thos
V IWhO had no blankets suffered ten fold miser