Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-03-02
Fnu Particulars of the Loss ofU. S.
Steamer Oneida.
SAN FRANcIsco, March |

The ship Benefactress, which arrived from
Yokohama, Japan, to-day, brings full partic-
ulars of the loss of the American vessel of
war, Oneida, which left Yokohama on Janu-
airy Sd.
The steamer left her anchorage about Ave
o'clock in the afternoon and the accident Oc
Cured at seven o'clock on the same evening.
As the Oneida steamed out of the harbor the
crews of the various vessels and the men at
work in the forts gave cheers and wished
her happy voyage. On passing out of the
the harbor her fires were banked and steam
blown off. While the officers were at dinner,
at about seven o'clock, the lookout man
shouted ''stcamer lights ahead and mid
shipman gave the order to port her helm.
Everything seemed quiet on board of the 9TH
er steamer. This leads to the belief that she
had not observed the Oneida although her
lights were burning brightly. The steamer,
which proved to be the Bombay, of the Pen
insular and Oriental line, came right on
| and struck the Oneida on the starboard, abaft
the gangway, about half way between the
main and mizzen rigging. hole was cut
through her by which the whole interior of
the ship was rendered visible.
The binnacles, wheel and rudder were car
ried away, and two men standing at the wheel
were instantly killed. The Bombay did not
stop after crushing through the Oneida i,
though the guns of the latter which happened
to be loaded were almost instantly fred to
attract her attention and bring her back.
Orders were given to lower the boats. but
only one life-boat was available, the others
having been crushed. This life-boat was
manned by DIR. Stoddart, the boatswain. and
Is of the crew. Five guns were fired, but
before the sixth could be discharged the
Oneida sunk it being within ten minutes
after she was struck None Of those saved
| saw man or heard a voice on board the
Bombay. They report that when it became
evident that there was no hope of saving the
ship, the officers gathered around Captain
Williams, and he was heard to say that if the
ship went down he would go with her. The
life boat was obliged TO leave the sinking
ship to avoid being swamped..
After rowing about for while the crew of
the life-boat seeing none of their shpmates
floating, they reluctantly turned their faces
shoreward, land distant about miles, which
they reached at daylight the next morning.
They were received by the natives, and with
the help of guides started for Yokohama,
which they reached at daylight the next morn
ing. The Bombay was Immediately ordered
to the scene of the wreck, and succeeded in
saving 80 men who had got into the cutter
which foated when the ship went down. Sey-
eral other vessels one with Minister Delong
ON board proceeded 10 Inc scene OF inns GU
saster during the day, but no more lives were
saved. The Japanese government sent
boats and apparatus to search for the wreck,
and if necessary to buoy the spot.
The passengers on board the Bombay were
quite surprised when they heard of the calam-
ity that had befallen the vessel they had
struch, and declare that they neither heard
any request from the Oneida to stay by them
or the minute guns fired.
A naval court has been demanded by the
Captain of the Bombay.
The officers and men of the Oneida num-
bered l76, only 56 Of whom. including DR..
Stoddart and two junior officers, survived
the disaster