The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1870-03-17

interesting extracts from a letter written to
his sister by Mr.. w. W. Crowninshield. the
clerk of Captain Williams. Of the United
States steamer Oneida. The letter was
written without any view to publication,
but the deep interest in the subject makes
it of special importance and value:
! YOKOHAMA, Japan. January 26.
! The Oneida is no more but, thauk hea
ven, l am one of the survivors of an awful
catastrophe. We started two days ago with
our ship for Hong Kong, and in two hours
! our good vessel was at the bottom, having
/ been run iIto by an English steamer belong
/ ing to the Peninsula and Oriental Company.
All are drowned but DR.. Suddards. Mr..
Yates, the boatswain, ffty-two men, and
! myself. My escape was most miraculous.
! At the time Of the collision | was asleep
in the cabin, Oh the transom. at about ten
minutes TO seven in the evening. The
/ steamer struck us near the fore part of the
| cabin. l found myself on the floor; just
{ coming to from being stunned, and on open
! ing nv eyes ! saw the whole stern was cut
/ IF and all exposed to the starlight. | had
/ sense enough to climb out Of the stern ever
/ to the spar deck and to look down into the
| cabin to see if Captain Williams was there,
! but could not see him. seized a cap within
reach and put it on with the strap under my
/ chin. ! had on a thick suit. overcoat, and
! boots. | went to the q"arter-deck. met
! Paymaster TuIlock, and enquiGed how the
/ disaster happened.
! met Captain Williams end told him
/ how serious the damage was. He was going
on the bridge l spoke to one or two more
officers, and finding the ship was sinking,
/ went to the main rigging, and in five minutes
! our good ship commenced TO sink rapi lily.
] l 4 l. /
! reach me. pushed myself as far away from
/ the ship as | could, but the vortex lrieG
/ me down. and it was long time ere | came
to the~urface. When did saw nothing
of the ship, but many heads above water.
/ | saw one uf our boa:s near me. and had
( just strength enough to reach her. | was
| pulled on board exhausted, and found Mr.
! Yates, With thirtv-seven Of the crew. on
! board. We ste cred for the neare-t land
! four miles away as near | could Judge
! | was nearly frozen, and soon had n chill
I but after awhile we came near the beach, ,
and made landing in the surf, where l was
just able to get ashore. being very stiff with
/ cold. We reached japanese village aud
found shelter and rest for the night. twenty
eight miles from Yokohama. My heart is
I too full 10 tell you more Of myself, although
! all had went down in the ship.
! Captain Williams acted as bravely as he
/ has always done. He would not leave his
post on the bridge, although he was almost
! pulled away. and, when urged by Mr.. Yates.
/ replied, Il 90 down with my ship" A
petty officer urging him to 60 he grasp ped the
| iron rail and said. mo. this is my place,
and here l remain" God bless him! The
/ country and the world have lost noble Off
Ger, swho died rather than leave what he
considered his post of duty. This heroic
conduct was followed by every tficer and
man on board tie ship. Not a soul who
had station left it. hut faced death in such
a manner that makes me feel proud. We
were Americans. and. were it not for You all
| at home, | could wish | was locked in their
arms.
Through all that have PASSED during my
life nothing has made such an impression
npon me. | can see each and every face ot
those who have gone. aud they all loved
each other so much! They were proud of
their country. and took such iaterest in its
prosperity In that devoted band there
were many Thoughts but only one heart
The Oneida was the favorite ship cf the
station. Could you see " hat a popular feel
! ing was here from every one, you would
| think that all loved the ship and her officers
| better than did.
auspices. the ship homeward bound, all the
men-ofwar cheered us. the merchant ships
dipped .heir flags. telling us of their good
wishes for a safe and pleasant passage home
But in one hour We were facing death as
only Americans can do, for rot murmer,
not cry was heard when the good ship
! Oneida (Which had done her duty during the
war) was sinking, and every one knew that
that meant death. Through all my expert
ence during the war. | saw nothing to COM
pare with it. But | cannot write more
my heart is too full Shall ever get over
it is what | ask myself
January % -Nothing has been heard
from the ship or of the crew no doubt the
rest have gone down TO the depths of the sea.
Some pieces of the wreck have been seen
along the shore, and among them an empty
trunk of mine which was slowed away
Boats have been looking out and are still
doing so for any bodies which may como to
the surface.
The ships name that ran. into us is the
Bombay. The captain is having an invesli-
Cation. both as regards the collision and his
conduct in leaving us. 1t will go hard with
him, for had he stopped and lowered his
boats he could have saved nearly all ton
board. Our Minister is conducting the case
on behalf of the living ard the dead. aud the
case is strong against the British
January 3l.-The investigation drags
slowly along. Last evening they found the
ship. and have marked the spot. The ends
of the masts are visible some foot or two at
low water. No bodies have been found vet
but it is hardly time for any TO appear. the
water and weather being so cold In day
or two We shall have the melancholy duty of
identifying them. as all japanese fishermen
have orders, under penalty Of Death, to bring
all effects saved to Yokohama.
The Very Rev. K. S. Baker, D. D.,