The New York herald., 1870-03-02
MO Attention 4aid to tho Oneida's
Calls for Assistance.
Heroic Conduct Of Commander Williams
and the Other Officers.
But Two Officers and Fifty-four Men
Saved from a Crew Of One Hun.
dred and Seventy-six Souls
Prompt Aid Forwarded to the Scene by
the japanese Government.

Prompt Aid Forwarded to the Scene by
the japanese Government.
SAN FRANCISCO. March l. 1870.
Inc ship Benefactress arrived from Yokohama,
Japan, to-day.
She brings full particulars Of the loss OF the
United States steamer Oneida, which left Yokohama
on the 23d OF January homcward bound. The
steamer left her anchorage in the afternoon and
the accident occurred at seven the same even.
ing. The United States Minister visited her in
the forenoon and received the usual salute, and the
guns were reloaded with the expectation OF replying
to salute from Russian gunboat to Mr.. Delong.
The salute, however. was not given, and the guns
remained loaded. AS tho Oneida steamed out of the
harbcr the crews Of the various vessels and men at
work IN the port gave cheers ana wished her
happy voyage. On passing out OF the harbor her
nres were banked and steam blown of.
While the oficers were at dinner, at about seven
O'Clock the lookout man shouted "Steamer lights
ahead" and midshlpman gave the order to port
helm. Everything seemed quiet on board the
other steamer. This leads to the belief
that she had NOT observed the Oneida, al
though her lights were burning brightly. The
Pentnsular and oriental line, came right on and
struck the Oneida on the starboard side, abaft the
gangway. about halfway between the main ana
mlzzen rigging. A hole was cut through which the
whole interior OF the ship was visible The bnnacle,
wheel and rudder were carried away and two men
standing at the wheel were instantly killed.
The Bombay did not stop after crashing through
the Oneida, though the guns OF the latter which
happened to be loaded, were almost instantly nred
to attract her attention and bring ner pack.
Orders were given to lower the boats, but only
only one lreboat was available, the others having
been crushed. The iifeboat was manned by DR.. Sud
dards. the boatswain and fifteen OF the crew. Five
guns were fired. but before the sixth could be dis
charged the Oneida sunk-within ten minutes after
she was struck.
None OF those saved saw "A man or heara q voice
on board the Bombay They report that when 1t
became evident that there was no hope OF saving
the ship the officers gathered around Captain WI.
liams and he was heard to say II the snip went
down he would 20 with her. The lIreboat was
obliged to leave the sinking ship to AVOID being
swamped.
After pulling about for a while, the crew or the
llfeBoat seeing none OF the crew floating, not one
OF all the 100 who went down, unwlllingly bent
their boats head to landward about lve miles
distant. On landing the natives kindly treated
them, and they obtained the assistance OF guide
and started to walk to Yokohama, which they
bay was Immediately ordered to the scene OF the
wreck and succeeded in saving tnirty-nine
men who had got into cutter which
noated when the ship went down. Several otner
ceed to the scene OF tho disaster during the day. but
no more lives were saved. The Japanese gov.
ernment sent boats and apparatus to search for
the wreck and II necessary 70 buoy tho spot. The
passengers on board the Bombay were quite sur
prised when they heard Of the calamity which had
pefalen the vessel they had struck but declare they
neither heard any request from the Oneida to stay
by them nor minute guns fired. naval court mar.
Aal has been demanded by the captain OF the
Bombay.
The officers and men OF the Oneida numbered l7s
only nfty-slx OF whom, including DR.. Suddards aud
two junior Cfncers, survived the disaster.
The following is list OF the saved:-IsaacJ j. Yates
master; James Suddards. surgeon; Nicholas Ander-
son, acting boatswain; w. Crowntnshied cap
taln's clerk; William Anderson, Thomas BigDy, !,
william A. Bennett, Henry Bennett, Micnae Boyle
william Britncy, Charles Brown, Pat Cunningham
F. J. Connolly, Robert +. Dyer, Henry Gerney John
Green, james Houston. William Holtz, william
Henry. John Jones, Isaac Johns, James Jordan
George w. Kaufman, william G. King John
Kelly, Thomas Lyons, Joseph p. Long, John
Long, James Mcdonald, Edward Mulvell, Philip
Mcdonald, Michael McHale Michael Murray, Peter
Charles Regan. Edward Reilley, William H. Roach
John Rushby Albert Rugert, John Sweeney Porter
Smith, Henry Saunders, Thomas Stevenson, Abra-
ham Stohon, Patrick Fehan, Thomas speers, John
squires, James Stanley, william Taylor, William
Tinker, Edward Tate, william Tryol, Henry Neil.
Christian Yager and five Chinese boys.
Further Particulars Of the Observation-Disclosures
Indifference Displayed by tho Bombay's
Omcers-The Calls Of tho Oneida Unhcsdcd--
Indignation Of the People Asuinst Captain