Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1870-03-15
Especial Dispatch to the Missouri Democracy
Loss of o. S. Steamer Oneida.
FuN Particulars of the Disaster.

SAN Francisco, March 1.-The Benefac-
tress arrived from Yokohama to-day. She
brings the particulars of the loss the United
States steamer Oneida, which left Yokohama
January 90 homeward bound, about five P.
Nj. The accident occurred at seven the same
evening The United States Minister visited
her in the forenoon and received the usual
salute. The guns were reloaded in the expec-
tation of Russian gungoat salute by the
belong. which. however, did not salute, SO
the guns were left loaded. On her steaming
out of the harbor, the crews of men at work in
port gave her three cheers and wished her
prosperous voyage.
On passing out Of the harbor the fires were
banked and steam blown off. About seven
o'clock, while the officers were at dinner. the
lookout sung out "steamer lights ahead y
The midshipman gave order to port the helm.
Everything seemed still on board the other
steamer, which led to the belief that they did
not observe the Oneida, although lights were
burning brightly. The steamer proved to be
the Peninsulur and Oriental steamer Bombay,
which came right on and ran into the Oneida,
striking her on the starboard abaft the gang
way, about halfway between the main and
mizzen rigging, cutting hole through which
the whole interior became visible, aud carried
away tue DlDudClc3 wheel 'tbu W.
men at the wheel were killed on the spot
The ship is q total wreck.
The Bombay didn't stop. The guns that
happened to be loaded were fired to attract
her attention and bring her back. Orders
were given to lower the boats. There was
only one available life-boat; the others were
crushed The life-boa was manned by DIR.
hubbard, the boatswain and fifteen of the crew
going ahead. Five guns fired. Before the
sixth fired the vessel sunk the whole oc-
Cured ten minutes after the collision none
of those saved saw man or heard a voice
aboard Of the Bombay. When there was
evidently no hope Of saving the ship, the
officers gathered around Captain Williams
lie was heard to say eff the ship went down
he would 20 with her." The life boat was
obliged to leave the side of the sinking ship
to avoid being swamped by her.
After pulling about for awhile, the crew of
the life-boat seeing none of the crew floating
not one of all the one hundred and sixty
who went down-they unwillingly bent their
boats head landward, about five miles distant.
On landing, the natives treated them kindly,
and having obtained the assistance of guide,
they started to walk tn Yokohama, which
they reached at daylight next morning. The
Bombay was Immediately ordered to the scene
of the wreck, and succeeded in saving thirty
nine men, who had got into the cutter. which
hoated when the ship went down. Several
other vessels proceeded to the scene of the
disaster during the day. On board were
Ministers belong and Beekmore, whose lives
were saved. The japanese government sent
boats and apparatus to search for the wreck
aud if necessary to buoy the spot.
The passengers aboard the Bombay were
quite surprised when they heard the calamity
that had befalen the vessel they struck, but
declare they neither heard any request from
the Oneida to stay by them, or minute guns.
a naval court has been demanded by the
Captain of the Bombay.
The Oneida's compliment of officers and
men numbered one hundred and seveDtysix.
Only ffty-six, including Dr. hubbard and two
junior officers, survive the disaster.