New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-12-28
LOSS OF STEAMSHIP FLORIDA.
She:FOunders at Sea-One Life and Entire
('nr1O

Shs:Founders at Sea-One Life ana Entire
Cargo Lost.
The Times of last evening contains the
ship Florida oft Mobile last Saturday morn.
ing the particulars being obtained from
Captain F. c. Pendleton
The Florida was chartered by the New
Orleans. Florida and Havana Steamship
Company. aud left this port on Thursday
evening, the twenty first instant. with a
full cargo Of assorted merchandise for
Apalachcoa and Cedar Keys. She crossed
PasS-a-lOutrc bar ON Friday morning at
eight o'clock. the wind being south south
east. and blowing freshly; at p. NJ.
wind and sea increasing. and at II T..
Nj. water began to gain on the pumps
which had previously been kept working to
keep her free.
So rapidly did the water gain that at
Has 2. NJ. Captain Pendlcton determined
to make for the nearest land, which
was Mobile Point and kept her north north
west tor the light, distant about fifty miles.
The water continued to gain alarminglv
spite OF every effort, but the captain hoped
he might be able to beach her before the
fires We're put out.
Saturday was ushered in with fresh
gale from the south and heavy sea All
hands were pnt to work balng and throw
ing cargo overheard. At $3.50 a. NJ. the
fires were put out by the water, and the
ship. losing headweay, broached to and lay
i'll the trough ot the sea. at the mercy of the
waves. AT 8 A. Nj. there was eight feet of
water in the hold, and all hopes of saving
the ship were abandoned The officers and
crew-twenty-two persOns-then took to
the boats, three in number, and made for
the land. which was fifteen miles distant.
At T. NJ. a landing was effected about
twenty miles to the eastward of Fort Nor
gan. One of the boats was swamped in the
breakers in endeavoring to land, one man,
the chief cook, Reed (colored, was drowned
in the surf.
Several officers just escaped similar
fate, one, the chief engineer, Mr.. Curry,
being drawn out by "a seaman almost i'll
sensible.
The Florida was built at Wilmington.
Delaware, and was 3S5 81 100 tons burden
She was formerly owned by the United
States government, and used as q transport
during the war Her name was the Corin-
THAN at that time but on changing owners
after the war she was named the Florida, and
placed in the Florida trade, Mcssrs. Post &,
Hobby being her agents and part owners.
subsequently she was chartered to Messrs.
+. W. Perkins & Co., and placed in the Ha-
vana trade.
Recently she has been chartered to the
New Orleans, Florida and Havana Steam
ship Company, and has always been regard
ed as a very excellent ship Of her class. A
few months since she was thoroughly re-
paired at cost of some $1,000, and was es-
teemed thoroughly seaworthy.
Her cargo consisted principally of sugar,
mOlasses and flour, and was fully insured
in various home and foreign companies.
There was, unfortunately, no insurance on
the vessel, which was owned in this city.
The following is list of the Florida's Of
ficers: Captain, +. G. Pendeton; purser, NJ.
W. Evans; first mate, Frank Gloyd; second
mate, w. +. Jenkins; first engineer, John
Curry; second engineer, John Hawley. The
officers and crew arrived at New Orleans
from Mobile Tuesday evening.