New-York tribune., 1871-08-26

Reports from St. Augustine, Fla, announcing
the laundering OF the steamship Lodona ara without
doubt correct. The dispatch received by c. H. Mallory
20, the agents OF tho steamer is definite that
hopes are entertained OF her safety. Yesterday many
thought that some heartess wretch had perpetrated
hoax, and that in the OF the Henry Chauncey
denial would follow the first report Such however ia
not the The LOdona left her dock at Pier u East
River, bound for New Orleans, on Saturday the 18th
inst with an assorted cargo Of merchandise and ono
passenger, Mrs. Caroline Conway Her crew must have
numbered 80 men, including the officers. Capt W. r.
Hoyey her commander and part owner also took with
him his youngest lad 10 years age After leav-
Ing port nothing heard of her until Thursday
ing When Mallory Co. received the following dispatch
ST. AUGUSTINE, Aug. 49,
c. II. Mallory & Co.. No. 153 Maiden Lane n Y:
The LOdona wrecked rs miles south. Twenty per-
sons drowned; messboy picked up yesterday; he
brought the news total wreck The survivors the
captains first and second mates, chief engineer
rs assistant engineer foreman four sailors, headcook
and mess-boy.
This dispatch Immediately repeated by the agents
In this city to the NewOrleans agents but since then
nothing further has been heard Of the disaster Capt
Hovey was old sailor of much experience lin his pro-
fession and not likely to commit any blunder in the
navigation of and is therefore thought that
the LodOna caught in OF the storms OF the past
week. and, springing leak, went down.
The LOdona an iron serewsteamer Of 500 tuns bur
den, and built at Hull, England, In 1862 She was
intended for the Mediterranean trade and made several
voyages to southern Europe She then purchased by
the Confederate Government, to be used
steamer, and the blockade but appeared at
a cruiser. She captured by United States
vessel, purchased after the war by Mr. Hovey, John
Jewett Sons and others, and reted by the addition
of deck houses to suit her for the trade in which she
engaged when lost. The value of her cargo not
known, but it is estimated at about 100000 The vessel
was worth about 100000
tbouO fbna fain aaaf1 N ha nf tba
ported lost hopes entertained that he. with
Others may have been saved. He a resident OF
Essex, Conn, and was formerly commander of London
packet-ship Toward the close Of the he build
mansion Essex and about to retire from
faring life, but was reduced to comparative
poverty by the burning OF his vessel az
sea by the Confederate cruiser Alabama He then sold
his mansion and removed his family back to the old
homestead at Essex where his wife and children
are residing. E. 9. Stephens the first mate, and
Mr. Morgan, the purser also residents of Essex
Mr.. stephens is among those reported saved.
The Lodona not passenger vessel though she
sometimes carried passengers and there
for believing that there any board except the
lady above mentioned.
NARROW ESCAPE OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON
BREAKERS AHEAD-NAvAL OFFICERS TAKE
CHARGE OF THE vEssEL-sTRANGE CONDUCT
OF THE CAITAIN-sAFE AT LAST.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 25.-On Wednesday last
the following paragraph Of shipping sent 20
morning cotemporary and published among the list OF
marine disasters the result OF the late storm On the
South Atlantic coast
Steamship City Of Houston Partridge hence 18th nst
for Galveston and Key West, encountered heavy gale
on the 18th inst during which she broke her steamppe
and carried away her foromast She put into Fornan-
dina. Fla, on the goth inst, where the stean-pPe WIZ
be repaired, when she VIII resume her voyage HUI ana
cargo in good condition.
The paragraph evidently prepared 70 conceal from
the public the danger the steamer had experienced and
the fact that but for the gallant conduct Of several Off
GERS of the Navy who included among her
gers the press would have had another terrible disaster
at sea to record One Of the officers who had taken pas
sage on board and who arrived in Washington yester
day. reports the accident to the Navy Department and
relates a graphic account Of the disaster
THE STEAMER.
The City of Houston belongs Mallorys line of New
York and Galveston steamships. She is a new vessel
and sailed from New-York Saturday 18th inst, her
first voyage She measures 22O Her officers and
consisted of captain, first and second mate, four sailors
three quartermasters and nine engineers and hremen
She carried assorted cargo. From the receiving ship
at Brooklyn draft Of 80 sailors had taken passage on
board route TO Key West. The draft was
under charge OF the following officers: Lieut. C.
A. Schetky in command, assisted by Masters r.
E. Carmody and W. Goodwin. Lieut-Commander John
schouer United States Navy, had also taken passage
en- route to his station at Key West In addition five
passengers for Key West and Galveston were accom-
modated, one of them Lady.
THE VOYAGE.
On the evening Of the 1th inst indications were per-
ceved Of bad weather At about O'Clock OF the evening
of Wednesday, the l6th the wind then blowing mod
crate gale from the north, breakers were discovered
distant about two miles 1t was afterward ascertaned
that at this time the steamer off the dangerous
reefs abounding the vicinity of Cape Canavera coast
OF Florida and about midway between Fernandlna ana
Kew West The weather at this hour somewhat
thick The naval officers on board appreciated
the dangerous position Of the vessel, and 1t
became evident that something was wrong on
board The ship was headed off shore Immediately, and
mart of the cargo was thrown overheard TO tighten her
About dusk an awkward attempt was made to bring
the vessel to the wind, and the mainsail split
and became useless. Her head was by TINS
careessness turned toward the shore toward which the
ship rapidly drfted The wind freshening and the
seas began to break the bulwarks Ii was evident
that the vessel under control and Lieut. schetky
and Lieut.. Commander schouler determined to creep
forward to the piothouse and ascertain what the
matter. -
THE NAVAL OFFICERS TAKE COMMAND.
The ship was rolling badly and the passage Of the deck
was made by these officers with great difficulty
On reaching and entering the piothouse
the captain was found giving incohe-
rent and absurd orders to the quarter.
master at the Wheel and had evidently control over
himself. Mr. schetky proposed TO his companion Lieut.
Commander sehouer, that he should take command Of
the ship and proceeded himself to the wheel. When
communication could be had with the mates Of the
vessel they agreed that the naval officers should
take command summon the draft OF United States
men to their aid, and endeavoE to the ship The
first and second both excellent sailors, and
Joined heartily with the naval officers in their efforts to
keep the vessel off the reef upon which she rapidly
drifting.
EFFORTS TO SAVE TIE SHIP
AT this hour it had become dark aud was blowing
terrible gale The sailors and quartemen belonging to
the ship were incapable Of giving aid. The passengers
were filed with terror and grding the fepreseryers
fouud I'm the cabin about their waists awaited their
alf rriih fhn infc Tim