The New York herald., 1872-12-09

Benito TO Tonaa, was wrecked on TOnaa Bar
There were ffty-three persons-passenger and
crew-On board. or these fifteen OF the crew, in
eluding the chief Offcer and chief engineer and
one passenger-sixteen in all-were lost, the boat
containing them never having been seen after
leaving the wreck.
The steamer Henry Chauncey, belonging TO the
same company, arrived at this port late Friday
night last, bringing as passenger Captain A. T.
Douglas, commanding Oficer Of the lost Guate-
mala. His story OF the causes which led to the
terrible disaster are narrated herewith as well as
the officai investigation demanded by him and
held al Saina Cruz, the port OF entry OF Tehuan-
scpec.
There " much in the testimony OF the several
persons examined that is worthy OF earnest
pesusa'. There is general inclination TO charge
the disaster upon one George Foster, the third
mate but his testimony upon the al-important
point should be entitled TO consideration Natur-
oily he differs from his brother officials. One OF
the passengers, an intimate friend OF the captain,
u would seem, makes serious charge against the
equipment Of the ship in the matter OF the boats,
az he testi6es they were all in bad condition, and
IN some cases 1.-THE wood was completely rotten"
Many acts or herosm were performed while leaving
the ship, but none more noticeable than that of
MIS- Lewis, an American lady, living In Nicaragua,
boat from sinking and drowning all the pas.
sengers
When the saved reached the inhOspitable Shore
almost drowned, and bruised, hungry and thirsty,
. new and unexpected enemy confronted them.
Leper Indians Inhabited the place and refused
any assistance to the almost dead that the sea had
not swallowed in its relentless fury. Now the
captain, who had shown on the wreck great
courage again displayed his ability to meet an
emergency, and, leading trusty men, captured
the chief of these savages and threatened him
with death ir his demands were not complied
with. The threat was too much for the Indian and
assistance was obtained which eventually resulted
IN succor and aid. The following are the interest
Ing Statements
CAPTAIN DOUGLAS STATEMENT
! lett Panama In the Guatemala, l,040 tons, car
and hex,can pors Ndthns unusuaI occnrred on
the voyage up to San BenitO, which place we left
on the l2th OF October, at hall.past one O'Clock P.
NJ, bound for Tonala- Steered northwest by west,
engine making thiity-elght revolutions, the speed
being little short OF six knots per hour. On the
18th, about quarter past two O'Clock, we were
abreast of Sooconoosco Mountains, shortly after
three O'Clock the second officer reported the steamer
at least twelve miles from land. At four O'Clock A.
NJ the third oflicer was given charge of the deck.
ana he was instructed to report II the vessel made
the low land, and in case of seeing the breakers.
TO maui the ship OF the shore at once and send
the quartermaster on the lookout to call me-
Al quarter past four O'Clock went aft, and five
and stated he had seen low land abeam to star.
board. ordered him to Keep the ship northwest
.y west vest nail west being at that time on the quar-.
into my room TO take tea. At ten minutes past
nve O'Clock the third officer came TO my room,
walking as usual and quietly informed me that the
chip WAS
SURROUNDED BY BREAKERS
Immediately ran forward, and before reaching
ahead and some distance or on the starboar rd beam
sang out to X Wilson, who was at the Wheel TO
the pilot house saw the ship was inside the drst
outside line OF breakers on TOnala Bar. /
rang the engine bell and stopped, the ship,
aDd lo0king at the compass fOnnd the ship
heading northwest by north half west.
then found she had been stecred wrong and
contrary to my orders, and ran to the engine
room door and told the engineers to back the Ship
as quick as possible; but there being only eleven
pounds OF steam on at that time it was found i'm
possible to do SO. In few minutes alter heavy
sea came down, carrying the ships stern In shore
and she then listed heavily to port side bursting tie
steampipes from the boilers and filing the decks
with steam. Seeing no hope OF getting the ship OF
ordered the engines to be stopped and the
blge injections TO be opened, that the ship
might MI more rapidly and to prevent her going
the lives OF the passengers and would be
much less II the ship should forge into the shallow
third sea lifted her very high, and she came down
with such immense force that her
ENGINES AND BOILERS WENT THROUGH HER BOTTOM.
She was not run upon rock, but on hard sand
bank. Great confusion took place at the forward
boat on the starboard side. | gave orders to the
men to clear away the port boat and gig and at the
same time sent men to look for provisions. The
passengers had rushed to the deck In their night
Clothes got the a port quarter boat ~ Lowered snd
Mrs.. Lewis, the only lady passenger, was sent on
with them. The boat was pulled clear OF the
breakers and then waited for further orders. The
chief Ofhcer, along with tue second and third
off1cers, were lowered in the two forward boats
OF the gig. Al this time found thaf neither water
nor provisions could be procured, the pipes OF the
complete wreck. the dscf penT torced up and the
beams broken. The chief ofncer and Mr.. Baxter, q
a. a. the risk Gr 5as.. lives succeeded IN
other boats Hs q the esoa IN 'ns s
the sea was rolling mountains high. At six O'Clock
all the passengers and crew were safely in the
boats, and the ship rapidly going to pieces. found
It impracticable TO land eastward Of ronas bar as
the siirf was running very high. and we went west
ward with the intention Of reaching Salina Cruz.
We had no provisions. and many OF US had NO cloth
EXCEPTION OF OUR sIGBTcLorHEs.
Everything inclndlng great many valuables, was
charge ofih port forward boat. containing IN all
fourteen persons; the purser In charge OF the gig,
the nfeboat, with thirteen persons. and the third
ofncer IN charge OF the starboafd forward boat,
with eight men, and retained the port quarter
boat, with eleven in all. The chief engineer at this
time was in the second mates boat he and Vicente
Ecneginsen passenger, changing at the same time
into The boat OF the chief ef1cer Instructions
were given the orfcers In charge OF the boats to
keep close In shore and together, ana not to land
unless ,ln co9pelled to do 60 We were &C this time
TWO niles nom land, but the surf being go rough
~ was dangerous TO attempt 10 land. About nine
hours alter leaving the ship the purser landed and
All III the boat were nearly drowned In the at
Tempt. ! went in-shore: but seeing two men
ssMetehed on the beach concluded they had been
crowned and did not land but kept to the west
ward. That afternoon and night the wind blew
mesn, ~ ana the boats were all in sight at sundown.
M vn the is.n AZ SIX A. NJ. strong northwest gale
OIeW anu we found II necessary TO land, as liz was
impossDle 10 Keep within sight OF IL any longer
ana remain al sea. At nine A. M. we landed but
IN tue euOrt we were all thrown into the water,
yet got 10 sh0re safely On the morning OF the 18TH
little or no f0od could be had, and the natyes who
were Leper Indians became inirncal and refused
70 give US their wagon horses or wagons 10 take
us 10 San Francisco del Mar II being the
nearest town Whatever food was obtained was
through pXOrl,itaut prices heinz nuia and