The New York herald., 1872-09-07
ASTORY OF SHIPWRECk
CONTINUED FROM THIRD PAGE.

had them prepare 10 hoist others. At this point
had coffee and bread served out to the passengers,
by this proceeding and kept very calm Soon the
smoke and fire worked their way through both
sides OF The ship, Just ahead Of the boilers The
steam pump, broken as 1t was, saw that 1t was
hopeless TO the ship, and gave orders to dis
embark the passengers. directed the boats to lay
by the ship and divided the women and children up
as equally possible. then had them placed in the
boats, and gave each OF the larger boats suitable
from east to south. Two boats were safely loaded
and sent Oh. third was also loaded and sent of,
but, owing to the carelessness, or worse. Of one
ship and capsized and stove at the same time. The
people were all picked up, however, and placed in
were sent OF except TWO OF the smaller boats.
Neither OF these was a lifeboat. More persons re-
then had some OF the ships crew and some boys
from the steerage put In one OF the boats, and Mr.
Hagar, chief othcer, sent on in charge OF the last
boat. sent a compass and written sailing dlrec-
tions to the largest laden boats Two Of the light
est laden boats were boarded, and three persons
put in each. The flames were intense by this time,
and at halfpast seven O'Clock A. M. left the ship.
The flames were bursting from the cabins by TINS
time % The largest eooas leq Init ana Nv cap t5e
aid Of the wreck OF the stoven lifeboat, which
was floating around, they were righted and
lost i had intended to distribute officers among
the lightlyaden boats but they kept out OF reach.
must f and swamp Twas compelled to run be-
fore the wind, and signaled others to follow. AT
halfpast one +. M the snip apparently eXplOueu,
On the 10th, at ten A. M, we sighted land ahead,
and continued running until hali-past three p. NJ,
when we discovered landing place under lee OF a
reef. We were met by colored inhabitants who In
formed us that we were at James Point, Eleuthera
Island. They treated US with the utmost Kindness
caused signals to be lighted to guide the rest OF
the boats, and despatched couriers to ask the au
thOrties to send out boats and recover those at
sea. got boat and started for Nassau at seven
p. NJ, taking the second mate and Ave or the crew
with me, first making arrangements to forward
the passengers next day. arrived at Nassau at
eight O'Clock on the morning OF August II. I'M
mediatey communicated with the American Vice
Consul who sent vessel in search OF the boats.
Mr. S. T. Johnson, the Underwater Agent, also
sent OF the Atlantic Mail Company's tug Anna, in
which embarked, accompanied by Mr.. Johnson,
that afternoon. While on our cruise we called at
Harbour to repair leak in the tugs boiler, and
despatched wrecking schooner from that port to
look for the boats
ON August 23 alter having been out six days, we
learned that FIVE boats had reached Nassau, where
the passengers had arrived. One OF the boats cap
sized on the beach at Eleuthera Island and nine
persons were drowned. Only the names OF Mrs.
Branner and her three children are known.
There is still one boat missing. She was only
moderately loaded. Sne was one OF our best boats
and was well provided with water and food.
The fire broke out between decks Immediately
the boiler, and not in the fOrehOd as 1t was at
first supposed, am unable to give the origin OF
the fire.
The officers and crew behaved admirably. The
fremen and coal beavers were at first disposed to
rush into the boats, but they soon became orderly.
Chief Engineer Wright was the last to leave the
ship before the captain / cannot avoid mention
ing the gallant and skilul conduct OF the following
Who were On the boa! which
quartermaster; Peter Barry seaman, and William
Garrison, captains clerk.
/ wish to speak particularly Of the kind manner in
which the inhabitants Of the island received us. l
think that compensation should be made them in
return for their kindness, as they are mostly poor
coored laborers very respectfully, YIN u.upv
Late Commander steamship Bienvllle.