The New York herald., 1872-10-31


WASHINGTON, D. c., Oct. 30, 1872
The Department OF State has received o despatch
from Vice Consul Saunders at Nassau, announcing
the loss by fire OF the steamship Missouri. The
only additional information is the names OF the
twelve persons saved, who formed portion of the
passengers and crew.
DESCRIPTION OF THE MISSOURI.
The steamer Missouri was valued at $780,
half OF which was insured in marine insurance
companies. Her cargo to Nassau consisted OF dry
goods, boots ana shoes and butter and
provisions. Her cargo to be debark-
ed at Havana consisted OF provisions, lard,
hardware, sewing machines, hams, butter. apples,
provisions, potatoes onions, stationery and other
miscellaneous articles
VALUABLE CARGO.
The cargo was valued at between four hundred
and seventy and five hundred thousand dollars.
1t is not yet known how much OF her cargo is In
sured. The Missouri was 1,1so tons burden and
was built OF oak and chestnut at Mystic in 1862.
she was metaled and copper fastened In August,
1871. The Missouri was an AL propeller Of three
decks, drawing seventeen feet OF water.
HER DIMENSIONS
were, length 21o feet "a feet beam, and depth OF
hold % feet. She had directing cylinder engines Of
20 feet and SO inches dimensions, and was brigan-
tine rugged. She was overhaued in both boilers
and machinery by the United States authorities
lust after the MetIs disaster and was pronounced
by them to be in good condition
HER CHIEF ENGINEER,
Mr.. Islip, had just left the same position on the
Sound steamer Escort, and this was his first trip
on the ill-fated vessel The Missouri had six first
class boats for sea service, all in good condition,
and her onicers and captain were oil men of ex-
perence and skill. Each Of the boats would hold
twenty-five persons, or l6o in all.
THE STEAMER ANNA,
which brought the news OF the disaster to Key
west, is small vessel belonging to the Atlantic
Mail Steamship line and is only used to transfer
passengers and freight from the bar which lies OF
the town Of Nassau to Nassau ITSELF At first the
news was not believed; but the fact OF the presence
OF the Anna having been confirmed BY telegraph
relieved all doubt at once.
A TOUCHING lNClDENT.
A clerk OF Mr.. A. E. Outerbridge's, who Is saved
was nearly frantic last night at the supposed death
OF his employer, and rejoiced when he found on
inquiry at the companys offices in this city tn at he
had been rescued from the burning wreck
Description OF Abaco, or Lucaya.
Abaco. or Lucaya the largest OF the Bahama
Islands, is about twenty miles in breadth and
eighty miles in length, and has population OF
5000 souls. natural perforation in the rock at
its southeasterly point forms landmark,
well known to seamen as the "Hole in the
WALL. The lighthouse, which is situated
100 feet above the sea, is visible at distance OF
eighteen nautical miles. Abaco Is about forty-1ve
miles from Key West, and the Inhabitants OF the
smaller islands call it the mainland. All these
islands are formed from coral reefs and their in.
habitants are principally wreckers, and many OF
them lead unlawful lives.
Among the Cubans and Spaniards.
Last night reporters OF the HERALD visited all
the principal Cuban and Spanish resorts in this
city, but were unable to find anybody who per-
sonally knew any OF the passengers