New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-10-17
What n Passenger Says-The Wrecked
Steamship Missouri.

steamship Missouri.
The steamship Missouri left Liverpool on
the eleventh of September for this port,
with passengers and freight. Mr. Paisley,
a passenger on the Missouri, makes the fol
lowing statements concerning the disaster:
On the first of October, at i've o'clock in
the afternoon, four hours after passing
stump Key, went on shore on the Ginger
bread Ground, reef fifteen feet under
water, amidships, her stern being in about
four fathoms. The sea was then perfectly
calm and the sun shining. The only ser
vice rendered by the captain in saving lite
or property was by getting seuptdiy drunk.
| did not notice that he drank until ther,
He made no eXertiOn to lower away the
boats or to do anything TO relieve the dis
tress of the passengers, but added insult TO
injury by wishing that most Of the untor-
tunate passengers had been drowned. We
were at that time forty miles FROM Bl mini
island, one OF the West Indies, about three
or four miles long, 100 miles northeast of
Nassau. fhe lead had not been thrown
from the time the Missouri left Liverpool.
As soon as the passengers and crew went
to work with a will, under the command of
Messrs. Chandley and John Thorn, the first
and second officers, six boats were lowered,
but one of them swamped as she touched
tl6 wafer Out lluuuIbu anu bNNthl9 7Ois ~
people were put into the five boats, with a
bag of bread and a small beaker of water
in each. This brought the gunnels of each
level with the water, and OF course we were
| kept almost constantly bailing.
The boat in which l took passage CON
tanned thirty-nine people. We were hard
at work fully three hours in clearing the
boats. The davits appeared rusted in their
! sockets, and none of the boats had probably
! baau pemovad in fhrRf yaars
1t was u NJ. when the ship was finally
| abandoned, and about that time the stern
commenced settling into deep water, part
ing amidship forward of the engine room.
| Tie main mast went over tho side, carrying
| the mizzen top mast with it.
Between three and four O'Clock IN the
| morning we steered away for Bimini island,
| following a wreeking schooner which we
met four or five hours after leaving the
| ship Each boat was provided with sall
| and glib, and we travelled under hghi
| breeze.
We reached Bimini at six o'clock in the
| evening, the five other boats having in the
meantime received tow from schooners
| and all coming in about the same time.
The inhabitants of Bimini treated US
with the utmost hospitality, killing pigs
chickens and every domestic animal they
possessed TO afford usAomething to eat, and
affording Us every accommodation at tneh
disposal.
We remained on Bimini eight days, wher
we were taken on board her Britannia
msiesty's gunboat Cherub, Lieutenant
| Commander Francis G. K. Baker, who re
ceiyed US with the utmost cordiality, small
as the vessel was, receiving 1873 passengers
She took us to Key West, making the rul
IN two days and a hall.
We embarked at Key West on board tn
steamship Liberty and have just arrived
The officers of the Cherub were especial,
kind, and her commander and his executive
officer, Lieutenant Harry e. Hatch, deserv
the thanks of the government for their VI
remitting attentions.
The Liberty arrived at her landing abou
eleven o'clock yesterday morning.
Captain Pierson, OF the Missouri, and hi
frst ofieer went to Nassau, where they vi
have an investigation Of a British eommi
sion concerning the wreck.
The unfortunate passengers lost all the
baggage.
aNever lanQb At vour own iores, p ia &