The New York herald., 1874-08-12
STEAMSHIP CITY OF PANAMA,
OFF THE BAHAMAS. July 30. 1874.

STEAMSHIP CITY OF PANAMA !
OFF THE BAHAMAS, July 80, 1874.
Your correspondent lett pier AZ North River New
York, at one O'Clock p M. on July rs, on the City
OF Panama, bound ior Aspinwall. via the wreck OIL
the City Of Guatemala, which was ashore at Wat
nng's Island, one OF the numerous Islands of the
Bahama group So far we have had very pleasant
weather just enough heavy sea in the Gulf Stream
to settle our meals which have been all that
an epcure could desire. The purser, @. II. Dan
iels. has done all he could to make our stay this
ship as pleasant and agreeable as possible.
We were well aware upon leaving New York that
the captain OF the City OF Panama Captain c. U.
Lima) had Instructions to go to the relief OF the
steamship city OF Guatemala and endeavor to tow
her from her unfortunate position Into some port,
and our ship came prepared to carry out those In
structions were such a thing possible. having
cranes, rope and everything necessary to accom-.
plish that OBJECT.
We sighted the City of Guatemala at six O'Clock
A. ID. to-day, and got abreast Of her at eight
O'Clock, about two miles on, when we stopped en-
gines and awaited the arrival OF boat from the
wreck. 1t soon reached US, manned by the able
tars OF the Guatemala, and containing their first
officer, MIR. Lynch, accompanied by a coast pilot.
consultation was held on board this ship and
it was determined to send Mr.. Fowler to make an
examination OF the Guatemala. He returned with
Mr. Lynch, leaving the pilot with US. under whose
guidance we cOasCed around until Mr.. Fowler's re-
turn. During the absence Of Mr.. Fowler two boats
from the wreck visited u.s. one containing the
purser and freight clerk, bringing their iron sale
aud other of the ships stores the other contain
Ing four seamen for US to take on to Aeplnwali,
We now have an opportunity to iuy inspect the
condltlon Of the wreck, also to gather additional
particulars.
The City Of Guatemala, an iron propeller OF l. 700
TONS sister ship to the City OF Panama. sailed from
New York on the I1th inst for Aspnwall, with
crew OF iorty-hve officers and men, but without
passengers, cargo Of 1000 tons OF coal and $50
tons OF assorted freight She was commanded by
Captain j. B. Hlldreth, ON old and experienced
captain OF the Pacific Mall Steamship Company.
On tEe night of the 10th, at ten minutes to
twelve O'Clock, she ran on rock, or, more prop
erly speaking, two rocks, situated one mile from
the beach, of the north point OF Watling's Island.
one of the Bahamas, and said to be the original
island OF San salvador, the rrst land discovered
by Columbus in America; II is l,ooo miles from
was the third Ofiicer's watch, he having lnstruc.
tons to call the captain and first officer (who had
both turned I'M at quarter to twelve. He Obeyed
his Instructions, and on their coming on deck and
the nrst officer taking the glass, the latter ex-
Claimed there was land ahead and gave
which was done, but too late, as the ship
in moment afterwards struck on the
at the time, which may somewhat releys tie
blame attached to the officers; but why the
captain permitted himself to remain in his room
on such night and on such O dangerous coast is
question Deyond the province OF your CORE.
spondent to say, knowing full well that under the
Steamship Company, there will be a rigid and
searching investigation, and the blame placed
where 1t properly belongs. 'I
mi. row returned at ten O'CLOCK, and reported
tnat 1t was impossible Tor do any thing Tor tne
relief Of the Guatemala. The wreckers were still
by her, as we could easily see, ana had removed ali
OF her freight with the exception OF COAL which
WAS owned by the company. Some ten tons OF
freight, which were forward between decks were
thrown overheard alter the vessel STRUCK with a
view TO ngnten her but, as this did no good they
discontinued throwing over the cargo, ana the
remainder, some $40 tons. was saved by the
wreckers, within the past sixty hours, in pretty
good condition.
The Guatemala first struck under the bow.
wnicn knocked hole In her; afterwards she was
Iorceu iorwaru Dy the sea, until she laid on tue
rocks just underneath the engines, where she
now has large hole, and firmly embedded In the
no possible chance OF her ever being noated.
upon the return OF Mr.. Fowler, the purser ana
freight clerk returned to their shin where thev
VIII remain with the other officers and crew
(seventeen In alD until this afternoon. when thev
Will take passage on one OF the wrecRers to
nassau, ana thence to New YORK. We discharged
our pilot, ana at quarter past ten O'Clock we bade
q ssd IeIeweu 70 the Guatemala and steamed on
on our voyage TO Aspinwa. With the WINDS "a
month 70 come on this coast, there may be some
chance Of stripping the ship, but should the WIND
change to the n0rthward the Duatemala vonld
soon disappear. One other fact il of importance.
the Guatemal8s water compartments were not
worth continental Her ffemen and enafneers
remained manfullv to their duties In water M 10
tnen xnees, until one O'Clock OF the morning OF
tne l7tn, an nour after she struck, when fhey
were ordered by their chief engineer to leave the