The New York herald., 1874-07-25
THE GUATEMALA.

a
Lives Lost md Small Damage PrOba-
ble-The Scene of the Disaster.
Information was received in this city yesterday
tbss steamer OF the Pacific Mail Steamship Com.
pany was aground on one OF the small Islands OF
the Bahama group. A HERALD representative was
Immediately despatched to learn all the details OF
his new catastrophe II possible, from the men-a
part OF the crew-who had been employed in the
sompany's service and had arrived in New York.
The first visit paid was to the foot OF Canal street,
North River pier AZ, from which the steamers
sail as advertised TO California, Japan and
China. Here the Ofhcers OF the company
responded to the HERALD inquiry that it was true
ssteamer had run aground somewhere, and that
Iome OF the fremen attached to her had returned
the Havana steamship to New York; but they
gave no reasons Tor the disaster. The men had
been upon the pier about noon, and had gone
down to the company's Office in Wall street TO see
Mr.. Hatch, the Vice President OF the Pacific
Mail steamship Company, and its manag-
ing director. The names OF the returned
crew were discovered to be as iOOws:-
Charles Brockhout, who resides at No. 3l2
West Fortysecond street; John Cahill, No. - Des-
brosses street; James Dent No. 81 Watts street,
Henry McQuade, North Moore street, and James
Harris, No. 297 West street. The reporter imme-
diately went to the steamship company's ofices
but discovered that they had just departed.
Mr.. Rufus Hatch gave all the information in pos.
session of the company, which, in substance, was
Is foows:-
"The City of Guatemala sailed from this port on
the 11th OF this month. She was an iron propeller
OF 1.504 tons gross burden, and she draws sixteen
feet OF water. Her builders were John Roach
Co., at Chester, Pa. She Is about one year old
twenty years. She is double decked, has tour
oulkheads, is 2SS feet long, SS feet broad and 20
IN % this GS port in February of this year She. is
schooner rugged and has compound engines.
Her cost was $292,O0 IN ereenbacks. She Is IN.
sured Tor ZOO, 900 rancS or $500, 900 in gold. The
Insurance Is effected IN the English, French and
German Lloyds. Her cargo consisted principally
Of general merchandise, Tor San Francisco and the
West Coast of South America, about 233 tons of
freight lor the former port and about 655 tons of
way freight She struck little alter midnight OF
the 10th inst. 1t is supposed, in the absence OF
any definite information on this point, that there
mad been some mistake IN the steamers reckon
most trusted commanders In the company. ana
besides holds pilots certificate OF the port Of
New York. There were no passengers on board,
aud the crew. consisting OF about forty persons,
were all safe and well. immediately after striking
tighten the ship. The engineer reported soon that
the steam pipe was broken and water was gaming
In the hold. TWO boats were then despatched Tor
help. One was sent to Fortune Island to inter-
cept II possible, the homeward bound Pa
I mail muasT eammanS seeSns Snsr ono t.
GER Lapham, to endeavor to procure assistance.
Lapham encountered very heaVy weather; out ne
had good crew OF six men. and the squalls did
not daunC them. They arrived at Nassau at mid
night OF Sunday, 10th lnst and were taken care OF
by Mr. Mahlon Sands. United States Consul. On
Monday morning Mr. s. D. johnson, agent OF the
American Board Of Underwriters, took prompt
means tC render some assistance TO the crippled
snip, and on the evening OF the same day the
steamer Anna took Mr.. Johnson and Second Offlcer
Lapham to the scene OF the disaster. well provided
with pumps and wrecking apparatus. he crew
accompanying Lapham to Nassau were forwarded
TO New York by the steamer City OF Havana.
The City OF Panama sails to-day for Asplnwall,
and she Will carry out assistance to the snip. AS
TO the losses the company, they will be very
trlning: indeed, the vessel may be a1Oat now. The
tide rises and falls only two ieet. and the CITY OF
Guatemala lies on the northeast corner of Wat
lings Island, In SOFT shifting sand, called silt
sort of quicksand-which may at any moment
release her. Besides this Is calm summer weather,
md she will not have to contend against the rude
,torms OF December or March, which strew the
coast with wrecks"
This seems to be complete story Of
the accident to the Guatemala. 1t may
be added that Watling's Island Is one OF the
Bahamas; 1t is twelve miles long from north
to south and about six miles broad, with
shores slightly indented The interior Is largely
cut up by salt water lagOons separated by small,
wooded hills. Excellent sheep are raised here
The inhabitants are scattered ali along the island.
There is reef harbOr Or coasters at the northeast
END, near where the Guatemala has struck.
bank, with from SIX to fifteen lathoms OF water,
with dark bottom, extends two and a half miles
In southeast direction from the southeast point
OF the island. SOundings do not reach more than
hall a miie from the west size oil the island and the
edge is generally foul.