The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-26
THE LOSS OF THE sARANAC.


DETAILS OF THE sHIPwREcK-LIrE OF THE
OFFICERS AND MEN ON AN INHosPITABLE
sHoBE-THE RESCUE AND RETURN TO VIC
ToRIA.
SAN FRANCISCO, June %, 1875.
The following has been received from DR.. E..
Bessels, a passenger on the Saranac and Special
commissioned from the government to gather
Arctic and Alaska contributions Tor the Centen-
VICTORIA, b. O., June 25, 1875.
On striking the rock the snip hung for a lew
moments careening TO port so deeply as TO take
in stream OF water through her air ports I'M
til she again rghted. For moment only
there little excitement which
closed at the first order OF command, and
the usual discipline and utmost GOODNESS
prevailed thereafter. The marines took their
stations at the boats falls and the boats were
cleared away with the same orderly promptness
~ exercise while at the same time every effort
was Delng made 10 run the ship on shore. The
Iorenold filled instantly, but the water was pre-
yeuted lron running ait by the coal ounkers ana
a DuIknead forward OF the boilers. TINS cIrcum-
stance aione prevented the snip from sinking al
most instantly In mid channel The snip was
down so mncn oy the mead on account OF water In
ner iOrcnold Ghat sne became unmanageaDle; but,
proyIuentlaly, an eddy III the current headed her
in the right direction and she was run on saore.
A moment later her fires were put out by Inc
water. lne men stationed In the engine room re-
manned at lnelr places till the water Was Knee
deep AS soon as ne vessel
STRUCK THE SHORE
two anchors were let go and large havser made
fast 10 a tree. Inc shore at TINS poInt was steep
and rocky, with oriy narrow shell. Upon the
snIp's forward deck rested lew bags OF bread
and some canned beef The mems bags and ham
mucks ana some OF the officers ELECTS were
quickly got suore Uut the stern oil The sup
Was steadily slnAing, ana IN an hour from The
low In the water that she was laOle TO sink NJ any
moment. ne order was then given Tor every one
10 aoAndoD her, which was safely accomplished.
Fifteen minutes later sne sld from the SMELL ana
disappeared, stern foremost, IN Sky latnOms of
water. Her steam launch, winch could not be
lOlsted from its q aides Tor want OF time II a.ed
out as the ship sunk ana was towcd TO the shore
Dy the Otner boats The executive orncer ana
pilot were at once despatched 10 Victoria for as
slstance, and were Tor nriy-sx hours exposed 10
PiTlLEss STORM,
In an open boat, with out little food. AT Victoria
they chartered the Hudson BAY Company's
steamer otter, and started tue reilef Mean
wnlls the officers aud crew OF the saranac moved
opposite SIDE OF tue Narruws, and encamped at
the foot Of Mount solo, where there was plenty or
fresh water. All hands were pull on snort rations,
and huls were but oil bougLs OF trees. hammocks
anu lew boats rails saved from the wreck. AL
though u ralned necessarily, the camp was fuiiy
established on tine second day, and the usual
routine OF the snip carried out. Notwithstanding
The lnclenency OF the weather and the conse-
queat exposure, no sickness occurred.
THE INDIANS
brought In deer ana nsh, winch were purchased
by the paymastcr, and served out VITA nara
bread, being the only means 81 subsistence.
At daylRht on the filtn day alter lanairg. the
welcome cry OF "a steamer ~ came from the look
out ON the mountain and passed from mouth TO
mouth through Lac camp. a lew moments after
ward Her MaIesty's steamer Myrmluon came IN
sight aud Cneer after cneer went up from the
worn out sufferers. len minutes later the otter
rounded the point, causing lresh excitement.
The MyrmIdVn ancnored IN the small cove on the
shores OF wnlcn the encampment was formed,
while the otter went on and ancnoTed IN Plumper
Bay. mile distant Upon the appearance OF tue
Myrmiuou the assembly was sounded and orders
Issuea 10 break camp ana IIanslcr everything TO
the wreck, together with the officers anu crew,
were embarked on board. Tue MyrmlcUn
steamed into Plumpcr Bay and transferred 4 p0r-
ton oil the officers and men TO the outer. A. the
MyrmIdOn steamed INTO Plnmper Day the oriental
steamship Company's steamer California. rpm
SItka TO Portland, entered the northern entrance
OF the Narrows, ana, seing the unusual appear
ance OF Two steamers In the pay, cane N and
anchored.
GENERAL HOWARD AND STAFF
were passengers anu came on board both vessels
to Oner every assistance In their power. SHORTLY
afterward all tnree vessels lie Tor EsquImalt and
arrived there safely on the evening 81 the 23c.
Too mucn cannot DC said IN praise 81 Admiral
COcnrane, Captain Hare OF the MyrmidOn ane MS
oficers ana crew for the promptucss IN going 10
the relief OF the sniDwrecked people and Tor their
hospitality and unceasing Kindness. The Ameri-
GERS OF the otter, nave also earned the everast-
Ing gratitude Of those 60 whose safety and comfort
tncY cvntr1Butea so mucn. Inc onicers ana crew
OF me Satanac VIII return TO san Francisco upon
the arrival OF the United states steamer Benecla,
the way 10 their reltef.