Year: 1859

RsrURx or the NIcAaAeUA EKIGRArra


->>- f.+


Full Particulars.


We yesterday had conversation with Capt West,
Of the emigrant passengers by the schooner Susan
Capt. Maury, which sailed from Mobile Bay on the
morning Of the sth nlt. He gives us the following
account Of the brief voyage and its unfortunate ter

strong gale Of wind from the North enabled the
Susan to leave Mobile Bay far behind in few hoass
after setting sail, and everything went on smoothly
until the night Of the 10TH when theywer approach
ing Lighthouse Reef in the outer edge Of the Bay Of
Honduras. For two hours after he thought to have
been in this neighborhood Capt. Maury watched in
vain for the lantern Of the lighthouse, which, unfor
tunatey, had not been lit that night, or at any rate
was not to be Capt Maury said afterwards that
feeling uneasy, be, after having been in bed short
time, got up and went on deck at about o'clock in
the morning. He examined the compass and found
the vessel bearing two points out Of her proper course


"You steering thousand miles from our des.
tination," he said to the hemsman, and the next
moment his keen vision dscerned through the gloom
long line Of breakers directly ahead. "Heim hard
up w was the immediate order to the steersman, but
that individual being perhaps more familiar with the
Nicaraguan pruning hook than with the spokes Of
steering wheel, put the helm hard down. Even this
might have saved the vessel had he kept her so but
discovering the mistake he reversed the wheel just late
enough to destroy all possible chance Of escaping the
threatened danger. Maury then had the schooner
headed directly for the reef in order TO her as
high upon it as possible There was pretty stiff
breeze, and with all sail spread she plunged forward
and struck upon the rocks with terrible shock,
which soon filled the water about her with floating
planks. With the prospect Of speedy death before
them, the brave men on board the little bark main
tanned the most perfect order, calmness and COM
posure


When daylight appeared it was found that the place
where they had struck was known as Clover Reef,
about 60 miles from Belize Honduras and l6 from
cluster of small islands, which the dim outlines Of
the tree tops could barely be discerned through
the clear atmosphere. Five men were dispatched in
boat to the Islands, on one Of which, Middle Key,
resides negro named Miller, and the others pro-
ceeded to construct raft from the wreck for the pur
pose Of reaching land il other means could not be
obtained. schooner belonging to Miller soon after
appeared and by making three trips transferred the
whole party to Middle Key, the last among whom
Capt. Maury, leaving on the fifth day after the dsas
ter. Capt. West informs us that during this time
they Jared sumptuously conch soup, dish readily
ODIdlutu III tudt lOGdlltys


Capt Maury visited Belize and endeavored to pro-
cure vessel to convey his party to their destinations
He found and chartered one for 81 000 but in conse
quence of representations made by the person in
command of her, Capt Goodspeed, the owners backed
out of their agreement. Goodspeed stated that the
vessel was wanted by party of pirates, who would
probably run away with her, and thus, whatever may
have been his motive, he succeeded in depriving the
emgrants of any means of reaching their proposed
! destination


Capt. Maury had an interview with Mr.. Seymour
the British Governor at Belize who in the most kind
and polite manner rendered him the use of the British
steamer Basisk to carry himself and his companion.
to any Southern port in the United States he NIGH
name He stated that it was no part of his duty tx
inquire what business brought them there. He saw
in them only number Of shipwrecked voyagers, be
longing to country with which his Government
wished to cultivate amicabe relations and he should
relieve their wants in the best manner he could HI
addressed the men in similar TERMS and all but two
who concluded to remain at Belize availed themselves
of his generous offer. The Basisk sailed from Middle
Key on the 26th ut, and reached Mobile on Sat
urday last. The kindness and consideration will
which the Governor had treated them was continued
on board the vessel throughout the voyage, ardinf


marked contrast to the conduct of the officers of
American naval vessel on similar occasion som,
time ago. '