The New York Herald Newspaper, April 21, 1854, Page 1

THE NEW YORK HERALD. WHOLE NO. 6449, AWFUL SHIPWRECKS. “The Full Particulars of the Loss of the Ship Powhatan and Schooner Manhattan, on Long Beach. TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY LIVES LOST. “Mames of the Officers and Crew of the Powhatan, Only One Persen Saved from the Two Wrecks. “Terrible Suffering on the Powhatan. Interesting Interview between Capt. Myers and the Wreekmaster before the Ship Went to Pieces. ‘Melancholy Scenes and Incidents Among the Emigrant Passengers, “SAD MEMORIALS OF THE POOR GERMANS. THE UNDERWRITER AND HUMBOLDT. THE WRECK OF THE POWHATAN. THE PARTICULARS FROM THE SPECIAL REPORTERS OF THE NEW YORK HERALD. ‘Two hundred and fifty human beings have been swept toyether into eternity—men, women, and children—there is not one left to tell the tale. “The Baltimore ship Powhatan, on the night of the 15th of April—doring that terrific storm which we felt so severely here, though comfortably housed—was lying ‘among shosls below, with the waves washing over her. Sekiom is it the painful duty of a journalist to record such an awful scene. We often read of horrible ship- wreoks, and our blood curdles at the tale of suffering; but seldom is it thus brought home to us. Eighteen years have passed away since we chronicled an account ag heartrending as the one now before us. But though eighteen years have elapsed, who has forgotten the loss of the Mexico and the Bristol? The details of the wreck of the Powhatan are even yet more terrible. Within the memory of man such a storm as that which commenced on Friday, the 14th, and lasted during the threo succeeding days, has not been known. The coast, strewn with fragments of shipping, told of its wnparalleled fury. The fierce northeaster was felt even here, and damage was done to vessels in our sheltered harbor. What wonder then, that the Powhatan—an old ship of about six hundred ‘tons—became ungovernable and struggled fruitlessly in ‘the waters? What wonder that, on Saturday last, after running before the gale for hours under bare poles, she found herself at last irretrievably entangled in the shoals about twelve miles below Barnegat inlet? So it was. The ship, laden with passengers, left Havre for New York on the Ist of March last, under the com- mandof Captain Meyers, of Baltimore. She was driven among the shoals at the place we have indicated above, and remained there until Sunday evening at five o’clock before she went to pieces. It was observed by the anx- tous eye-witnesses on shore that directly she struck she “hauled to the wind,’’ from which circumstance it was impossible for any of her passengers to leave without certain death being the result. They however hoped for the best. They trusted that the storm which had now lasted so long must soon abate. During the long night of Saturday and the whole of Sunday the unfortunates— it ia supposed some two hundred and fifty in number— were seen clinging to the leeward bulwarks of the ship, with the sea continually washing over them, and expeci- ing death at the rise of every succeeding wave. No a+ sistance could be offered to them, for the sea then ran so high that a boat, (if any had been at hand,) would have been instantly swamped. Between four and five o’clock on Sunday afternoon the ship’s bulwarks burst, and about fifty persons, at the same moment, were washed overboard. Mr. Jennings, the wreck-master, with others, made great efforts to save some of those who were in the water, but in vain. The « captain, too, was heard to ery from the ship, ‘‘ For God’s sake save some of those who are drowning.” Every ox- ertion was made, but it was no use; and in all of the six bodies which the wreck-master succeeded in rescuing from the water life was extinct. Tt was immodiately after this that the ship commenced going to pieces in earhest. No small boats were to be procured, for the government boats did not arrive un all was over. About five o'clock the vessel was com- pletely broke up; most of her passengers and crew were drowned, but a few still survived, clinging to picces of the wreck. ‘The shricks of the dying rose even above the roaring of the storm, which seamed to be increasing rather than subsiding in fury. It was at this moment that a huge wave was noticed rolling inwards—the dead and the dying were alike engulfed within it—and when it kad passed over them, there \as not one left alive of those passengers and crow of the ill-fated Powhatan, whonumbered two hundrel and fifty souls that same morning. A singular fact connected with this is, thet even the ship itself was splintered into minute fragmonta, so that scarcely a trace of her existence remained, with the exception of the few pieces of the rigging that were washed ashore. She was probably laden with hoavy bal- last, for her hull is supposed to have sunk, or else some portion of it must have been discovered. More distressing even than such a sight as this,to those ‘on shore, was the sight of the beach next morning, The storm had increased during the night, and the waves cast up their dead far and near. Tw six men end two women were discovered the scene of the shipwreck, and from Abser some twenty miles below—we learn that about fi bodies—men, women and children—had been wa ashore on that and on Brigantine Beach, about.a quarter of a mile across the channel. Those seen by porter appeared to have been Germans. They were much disfigured, and when our reporter left, bodies were still drifting ashore. Twenty-eight of those found were decently buried at Manahawkin, amid the profound sen- sation that the event bas caused in that village. Mr. Joel Hayward, a citizen of Westoreek, picked up the body of a lady while crossing tho bay on Tuesday; and it is Meved that many others will be discoverod there as soon aa the weather becomes more favorable. ‘s Little has been collected yet from the wreck to prove the identity of the deceased parties. Some melancholy records, however, have been saved, and are now in charge of Mr. Jennings, the’ wreck master, at Manahawkin About thirty-five passengers’ boxes were washed ashore unbroken. ioney has been found. Around one man’s waist 9 belt was clasped, » containing $40—his all probably—that he vainly sought to save. On this belt the name of “G. Kilt’ was on. graved, Soveral of the trunks bore respectively the initials “T. G07 “8. G.;? on another ‘‘R. Griffin was written, and on another, ‘Phillip Smith, for New York.” A lady's ring was found, with the initials “K. L.”” inscribed upon it. These are all that havo been discovered as yet. Intrinsically they are trifles, but they will speak volumes to those who recognise in them the treasures 40 which their lost friends elung in the last hours of life. As soon a8 we can derive anf} further particularagt ‘the shipwreck, they shall be laid before the public, For the present we turn aside from the painful contempia- ‘tion of so sad an event. ANOTHER ACCOUNT FROM A CORRESPONDENT. MANAnAWEIN, OckAN CounNTY, N. J., ) ‘April 17, 1864.” f ‘The most terrible catastrophe that has ever happened om our coast, ocourred on Sunday last. A packet bark tamed Powhatan, of Baltimore, came on the beach on Saturday night; and alson twig, Manhattan, near Little MORNING EDITION—FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 1854. —— PRICE TWO CENTS. Egg Harbor, by which it is supposod between (wo and three hundred lives were lost. About thirty dad bodies, chiefly women and children, have come on shore. There were but three or four persons on the beach, and the government life-boats being at the distance of somo’ five , miles, it was impossible to bring them into use. One of the spectators on shore stated he awa sea sweep at least a hundred at once overboard on Sunday. The gov- ernment has no persons to take charge of the life-boats, | and the public prints of the city having been in the habit ' of slurring the people along shore, accusing them of land pirating, &c., so man now goes from the main to the beach, except when sent for, and then of course it is often too late. Had it not been for the late Judge Bald- win’s charge to the jury, that every man on the beach is liable for any misdemeanor committed ata wreck,and some of the slanders of the city papers of the people hereabouts, there would have been help enough to have had the life- boats manned voluntarily and im season. When a storm first sets in people here are not now willing to cross a bay in it, four or five miles, to a lomely beach, fer the sole purpose of watching for wreoks, at no pay except abuse. Would New Yorkers do it? The government must have men pafd to attend these life-boats. The shore people from the main land here crossed over to aid ag soonas they heard of this wreck, but it was too late im this case. Your reporter passed here to-night, on his way to tho wreck, and will give more full particulars. P.S.—A messenger from the beach states that only one man from either vessel was saved—a hand from the Manhattan—a Portland topsail"schooner, not a brig. It seems that the sea broke completely over the beach in every direction. The dead bodies present the most heart- sickening appearance. The bark is supposed to be from Bamburg. Agentleman from the beach picked up two German books, from which I take two leaves and send you. They are, I think, passports countersigned at Havre. LIGHTHOUSE. THE VERY LATEST PARTICULARS. ARRIVAL OF ANOTHER OF OUR SPECIAL REPORTERS FROM THE BEACH. On Monday evening last, hearing that a ship with a large“number of passengers on board was ashore on Long Beach, N. J., we despatched one of our reperters to the scene of the disaster, who arrived there on Tuesday morning, and found that the ship Powatan, Capt. Mey- ers, with two hundred passengers on board, of Baltimore, bound from Havre to Now York, had been east ashore on Saturday night on the outside bar, about midway between Barnegat and Egg Harbor Inlets. When first discovered by Capt. Jennings, of Long Beach, which was on Sunday morning, she lay with her head to the south, the decks were crowded with passen- gers, and the sea was making a clean breach over her, The wind blowing a perfect gale from the north- northeast, tho waves ran mountainous high, twisting the ship about in the sand as if she were merely a cork boat. Seeing the condition of the vessel, Capt. Jennings, who is stationed asa wreck master on the beach, sent all the men that were at his command, though the snow storm was raging violently, to the Government House in order to bring down the life car and other wrecking apparatus, and stood on shore himself watching the effects of the billows upon the ill fated vessel. Hour after hour slipped by, but the men did not return with the life car. The vessel became uneasier, and many unfortunate people were swept off by the heavy surf. About 5 o’clock P. M., one immense wave washed fully one hundred persons overboard, who were carried away down the beach by the undertow. Some of them came ashore and were picked up lifeless by, Mr. Jennings, who searched in vain amongst the number for s survivor, but all had breathed their last before they reached the beach, being awfully mangled by the force of the waves pushing them against the hull of the yeesel and throwing them with violent force upon the beach, At this time, Capt. Meyers, who was on the deck of the Powhatan al! this while, called out ina loud voice to Mr. Jennings, entreating him to try and save some of those who might be washed ashore. Capt. Jennings replied that all those who came ashore were dead, and that it was no use looking for them, as they were all Killed before they got out of the water. About seven o'clock, the ship’s masts went by the board, and alfifost immediately afterwards the hull burated is two, and every soul on board was launched in. to eternity. “The sea presented a black mass of human heads and floating pieces of the wreck, but in a few mo- ments all bad sunk to rise alive no more. The beach was strewn with the dead bodies of women and children, pieees of the wreck, the baggage of the passengers, and empty ca Nothing remained to mark the spot where the ill-fated ship had went ashore, except surging waves beating upon a fragment of the hulk which lay upon the beach. ‘The crying of the drowning men and the shrieking of the women and children was hushed—all lay in the deep numbered with the dead, while the wind wailed loud and mournfully, adding still more horror, to the awful eatas- trophe. All had sunk—captain, officers, crew aad pas- sengers, of two hundred and fifty persons—not @ soul was left to tell the tale. No aid eame from the government houee that night, and Capt. Jennings was compelled to remain there by himself, a lonely watcher of the dead. On Monday morning four men arrived from the station house, but their help camfe too late. The storm, it seems, was so severe that while on their way back to the wreck on Sunday, With the life car and mortar, two of them felidown exhausted, and ‘the whole party were cbliged to return nearly frozen to death. This party of men, under command of Capt. Jennings, set immediately about finding and gathering together those bodies that had been washed ashore. In the short space of an hour nearly twenty women and children were found, almost naked, scattered along the beach, some of them dreadfully bruised and cut. One man was found about fifty yards from the beach, upou the sandhills, with a childin his arms; and from his condition it is supposed that he alone of all on board reached the shore alive, and crawling out of reach of the waves, in order to save his own life and that of the infant in his arms, fell down exhausted on the sand, and was frozen to death during the night. The child was firmly locked in his arms, quite dead, and appeared as if it had aiso died ashore from exposure. The whole of this dey was spent in searching for the bodier of the unfortunate people. But one man was found among the number, all the rest being women and children. ‘They appeared to have been in excellent health, with rosy cheeks and smiling faces, looking as if leep rather than dead. They wore all Inid until a boat could be got to carry them to On Thursday twenty-two bodies were removed from the beach to the village of Manahawkin. These con- isted of one man and twenty-one children, all apparent: by their features, appearing to be Germans, the women who liad any clothes on being dressed in coarse materials, with heavy shoes, some of them wooden ones All the dead were conveyed to an outhouse of Squire Peckworth’s, where they remained until coffins could be made for them, This melancholy task of making recep- tacles for the dend occupied the attention of the men residing in the village, while the women were busily omployed in washing the bodies ond laying thenf out, preparatory to their being placed in the coffins, Too much preise cannot be awarded to the inhabitants of Manahawkin for their zeal and industry in giving a de- cent burial to the dead. Oar reporter visited the dead house, where lay in tierg, one above the other, women and children, pre- senting a shocking and painful spectacle. The whole evening was spent in making coffins ani shrouds; and it was not until miduight that those kind hearted people desisted in their labors, which were trying in the extreme. BURIAL OF THE DEAD, On Wednesday morning just as we were about visiting the beach, a wagon arrived with the bodies of six m#re of the dead, who were immodiately taken to the dead house, where they were washed and placed in coffins pro pared for them. About one o'clock P. M., the bodies were viewed by Squire Peckworth, preparatory to being token to the Baptist Church burying ground. We took a description of the bodies, as follows — No, 1—A man about 80 years old, well dressed whaa found, and five feet eight inchos high. This was the man found dead on the beach with the child in his arma, No. 2.—A boy about 12 years old; fair complexion, healthy looking. No. 3.—A man about 45 years old, was quite naked ahead aud moasared five foot six inches high No. 4.—A very respectable looking man, about five feat six inches high, well made, brown bair, florid complex- ion and fair akin, fe No. 5.—A woman 60 years of age, dye feet six inches bight. No, 6.—A woman 22 years of age, five feet six inches | high, tight hair. No. 7.—A Woman 25 years old, five feet six inchos high, dark hair, No. 8.—A young woman 18 years of age, sandy baie, } light eyes, C. W. marked on her elothes. | 9.—A woman 25 years of age, light hair, five feet six inchos high, J. C. marked on her clothes. No. 10.—A woman thirty years of age, light hair, five | feet fourinches high. ‘I. D.’’ marked on her clothes. No. 11.—A woman about forty-five years of age, dark hair. No, 12.—A woman about twenty years of age, light hair, Gvefeet four inches high. Had aacar over her loft eyo. No. 15.—A woman about twenty-five years of age, dark hair. No. 14.—A young lady about nineteen years of age. Scar on her left arm. No. 15.—A woman about forty years of age, sandy hair. No. 16.—A woman about fifty-five years of age, dark hair, features much distorted. No. 17.—A woman about fifty years of age, grey hair, high cheek bones. No. 18.—A woman about twenty years of age, florid complexion, about five feot four inches hight, front tecth protrnding very mueh, black bair. From No. 19 to 28 were children, varying from five to ten years of age. Among them were some very hand. some boys, with fine curly hair and red cheeks, whose sweet little faces wore admired by all the spectators, and even drew tears from the tender- hearted. In the southwost corner of the churcbyard, deep tranches were dug in the vicinity of the place where the bones of so many persons wrecked on board tho ship Auburn many years ago, ie smouldering in the dust, and being washed oa shore. | shore first. ° ‘The vessei then Lay g S.E., and had shifted from the | N. B Her foremast was one at this time, 1 suppose she lost it before she sttnek on the bar. About 5 0’clock, P.M., on Sunday, the ship cee led over to win iward from the (shore. The séa then, o” course, made a clean breach over her, aad passengers began to be washod off in great numbers. The sea runaix'g mountains high, and completely hiding the vessel from my view, I cou no longer hold any comatunicatiom with the captain. I never saw him since. The main and mizen masts soom wont by the board, and bodies appeared floatiag in the autf in great num- bers. Some twenty-five dead bodies, .mostly women, came on ehore about a mile south of the wreck. About dark the sea rose to a great helyht, andone large wave, fully a hundred feet high, struck the unfortunate vessel, and in one moment the hull wae sea‘tered into fragments which tossed wildly through the sirf. The shrieks of the drowning creatures: were melan holy in- deed, but I eould render them novaid, as the sem tan so high I could not get near the unfortunate people. kn a few moments all disappeared beneath the surface of the water, except a few fragments of the wecok, Never did T see such a sight in my life. Never do I remember wit- nessing such « ‘iveadful gale or such # high running sea. In many places it made complete breaches over the is!and, and carried no doubt many a poor fellow into the bay behind it. ‘The men got back the next morning from: the goverr- ment station house with a life boat, mortar, and the usual wrecking apparatus, but it was too late; as all on board the il? fated Powhatan had perithed—not one remain- ed to tell the fearful tale. None of the erew or officers of the vessel came ashore, which is rather a carious fact; but I think they will be found some tenor fifteen miles further down the beach. The luggage and portions of the wreck lay scattered along the beach. I have collected all the valnables I could, and have found wme money, ($80) ina money belt, belonging to some of the passengers. The friends Women and childrea came on the eofins were deposited one by one alongside of each other, with a headboard at the head of each grave, de- noting the number and description of the interred. The. sight Was a mournful one to see—twenty-eight newly made graves, extending nearly the whole way across the end of the churchyard, with nothing but a piece of pine beard to mark the spot where the unfortunate people were buried. THE NAMES OF THE LOST AT PRESENT ASCERTAINED. We then proceeded down tothe beach, whore we met Captain Jennings and several of his men engaged in col- lecting the baggage and portions of the wreck. About thirty trunks with goods in them lay plled up together, among them several of the seamen’s chests and the trunk of the first mate, Ambrose Kingsland Rogers, in which were several letters, pieces of poetry, a daguerreotype likeness, a lock of a lady’s hair, and a number of shirts, underclothing, coats and pantaloons. All along the shore for ten miles was s@attered the remnants of the chests and trunks of the passengers, many of them having names inscribed on the lids and sides. Feather beds, cooking utensils, empty casks and pieces of the vessel were to be seen on every side. Let- ters of the dead were scattered here and there, and bibles and prayer books lay glistening in the sun, the whole desolation presenting a melancholy and heartrending scene. From various papers collected and from the in- seriptions on the baggage, we are enabled to give the following names of those who were on board the ill-fated ship at the time of her destruction :— CREW. Native Places Age. Stature. Capt. James Meyera. Baltimore, ei paws aR Rogers, mate. 25 58 Win. Harvon, second mate. . land, oo 58 Benjamin Harnes, steward. .New York, 30 57 Jobn Powell, seaman.,.....Maryland, 38 58 Francis Powell, do. . ‘do. 45 58 Martin Effin do. , Now York, 28 57 Wm. Walton, — do. do. 25 57 Nicholas Morris, do. do. 30 57 Wash. Seville, do. do. 20 58 Foster Bronlon, do. pins Wasa Dyy 57 John Fonehell,’ do. pCa 23 67 A. Johnson, -Pennsylvania, 30 58 John Jonhson, do. ieee “ 57 Wm. James, do, . New York, 25 58 PASSENGERS. Ceri N. Kivehner, Havre. Jacob Friedrich Zoll, Von Schreine. Joan Muller, via Havre. Jacob Ackermann. Sebastian Kulbach, of Berlichingea. Jacob Burkhard, Gondelsherin. Philip Schmidt, Havre. Paul Schuler. Karolina Tocejner, Havre, on his way (0 Philadelphia. Mr. Bost’s sons. Mias Marie Grieshaber, Christophel Heck, twenty-eight years of age, bora ia Gondeshoun, Baden. Jacob Kiein Heinrich Kane Johauna Beiter: Christoph Verner. Wilhelmine Schneider, born in Gros Coltmar, ia Wur- temberg, the 4th January, 1882. Christof Bauer, of Kleinbottwann, Wurtemberg, bora the 8d June, 1827. R. Griffin. Misa Johann Schroeder, (a ticket for six persons for the Erie Railroad, order of Messrs. Weed & Co., corner of Reade and West streets—five above twelve years and one under three.) 8. Liff, marked on a monoy belt, which contained two twenty-frane pieces, twelve five-franes, one Amorican eagle, and three gold dollars. A letter addressed by M. David Kornar, from Affotter- boch, in Wurtemberg, to Mr. Buk, New York. Direction of Georg Aberle, 117 Hammond street, New York. A hair trunk, with the following directions:—\ Ce coffre appartient 4 Georg Mitz, qui voyage pour !’Amé- rique.”” A book containing the names of several passengers, with the dates of their births, as follows:— Christof Juber. February 8, 1794 Friederike Baue: 1799. Scharlotis Weber . January 30, 1804. Marie Weber, — 1801 Jacob Bauer... July 19, 1825. George Weber «February 12, 1911. March 2), ' 1829, january 31, 1833 Jame 8, 1836. detoberb, 1808. | March 1, 1839. spavieee —2 1842. chneiier,.. January 4, 1832. | STATEMENT OF CAPTAIN JENNINGS—INTERESTING INTERVIEW WITU OAPTAIN MEYERS DURING THE ALE. From Captain Jennings we obtained the following statement of the melancholy occurrence, he being the only eye witness of the scene, bis account will prove highly interesting. It reads as followa:— On Saturday the wind blew with great violence from the northeast. The sea ran very high all day, and I sup- posed that there would be many a wreck along the eonst from Barnegat to Egg Harbor. On Sunday morning I observed a ship of abont 900 tons thamping on the bar about one hundred yards from the shore. 1 immediately sent those men who were with me to the goverament station house, distant about six miles, for the life car, mortar, and other wrecking apparatus. During the day the ship's deck was crowded with passengers, and when the surf ran out I could get within seventy-five yards of the vessel, which I found out to be the ship Powhatau, of Baltimore, Capt, Meyers, on ler voyage from Havre to New York. The surf ran mountains high. Indeed I never sew such a sea in my life, Sevaral persona now vegan to be swept overboard, when Captain Meyers hailed me through his speaking trura pet and’arked me for God's sake to try and @aye some of those who might lappen to wash ashore Ltold him I had went down the beach to where the bodies came on ahr but found them all dead, and it was of no ure trying to anve them, as they were all drowned before they got half way to the beach. Captain Meyers asked me just before this if any aid would soon reach (hem. | said T hoped a0, a8 four men bad been sent dowa to the government station for that purpose. Captain Meyers agatn catled out to me to save any of thore who might be washed ashore aiive. T replied that I would see to it, aad went down about {wo hundred yards on tho beach whore the bodies wore 0, and relatives of the decoased can havo all the necassary information regarding the effects of those drowned, by inquiring for me at Manahawkin, New Jersey. Capt. EDWARD JENNINGS, Wreck Master, Long Beach, Ocean county, N. J. The Powhatan was built in Baltimore about 15 years ago, and was not, we think, from the appearance of le? timber a very sound ship, Two large pieces of her uly lie on the beach, also a large portion of her Waist, and the starboard side of ber quarter, in which is lodged an iron tank that fitted inher run, Some of the ship's papars came ashore in the Captain’s desk, and were sent on by the resident magistrate, signed Peckworth, to the con. signees in this city. She was Ioaded with iron for ballast, which is the reason probably why her bottom has not come ashore. There is no insurance on the Powhetan in this city; all the Joss willfall on Baltimore and Phila - éelphia insurance offices. THE WRECK OF THE MANHATTAN, We published yesterday a statement of the total wreck of the schooner Manhattan in the same neighborhood. We have reoeived the following additional particulars:— The schooner Manhattan ran ashore about half a mile below the scene of the Yowhatan’s wreck. Out of a crew of nine men, one alone was saved, and he was thrown yi, olently into the surf and was washed ashore porfectly in- sensible. He was found on the beach in this condition, and was taken into an adjoining cottage, but was not re- stored to consciousness until eight hours after. Another man found dead near the spot was supposed to be one of the some crew. The survivor says that wien the ship run aground, it woukl have been practicable for the men to have Jumped off the bowsprit, and have thus been saved. In fact the captain ordered them to do this, but, paralyzed by fear, they crowded to the stern, and were washod overboard with the captain by the sweap of a single wots, and all perished. The schooner itself was completely wrecked. THE VERY LATEST PARTICULARS. place. : Apspoom, April 20—1 P. M. From the best information that we can gather (rom persons on the beach, about thirty bodies have been washed ashore on Absecom, fifty or sixty on Brizontine, and forty on Long Beach—in all about one hunired and thirty. “Four were washed ashore this morning on iri- gantine Beach, All the bodies appear to be those of the better class of German emigrants. The younger persons were in their ht clothes. jamin Turner, a resident of Brigantine Beach, « rously aticnded to {he requirements of the dead bodies. One man was found, who, from his dress, was Cap tain —. No vestige of the ship has yet been washed ashore, and all is yet conjecture. ssome suppose she is the Powhatan, elue:— Amerikenischo Line four Pack: Torrenso, Meyer, Hamburg 2 Ste Road, fac! About t fil terment. Mise Bass, of Absecom, pre} a number of bodies for burial. The people generally were afraid to touch them. It is reported that several bodies have beew robbed by some Villains on the Beach. The government have no provision here to pr@vent such depredations. There are no other important items worth telegraphing. » Earthquakes and Snow Storms in the Month of April, TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW YORK HERALD. Karthquakes aud snow storms occur periodically be- tween the 18th and 16th of April. The recent snow storms have been extensive. We have accounts of snow on the 13th at Halifix, Nova Scotia, and Buffalo, N. Y.; on the 14th and 15th at Buffalo, Albany, Philadelphia, New York and New Haven; on the 16th and 17th a¥ Petersburg, Richmond} Washingtoa, Baltimore, Wilning- ton, Philadelphia, New York, Boston, Albany and Buffalo. 1868, April 14—Snow storm at Utica, N. Y. 1862, ‘© 1b—Snow fell at Newbery, Vt., to the depth of eighteen inches. ‘ 1t—Snow fell'in the mountains of Virginia, 1851, ‘ 13—Snow fell at Washington City, D. G. 1850, ‘* 14—Snow fell one foot deep in Franconia,N. H. 349, << 15 and 16—Snow fell two inches deep at So- merrille, N. ¥., anda frost band passed over this continent, doing great damage in the Southern States. Temperature here on the morning of the 15th fell to 24 degrees. 1848, ‘ 18—Snow fell at Franconia, N. H. 1847, 42, 16, 17 & 18—Snow fell at Franconia, N. H. 1846, “« 18 & 16—Snow fell at Franconia, N. Hl. Nine consecutive years, without one single omission, sow between 18th and 18th April. On referring to our memoranda of earthquakes, we find as follows:— 1854, Apri!—None yet hoard from between 13th and 18th. 1853, —None yet heard from between 9th and 26th. 1852,“ 12& 18—Karthquake at San Diego, Cal. « 14—Karthquakes in British Guiana, St, Vin- cents, Granada, and Sandwich Islands, « & 16—8t, Michael's, in'the Azores. 1851, ‘ 17—On the banks of the Loire, France. 1850, 18—Farthquakes in Smyrna, Asia. 1849, April 18—Earthquakes at Maracaibo, 8. A., and ¢ Dominica, W. I. é 14—Karthquakes at Dominica, W. I., and Ra- gusa, Austria. 15—Earthquakes at Dominica, W. I. fand Ra- 17—Karthquakes at Dominica, W. I. fo gusa, Austr « 4 1848, ‘+ 13—Harthquake at Karori, New Zealand. . « peer dc. Gay at St. Martins and St. Lu- cie, W. 1. 1847, ‘‘ 16—Earthquakes at Karori, New Zealand, 18468, “ — —Noacoount of earthauakes between the 13th and 18th. In 1841, on the 12th and 13th of April, snow fell in New York to the depth of one foot. In 1836, on the 13th of April, snow fell to the depth of sible after our arrival there, to be telegraphed from this | but the following insoription oma mattress may aiTord 4 ARRIVAL OF THE ASIA. THE WAR IN BUROPS. THREE DAYS LATER NEWS. SIB CHARLES NAPIER'S PROCLAMATION. we Important Successes of the Turks o : the Danube. .IMPORTANT MOVEMENT IN TURKEY. The Revolutionary View of the War. . Buchanan's Speech in London on 6 Canada, and the Rights of Neutrals, Aenean The Black Warrior Affair in England. IMPORTANT FROM SPAIN. IMPROVEMENT IN CONSOLS. SLIGHT DECLINE IN FLOUR. THOUT CHANGE; &., &. ‘Tho Cunard mail steamship Asia, Capt. Lott, arrived at this port at noon yesterday. She left Liverpoot on Satue- day noon, the 8th inst. She brings three days later news than that received by the Arctic. Tho Hon. L. H. Le Fontaine, Chief Justice of Lowee Canada, and lady, were among the passengers in the Asia, ‘Tho nows is-of course fampertant. How could it be otherwise? No great event had taken place, but every. thing was tending towards a collision on sva and lanf,: Our next advices will be of the greatest interest. The English fleet had left Kjoege Bay. On the stir: inst., Sir Charles Napier signated an address to the fleet, intimating that war had been declared;. that whem they met witlt the enemy they would know how to dealt with them, and urging them to act with decision and. quickness. . A despatch from Vienna affirms that the Greek govern-! ment had purchased threo Russian ships of war lying im the port of Trieste, with all the material of war, whick was on board. The same despatch states that the com-~ bined fleets were about to blockade Odensa, 4 letter from Odessa, dated the 25th ult., atates that on that day there wes not a man-of-war in the port o€ Sebastopol. This statement, however, does not at all coincide with the statement made in the House of Lords by Lord Clarendon. COTTON WI &, three inches. In 1885, on the 16th of April, snow fell. Jn 1828, on the 13th and 14th of April, snow fell. In 1821, on the 17th of Apri, snow fell abundantly in Boston. In 1818, on the 18th of April, snow fell on the-Catakill Mountains to the doptir of 18 inehes. Tn 1812, on the 13th of April, saow fell in New York during the entire day. Tn 1809, on the 13th of April, snow fell nearly all day in New York; snow fell oa the morning of the 18th. Tn 7803, on the 16th and 17(b of Apr, snow fell aban- dantly in New York. Thave thus hastily thrown,together the above memo- randa to show that the oecurrence of earthquakes and enow storms are not so great a wonder between the 13th and 18th of April; but the wonder is that people forget the almost uniform occurrence of such visitations within The schooner Manhattan, of Bangor, Maine, Capt. Fields, came ashore about a mile below the Powhatan, on Sunday night. After considerable thumping on the bar she was driven over and was beaten up on the shore. The sea ran very high and drove her up within fifty yards of the beach. Capt. Jennings repaired to the spot and endeavored to persuade the eaptain and crew, seven in number, to let themselves down by a rope from the end of the jibboom, which, when the surf ran oat, was hanging over the land, and they could easily have got ashore. Instead of following the advice of Capt, Jen- nings, the ceptain and all the crew shut themselves up in the after cabin, thinking, most probably, that the versel would outlive the gale, and would be high and dry the next morning. The waves, however, soon made quick work of the Manhattan, and in an hour or so she went all to pieces. Five of the men endeavored to get ashore on a spar, but only one of them—a man named George Griffiths, of Bangor, Maine—succeeded in getting ashore. He was found the next day, in an insensible condition, lying among the bushes, and was quickly conveyed to the nearest habitation, where everything was done tending to relieve his condition. He continued raving for many hours, and was under the impression that those around him were about taking his life, as he begged of them not to kill him, When he returned to his proper senses he stated that the schooner was bound from Philadelphia with atone coal, and belonged to the captain and mate, both of whom are lost. The rescued man is now doing well, and will be able to be removed to his residence ina few days. He states that there was one passenger on board the Manhattan, who bas no doubt met a watery grave. THE PACKET SHIP UNDERWRITER. The ship Underwriter lays as per last accounts, There was no communication with her yesterday. As the weather continues moderate, she will doubtless be got afloat as soon a8 sufficiently lightened. The vessels sent down to her were alongside receiving the cargo yes terday ONE OF THE RESCUERS DROWNED. Coroner O'Donnell yesterday held an inquost at 108 Elm street, upon the body of Bryan Neeland, na Irish- man, twenty-three years of age, who was drowned on Tuesday last. Deceased was a hand on board the steam- boat Delaware, plying between this city and Philadelphia, which on passage from the latter city fell in with the ship Underwriter, which was ashore at Squan Beach. A small boat was putoif from the Delaware to assist the persons on board the ship, which was mannod by the deceased and four other men. The boat, when near the ship, was swamped—the waves at the time running— and all the inmates were drowned. The body of the de ceased was washed ashore. The body was brought on to this city by the stearhtng Huntress. ‘The jury returned 8 verdict of death by accidentally being drowned SAFETY OF THE SHIP HUMBOLDT. The supposition that the vessel wrecked at Barnegat was the Hamburg ship Humboldt was erroneous, The following despatches having been received this mor by W. ¥. Schmidt & Co., her owners -— PHILADRLPHIA, April 20, 1854. To W. F. Senmipt & Co.:-— The ship on shore at Long Branch is not the Humboldt. The vessel is entirely broken up—all perished. Her name is the Powhatan. This is reliable. The ship Humboldt arrived at this port yosterday. She need very rough weather and carried away several nd sails ACCOUNTS’ FROM ABSECOM BEACH. SUPPOSED LOSS OF THE SHIP STAPTORD, AND ALL ON BOARD. (From the Philedelphia Bulletin. } Ansroom, N.J., April 2041; A. M We reached this place at half-past one o'clock this morning, and leave at five o'clock for Absecom Beach, which is sever miles distant. We have examined the clothing ef one of the drowned ‘ashed ashore at the Beach. The stockings, ap- pareatly of Holland manufacture, seem to have belonged to a boy of eloven or twelve years old, \His linen was marked in bold, red letters, “O. J.’’ Judging from the clothing of the victims, they were either Seotch or Ger- man, and they appear to have belonged to the more res pectable class of ewigeants. Between fifty and sixty Lodies baye been washed ashore. The im, jon is that they are from the ship ‘Stafford,’ from Liverpool, bound to New York. Mr. Collins, of Leeds Potnt—which is on Little Reg Harbor Bay, west of Tucker’s Beach aud Long Beach— says that a German floated ashore at that place last even- ing, alive, but insensible. Hopes were ent how- Pay A recovery. He is supposed to have beon from e Pow! We “ball ad news (com the Beach a@ soon a8 pos, the cycle of the days named. The storms which furnishod the snow now on the ground were the result of earthquakes, of which we may expect to hear; although it is possible that euch accounts may not reach us, ax the shocks may have occurred in district of the earth's surface where there was no iatelligen mind to observe or record the phenomena, or no news- poper to publish the accounts. Had I more leisure, I would present a more full and more minute account. I hope to be able to do so by and dy. E. MERIAM. Brooxtyy Haiours, April 19, 1854 [From the Newark Daily Advertiser, April 18 The snow in the sections north and west of us fell very heavy, and at some places blew into immense and almost impassable drifts. The morning train on the Morris and Essex railroad was delayed for a long time in ploughing through a drift between Madison and Morris town, and the detention being lengthened by the tender of the engine running off the track, the train did not reach New York till the middle of the afternoon, The afternoon train from Hackettstown did not arrive till 9 o'clock One of our post riders, this morning, who came to the cityon runners, states that the sleighing was excellent north of Bloomfield, the snow being abouta foot deep ons level. ‘The following extracts froma diary of the late Gen. Jenac Andruss, of this y, Show that such weather is not unprecedent 1811—April 11th—There is very considerable snow on the ground, the weather unsettled. 1$12—-April 13th—A cold snow storm this morning 1812—May 4th—A cold snow storm from the northeast continued sll day 1821—April 18th—We have a cold winter like north- east snow storm, the snow is about two inches deep, mixed with hail and sleet, and it is snowing this morn- ing quite fast. 1828—April 14th—We have bad a severe snow storm all day, which began on the evening of the 12th inst. More snow lms fallen within theee two days past than through the whole winter 1835—April 15th—Very col?; the ground is frozen, and ice an inch thick. 1841 pril 12th—A real snow storm continued all night. Snow from one to two feet deep, and quite cold. 1849—April 4th, 15th, and 16th—Severe cold weather; cold northwest wind; fce more than half on iven in thickness. Naval Intelligence. NEWS FROM THE AFRICAN SQUADRON, The bark Edna, Capt. Harvey, arrived at this port yes- terday morning from Marseilles, reports, March 20, lat. 86 07 N, lon. 29 66, was boarded by the U. S. frigate Con. stitution, Commodore Isaac Mayo, from the coast of Africa, on a cruive. Received from her letters, &., with (ho following report:— | The sloop of war Dale was on the North coast; the U. | §. ship Marion near Liberia; the U.S. brig Perry on tho | South const—all well | List of officers on board the Constitution—Commander- n-chief, Isane Mayo; Comman ants, S. F. Hazard, b. M. Dove, pdgers (flag), Clary, Charles s. 3 | rgeon of the fl Delaney | nough; Master, ( Major of Marines, N.S. Wal- | dron; Passed Assistant Surgeon, J. L. Burtt; Assistant Surgeon, J.C. Coleman; Commodore’s Seoretary, Liewel- | lyn Boyle; Midshipmen, E. P. Pelot, E. E. otter, Wm. H Hans, Wm. L. Bradford, Armstrong; ( B. | Waters, Win. L. Swayze, Richard Keardon; Boatswain, Chomberlin nne! Lewis; Carpenter, Lewis mes; Sailmaker, Win. Bennett; Master's Mate, John U.S. steamship Fulton arrived at Washington on | the afternoon of the 18th inst. from Havana. The fol- lowing are her officers:—Lieut, Commanding James M. Watson; Acting ter, Leonard Paulding; Parser, Wm. ©. Marcy: Assistant Surgeon, J. 8. Dungan, Passed Mid- shipmen, Watson Smith, A. B. Cummings, Henry Wilson and Jobn Irwin; Captain's Clerk, 0. W. Turk; Engineera— first assistant, R. 1. Long; second assistant, JH. War- | ner; third assirtants, G. 8. Woodend, R. B. Quin and Jas. | B. Kimball. The sloop of war Levant arrived at Malta March 25, | from Milo. Reduction of Dutics at Bahama Islands. information be been received at the State Department ‘at Washington, from John F. Bacon, Eaq., United States Consul at the Bahama tslands, that an aet to consolidate the duties on imports into the colony has been passed, taking effect on the Ist inst The principal difference between this Iaw and the one recently in foree is tn the reduction of duties on all kinds of provisions, viz.:—Fifty cents a barrel on flour ; ene dollar on beet and pork ; Indian oorn, peas, beans, poultry, game, fresli meat of ail kinds, raw hides, turtle, and fresh fi &o., &e., free. This reduction is to be aupplied by an increase of duties on all dry goods of fifteen or cent, instead of the present duty of five per cent. ne revenue of the colony will be almost entirely pro- vided by tuis law, as there is no tax on real estate. Provisions are mostly supplied from the United States— dxy goods {rom England and France, Mr. Fittmore at Montcomery, ALADAMA.— Ex-President Fillmore and the Hon, John P. Kennedy arrived at Montgomery, Ala., on the 14th inst., and were received with great enthusiaum, a large ple being present, and the millta A telegraphic despatch from Copenhagen confirms tha intelligence of the Russians having evacuated Aland, ‘The terms of the new propositions made by the Em-. peror of Russia—already announced in our culumna—are confirmed, and it is added that the Emperor declares” himself ready to allow the details to be settled by means of negotiation in a congress, Which might, for instance, be held at Berlin. They were rejected by the Westerm Powers. it was telegraphed from Berlin on the evening of the ‘Tth inst., that negotiations betwoen Austris and Prussia, were not yet closed; but Prussia had joined in a protoool,. signed on the 3d of April, at Vienna, betwoon Great Britain, France and Austria. A project of law has been presented to the French Le- gislative body, augmenting the contingent of 1863 by the number of 60,000 men. The Moniteur denies the trate of the report that the government is about to raise am additional force of 100,000 men. The possessions of the mosques are to be declared the property of the State. The refusal of the Sheik-ul-Islaaa to consent to this arrangement was the cause of hie deposition. All the military posts in the city have beem reinforced, and strong guards patrol the streets. It is said that the Imperial family of Russia will pro- coed to take up its residence at Moscow. It is now believéd that the Prussian government icane towards an alliance with the Western Powers, though this tendency will not be immediately manifosted in any overt act. It will be shown by a rupture with Russia, am event which every day becomes more imminent. The ex- planations given by the Minister-at-War to the commia- sion on the loan will not be included in the communica- tion about to be made to the Second Chamber. ‘The Turks were not driven back on the 22d, but mada a spontaneous retrograde movement. At Talischa, the Russians lost above 1,500 men, Two battalions were cut to pieces The Paris correspondent of the London Times writes om Thursday evening, the 6th inst.—Despatches were ree ceived to-day at the Turkish embassy from Vienna, con- firming what was seid on the Sth about the defeat of the Russian General Uschakoff, and the retreat of bis corps! in Bessarabia le It is also stated that the forts. said to have been cars tured are still in the bands of the Turks; that tho Turke have crossed the Danube at a point between Nicopolia and | Rutschuck; that 20,000 Turks are on their way to Tra-- Jan’s Wall or Bossooa, and 25,000 Turks for the same di- restionto Schumla. Reports are also rife about advan- tages near Kalefat, but oll these have to be confirmed officially. The Paris Patric states that the accounts of an advaa- tage having been gained by the Turks on the Lower Da- nube appeared to be confirmed. It is positive that the General in Chief of the Russian army, after the passage of his troops into the Dobrudscha, considered his position. #0 critical that he immediately demanded reinforcements from Bessarabia, Odessa, and even Sebastopol. According to a private letter from Constantinople, the English and French squadrons entered the Black Sea on the morning of the 26th, steering in the diree- tion of Varna, The Charlemagne was the only ship re- maining at Beicos. It was reported that this measure was combined with a movement of Omer Pacha. Mustepha Pacha was advancing bis troops in three lines in the direction of Trajan's Wall. The doets wore between Batchik and Varna on the 27th. Five Turkish frigates, with troops on board, were seem off Navarino on the 30th ult., making direct for Janina, A steam frigute and sloop from Alexandria arrived at Prevesa on the 27th with Egyptian troops, and severa others sinee. A seventy-four gun ship and a steam frt - gate are repotted on the Albanian coast. The French screw frigate Pomone, from Toulon, at Corfu. The London Glove of the 7th inst., adds to the informa- tion of the seizure of two screw steam frigates, built by order of the Russian Consul General, the fact of further | seizures having been made, in the interval, of » verre considerable quantity of machinery intended for the Rua~ sian service, comprising s large portion of the machinery intended for the equipment of the frigates now under_ capture, and engines designed for exportat'on to Russian ports, in which ships of are uow being built. The total value of the last seizure is estimated at about £100,000. The engineers by whom the contracts were entered into have shown no disposition to evade or deny their rexponsibilities. Several arrests have taken place at Parma, and among others the supposed assassin of the duke. In the British House of Lords on the 6th instant, Lord | Campbell laid on the table a bill to prevent any unauthor-_ ized negotiations or intereourse, touching public alfnira, . between the sabjects of her Majesty and persons of Stato, Ho said the object of the measure was to enforce the law* of nations, by which i was provided that any intercourse. | between indindual nations, respecting public affairs, should, only be conducted by the governments of those cowniries, or their ambassadors or ministers duly authorized, and respon sible For the advice they might rive. The London Gazette contains an order in coune!l, dated th of April, stating that Russian merchant veageia which at this date shall be in any of her Majesty's In- arms as ® guard of honor. Both dross of welcome. day lest. dian territories under goverament of the Fiat Inds Company, or within any of her Majeste’s forsign oc foloaial possegpions, ahajl bo allowed tainty days from