The New York Herald Newspaper, September 20, 1857, Page 1

THE NEW YORK HERALD. WHOLE NO. 1689. SUNDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 20, 1857. THE GREAT CALAMITY. Additional Details of the Terrible Event. MORE LIVES RESCUED. Arrival of the Marine at. Norfolk with } the Women and Children. TRILLNGLY INTERESTING STATEMENTS. NARRATIVES OF SURVIVORS. One Hundred and Forty-nine Known to be Saved. NAMES OF SOME OF THE MISSING SEAWORTHINESS OF THE CENTRAL AMERICA, THE LATH GALB, ae, a, &s. ‘We continue to receive details of the frightful calamity to the Contra! America, and wo are rejoiced to learn that mere lives have been saved. Tho Marine, the vessel that (teed by the Central America in her peril aud im her last moments, arrived at Norfolk yesterday, and instead of Raving forty-six survivors on board, she has one bundro) Bamely :—Forty.one men, thirty-two women, and twonty- Seven children. ‘The list of saved new stands as follows:— By tho Savony, at Sayannah.... By the Ellen, at Norfolk.. By the Marine, at Norfolk ‘Total saved, as far ag KNOWD.......ceeecece sree sees dO We are happy to loarn thai neither Judge MoUorkle, Bemator Broderick, nor Dr. Gwinn were passcngers on board the Central America. ‘Mr. Parker, of the firm cf Parker & Nichols, merchants of Ban Francisco, was a passenger by the Contra! Ame- vioa, and, we regret to state, was among those who We find from good authority that the number of pas. Qengers on board the Central Amerios, when she wont ews, did not exceed four hundred and sixty-two, ‘When the Oontral Ameris, arrived st Havana she re ported at the office of the Captain General as follows: — ‘Nember of passengers on board.... the passengers landed at Havana from the Central Ameri- @, as follows:— D, Cristobal de Lozada, D. Bartoloné Sorpanchi, ‘D. Santiago Oliva, D. Edvard» Fornandez. ‘1D. 8, de ia Coba and son. M. & Thresher, Jr., from San Francisco, wae no doubt oa beard the Central America, He was ® son of Mr. M. 8. ‘Thresher, Sen., of No. 61 East Broadway. This young mann bas been abeent in Califorais eight years and seysn moatns. We learn from a gentleman who received a letter from ‘Mr. William Turabull by the jest mail that he did not in- tend to leave San Franciseo till Octover, and that he ‘would then be accompanied by hie wife. Aovording to this information Mr. T. could not haye been on board the Oemtral America. Mr. R. A. Lockwood, a lawyer, of California, His family are with him. Ho weat out about a year ago from In diame. Mr. |. was the attorney of Colonel Fremont in his laweuits affecting the Mariposa. Mrs. lL. and children were axved by the Marine. ‘it a thought that Mr. Broderick did not leave San Fran. eie0 till the bth of September. It has Deen said that Colone) Fremont was on board the Osnira) America; but ho did not leave New York tl! tho 4h of Anguat, and could not have resclied San Francieso 4D the 38th of that month. The passengers by the U. A. Jef that city on the 90h ult, BB We generally sapposed in Newark that there wore on board of the Central Amorica several rosidonts of that @ity, who were oxpeoted home from California, Among the names mentioned those of K. Morris Karl, anda pen of chief of police Whitney. ‘Boyaat’s Minstrels, of New York, received » tolographic @espaich about noon yesterday, dated at Haliimore, from 8 A. Wells, who was & persenger on board the ill-fated eamer Central America, in which Mr. Wells announces ais enfo arrival in Baltimore. ARRIVAL OF THE NORWEGIAN BARK ELLEN AT NORFOLK. [From the Norfolk Dsy Book Extra, Sept. 15.) ARRIVAL OF FORTY-NINE OF THR SURVIVORS IN THE HORWRGIAN BARK FLLEN—DISGRAORFUL CONDUCT OF THR CHIRF ENGINERR OF THE CENTRAL AMBRI- OA IN DESERTING 118 DUTY IX THE HOUR OF PERIL. ‘The stermship Central America, W. | Herndon, com maander, United States navy, bound from Aspiawall to New York, foundered at sea at cight o'clock A. M., on the 18% insiant, lat. 81 60, long. 76 16, on the oastern edge of the Gulf Biream, with about five hundred souls on board, and over two millions of dollars in (ressare. The brig Marine, supposed to be of Boston, aliborgh in a @igadied condition, succeeded in recovering from the steamer all (he women on board, supposed to be about twenty cix, with thetr children; also about twenty men, mostly the boat's crew, ‘The conduct of the chief engineer is said to be the sole @uuse of this terrible disaster, as the passengers concar in giving great praise to the yesne) for the gallant manner in which she rode ont the storm up to the hour of her going dows. Whilst the captain and crew are maid to have act- @4 nobly, the chief engineer fed tn one of the boats ono hour previous to the ship’s sinking. An Amorjoan sebooner ran down to the steamer, but did got enooeed Im rendering any astisinnoa. At the time the Central America} eank no boats or ai! ‘were in right, and the forty-nine passengers of the eur. vivors were saved only by clinging to euch articles of the ‘wreck as were waahed from her, in which condition they ‘were left to the mercy of the waver for ton or twelve hours, unti! their deliverance, Al one o’olock A. M. on the 18th the Norwegian bark Kilen, Capt. A. Johneon, from Balizo, Honduras, bound to Falmouth, England, passed near the piace of disaster, and heard the ories of the floating survivors, and succeeded, fer a poarch of several hours, in rescuing the forty-nine Pervens abe brought in. Tt ta eapposed that the following aro al! that remain alive ‘Ont Of 615 souls which were on board at the time the II. fated seame: foundered. Thos. W. Badgor (isdy on brig Marine), San Fran- (te00, Cal. A. J. Easton (indy on brig Marina), San Francisco, California. R. T. Brown, Sacramento, 0. Harvey, Placerville. ‘Wm. Birch, San Francisco Minstrels (indy on brig Me- ine), Ben Francisco, Callfornia. 3. A. Forrester, Murphy's, California. Otiver P. Manlove, Grant county, Wisconsin. 4. B. Clark, Pot county, Missouri, Zoun D. D. Ementa, Orogon City, Oregon Territory H. 7. O'Conner few Tork, (mother on brig Marine), Albany, Tallos Seton, Shaw's Fiat, Callfornia, B. A. Wells, Leyden, Masaach usetts, Beorge Brown, Ulster county, Now York. James H. Raw, Mahoning county, Ohio, Thomes MoNeleb, Grase Valley, Ontifornia, Wm. N, Orborne, inthmas of Panama, JN, Fallene, Otncinnatt, Onio, ‘Wm. Chase, Michigan. J. ©, Taylor, Cohces Falls, Albany county, New York. A. Aguto, Lima, Pera. Henry Halcon, Montreal, Oanada, W. ¥. Fletcher, Broomfleld, Me, Wa. Irde, Wisconsin. R. Casoy, Askansas. J. M. Casey, Arkansas, John N, Crafts, Maine. Bonry Ramel, Itinois. Jacod Quener, Watertown, N. Y. Benry Hartman, Bremen, Germany. John B, MoGave, New York, 8. Caldwell, New York. Benj. Sager, (wife om Marine), St. Louis, John George, England. Mdward Moore, Boston. B. M. Lee, Platsburg, Pa. Jas. Jackeon, Miseourl. Chas. Reid, New York. B. H, Ridley, Maine. Jerez Hu wes, San Francisco. Samcel W. Look, Maine, Adolph Irederick, San Franciaos. Henry H. Childs, New York. The undersigned are survivors of the crew of the ateamer:— James M. Fraser, eeoond officer, Brocklya, N. Y. Henry Keefer, second assistant engineer. John James, fire reow, Bartholomow MoUarty, fre room. Asroz Holoom, saloon cook, New York. Henry Hardeaburgber, ship cook, New York. ‘Tim MeKugh, seaman, ‘Total, 49 passengers sayed on board Norwegian bark Elles. Tt ts to be hoped that some palliating circumstances may de elicited when time abel! havp elapsed suflicien! to olear up thie matter in regard to the obicf enginger’s desertion of the ship, and to bie singular conduct previous to that desertion, It in paid he acted the part of a coward in do- nerting his duty when there was no carthly necesaliy for such conduct, aadate time when a little nerve would have saved the ehip and brought all 'm unharmed. The vessel was in a strong ten. way at this time and laboring in the trough of the sea, and it is believed if the chief engineer had kept the steam up so the steamer could have worked she would haye worked out of her dif- Hicnlties, but in this critical moment he neglected to do his duty, and the steamer was rendered entirely anman- egeable. Groes praise is duo to Captain Johnsen and his crew for their roble and humane conduct in the resoue of the sur- vivors of the ill-fated Central America. They all accord tn rendering their heartfelt thanks for their efforts to render them every assistance in their power before and after their rescue, One incident connected with this heart-rending catas- trophe is said to be, that the captain of the Norwegian bark, some time previous to Minding the survivors of the steamer, was on deck, and a bird fiew in his face three times, when he made an alteration of three points in hie ‘course, by which means he was made tbe happy insira- ment of saving the lives of the 49 survivors, STATEMENT OF MR. OLIVER P. MANLUE. Olver P. Maniue, @ passenger gives the following infor. mation: — The vterm commenced immediately after the steamer Jef Havans, and continued with great violence, increasing uatil Friday. On Friday afternoon all hands were called upto bale, The vessel continued to ship water, and all hands worked with buckets, barrels, &o., all Friday night, ‘and till about 2 o’leck, on Satarday, when the brig Ma- rine hove in sight. All the ladies and children were put on board the Marine about 6 o'clock, P. M., and the Chief Engineer lef with them. In leunohing the ‘oats, two of the five of them wore stove, and the other three were despatched wiih the women and children about an hour before sunset. The Marine was laying nearly a mile off, and by the time the three boats reached her ! became evident that the sbip must go down before they could got back. All hands then seized pieces of spars, chairs, and life preservers, while others rushed below tose ewe thetrtreagero, The confusion now became very great, \bough all acted with coolness, eech endeavoring to make the last effort for his own safety, Now the vessel gave three lurches, some of the passengers jumping of at each lurch. Those who jumped off at the first and second lurebes swam of to some distance, bul the great mass remained on deck until the vessel went down, which was & moment ortwo afterwards. T bad provided myself with ® life preserver and a piece of @ spar, and determined to go down with the veel, with the groat ma of the pas- sengors, all of whom stood abeut, bracing themselves up and securing those articles mosi available to buoy them up. The vessel firally went down Wern foremost. I was standing near the emoke stack at the (ime, aed we were all dragged under the water with tho sinking ship, ‘The goneral supposition is that we wore all drawn under the surface at least twenty foot, and when we rose wo wore nearly stifled, Tho rapidity with which 1 was drawn down tore the spar from my hands ‘and the life preserver from my body, and when I reached the sarface my clothing was almost all stripped off me. I, however, met « friend who had two life preservers, who gave me one, and we also seized on pieces of the wreck which helped to sustain as, About four hundred of the passengers wore struggting about, most of thom baving lost their life preservers, and othors seizing on pieces of the wreck which came up with us, The Captain had out away the upper works of the vossel eo that when tho bull sunk they would ‘oat off; bat they were dragged down and came up in frag- ments. Many persons were killed, stunned snd drowned, by beirg struck with pieces of tho wreck, whilst the plecos were to others the uitimate means of tafoty, An occasional flash of lightine showed w each other @ sca of struggling forms Each strove to emooorage bie friend with hoo# which he yoarce felt himself, At Gret we were all together 1 & mast, but soon ihe waves separated of, and at each successive fiaah of lightning we discovered that wo wero being soatiered over a wide area, and soon found ourselves apparenily alone on the boundless ocean. ‘Tho rest of this scoount does not di(fer from that already Fecetved. He concludes by saying that about ton o’clook he wes picked up by the bark Klien, and had the satiatho- tion of fa‘ting others on board of her, Th ie aid that the bark Marine was in a disabled cond!- tion, Her jibboom was carried away, ono of her masts sprog, and her tiller out of order, STATEMENT OF CAPTAIN BADGER. Captain Badgor, one of the rescued passengers of the Central America, states that the gale increased until two o'clock om Friday the Lith, when it wae por- cetyod that the engize bad stopped, sad the ship fell off into the frough of the soa, which caused fer to make oonsiderable water around hor ler shat and the lee lower dead lights, it was aflorwards ascertained that the cause of the stop- page of the engines was the neglect of the fire and engine The deck pumps were out of order, and at Capt. Badgor's ‘#cggeation comparics were organized, whilst tho steward's and deck hands went dows to pass the coal slong. ie time the fires were put out, and the water bo- fo heated in the hold of the ship, and the steam engendered was #0 great that they were compolied to Abandon passing the coal. The ship then iay at the mercy Of the waver, but silll did noe inbor hard. We then rart- ‘waa done about six o'clock. From 4 o'clock till 8 the water wae kopt at bay. An attempt was made to raise steam in the donkey boiler. ‘Rerthe ‘wore torn out and thrown into the furnace tojraise the steam to start the pumps, but all to mo avail. The Bailing stil) went on vigoroutly, and wae kept up ail night by gangs who were changed as often as thoy became ox. hansted. Towards morning the men were beginning to fail and the water to increase and grow wp in the hold of the ship. Al four o’slock onthe morning of Saturday, the 12th, tho gale sated, with ® heavy sea running. They we a myteif and others, with the wre rawe mld hold out = Byery Passenger remained 000; and seemed to forget his davger tm thejunited efforts to save the vessel. There was 20 woep- ‘mg or exhibition of despair even on the,part of the females. As cight o’olock ancther atiempt was made to raise steam im the donkey boiler, to pump the ship, but without avail, Bome one proposed to box the pumps, but on inquiry no carpenter or tools sould be found, and the water gained ra- Piély. The lee shaft was shrouded in heavy biankets 10 stop the leak, but the water burst through. Ai two o’clock on Saturday a sail was reporied to windward, and at hall-pest three she came under the stern. Boata were immediately lowered, stove instantly by the fea, Three boats still remained, one in a bad condition. At four o’olock the work of re- ship bad by this time drifted away to leoward. The dis tence was considerable, and the boats in making the trips, and there betug a bcavy sea bat few could be carried at a time. send mg the ladies and children, the engincer and some fifteen others were ombarked on the brig. By this time ‘twas dark. The work of bailing was still kep! on, bu rosh wae mace by the passengers to got aboard, and It ‘was apprebended that the boats would be filled and stovo; it was now dark; abcuttwo hours before the sinking of the sbip, a sobooner ran down under her siern, but could not revder any assistance for want of boats. Tho work of bailing went on uatil within an hour of her going down, Two light# of the above vessel were now seen far to leeward. Rockets were firel from tho wheel, but went downward. The immediate sink- tug of the ship followed, Captain Herudon remained on tho wheel cp to the moment of her going down, which was olght o’clo2k on Saturday night. I was sianding on the quarler deck, Some jumped over and nut off from the now rapidly descen i ng ship, and seized on whatever they could. Noone shricked or cried, but all stood caim. Tho ox) tain behaved nobly, and raid be would not leave the ship. I promised him I would remain with him, as also did the second officer, Mr. Frazer. All at once the ship, as if in the agony of death herself, mado a plange atan angle of 45 degress, and, with a shriek frqm the enguiphed mass, she disappeared, and five hundred buman beings floated out on the bosom of the ocean, with no hope but death. At quarter past one o’clock inthe morning the Norweg'sn bark Elen came running down with a free wind. Tae crics of dlatress reached those on deck and they hove to under short sail. The task of rescuing the passengers was nobly commenced, and by nine o’clock the next morning forty- nine bad been picked up. Diligent soaroh was made unti! twelve o'clock, but no moro could bo sesn. They then bore away for Norfolk, with a fair wind, and arrived at Cape Henry on the 17th, where myself and four oibers embarked in the pilot boat and arrived in Norfolk. STATEMENT OF BILLY BIRCH, THE MIN- STREL. [From the Baltimore Sun, Extra, Sep}. 19 ) We left Havana on the 8th inst., with fair woather, which continued for one day. On the second day the wiod commenced blowing fresh, and increased until sho 10th inat., when the hurricane came down in greatfary, Did not know that the ship was leaking unti] Friday morning, wheu Capt. Badger proposed to go below and begin to ball the ship. In the first gang about two hundred went [rom the cabin, and « large force went to work in the stecrags. A live was formed up from the second cabin hatchway, and the work was continued without cessation anti! Satur: day morning, when barrels were prepared for each of the batchways, and the beiling went on. Oa Satur- day morning tho water was within four foct of the second cabin floor, The fires were all extin- guished before two o’clock om the afternoon of the llth. The sea was very heavy, and at two o'clock on ‘Saturday the first sail was seen from the windward, and came down under the stern of the ship. Being mach lignter, she soon drifted to ihe leward. She proved to be the brig Marine, of Boston, and she lay to about « mile dis- tant. Preparations were then made to get the amal! boat overboard, Ose had already been washed off the deck and another was torn to pieces in lowering it into the sea. About three o'clock we began to get off the females and children, and in two hours they were ail safe on board the Marine. All thi time the ship was in the trough of the soa ‘The last of the ladies, three in number, were in the boa: With the chief engineer, I asked him if he would not take me ip, amd he said be would do all he could for mo, and asked me to go and call James 5. Birch, which I did, ho doing at the time in bis state room, dressing. Two boats come back afterwards, but they were soon filled uo, The second boat went af and took in only a few passongers. ‘The work of bailing was going on, but soon ceased, and each prepared to take care of himself. | then putons life. preaerver and went into a stateroom, where were Jas. E. Birch, and & man named White, from Sacramento. The butchers were then building a raft forward, and I pro- posed to go and join them. We started, and just as opposite the smoke pipe a tremendous sea struck the ah'p and she went entirely ander, to rise no more. When! ame to the surface, afer being several times struck with pieces of Umber, thore was a large ber in the water in tho greatest consternation, 1 get hold of a pico of board and succoeded im catching © sash, which I held to, At this time it was quite dark, but I tried to cheer thoss who were near me. After having been in the water for about six hours I saw a sail. ‘and we all called until we were heard, and the vessel camo up to us, wBion proved to be the Norwogian bark Killen, and wo wore taken on board. ‘Tho captain stated thas when he was twenty miles dit tant from us, a bird appeared on his vessel, and three times flew in his face, whish caused him to change his course ten points, and thas be aame tons I was picked up about 8 o'clock om Sunday morning, and the boat about hslf-past 10 on Sunday morning. The search was oon. tinued onti! afr 12 o'clock, but saw no more. About an bour before the ship went down, a schooner came down and the captain said he would assist us, but we saw no ‘more of Aim anti! next morning, when he wes about ten miles distant. ‘The captain of the brig treated os with grea} kindness, And did everything possibio for ox: comfort Yesterday Jerry Bryant, of “Bryant's Minstrol’s,” ro cecetved the following despatsh from Wm. Biroh — Baxrmwone, Sept. 19, 1867, Jexey Bayart, Bryant's Minstrels, 472 Broadway: Find out where my folks live and tell them to telecraph me here at Barnum’s Hotel. BILLY BrReA. ‘Mr. Joseph Jefferson, comedian at [aura Keones’ theatre, also recetved the following tolegraphic despatch See Jerry Bryant. Request bim to inform Wm. Birch’s relations of his safety, and wiegraph here immediately also inform bis wife, on board the brig Marion {Marine}, as soon at it arrives, and bavejher come bere to him. Sedley, his brother. (n-law, resides in Brook'yn. He thinks 96 or 97 Prince street. Telegraph his correct address if found. JOAN T. FORD, ARRIVAL OF TWO OF THE PASSENGERS SAVED FROM THE CENTRAL AMERICA IN NEW YORK. Towards yesterday evening there were & number of calle at (he Metropolitan Hotel by persons awaiting with the most intense impatience the arrival of some of the for- tanate survivors of ihe Central America, Mr. Lelaml, one of the proprietors, had reosived a despaion announcing to him the safety of Mr. A. J, Kamion, one @f the passengers, ‘which was published (nm yesterday morning’s Hamatn, and @ wubsequent one telling him of (he departure frem Nor folk of Mr. &. Ayulo, ® oravian gentioman, « friend of Mr. Raaton’s. About § o'clock yesterday evening this gon- Weman arrived, accompanied vr another fortanate com panion in misfortune, Mr. R. T. Brown, of 107 Horter mroet, having come by land vis the Camden and Amboy Railroad; and were most cordially weloomed by the ‘worthy host of the Metropolitan and hie clover asvistants. Both were imm odiately surrounded on their arrival by crowd of anxious spectators and friends of those on board ‘who had been waiting to gain all possibile \aformation as to iheir fate. They wore literally besieged with questions as to the lost and saved, the manner of ther cscape, ko, The Peruvian gentleman could speak only ‘n Spanish and French, which ciroumstance left the crowd of questioners more pressing on Mr. Brown, who, in compequence of & recent family bereave withdrew a8 soon aa he possibly could to his residence. Our reporters visited both gentiemen, and obtained (rom them the following narratives — STATEMENT OF #. AYULO, OF LIMA, PERU, HE PROVI DENTIAL BSCAPR, BTC, ‘Wo Jef Aspinwall on the third of the month, and without anything perticn'ar Rappening arrived in Havana whicb place we uf) a se morning of the Sth, The weather up to (his time was besatiful, acd the voyage very pleasant, Towards the evening of the day we de- parted from Havans, there sprung up a stil! westerly breese, which increased during the night, and became more violent the next morniag. The gale contiaued in its unchecked fury all that day and night, and to add, to thelr distress, it rained terrifically. On Thursday it blew '&® perfect hurricane, and the sea ran mountaias high, and {8 #0 continued without abatement to Friday. In the morning !t was discovered for the firs} time that the ship had sprung a leak aud was filling. This caused some consternation among the passengers, who went to ‘work immediately to ball out the water with buckets, whioh were handed from one to another, and they worked bard a) that day and the next, until towards the evening, when they gave up iu despair and proceeded to prepare themactves for the worst, each person providing himecif with whatever he deemed most essential to his preserva tion, There were a number of tin and cork life preservers on board, with which each one helped himself, besides Sotitng spart rome portions of cabin furnitare and deck materials. The abip labored hard and was evidently in a waking condition. About four o’olock on Saturday a sail was descried, tho guns of the sioamor were fired anda flag of distress put up. It was seen by the vessel, which proved to be the brig Marine. She came towards as, and each of us was buoyed up with the hope of safety. Belug spoken to and told of our condition she lay to about» mile from us. Three boats were let down and msnned, aud tuto these wore put all the women an« oh{ldren, There were twenty four men loft the ship im these boats. In the evening another ssi] was scen, which, on being hailed, came near us. She was @ small neat schooner. I don’t know her name, Our captain told thom of our situation, and asked for areistance—s boat to be sent, as ours were a’) gone, those that left with the women and children not having returned, and tae other boats being washed overboard. We were told tho schooner would take us offend stay by us, but aho gradually disappeared, and was s00n out of sight altogeth Towards nightfall, about seven o'clock, we prepared for the worst. Each one secured whatever was within his reaob, and we momentarily expected to be called on to strogele for our lives. [had a life preserver just atjustet when s heavy tea struck the vessel, washed over us, and woall went down. I felt nigh su(fooated, and on rising to the top, I caught bold of tome debris of tho ateamor, and wantelped myself, as well as I could, for six hours om tho water, uniil rescved by the Norwegian bark Lllon. When tirst 1 oame ap, afier the sinking of the vessel, | raw rumbers of »y fellow pass ngers all about mo strug gllug in tho water, and grasping ovory floating thing with im thetr reach. By degrees we were wafied away from each other, and towards morning all disappeared. Ai the ‘ime of the going down of the sicamor, there urose a hoarse yeul, as if coming from the bottom of the ocean, and in a moment all was over. 1 was much exhauste! when resoned, and wat agree- ably surprised to find many of my anfortante compaaions on board. Larrived tn Norfolk, and at once proceeded to this city. The gentleman wag (uestioned sboct a number of the saved and Jost, their names, &c. Tho list will be found below. STATEMENT OF MB. B. T. BROWN. ‘Wo left Aspinwall on the afternoon of September 3, about four o’clock; arrived at Havana on Monday even- ing the 7th inst. Left Havans the next morning, about nine o’cloek. 1 did not go om shore at Havans. The weather was fine. Sep). 9, Wednesiay morning, the wind blew frosh. Sept. 10, Thursday morning strong wind; at night very strong, almost a hurricane Sept. 11, Friday morning, there was a heary and s0- vere gale. I sat from eight o’olock in the moraiag until twelve at noon watching the progress of the storm. Tho steamer ajl the time had hor head to the soa and acted handsomely, ami never appeared to even strain, for there was no creaking noise of that character, Tho wind was very siroug, ‘but the sea was excessively high. At that time the vessel behaved so well thal I made up my mind to wait two weeks for her at any subsequen' time that | shouli wish ‘o goto Callforsia. There is but one opinion on this sub- Jeot heid by all of the fifty passengers savod on the Killen. Capt, Badger said that be never saw a abip bebavo better. ‘The only apprehension | felt was that her machinery might rive oct or become damaged. Daring the morning the spanker was set, but in an hour it was blown away. At twelve o’clock I wont down stairs; I was thore hardly an hour when word was given to got all the backets ready; Capt. Badger giving the order. At two o’clock all hands commenced bailing. At this time one of tho en- ginee—ihat on the starboard side—stoppet, owing to the fire in its furmace going out. At two o’clock the fire tu the fernace on the larboard side went ont, and that engine, which had been working but slowly, also stopped. The roagon was that they could not got coal, on aocount of the water which bad come in. After the fires went out the steamer went into the trough of the sea, There were two tines of buckets formed from the lower weil hole, scar the cabin, to the deck—about Afty men tn cack line, besides fifty men forward, who were bailing from the well hole on (he ateerage aide of the steamer. Wo worked assiduously and Maboriously, and euoceoded in proventing the water from increasing upon us by the rapid use of these buckets. Until dark the water in tho hold was not #0 deop but that we could see the pig tron in the bottom, which was carried there for ballast. Noar dark it commenced gaining on us considerably, and continued to gain until she sank. The pumpe aft on deck were entirely out of order, and would net draw the water, Mon, however, worked them al! night. Daring Friday afternoon they succeeded tn getting up etoam egain for a short time. September 12, Saturday morning, | worked six hours, only resting once ar twice, but afterwards we discovered that no water had been drawn up by them, and that our labor was accordingly lost. The discharging pipe of the pumps is on the sida, bolow the deck and out of sight—hence their ignorance of the futility of their labors. 1 Orst took hold and worked three hours, but finding that wo were not gaining on the water, we bad them repaired. We thon went to work again, al though I told them that 1 did mot want to waste strength upon them unless they wore doing some service. In about two or three houre one of those who repsire! them came to af and said that they did not work to offect, as he bad discovered on examination that they brought up no water, We then went to work to haul « rope which was attached to barrels, which wore passed up and down throngh the skylight. The man who tried to repair tho pompa said they wore all out of order. The balers were at work also all of the preceding night, and they worked faithfaily, consisting of passengers, fore and aft. I do not think any one slept that night, except some fow who laid down from exhaustion | did not sleep a moment from Thursday night until I goten board the bark Ellon on Sunday morning, when | !mmediately fell asicep, being completely worm out and exhausted. About 3 o'clock on Saturday sail hove in sight, We fired a gun and placed our fag | half mast, It proved to be the bark Marine, of Boston. Wo then considered ourselves safe, She came near and we told her our cond tion. She lay about a milo distant, and we sont the ladies and chil dren in three small boats to the bark. There wore thus sent about twenty-4ix indies. Accompanying the indies was Jadge Munson, of Sacramento; Albert Priest, of Ja maica, L. 1, and Theodore Payne, of San Francis, bo sides three or feur others whose names I do not know. ‘The engineer, Geo. E. Ashby, assumed the sole charge of the last boat, and a some approached, enfoavor- ing © get im, he drew hie knife and throat ened to sab any other one who should sttompt to got into the boat—thore being four or five already in her, but watching his opportan.ty at a convenient moment, he jumped into the boat and pushed oi in a cowardly manner, Among the rescued passengers there is but one opinion, and that is that the loss of the steamer is to be attributed to him in letting the fires go out. He is cow on board the Fmpire City, The ports of the Central Amerion could not be closed tightly In the lower cabin, ani the vessel leaked very adly’at the shaft, 90 much that the engineorjhed previously asked for blankets tostop the leak. One of our email boats was washed away on Friday, and two were stove in launching. About dusk a schooner hove in sight, and passed us on the starboard side; she was told our) condition by the oap- tain. Her captain replied ‘that he would lie by,’ but on the contrary they passed on, and we saw nothing more of Ah Bho pasted so quinkiy] that we Could not ascertain hor name. She was rather small, and ollpper built, but of maiictent tize to have contained as all, At that time the storm was not very severe. We then had but one sail on our mainmast, The brig ‘Marine’ wae fast disappearin She would baye probadiy takeo om board more pamoa, gore, but she was disabled in her sailing gear, 90 she could not contro! her motions, and had to run before the wind. We pow percetved no hope of keeping afioat much longer, ‘and nearly all prepared for the worst by procuring life preservors and floating materials. Three rockets were discharged, and just after, a heavy sea broke nearly over her, carrying two or three hundred souls with it as it ro- Ceded into the ocean, of which number I wasone. The life preservers wore mostly all tin, and were therefore ‘not of much service, as 8 stight dent from coming in con- tact with a solid substance would destroy them. Bat few cork preservers were on board. Thad, previously to our being struck by the sea, gone on the hurricane deck, end taking the square cover lon hatchwey, tied ropes around {t and carried it to the star- board wheelhouse, to be ready for use when shosunk. 1 had hardly got there whem this wave carried mo into the ocean; I had also » cork life preserver on, and held tightly to one of the 10; I bad fastened to the hatchway. I went down and remained until nearly strangled. The soa was as high then as at any time, but it was less windy. ‘When I came up and had freed my cyes from water 0 ‘as to look around, tho steamer had disappeared, The sea ‘was literally covered with human beings and floating ob joste, A foarful cry—almost a yell—shricked in my ears which seemed;to arise from all of them at once. I suo: cooded in getting on a piece of the hurricane deck where I was soon joined by a companion—Mr, John D, Dement, of Uregon Clty, ‘This was about 8 o’clock in the evening. We remained there all night, toned about, The clouds had dispersed and it was starlight, On ihe morning of Sunday we saw & sail and succeeded In attracting attention, At o’clook ‘wo wee picked up by the Norwegian bark Elien, we hay- ing been in the water twelve hours. Woe wore tho last ones rescued, No others were in sight, and we saw none afterwards. Forty cight parsengers were already on beard. At the request of Mr. Easton the cap tain bad continued his search until he found us. Two hours after we met the bark Saxony, boarded her, and o.- tained two barrels of provisions, Wo transferred five passengers 10 her, who #0 desired, ‘as she was bound for Savanaab, On Monday, the 14th net., wo kept a sirtot look out for floatirg passcngers, but saw none, Ou Tuesday, the 16th inst., we mot with the dismasted bark Caba, of Gloucester, and obtained two barrels of bread, Bho was siso other wire Injured. She asked no assistance ofus, We also saw the propolier Thomas Swann, bound for Charleston. Wo ‘nformed them of the wreck of tho steamer and requosied thom to telegraph when thoy ar rived in port, Wo wanted them to tow as into Norfolk, but they sald they could not do tt as they had not coal enough, but offered to take avy paesengers that wanted to go to Charleston. On Thursday, the 1ith inst., we made Ospe Henry, at 3 o’clook P.M. Arrived at the harbor of Norfolk at dusk. Five of us engaged the pilot boat to bring us to Norfolk, and wo arrived there on Friday morning at daylight. Boarded the Empire City, gave the partioulars of the loss to Captain McGowan and telegraphed the news to the city. He premised to take the passengers from the bark Ellen to New York, Accordingly all who desired to come w this ety took passage on boark of her. Myself and one othor came on immediately by that night’s boat to Balt! more, and by the throvgh train arrived in New York about seven o'clock this evening. CORRECTED LIST BY MB. BROWM. Mr. Brows, respeciing the following persons, whom we named yesterday as having probably been on board speaks positively from his own personal knowledge - Senators Gwin and Broderick were not on the steamer. Mr. Lockwood, (formerly of La Fayette, Indians.) of tho firm of White & Lockwood, of San Francisoo, Is lost. Mr. Naah, of this eity, is lost. Mr, Parker, of the firm of Nichols, Parker & Oo., mor- chants in San Francisco, lost. Judge McCorkle, of California, was not on board. Mr. J. W. Reymond’s son was no! on the steamer. Gabriel D. Brush, baggage master of the Pagina Rail road Company, loat. A. G. Richardson, wife and child, not on board. J. Birch, President of the Callfornis Mail Stage Company, Jot. His wife, who is stopping af tho Metropolitan, had in duiged the hope that he did not take passage in tho Centra! America, as it was said his agent, Chas. Richardson waa coming on, but the case is reversed. 8.0, Campbell, of the San Francisco minstrels, not on board. Wm. Birch, of the minstrels, saved. 8. A. Wells, of the minstrels, saved. Dr. Hoary Bates, the lato S:ate Treasurer of California, not on board. W. 0, Mills’ sister, aud her husband, Mr. Anson Ives Easton, who wero married on the day the steamer sailed, both saved. Mr. Easton siood by the side of Capmin Hern don when the steamer wont down. Mr. Easton is» cousin of Lieut. J. C. Ives, who commanded the expedition to ex ‘plore the region of the Colorado, Oharles H. Boyd, lost. Oliver Garrison, brother of ©. K ‘doard. J. W. Turnball, produce merchant in San Francisco, and lady, not on board. Thero wore two Mr. Hawleys on board probably. (ne certainly is lost, Hoe was about 46 years of age, and had a wife and child, who were saved. ADDITIONAL NAMES AND PARTICULARS. Mr. Brown says that Mr. Birch was about to go on board Of the last boat that took away the ladies, when be went to arrange bis toilet, aud the boat not waiting for him, be was left. Dr. Gibbs, of Columbia, California, lost. Mr. McNeal, of the firm of De Long & McNoal, hardware merebants tn @an Francisco, loat. Mr. Ridgeway, of the firm of Spratz, Ne whouso & Co.’ importers of clothing, o., in San Francisco, lont. Dr. Young, of Saa Francisco, lost. Mr, Brown, of the house of Taift, MoCahill & Oo., dry goods dealers in San Frarcisco, lost. Pamuel Shreeve, of San Francisco, jeweller, lost Mr. Bokee, of New York, ana recently from China, Garrison, not on Mr. Dobbin, brother of the Secretary of the Navy, and purser in the navy, wae also lost, ‘The above acoount of passengers saved and lost, \s con firmed by Mr. Brown, aud may therefore be considered wuthoatis. Isaac Tompkins and James Tompk'ns, brothers, are said to have§ been on board, They were whosiwrighis; the former being in parworship with Joseph Jenning, at 117 Bidridge street, They had beon in Califoraia noarly a your, Joseph itved at§Now Rochelle, before he left here, and bas left quite a large family at that piace. SEAWORTHINESS OF THE CENTRAL AMB- RIGA. TO THE EDITOR OF THE MRRALD. Unserep Starm Mac. Srmaxerr Company Naw Yous, Sept. 19, 1867. } The Now York Triwne of this morning, in referring to the recent moet melancholy loss of the Central America fand the fearful gale in whieh she perished, inumates (I hope wibout any design to io injuatioe) that doubts have deen expresped by some in respect of the sea worthiness of the ship, By whom euch doubis have been expressed the public are not infermed. Bat assuming that by whom- sever oxpreemd they have been sinceroly entertained, ‘and that the motive of their expressicn is other (han the of working injury to the distinguished repatation of the weil known bulloer of the abip, or to the line which has fmtained this terrible misfortune, { doom \t} my duty to Roquaint with such circumstances a¢ may facilitate an intel igent inquiry as to the fact, which wo al ledge to be inconirovertibie, that at the time when sho commenced the voyage upon which she was loet she was ‘ag staunch, ancl rafe and seaworthy #8 any ship efont. Iwill not attempt to explaig the peculiar providence which permitted this catastrophe to the Central America, while #0 many other steamers, confessedly lees capable, have survived@e gale. There are numerous casualties, against whiolf Seman prudence cannot guard, and its quite cortain that this calamity bas followed from one of them, {fhe second assistant ongineor has survived hie com pantons, all of whom are believed to have perished At their post, and from him we shal) soon know the parti cular canse which may bave deranged or disadied hor machinery. At present itis idle to specuiste upon the subject, This ship waa butit ander the active superintendence of the officers appointed by the United States goverament, and before her acveptance by the Seoretary of the Navy: Ppt seence Of the act of Congress, was thoroughly ex iver «eo the character and safficiency of her construc boo, . mamodore Kearny aod Oaptaing Bolland Skiidy, PRICE TWO CENTS. 1 mubjoln a letter from the Secretary of tbe Navy with the reports of the Examining Board, From these reports the pabdlic can jadge of the justice of any doubts whioh have been inainuates as to the sufll tency of her construction. When she left New York upon the voyage whiob hae #0 disastrously terminated, she was in al! respects in perfect condition, and We are constrained to regard as intentioa- ally unkind any expressions of doubt as to the sufficiensy of the ship and her equipment, when made, as they must needs be, by men wholly uninformed upon the subject and who have not taken the pains to become inairac'ed. Weda not claim that the hip was proof against the providences of God, but we do claim that, so far ag human skill could ao- complish, we havo faithfully dischargod the duty which wo acknowledge to the public, and especially to those whoso lives and property wore comaaltted to her oars. As to the discipline of the ship during the trying boare preceding her destruction, we bave as yet no intelligonco beyond the single fact that, although the ship was slaking from Friday morning till Saturday night at 8 o’cleok, such order was preserved that three hours before the catas- trophe all the women and children wore safely transferred tothe brig Marine. Woare to-day advised of their safe arrival at Norfolix. In our jadgment this circumstance, when contrasted with well known cocurrences upon ai iol/ar occasions upon other abips, reveals a stato of things which refleote unugual glory upon her officers, whom death has prevented frona defending themecives agaiust any possible aseailment frou tho enemies of the line, M. 0, ROBERTS. THE GOVERNMENT OFFICERS OPINION OF THE OEN- RAL AMRE.CA. Navy Deparrmanr, Fob. 13, 1854. To Messrs. Gronce Law, Marsual U. Ronaats, Bows R, Mctivammn, assignees of Alber: G. Sioo:— Gentiemmn—Tho steamship George Law (now Contra] America) having been covstructed under the superin‘on- dence and direction of a | contractor in the em: ‘ofthe ry Department, as required by the fourth section of the of Congross approved March 3, 1847, and the report of the inspecting officers Raving déolared her stannab, stropg and well fiued for service,’ and that she “wad butlt in strict con’ormity with the ri quirements of the act of Congress of March 8, 1847, and according to the sitpala- tloan of the contract, with auch modifications as have been subsequently authorized by the Navy Department,” and it being the wish of tho arsigaces of Albert G. Sloo thas said steamship George Law should be accepted as one of ‘the steamships for the transportation of the United “Mates: mail, under the contract entered tnto by the Navy Dopart- ment with ihe sald Albert G 3:00, sushorizod by the afore- taid act of Oopgrers of March 3, 1847. it te deemed proper to notify you of the acceptance of the steamship Georga Law, herein referred to, as ane of the five sieamships for the transportation of the United States mail under (ne vom- tract with albert @. Sloo, autaorized by the four: scotioa of the act of Congress approved Marob 3, 1847. A copy ifeaoh of the reports made by che (aspsoting of- fioers is herewith enclosed, Very respoctfaily, your obo- dient servani, J. ©. DOBBIN, Naw York, Ook. 15, 1858. Sm—We berewtth, agreeably to your ustras lous of tha 11th inst, forward the result of our examination of tho steamed!p George Law, built under the supervision of 5 naval coustvetor, as speoiiied undorithe origizal require- ments by the governmen! for United States mall steamers, We report her staunob, strong, and well fitted for sea ser- viee. Her two tnclined ergines appear unusually massive and very efficient. We thiuk this ship well appolutod aad well adapted to perform the duties for which was (n- tended, We remain, very eenea kone Obedient ser- vanis, LAWRENCE KEARNY, CHAS 4, BRt Commander, WM. SKIDDY, Construct. Hon, J. ©. Donnin, Seoretary United States Navy, Wash- togton, DG. Naw Yorx, Oot, 28, 1853. Sr—In answer to tee communication which we havo had the honor to recetve from the Navy Department, dated Oct. 20, 1853, we will res; lly state, in eddition to our former report, that the steamship Georgo Law was built in strtot with the requirements of the act of Congress of March 3 1847, and socording to the stipula- tions of th contract, With fush mofifcatons ne ave beet subsequently author avy . TAWRENCE KEARNY, Gapt U 8. Navy. wa SF Commander U, 8. Navy. To Hon. J. 0 Donny Bes Called States ion. J. O. Donny, Secretary U: Nai Wasbington, D.0. " sd OPINION OF MR. STRENGTH OF Ti HER SUILDER, OF THE BNTBAL AMERICA, New You, Sept. 19, 1857, Jawme Gornon Burnett, By : i Dean Em—Observing an article in the Tribune of this = morning, alluding to the great catastropns of the loss of the steamer Contral Amorios, {9 which = doubt is expressed as to the sreagih and seawortbines of that shir, I deem it a duty to myself, as well as to public, to correct any unfayora- ble impression, come from what quarter or from whad motive it may, im relation to her construction or sea-going quaiities, With regard to her coustruotion, the frame of the ship was of the best materials known in the coantry, the top timbor and end framon beiog live oak, and the oa- pire frame double diagonally braced with long iron bare reaching from the floors to the top of the ship. No vessel was ever more securely or thoroughly built in this re- Tho planking of the ship, both inside and outelio, im ad- dition to the usual \astenings, was belted edgewire, siren by streak, the entire lengta of the vossel—a great safo~ guard against vessel springing & leak, and method sel- dom resorted to in the construction of vessels. With re- gard to ber seaworthiness, she had proved herself during three years’ constant service, to bea ship requiring fow Topairs, until her recent goncral overhaul—proserving hor origical model in a remarkable dogreo, and atond high with the Undorwritors, I can say in rogard to heras@ sea boat, that she was pronounced by every one of her commanders and those employed on board of her, to bea capital sea boat, and regarded by nautical men asd those capable of judging, as one of the best steamships out of this port. W. 8. WEBB, WHAT WAS THE NAME OF THE VESSEL THAT DESERTED THE CENTRAL AMERICA? Childs’ statement published in tho Heritp of yesierday — At 4 P. M. wo spied a mail, and fired guns and ow ag at bait mast. was seen, and Mg cs Boston, bore do pon as. © then certain, She came near us, and eto her and our conc tion. ania conn lo dista*t, and wo im (ae op y three boate saved placed all the women and chik dren, acd they were safely put on board ening was fast approaching we disrovered saother ich resposded to our call,gand distance, which grew greater and greater every moment. At 7 o'clock we saw no por bility of keeping af longer, although we all felt that if we could do a0 py wy om bam de enved. Guan, me a heavy ‘or the ime broke over the upper deck of ihe vossel, ‘and When all bope faded away. “ihe No name of tho vessel was given by Mr. Cailde, and he did not report whother aa 8 abip or not, The ship St Louis, which arrived at this port, and the brig Mango Park, which arrived st Philadelphia yesterday, mako the following reporia, but as thero i# s matorial diffironce of time im the statements, it is to be hoped tbat It was not either of thore vessels that Mr. Childa’ referred to:— REPORT OF THE SHIP ST. LOUIS. The ship 81, Louis, Captain Hoyt, whieh arrived at thie port yesterday morning from Now Orleans, experienced the fail fury of the recent hurricane, sa wili be seen oy the fo! lowing report — On the 11th tnetant, im latitude 34, experienced a severe burricane from F,.N. F., im which we loat lowor fore aud main topeails and [oresall; the ship under bare poles, and drifting on ehore, wae in twenty fathoms water, At day- ight on the 12th \t moderated, and we bent new salle. At 10 A. M., while wearing ship, a wreck waa reported, bear- ing west, the weather at the time being thick, wita « sonth- erly wind; kept away for her, when she proved w be « Seamer, with loss of smoke stack, both maste standing; ren within balfa mile of her, when seeing no solors sot bor any one on board, and being in oighteen fathoms wa- ter, Rept to the eastward, This waain about istiiade 2 56, wind vory light from the south, with emooth sa; ba- rometer 28.7, Atl P.M. the hurricane again came on very suddenly and with (noreased violence, blowing away our lower main topeatl and other salle from the gaskets, vod tt continued to blow through tho night, s very hesvy res romping, which washed away ihe marboard and s part of the port bulwarks, stove boats, cabin windows, 43 O@ the 15th, the weather being more moderate, bent now ‘alla and got the ship before the wind, On the 14th, i@ latitude 36 55, longitade 73 20, saw @ large voasel to wind. ward with main and mien masta gone close to the deck, and fore topmast at the cap, heating to the westward, we banled to the wind to speak ber, but secing no one om beard ne ony eouraeets BOW Ow (0A SPEN BY A PHILADELPHT THE CENTRAL AME! +. A Captain Nichols, of the brig Mango Park, which ars rived at Philadelph\s yesterday morving, from Cardense, roportas that on the 11th lust, © noon, when souba of Cape Hatteras, he disouvered a |.rge ateamabip, paintos > supposed to be tbe Central Amertcs, s.sering N & The wind was blowing strong from the N. W weather (hick and rainy, Nothieg anumual was. 4 GONTINGED ON EIGATH PAGE.)