The New York Herald Newspaper, September 21, 1857, Page 1

ee es WHOLE NO. 1690. MORSING ‘EDITION-MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2L “867 THE NEW-YORK-HERALD THE FEARFUL SHIPWRECK, ARRIVAL OF THE EMPIRE CITY, witl WIWETY-TWO OF THE SURVIVORS. ‘Reported Safety of Captain Herndon and Others. TME THRILLING DETANS OF THE DISASTER, Hurratives of the Calamity, by Mrs. McWell, Mr Besstord, Yrs. Chayer, Miss fallon, John Oumamings, Mr, O'Couner, Mrs, O'Conner, Mra, pocith, Mrs Hawley, Oliver P. Man- hus, Captain Badger, Billy Birch, Mrs, Birch, Mir Ayulo, HR. ¥ Brown, Thao % mans Mc 4eish, Deater Gitano, Joho George, FE, Wells, Brauk A. Jones, William Chase, Mr, Bra ser, Firet Ufficer, B. M. Lee, aud Mr. Casey. The Curious Incident of Board the Ellen. Reviked List of the Lost and Saved, The Conduct of the Chief Enginoer, Seaworthiness of the Central America ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-THREE KNOWN 10 HAVE BEEN SAVED ird on Four Mitidines ji ‘Saat ihe Lo INTERESTING INCIDENTS, Bafety of the Women and Children, THB RESCUE OF A CANARY BIRD BY MRS. BIRCH. SCENES ON THE SINKING OF THE CENTRAL AMERICA, ‘WOMEN AT WORE BALING OUT. Struggles ef Five Hundred Human Beings Cast Heipless upon the Ocean. The Merrors of Shipwreck. EXTENT OF T LATE GALE, NAMES OF VESSELS LOST AND DAMAGED, de, &e. “ke. ‘The trematip Empire City, Captain Joo. Mo dowan, ar ‘Wived af is port carly yosterday morning with ninety- bwo of the survivors of the i!)-faied Central America. We are iadebied to Mr, 0. H. Denison, the Purser of the BC, for the following intoreruieg rtatement:— ‘The Empire City, Capt. Jno, MoGowaa, left her wharf at Norfolk, Ve, 9\ 103, A. M. om the 18th, for thie port. She nad been viowalled aud coaled during she previous two faye for » Worough crulse in searah of the missing steamer (Osewal America, of whose uliimate safety, however, noae on beard fett any mingiving. But om the day of departare, at 6 A. M., 8 pilot bos same up from outside, anchored in the stream near us, sad we were soem boaried by © gentleman, one of four peasengers, who cleciriied us with the announcement of te total loon Of the Central America, foundered at soa a! severe gale, carrying down with her most of her officers aad crew, nearly four bundred passengers and aboct 81,200,000 in treasure. Our informant had been picked “wp during the night of the disaster, floating on fragments ef he wrack, toxcther with forty-eight others, by the Nor- wegian bark Ellen, Capt. Johasos, from Balise, Honduras. ‘yound to Falmouth, Engiand, which vores! ho reported ‘hen coming up tho lower bay in tow of # small steamer. ‘We likewise understood that all ihe womem and chil. dren, some of ihe latter infants, fifty.six in namber, had been saved in the steamor’s boats before she sank, and placed on board the brig Marine, of Boson. Sir mid my informant, with death yawning before them, (Be mon stood solid as © rock, nor made © movement for the boats until the women and children had becm ai! \wansported savely to the brig, after which about 40 of the erew and male passengers, ina few irips, reacted the latter veave! before ibe steamer went down Capt. M:Gowan, abandoning bis previoas inten\on, |mme- @msaly got his sbip undor way, steawod down the harbor: nad when near the light ship epcke ibe bark with her q 10a of the eared Hailing ner he proffered a pansage to all who hose to accept, The majority were taken on board, and ‘with a parting round of ihree hearty cheers for their pre earvers, we proceeded om oar voyage, hoping to fall in whe the brig and relieve the women and children. A yeanel was desoried ahead In tow of & propeller within Wares miles of Cape Henry, bound im, and immediately wpecuiaticn was rife sa to whowber she mighi or might not ‘Para out |) be the vesrel we sought; gieases were levelled ot her by anxious groupe gathered forward, and as we Fapidly cloeed together, certainty muoceeded surmise, and bo the joy of ail she proved to be the brig Marisa, in tow of the Oty of Norfolk, propeller, her low and covfined seoks ewarwing with wretched looking objects, many of ‘hem women and obildren, wringing thow hands, and weoying and iarghing by turns, hysterically. Oar boats were speedily lowered, and Tap\. MoGowan tn the first boarded the brig im person, caressed, embraced, and \adeed half etrangied by the poor women who threw tmeweeives upon him as be reached the deck. As boat load after boat load reached the ahip’s side and Indéer, each vied with the otter im aesteting them to our @ecks, and in © short time the greater portion were com fortabty quartered in the cabin. To the bystandors the Penognition and greeting between the two partiae—mother @iaiming son and hasband wife; the eager scanning ef eanh face in agonising fear and expectation; tbe joy or Grief manifested as recognition oF disappointment awaitet the gaser—eer touching In the extreme, straining the heari strings and moistoning the oyes of many hitaerto ‘unused to noch manifestation. A portion remained on board the brig, preferring to go fap to Norfolk, and when all who wished had been taken ‘on board, the Empire City again got under weigh for Now ‘York with hor freight of unfortanates, Ninety-six in all wore reported to have beon saved by the brig, exclusive of the colored stewardess, who diod from exhaustion afer haviog boon (akon from the wreck All epeak in the highest torms of the attention pald them ‘and ihe humanity displayed by the officers aod crewso oth brig and bark. The former, with the women, wat ebout to serve oul Aer last day's allowance of water, and head not an opportans suppty of provisions been reosived from © passing veuo!, they must have been driven to great straits with hunger ae woll as thirst. ‘The bark Kilew had previously had all her boats #ove In the gnie, and every individaal of thoee eared by her were draws on board by lines thrown them as she sailed through the driting maases of drowning mon—her captain hand- fing hie ome! aa none bat & wallor conld—gring ahead, fretting sternway on hor, and drifting to leeward ae the ories about him from those whom be could not eee through the darkness of ine night, dictated. Their escape |e unequalled (n the annals of marine disaster and relief, ‘The officers of the Emptro City, eriering for the lowe of thew bevtber officers, ave jet & fooling of pride and eaite- Taotlon }n knowing that they dled as their posts, striving to save life to the leat; anc point to the faci that all the women and children were saved (not an infant lost) as an insiaace of seif Jevotion, coolness and miniiness seldom excelled Mf eqvatied. Bhouid it please Providence herester to place thom Ww {De same atralt, they wish no nobier eulogium or bette: epitaph. SURVIVORS OF THE VENTRAL AMBRICA ON BOARD THE EMPIRE OITY. TAKEN FROM PHS NOSWEG1LAN BARE MLLER, John N. Beasford, Owifornia. ‘Wm. Chace. Michigan. . Jobn 0. Taylor, Orhoes Falls, N. ¥. Beery Brumwell, Taswell Oo., Di. Raw. Morse, Boston. P. A Wells, Leyden, Mass, Dovgiss Ratherford, Wisoonsip. Jolius Sietsos, K ngeton, Mase, Jobn Cummiog, Wisconain, Jacob Quencer, Watertown. 9. M. Cavey, Arbansas, Benj Segoe, 8 Locia, Mo, Thos. McWresh, Bloomsburg, Pa. Henry T. O’Oonor, Albany, N. ¥. Henry Hartman, New York. Geo Bruyn, Ulster county, N. ¥. W T. Fletcher, Maine. Rapéolph Omey, California. John MoCabe, Ireter d. Jobn George, England. Charles Reed New York, B M, Lee, Pitsburg, Pa. has. A Vooe, Francistown, N. B. Henry Ailord, Montreal. onmw, Jamoe M. Frazer, 2d officer. Benry Keefer, 24 assistant engineer, Jobp Jones, fireman. Barclay Mo ‘arty, coal passer. ‘Tim MeK+ogb, sailor. Aaron R. Boloom), saloon cook. Henry Hardenbarsh, ship’s cook. Passengers, 24; crew, 7, Total Sl—takem from tho waier afier the ehip foundered. TAERN FROM BRIG MARNE, OF BOSTON, [SAVED IN @TMRN BOATS, ] ‘Mies Emith, San Francisoo, Robert Hatchiason, Virginia, Mrs Segur and two ohildren, St. Louis. Henry Kimbell, 8. Lawrence county, N. ¥. Morgan Badgley, New York. Mrs E, O’Oonor, Albany, N. Y. Lewis Borew, Albany, N. Y. W. W. Geory, Jersey, Ragland. ia Mavy Batley, Cattfornia, Frank A. Jonos, Sacramento, Oalifornia. ‘Mr, Virginia Boreh, San Francisco, Mrs Hewiey and two obildren, San Francisco, Mrs. Barris and child, San Francisco, Mrs. Thayer and two children, San Francise, Mrv. MoNell, Pan Franciso9, ‘Mre. Bowley and two ohildren, San Francisco, Mrs. Mary Swan and obiid, San Francisco. Mery Ann Rockwell, California, ‘Thos. Bride, California. James Gallagher, Now York. Thos. Fraser, New York. ‘Wm. Place, Hodson, New York. Alexan ‘er Gardtuer, Philadelphia. Gritan Teather, Genoa, Italy. ‘Mrs. Pabud and three ohiléren, California, Mrs Email and chtid, Panama. ‘Miss O'Fallon and brother, Sap Jose. Mrs. Reading, New York. ‘Mrs. Caroline Shaw, California. Mrs. F. Rabsn, Belleville, 111. Edward Hodges, & Johes, N. B. ow, John Black, boatewain. Devid Raymond, quartermaster. ‘Wm Jackson, quartermaster. Robert Long, quartermaster. Finley Frasier, quartermaster, Edward Brown, tailor. John Davis, tailor. James Molane, sallor. Fred Brougham, sailor. ° James Travia, sailor, James Clark, raiior. Richard Reed, sailor. Henry Hethripgton, fireman. Jobn Clark, fireman. Geo. Seward, Sreman. Nine y two in all,on board Emptre Ory. APPEARANCE OF THB PASSENGERS. P. M. on the evening of the 12:h inst, during the late ‘Thoesteamer Empire Oty, which waa awaited with #0 much anxiety, arrived off Sandy Hook om Saturday night. Sunday morning she etea wed up to Qiarantine, was Doard- ed by the Health Officer and twelve reporters, after which the proceeded direct to New York. There were on board ninety two passengers saved from the Central America, by tho brig Marine and bark Eulen, Of these ibirty were wo- ‘men, twenty-«ix ohildren and thirty. «ix men; fourteen of Shove indies bad husbands with them on board the Central Amorios; four of said husbands are known to have been waved. Thoee unfortunate, and yet fortunate women, wore an expressicn of the greatest sadness; !t was not an obtru- sive sorrow, but calm, deep and pervading. Soaresly one of them had « cent of money, and none « change of clothes; they were just as they had got into the boat from the Central America, devoid of skirts, and wearing merely an outside dress. Some wept as they approached New York city, overcome wiih past memories and their unexpested condition. They had left California affluent in wealth ani riob In the reciprooal enjoyment of affection; they arrived here devoid of treasure and overbardened with effiiovon, For thetr bright aaticipesions they find the severest sufferieg, and 1ome, the oxtremest penury. Not the least piteouy ‘was tho sight of the (fants, Some of them were perfeotly baked, merely wrapped around by « coarse biankes taken from a berth. Others were moreiy girt about the loins ith linen, while others wore a fuller dress, Many of the methers seemed quite unwell. Some were taking gruel, others were giring it to their babes. The deepost sedncas pervaded ail. A few covid only speak with tears; others bad power t check the outward semblance of their in ward grief. Some who had faced death in the hour of their peril with cheeks unbianched could not apeak of tho catastrophe and the Ines of & love! one without tears. Jo jooking @t the condition of those saved from the anfor.a pate #hip one could more fully realise the greatness of the calamity, All the pessongers, male and female, epoke in the highest terms of their treatment on board the Empire City. When they arrived of the Pattory it was reported that the passengers wo tlt not be allowed to land till today. Thin announcement, to per- sons in their oonditiom, was anything but agreeadio; it bo. gan to annoy them conaidersbly, a9 they thoaght they hat come to an end of their “trials by sea,” but in lowe than « minute a steam'og was seen making for the stea nship, into which tho passeng srs immediaiely rushed and were conveyed to the city, pleased, at least, to be once moro vely lodged om the frmearth. J. A. Van Dyke and ora were on the ground with carriages to convey the shipwrecked passengers without charge to whatever piace im the ciiy they desired to go. STATEMENT OF JOSEPH M. BASSFORD, Mr. Joseph M. Sassford, of Benicia, Califoraia, cue of tho rescued passengers of tho Voniral America, gives tho fol lowing statement — Shortly after the seamer left Harana the storm oom. menced and raged wita unabated violenos till the ship went down, On deck Friday morning s»0vt 7 o’olook when the engines guddenly stopped. Anxious to learn what the diMoulty was [ went to the engine room. The moment I arrived there the first engineer, Ashby, come Turning into the room with sothing on but his shirt, having hurried from his berth without dressing An in- sant arterwards Oapiain Herndon oome to whe room also, having Deen roused from his berth by the sudden stopping Of the engines. Assoon as the Capiain saw Mr. Ash- by he said nothing, but went directly away. Mr, Asd- by made an inquiry oF two ae to the dimonity, and retreated =o his private room to drome himacif, afer which he returned. 1008 OF THE OYRAMER [MPUTED TO AntnT, Afver Ashby returned he calcd 4 together the saute and firemen, and consulted as to shat should be done, pipe hed broken and @ great des! of steam was crcaping, which was all the diffionity visihie tome, Efforts wore made \ set the engines ering, but this proved tnetieotnal | taqutred of one ¢f the Gremvea the extent of the trouble, ant ‘was told that the steamer ha} sprung a leak, and tha: water was pouring ia quite rapidly, and teat it wae impyestble to pass the coal; and for this reason the engines hal etopped As yet ihe water had not t ruched the fire in the furnaces. Tewas found, after several pours, that the water was com ng {p at such @ rate ‘hat it would be neoosssry to csi! imextra ald. Accordingly, two lines of men were tormad om the starboard, and aniher on the larboard aide of the steamer, with buckets, to 'mke out the waler. This wa about 4 o’clock in the aiteracon. When the cal’ for the ‘Duckels and aid of the passengers was oniled for, there war some corsternation smong the passengers at Orst; none holteved, however, that the 6 was no res! danger, Al this time the wind was blowing aimost a burricans. I ventured my heed above the deck oncs or twice, but i’ seemed as though there was danger of the wtad bio ing | eff, so violent and ter'ific was the gale, In cozneotion with the buckets,gangs of men were arrange! with barrels to take up water by mean of pulleys. The pumps had beer abandoned before thie some timo, Every body worked iiks® (ood fellow, and the water was gained on tofuch an ex eat that the engineer was enabled to get up steam tn tho main boiler of the ship, and several revolutions were mate with tho wheels. The water now gained on the ship, and a: Jepgth put out the engine fires, Meantime efforts bad peoa made ai! along to get the donkey engines at work, bus without any success. HARD LABIR—SONG SINGING, The labor of ‘be men at the buckets and barrels wan very severe and trying. Everything was dono tn kee) ap the spiris. To give impetus aud encouragement to ine ye number sang while laboring Tne voices of rose merrily and powerful above the din of the rtorm avd ihe lashing of the steamors sides by tne waves. The burden of the song was the steccotypo couplet, sung with » satlor-like meloty and viracity—~ Pesve 0, Heave V.jermp and We'll ke jolly Diane o- ore From want of keeping up a Proper syste of manage. ment, however, lo arranging (he men in watches, so as to shernate at proper intervals, mt the frat a nim ber of men, nojwithstanding the stimulus of soug singing, became #0 sompleteily tired ont that wter a time they had to give up work, Some fell down exhausted and fainting In (heir steps. LADIES PROFFAR AREISTANOR AT THE BUCKDTE. At this crinle some of the ladies behaved most generously and nobly—several of them volunteering to take their places at the bucket; bat the mon, tired as they were, had too much gallantry to aliow this. The offer of the ladies, however, to assume a portion of the trying toil gave renewed encouragement to the mep. Mrs. A.J. Easton, # bride, who with ber his band were among the passengers, sod were on a wo Iding sour, furnished the men a large number of bottles of wine: The liberal bestowal of the wine, and the spirit which prompted tte dewaiion, won the admiration of all. Not only was increased vigor given tothe men, but !t roused them to work siill bravely on, Several of the paren sers,whose porition and intelligence, and witha!l, the tryiog circumstances in which tho abip wes planed, ought to bave restrained from de porting wemrelves other than properly, drank excessively of Nquors on board the ship, probably from their own pri vate stores, and made thems-Ives very noisy and troubdie- some. know two of the passengers of high social and pol tical associations, who refused to work, but gxt alarmingly drunk, 30 much 20 that ir more sober companions had to put Dem in their berths. In that condition they lay when the skeamer tank, ‘The men worked at the bockets, endeavoring to bale the steamer, from Fridsy at 4P. M. til! Satu-day night. One grea difficulty in the progress of the work was the want of proper aad strengthening food. A dry cracker was abdoutal that could be got bold off What made it still worse Was the impossibility of getting water to drink. During the night the men had to work en tirely im the dark Justice compels it to be with all his nobility and and notwithstanding his possessing ins high degree most of the traits necessary to sn efficient commander, was not equil to the pre- sent tryiog emergency. He ran all over the ship, ranning hers and there himself for a blanket, or a hammer, or trivial things which he should have sent others for. Ho was not wanting in manly courage, bat he wanted de cwive promptness Had he subdivided matters properly, and exercised (he rigidness of control necessary to the oo- casion, I think the pteamebip might have been kept afloat Jongor than she was, and possibly saved. Attwo P.M. Saturday a eail was seen fromthe wind- ward. Guns were fired and signals of distress holated. Fortunately the vessel saw us and came down under our stern, being kept to tho windward to lay to, but the qule blew ber away three or four miles to tne leeward, The sight of this brig, which proved to be the brig Maine, gave increased encouragement to the men engaged in baling the steamer, and they kept at work latily and nobly, The women and ohildren being gvihered aft and on the tiarboard iide of the steamer, tho work of govting thom on board the brig commenced forthwith, Preparations were made to pot the emall bonis overboard, The first boat that was lower- ed was atonce stove. Better lack attended the lowering of the second boat. The boatewain and three of the crew were piaced in charge of the boat, and it was soon filled with a periton of the lady passengers and childres. A grrat dea! of diMouity attended getiing them into tne boat durtrg the heavy soa, The third boat that was lowered was in charge of the quartermaster and three oarsmen; this was likewise filled with women and obildren and porbed off for the brig Marine. The fourth boat that Was lowered mot with the same fate with the firs} boat, and was knocked t pisoss. MR ASHBY LEAVES THE OTRAMER—HUB PROMI TO Cartan HARNDON, ‘The fifth and lest boat letdown #0 as to resoh ths Wweier and ride in safety, After all the remateiog lady paseengers, excepting three, bad been taken oa board, Avbby, the chief engineer, made & move to got into the dost. Captain Herndon told him net to ges in. Upon wbioh Ashby Desougnt (be captain to place him in charge of the boat. He promised (he captain thai he would come back with the boat, and whal wos more, prevail cn the capiain of ibe Marine (6 com ‘with bis vessel to where the stoamer lay, and get bini 0 send bis amall bosts out Captain H. raid that be feared to trast him, ae ho was Afraid he would not coms back, Upom this exprossion of doudt relative to himecif, Achby said.—/ promise you, captain, most solemnly, that Iwill come back to the slaamer and not desert her,’ or words to this parpose. 1 beard the remark distincily, ard noted Mf, as the fact of the doubt a to the boat's return caused mo to think that porsibly the present would be the last op- Portunity | would hare to eave myself; | saw that all the women wore in, ar¢ would not allow myself aay thought of my personal safety ill ihe safe. of the women had besa Yooked to When Ashby goton board he drew a knife as he «a several on the point of making « jamp for the boat—and declared if any individual j wmped on board he ‘would take his life. I bade knifo, too, at my command, ‘and was not to be awed by aay euch throat, Koowing that the women and children were safo, I felt jastifed in making an effort for my own preservation, bat the boat wea cut loose, I gave s jamp and lagded in the boat, I had $2,000 in gold in & belt, and was about to tie it about me, bet with the hasie IT had to make to got into the boat, thrust it into my ide coat pocket. In gir. ing the jump it was thrown in some way on of my pocket into the water’and lost Ashby did not ‘Carry out bis toreat asto doing meany personal (ajury. ‘Tho boat bad got but « fow [set from the steamer when a young man namei Adams, from Baiiimore, dove hoad foremost from the steamer and came up tho othor side of ‘the email boat, He put als leg over into the boat and got tn #0 quickly and quietly that only one or two of thoes in the boat notioed it. Fifteen persons, including Ashby and the oarsmen, wore in the small boat in which I had safely landed my elf. The reason why more did not abiempt to got into the small boat was because they felt thomactves eafer on tne ftoamer, No one belioved it possible that a small boa) could live. Had the Central Amorioa strock a rook or reef ‘and been tm danger Of sink'ng, and there had been but Ittle toa at the time, no earthly power could? have prevented # mad rush for the small boat. and 9 many Crowding thom thet they font have bem 6 vice of Being = ennk As it wae, ih was win th) ainoe AtMoulty and danger that the imal) @acarred sis: 2144 from the | meamer to whe | brig 4s the best in which I marlon the swamer, Ospt. Hernton stood on the bow of the rleamer, with a trumoet and soygiaes in “'< bands. The wind bad abated somowhat, and the passengers on bo steamer knowing tbis fact were buoyed up with the hope that the brig Marine would soon be able to come up to where the steamer lay and tare them safo'y on board. Upon our boat loads arriving alongside the Marlae and betng takem on-board, Ashby atked Osptan Biroh if ho could not get hie brig nearer the Central Amerios. This, Capiain B, ratd, was impossible, owing to tho disabled con- Cin of bis vessel and the heavy wea. By this time the brig had drifted about six miles from the steamer, Ashby seked the capain if be would not lower bis small boat, but this, the captain sald, was in a con- Gdidom opit to be used. An offer wae made by Aubby to Captain Biro of $500 if bo would got his brig slongai¢e of she Central America. Tao captain reposted his statement ibat ibis was impomsibie in the condition bis veesel ihen wae, Ashby now promised $10° 8 mento those whe would go back in hie small boat. David Ray- mond, quartermaster, said ne would go tothe steamer if cho was fifty mils away, and that he was xbove takiog pa for such servio:s. Four men went back in the boat. Ashby rematned on the Marine, notwithstanding his pledge to taptam Herndon. Asmall beats’ crew of firemen arrived at the Marine thor‘ly after the arrival of Ashby’s boat. Captain Birch seid they should not come om board; bat they would not heed hie oommands, but got om board. I tried to get there men to go baok, but ncthing could induce them. Mean- time the two first boats returned to the steamer and brovght other partioe from the steamer, From the brig rockola were seen thrown ap from the Central America The boat sent back by ashby to the steamer retarned about 10 P, M., and broughtGinteligence of the sinkizg of (be steamer. This information caused a thull of horror and deepest emotion and suffering to the resc.ed passen gers op we brig. None were prepared to receive ‘hose melancholy and awful tidings. Noone felt any fear bat that the stesmer would ride out the night in safety, and every one felt that preservation was at head, Meoy of the rescued wives of the passerg:rs, who bad left thelr busbapds bebind them, declared with ories of piercing ogrby thus they would rather bave stald behind and gone down with their husbands than to have been saved with- ovtibem. The scene on the boat was one long to be re- membered. I have passed through trying scenes before of fearful suffering, but none that equalled this, The Marke lay to all night, and as soon at it was daylight cruised about to see if suything cud be seen of the steamer or her parseagers. There were five vessels in sight, but nothing was veen of the steamer or any of the passengers or ocreq® loft board of her when ebe sunk. Finding thst further sarc would be ineffectual, the captain headed his brig for Norfolk, Va. On the passage for Norfolk everything was done on board tho Marine, with the meagre acoommodations at commend, to mae the passengers comfortable. Its ac commodations were very meagre, but such as they were, they were most aconptabis and gratefully received and ap- preciated. The captaia gave bis own cabin to tbe ladies, bat It did not begin to be large enough to ascoommodate the number on board. A large number of the ladies had to sleep on the top of the cabin, with nothing but # pice of canvas to protect them against (he cold and water as it washed over thesbip. They all had to be fed out of two or three cups, ad with wooden ss0ons. The lack of provi- sions was the main cause of suffering. FORTONATE MEBTING OF 4 SIP, On the third day, fortenately, we met the ship Ecfraser, going from Philadelphia to New Or- Jeans. Upon making known the oondition of things to him, be sent on board some chiskens, a bdarro! of bread, @ quantity of coffee, tea, sugar, &0., whish far nished most socosptable nutriment and comfort. The captain of the sbip came on board sad offered to take any of the pasgergere who had friends in New Orleans and desired to go with him. As none desired to go the offer wes no; accepted, but the captain’s kindly offer was faily appreciated, and sa be left the brig to go on nis own boa thyce round of cheers were given to bim ‘The steam tug Olty of Norfvlk was encountered, and an arraryomest made to tow the Mariae and parties om board imto Norful, for which $300 was paid. pon arriving with tm 25 miles of Norfolk, the Empire Oty met.usand took on board all the passengers from the Central America. CAPTAIN M'GOWAN’S RECEPTION OF MR, ASHBY. ‘Mr. Ashby , (he obief eng'peer of the Cantral America, was geing on board with the otners, but Captain MoGowan told him pot to come on his steamer. Mr. Ashby wished to know the reason of refusing him a place on board. Oapiain MoGowan gave bim plainly to understand, and so told bim to substance, that Ae had acted most cowardly in deserting his steamer, and assured him that if he attempted to set foot on his steamer he would blow his damned brats to hell! Ashby atlempted an explanation, but Captain Modowan would listen to no expimaation, but asserted tha: he based ‘bis action upon reliable information louching Ashb;’s solf- lab cowardice, and would have nothing to say to bim. NAMES OF BOMB OF THE LOST PASUENGERS, Mr. Baasfurd spoaks positively, of his own knowledge, of the following persons having been oa board the Centra! Amer'ca, «nd probably lost:— James Burch, a heavy stage proprictor in San Franctsoo. Mr, Burch, says, got On AD OVeroom and bad ovorything im rcadiness, waiting with the expectation of being taken on board » email boat aud conveyed to the brig When we went sway, we saw him standing near the bow, wmoking s segar, a8 though be was enjoy iag bimself yory comforiably. Jobo Ieonard, Boffalo, N.Y. Tis gave Mrs. Marvine, ope of ihe rescued passengors, s bag of money, with lo- ructions t carry the same to his mother, who lives in Avtalo. Mr. Marvine, Baifalo, 8. Y., agent for steamboats be. tween Buffalo and Chicago. Mr Marvine was the hasband of he lady with whom Joba Leouard, meationed above, left bis money. — MoUarty, an extensive farmer in Genoroe county. Two brothers, named Tompkins, wheelwrights in Eldridge street, this city, The family of one of them resides in New Rocbelle, and the other ls a widower. — Hutchias, » young man, whose father is « farmer and lives pear Boston. —— Stevens, s young man who ceed to be partner tae Sore with kr. Kicbard Carman, of Carmansvilie. ‘Mr. Bassford formed an a .quaintance with the pasen gers mentioned abd ve in coming from Californis, and only gathered tho surnamos cf most of thom. Purser Holl, Mr. Basford says, toll apoo his back the day previous to the loss of the steamer, The purser besought Capt. Heradoa to let him go in one of the amali boats that left the steamer, bai the captain tld him he bad better sick to the steamer lke « true offver, and #0 be did, although disabiod from being of any service from bis lame back. A young man named Lowe, Mr. Bassford states, gavo a bag of money to Miss I ckwood, and asked her to give it to bie mother, He doos not know where Lowe lived, but faq him give the gold—about $2,0:0 be should estiinate— bo Miss Lock wood, and heard him make the request. ‘The father of Miss Lookwood is supposed to be lost also. Ho had been to California the past year, having bown em ployed to go there by Col. J, G Fremont Wo seitic his quarts Claims at Mariposa. A colored man named Garrison, it appears by Mr. Base ford, belonged to the Contra: America, and Uapt. Horn den placed grem confidence in him,«o much eo that ho dopated him as one of the men to man onus of tho emal boats. Upon arriving at the brig Marine, Garrisoo pre ferrod to romain rather than trust himself to going back An the small bost came back to the steamer with oaly three men to man her, Capt, Kerndon expressed surprise at the derertion of Garrison, and wished to know who would volunteor to lake his place A young man named Blam, from Newburg, offered to go, Capt. Heradon ‘id be did not know, whether he could tras him, and asked him if be could row well. The young man said, “1 have @ bard hand that can row, aed a soft hear that can feel.” Capt. H. wate struce with the force o the remark tha} he told him, “I belisve you trastworthy, you can go.’ Biase did g9, and proved himself wortay the trust committed to bm, Mr, Bassford, who communionted the above facts, had but partially recevered from a fracture of one of his hips, tn California, when ho left San Francisco, The bard labor ho underwent in his efforts, with others of the parvengors, to bale the Contral America, with loss of sleep and \aeoill Glent food, bas nearly proatrated him. Although be hae Jost hia money and impalrod kis health, ho fools lke the mMhe-s who have been saved, that ne 0 Cause to oom plain. As for the stoama’ be thinks had ber engines been kept agolng she would baye rode out the storm io safety, STATEMENT | OF MRS. WILLIAM MONET. WOW THS LADIES RECEIVED THE NOWH OF THETH DANGSG, T was first known by us women that th» Contre! America bad sprong a leak, on Fridsy, Sept 12 at 2P. Wo were ail in bed sea sick, and had not been up for three days, because of our sea stokner, caused by the heavy sea. In our fright we got up, and entirely forget our sea sickners. The gertlewen got pailt, and tolf us ‘hey were going to put coalson the fire; but it was mot ve it was to bale out the water from the bold. We soon earned something about our veal danger. Tho ses was fearfully bigh, and the ehip war tossed to and fro in great violence by the tempest; but, notwithnanding thet*the ‘women showed grest courage and self composure—not a tear » as abed by any of them—thero was the oalmuoss of the grave smong thom. The men told 14s to be cheerfal— that {t would soon be all right; Judeed, although we ovn- sidered cursetves in imminent poril. we did not know the fall extent of it. The mem did all they could to keep tha knowledge from ua, We remained quietly in the cabin ‘wo could not remain on ono side of the boat, besauve it was alldown. We had to go inio the g:nilemea’s cabins, and there we remained all the afternoon. Tum BTOKM, Wo beard the watcr roiling aud dashing against the sides Of the ship, thinking fi was on the outside, when ia reality it was in the cabin—right below us In that cond!'ion we remained a!} night, the nea running very high, and oooasi- onally breaking over us, tho wind blowing « perfect hurri- cane, the ship roiling and beating about, everything makiog & moat fearful nolse, the rigging and spare cracking asd groaning, the dishes, lampe, furniture. &o., smashing and creshing together. It was an awful night, but the women ‘till endured it with out tears or moans, ‘WWE BESULT OF THE RALING—HOW THA PASSENGERS AND CREW WORKED, At first thoy had gained on the water by pumping, but on the morning of Saturday, Sept. 12, they found the water bad gained on them considerably. They then com menced to bale cut with barrels. They told us they were gaining on the water again; but, on the contrary, the water was atill gaining on them, though we did not kaow it. The mon, especially the first cabin passengers, b4i worked bard all night long; thelr strength was tas: falling. Someiimes they bad to give up, ant lay down flat on the deck for ® moment, with half re- covered breath again to rise to battle for life and death againat the encroaching waters. Many of the men bad been previously quite sea sick, and bad not eaten anything for three days, bat tho peril recalled thelr strength and activity, and they, or at leas, may of them, did all that human powor could do to gave the ebip. ‘The storm continved thus al) day Saturday, and the men thus worked on all that day; the women being a\lil calm ee death, and to death resigned. Iand many others had mado up our minds that there was no hope of being saved; wo expected to die; we were ready for deatn; we were prepared for it; we were reconciled to\t 1s was found on Saterday, that the water bad been com'ng in thr sagh the port holes for some time, and efforts were made to stop te 64 BAIL]? “4 BATL!=REVOLAION OF FENLING AND INTENSE wroreseyr, Shortly after noon, the snnouncement that a sal! ‘wes tp sight ran through the steamship and threw us all into the greatest excitement. Boch a sudden bope, where nothing but death had s'ared us in the face, at once overcame our self control; there was shricking, crying, weeping; agonics of joy, where late war nothing but agonies of death. The scvere calmness that ha? nat on each cheek, making it pale as lead bt a.era ae stecl, was displaced by the flash of exsiiement, profuse tears, and the embrace of frienas, mothers and children, bus- ‘Dands and wives. The excitement pervaded the whole thip, but when ite first heat had passed away, grave doubts and fears again arose Some of the women could not believe that the intelligence was trae. ‘ It ty too goos,’” sald they, “to be true;” «nd when the sail could bo secon distinctly it was not known whether the crafi would hold twelve or five hundred. The sea waseo high that it was ‘not certain whether the bark Marine, of Boston (for each abe proved to be) could be boarded or not ‘The Central America hoisted the fiag of distress, the bark Marine answered it and sailed towards us, passing the steamer about a mile distant. The Marine was alto badly damaged by the storm, but did not leak more than what ihe pumps would relieve her from. Gar men had not eaten any thing ainco Friday mo-ning, because acth'ng could be cooked. My husband worked all ihe time; he would net ait down to en:, and ssid he did not feel huogry, but could work forty-eight hours longer if it was pecesss Ty; but as soon as tbe brig Marine hore (n sight he was willing enough to eat He came to me and clapped his bands to encourage me, saying thero was « vewel very near and we would all be eared; he wanted me ie take some money with me, as we might be put in separate boats. 2AG8 OF GOLD OPENED FOR COMLON UaR. Many of the ladies nad # great dea) of money thai they did not give to the purser of the stoamer ; two of those wea, into their state rooms and took out dags of gold—$20 plecse, $11,000 tm all—and threw them down in the cabia, #0 that Any persons who wanted money could take what they pleased. The two ladies had jost retarsed from Californ's, and sald, weeping, ‘‘ That that moncy was all they bad mado there, and they were returning home to enjoy {t.’’ None of the ladies could take moro than two $20 gold ploces with them, Woe had to strip off ali our clothes and tkirts except our ontaide dress, in ordar to keep our clothes from stuking us. We (the womeu) then commenced put- ting on life preververr; the men still remained working, saying they would remain on board ti | ancther ship arrived, as the Marine could mot take them all on board. CONDUCT OF THE CHIEY SNGINENR AND CAREW. The captain told several mon to help, aod he would try to make a raft to save some of (hem on, I believe they teado one, but don’t Know, The csptain, Mr Herndon, seemed to feel very bad indeed. Ho sald he would pot suvo bimself; was not going to try to, bat would go down with the abip, Nevertholess, he did all that lay in bis power to save others, Ho was « yory kind, generous, gentlemanly man, and if be bad any feult ii was thet be was not severe enough to his hands, They did not do too well. The chief ongineer, Avh>y, ‘8 mont cowardly mannor; ro did his boy. SIUYTING OF TH LADIN. Abont 1 o'clock the captain's boy came down in the Cabin and reid, “The captain ways all the ladies mast go on deck.” We kil went on deck. Tho water dashed over us, We were wet through almost in an instant. Inever would have gone on deck, but remained with my husband, onlors he had agswod we that he would go with meto the Marine. I believe! that ho wae going with mo tll T was fi doat, or I never would have lof him. I saved $17,000 {9 money, chir Ty in drafts; all my dismonds and jewelry; bat if [hat not thought my hae band was going with mel would pot be here now. fe said, after I got in the boat, tha! ho had reoured my safety and he could easily look out for bimsolf. One of the boats bad beon dashed in and another had been lost; three or four were let down t> lake us to the Marine. We were let down into the boats by a kind of rope Ghalr; & noose was passed round our fee\ and dross. there was nothing to support our backs, but wereizeda rope which came down In from}, with our hands. The boat could only approach the steamer between ths wares, eowe had to remain suspended some'imes while the wave pasecd. These waves would also drive os ander the side of the tteamer; tho cook was hurt considerably that way; she died on the home passage, but I guees it was from fnar, n0 brulses, We wore placed in the bowom of the boats and owed to the Marine, the spray dashing over us all the dime ; they wore exsellent boats and excellent oarsmen, or we would never have reached th: jg. Thirty women twenty «ix children and ® number of mon wore thas oon yoyed on board the Marine. The fret passengers go) on board of her at half part 2 e’clock P. M on Saturday, Sep tember 12; the last at 7 o'clock in the evening, The last person who got on board from the Central America was a fireman; he said ‘the steamer was gone down and every foul on board of her.’ This statement was falso, bot it \errified us awfully; we shrieked and bolioned at the loss of our husbands, most of whom, alas, we will see no more, ‘Among that numer la my husband. ON BOARD THR MARTYR, ‘The captain of the Marine was very kind to us. fe had no aecommodations exéept for her seven hands and cap tain, We could not all get into the cabin, bat we Mowed ourselves away oa well as we could, The tailors and officers brought us thelr dry clothes, shirte, pants, rocks, &o, Captain Birch told us he would try to get into Norfolk on Toesday, Sept 15. There were but two barrels of water oa board, bat plenty of molawer, #0 ‘we drank molawes for water. Oar provisions wore #xarce, but the captalo did all for ue that lay in bis power, and be merita all praise and thanks, he consulted our wan and PRICE TWO CENTS. supplied them an far an porsible. We sailed along lookiag for passengers at fire’, thep tried to make Norfolk; bat as far ahead as we went in the daytime wo wore driven Dick Dy nigbt, A veercl from Philatelphis for New Orleans, called the ‘‘Ufrazer,” supplied us with t xo barrels of sen bisoult, two barrels cf potatoes, bree hums, stx chickens, obese, &o, &0. The captain of the Ufrascr sted very gallantly, For fire days we wero rolling and dsif.ing edout. ARRIVAL AP APR TENRY—OONDUCT OF THR CAPTAIN OF THE STHAMTUG CTY OF NORFOLK On Thursday, Sevtember 17, we made Cape Henry, as So'olock, P.M. Tae ceptain put aps firg for a steamicg to eke ua in to Norfolk, alth: ugh we wore without money to pay for 't; but we mast goin or serve. The Oily «f Norfolk came out to us, and demanded $500 for taking usin. We al) began to ary, aa we had not got the maney, The captain told tim our sitastion, but he wouls not ake us in without the movey. A’ last we raised $300, and the steamtug, by the raroest in’ er seneion of the captain of the Marine, took us into Norfolk, The name ef the onp- tain of the ateamtug could not be learned; he weald not tell it, He merits and should be brarded wits public deorn, The Empire Olly met us on her way into Norfoik, and by bor we arrived in New Yerk city, STATEMENT OF JAMES M. FIRST OFFICER. As near a 1 can recollect wo jeft Havana, Sept. §, af 9:26 A. M., aud proceedet to nos, steerirg for Cape Florida, with fine weather, modera'e breex-s and head sea. Sart, 9. Begins with fresh breezy and bead see; at 6.30 A.M, Cape Florida bore west, distance 16 miles, seen from aloft; 12M, bad fresh breez9 and head sea; bad a meridian cbservation, bat don’t revolleot what latitate or longitode, As nearas I can remom er, we ran the first twenty six anda half boure, 286 miles, steering about N, 14 W., following the Gal’ Siream Sart. 10. Begins with s strong breeze and head sca, Wind from the northward end eastward, and inclined to havl to the eastward. Had an observation this day, but I do not recollect the latitude or longitnde; but the dstance ron up ty the time of chservativn at meridian, was 216 miles, atti/ ateering north, or very nearly #9, by oom ase, AtSP. M., oF thereabouts, Mr. Van Ronssoleer, the fired officer, handed me « slip of paper with the coursed for the night—a usual practice when the course bad to be altered often through the mht. The course! to to bo ntecred wore NN. EN. EN, and N. BE, at different hoi # of tre sight, out the time for each course to be taken I d) a6 recollect; bat the ship at that time was in tbe bend of the Gulf Siream. The wind con- {nned to blow heavy ail night. Sart. 11, tuerdey.—I came on deck at four o’olock A Ml. Ih waa biowirg frovh, witha N. N. E sea and wind; the 208 wes running bigh, with beavy rata. 4: $ o’clook A. M. I was rel'eved by the shird officer, It was still blow. ing very heavy, but po rain then. At about 10 0’ jlook A. M. the third officer set the storm spencer of spauker, and kept it on her enti! the sail blew jo plexes. He also sent down tae fore yard. The gaic aad sea was now tncroas- ing. He also spread canvass, bolts, sails, &5., in the maim juzen rigging, but to no purpose, ss the ship vas 80 high out of the water that she would not head to the wind and sea, At120’clock M. I came on deck and relieved the third offloer; it «till contiaued to blow besvily, bat there was not so much ses as in the foresson. I had bees cn the forward part of the ship about half an hour when the captain came forvard and I spoke to him about trying to bring the ship head to wind. plied that it was no use to try, as be bad tied all the forenoon and conid not effect ti. I then proposed to keep off before the wind, andhewld me to do what I could in keeping her away. Mr. Van Rene- solncr then came forward and told me to rig the forward and after deck bilge pumps, which was done. We then started to set the fore staysail with the helm hard to pors Dut before the staysail wee hoisted and the sheet hauled aft, the stayssil blew away, We then manned the down- haul, and hacled down the remaining canvass and bolt ropes; then Mr. Van Rensselaer proposed shifiing ihe jib and bending it on to the fore stay for actaysail. The captain salt, wo will try the foresall by reefirg it and Inabing the clews to the deck, and heave up the yard with the yard tackle and fore lifts, So noon as we got telarted up, the sail blew to pisses. The captain then said tha there must tea drag put overboard to try and bring he abip Dead to wind. We went as it immediately and rigged the fore yard with abeavy kedgs anchor hanging to it, ‘The fore yard bad @ seven or nine inch haweer fast to it and we payed out about forty fathoms at fret it was then about 6.80 P. M.,the ship still in the trough of the tea. The captain then ordered vs to cat away the foremagt ‘and #ce if that would help to right thesbip. She wasthen Natod over to the leeward, #0 that people coald not walk the deck. COTHING AWAY THE FORENAME AND KUGGING OF THR erRAMER, 1 may my that she was almost on ber besm end, Myrolf, the boatswain and Capt Batger, @ passonger, oat away the rigging, and let the foremast go over the side, In going over the rigging caught foul of the cathead and anchor, which caused the foremast to shoot ander the sdip’s bottom, forward of where the foremast bad bees wianding, I do not doubt that when the foremast went under the ship's bottom, she was Injured by it, and probe: bly the leak increased thereby, 1 don’t know such to be the fact, jhe tha mped there some time. A!) tals time— tivce 2 o'clock the passengers and crew who were not employed about the decks were busily engaged in balling water out of the thip’s hold, After the foremast was cut away we paid out ibe hawser that was attached to the drag to about ninety fathoms in all, giving * o tore About the stamp of the foremasi This bad no effest om boas hp. At about 7—P. M. ai) bands—passengers and —went (0 work Delling and pumping the water out of bog sbip, (ho water gaining, Adeut between 9 and 10 P.M. the water was on « stan4, pot gaining any; bot afer Abat i appeared to gain faster than ever, Tae wind wae ben aboot northwest, blowing heavily, At 11 o’clo® (he bawser atiached to the drag chafed and parted, and our drag was therefore gone. Set. 12, Saturday —The day began with ® very heavy gale avd bazy horizon, with some rain, bat not ec much soe a8 on the day previous; the people sitll baling and pumping We hoteted « signal of distrews at daylight, wind weet. At 6 0'c ook, or daylight, rigged sevoral beet and pork barrels and commenced baling with them by holsting them up with tnekle. At6 464 M. I cut the star. beard chain and let the siarboerd anchor go, which ap- peared for a while to ease the abip. The wind was still blowing beavy, in equa'ls, and beuling to the southward and westward; the water in the ship looreasing rapidly, ‘The captain all this time using antiriog exert ns and cheer- ing the people to their work. We continced om balling and pumping. At noon the weather had moderated very moch—the wind southwest. Shortly aferwards raw 4 brig standing down tous. She came ancler our lee, and the captain sald old remain by om, It waethe brig Marine, of Boston. At Zo'clock P.M. lowered away and lannched the ab'p # dom, and Commenced transferring ‘he women and children to the brig. The boaty wore masne@ by the boatewa! artermaster and others of the crew CAPTADY AERNDON'S ORTERMOUTION TO mB mE Laer TO LAYS THE erEARCER, Ishould have gone in charge of ome of the boate had not the captain told me he wanted me to stop on board the ship anil] he went from ber, whioh he intended to do afer ‘all the passengers and crew wore transferred to the Dg. Wo then went to work and ont away the forward part of ‘he hurricane deck and made rafts, At about one hour before sunset a echooner hove tm sight aad ran down to as, The on taid he would lay by os all wight, All the we men and children were gone on board of the brig by this time, I saw and conversed with Captaia Berndom and Mr. Van Rensselaer after this, and the captain told me to wend up & rocket, which I did, and st the rame Himesaw a boat on the starboard bow. Woe bailrd the bowl, and told them to come under the starboard quarter, bat could not hear the answer, 1 au spose that he sew the ship set} Ulng down very fast, and kept away for safety, It after. wards proved to be the boatswain’s boat retarned from the brig. Captain [Herndon rent word to me, by Mr, aston, to stop near the rocket box and send ap & rocke, every half hour, thinking, no doubt, that the ship would Dot go down before morning. At 146 P. M., or there. adouts, the people sii! Kept om bailing. At SP. M., or few toa avier, the ship began to take water on deck, Then over) remaining paaton ger and 01l the remaining crew resigned thomeolves to their fate, I leoked over tho side forward and aft, and saw the water spotted with people, jomping over to get clear of the ship before ene was submerged, | saw & rocket go of to windward from the port paddie Dox. It went boris mtaliy and (6 was anid to be the captain who had sent it ap, bot! bad hardiy time Wo look around when] waa lifted by tbe FRAZER,