WRECK OF THE U. S. FRIGATE SACRAMENTO.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXII, Issue 2604, 30 November 1867, Page 6

WRECK OF THE U. S. FRIGATE SACRAMENTO.

The following details of the loss of the U.S. frigate Sacramento, near Cocanada, have been forwarded by Lloyd's agent : — The Sacramento suddenly grounded just as tko lead gave eleven fathoms, and before the men had time to heave in the line, by a tremendous concussion, that told of the ship being nearer the earth than the sky. As if by magic the breakers arose and washed her decks from starboard and port simultaneously. The engines of course were immediately reversed, but to no purpose, though aided by the crew rolling the heavy guns from side to side with the object of easing her off the bank. The night was one of great anxiety, and iv the small hours it was determined to heave the guns overboard ; shot and shell followed. Daylight showed the necessity of cutting away the foremast and the construction of the rafts from the wreck and from spars and lumber. The landing continued all day of the 20th, the boats having to pull the rafts through the surf, which was very heavy, some four miles to shore. A serious business was the carrying away to sea of the second raft, after being left in four feet close in shore. There wore upwards of 40 souls on. board, with about a gallon and a half of water, and it was some thirty-two hours ere they were picked up by the captain of the Arabia, and conveyed to Cocanada. Besides the scanty supply of water, there were two bottles of brandy, which with the water, was doled out in teaspoonsfuls to the fainting castaways. Three or four of the men who had made themselves intoxicated ere leaving the vessel, became mutinous on waking from their slumbers, and eudeavored to steal a march on their messmates by finishing what remained of the brandy. A desperate struggle ensued, knives drawn on each side, and had it not been for the coolness of the officer in charge, who, without unnecessary parley, shot down the ringleader, the consequences might hare proved tragical enou«h. The ball entered botween the scalp and the skull, aud travelled half round the head, without inflicting serious injury. The other men were quickly secured and order vestored. To return to the ship : — the landing continued on the 21st, until every soul was providentially accounted for. The entire party who had landed proceeded to Younam, where they were hospitably entertained by the French officials, aud on the 23rd ultimo the whole company met at Cocanada. It is pleasing to know that the officers express themselves satisfied beyond measure by the hospitality of the English authorities at Cocanada, the merchant captains lying iv port, the captain and officers of her Majesty's ship Star, and the guardship at Trincoinalee, which proceeded to the scone of the disaster immediately on receiving intelligence of it, and placed all their mess storea at the disposal of the unfortunate sailors, most of whom saved only the clothes on their backa.