WRECK OF THE BROTHER JONATHAN.

West Coast Times, Issue 75, 25 November 1865, Page 3

WRECK OF THE BROTHER JONATHAN.

(From tho " Alta California," Aug. 13. CnESOHNT City, Aug. 6. On Sunday, July 30, at five o'clock p m., tho people of this quiet littlo town were surprised to see a small boat, full of people, como round Lighthouse Point, half a mile south-west of tho beach, and make for the landing. Tho boatload consisted of eleven men, five women, and three children — nineteen in all. They announced that they hadescaped from the wreck of tho Oregon steamer, Brother Jonathan, which a few hours before had struck a ledgo about twelvo miles westward. The third mate (Mr Patterson) had charge of tho rescued boat, and It was soon learned that the Brother Jonathan left San Francisco on Friday noon, with about one hundred and twenty cabin, and soventy-two steerage passenger?, and about fifty of tho officers and crew. The north wind was strong from the outset, but the steamer made fair| progress until after sunrise on Sunday. Tho wind then became so violent that less than half of tho cabin passengers camo to the breakfast table. Captain Do Wolf took tho bearings, and informed the officers that the steamer was four miles north of tho latitude of Point St. George, which point is three miles above Orescent City. Tho wind continuing to increase in violence, Captain De Wolf at one o'clock gave orders to turn the steamer and Bteer for Cresent Harbour, sixteen miles south-eastward. The intention was to anchor in tho bay till tho next morning, and then resume tho trip. Tho quarter-master (Yates) says lhat they had returned seven or eight miles, nnd were eight miles duo west of Point St. George, when the steamer struck with full force upon a sharp ledge, which, at tho lowest ebb, projected about a yard abovo the surface. The bottom of the steamer wont to pieces with a crash. In three minutes, says the wheelman, tho largo fragments of tho bottom, and a part of tho rudder were afloat alongsido. Thero wcro no frantic acts among the passengers, though they, as well as the officers, must have had a full senso of their awful peril. Captiin Do Wolf ordered ono of tho largo boats to bo lowered and filled with passengers, under tho first mate. None of tho rescued saw her till she ■was floating bottom upwards. Tho captain now ordered the second mate to lower his boat, already filled with female cabin passengers. The boat was lowered, but befdro the seamen had time to man her, the stcamor careened, and upset her, throwing all oh board into the water. Tho mato (Mr. Campbell) drow up Buch of tho ladios as he could reach from tho steamer's chains, whero ho hold on. It was now fifteen minutes since tho collision, and tho steamer was fast breaking to pieces. Tho third mato (Mr Patterson), who was asleep when tho crnsh came, now lowered his small boat, and

hurried on board fivo women and three children, who wero nearest at hand. Ten of the crew leaped after them, including two wheelmen, steerage steward, and two firemen. The load was large for tho boat, and sho dipped incessantly, but the strong arm and coolness of tho mato brought her twolve miles to Crescent Harbor. Two guns wero fired just after tho boat left the steamer, and she disappeared undor tho billows in about fifteen minutes later. Captain Do Wolf, General Wright, Mr Lord '(Wells, Fargo, and Co.'s messenger), and Mr Nisbet were on deck when last seen by the rescued crew. Thero were two boat 3on tho dock when the third mato left, but owing to the terriblo violence of tho sea it is not probable that either of them could have been launohed. Tho citizens of Crescent City immediately sent ouc boa's, but found it utterly impossible to go within six miles of tho wreck. These attempts wero continually renewed on Monday and Tuesday, but it was not till Wednesday afternoon that tho spot could bo reached, Tho wreck probably lies 100 feet below tho surface. Thero were about 700 tons of merchandise freight besides the passengers' baggage, all closely under hatch. At this time (Sunday, three p.m.), not a single body has been recovered, nor a person heard of, savo those who reached shore in tho boat of the third mate. It is generally thought that the fragments nnd floating baggage drifted southward. A shattered boat, roattrass, nnd a fow buckets, are all that have been picked up, Something more will probably drift ashore between here and at Humboldt, but wo a:e reluctantly led to believo that not another living person of the 240 on tho ill-fated steamer, save the nineteen now here, will ever be found. It was thought that tho Newfoundland dog of Captain De Wolf, a superb swimmer, would reach slioro, but the lough billows were too much for him. Tho two camels, bound for Portland, were not loosened from their stalls.

A Word op ' Comfort.— County (married) electors are assured that tho Union Chargeability Bill is not a mcasuro for throwing additional expenses on husbands. A Gbneraii EiiEOTioH in England costs two millions of money, which allows about threo thousand pounds for each member.

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