SS Tennessee
Captain Mellus
From Panama
Passage:
THE TENNESSEE�S LAST VOYAGE Daily
Alta California, March 8, 1853
Memoranda.
Per steamship Tennessee � The T. left San Francisco Feb. 1st at
8 A.M.; arrived at Monterey at 5 � P.M. same day, landed and exchanged
mails; arrived Feb 3rd, at 7 P.M. at San Diego, landed mails and sailed
at 7-1/2 A.M. arrived at Acapulco Feb 8, at 3 A.M., commenced coaling
at 6 A.M. and sailed at 10-1/2 same day; arrived at Panama on the 15th
Feb at 5 P.M. Cortesarrived same day at 2 P.M. Left Panama on the
19th at 9-1/2 P.M. Cortes sailed three hours previous. Arr at Acapulco
Feb 28th, at 7-1/2 A.M. Cortes and Pacific in port, sailed
at 12-1/2 M -- Pacific three hours previous -- Cortes one
hour after; Feb 27th to March 3d, Cortes in sight. March 5th, passed
the Pacific 3 degrees S.E. of San Miguel. Tennessee was
at the Heads at 1 A.M. on the 6th, and went ashore 4-1/2 miles northwards
of North Heads, at 9-1/2 o�clock. The health of the Isthmus was good, and roads in excellent order. All passengers, mails, baggage and provisions were safely landed from the Tennessee, and there is every probability of the ship being got off with little damage. The steamer Confidence has been dispatched to Saucelito, to bring up such of the passengers as are at that point, and the Goliath has gone out to the Tennessee, to get her off if possible, and bring up the ladies and others that are there.
The passengers on board the Tennessee are all well, and have been so during the whole passage. There have been, however, three deaths arising from diseases of a prior nature.
Any of our citizens who may have friends and families on board, may rest assured that they are well provided for, and that everything in this casualty will be managed with the well-known energy of the P.M.S.S. Co.
With a little good luck, we hope to see the good steamer Tennessee soon afloat again.
Whole time down, 14 days and 8 hours; running time, 13 days and 22 hours. Time up the Heads, 14 days and 4 hours; running time 13 days and 22 hours.
Ship Far West arrived at Valparaiso from the coast, and unfortunately struck upon a small reef at the entrance of the harbor, but was got off without serious injury. Great praise is due to the officers and of the U.S. frigate St. Lawrence for the prompt and able assistance rendered by them.
There is insurance in Boston to the amount of $3,000 on the cargo and freight money of brig American, of and from Newburyport for San Francisco, condemned at St. Thomas, and $4500 at the agency of an insurance company in Ipswich.
Ship Houqua has delayed her departure for San Francisco, to repair the damage done her cutwater by the Fulton ferryboat.
Every requisite necessary both for the safety of the ship and the comfort of the passengers was put on board the tug, and with a little good luck we hope to see the good steamer Tennessee soon afloat again.
The excitement throughout the city yesterday afternoon, when it was ascertained that the Tennessee was ashore, was very great, until the facts in the case were better known.
It appears that she went ashore in a dense fog, while trying to make the entrance � a fact which is not stated in the following memoranda from Pursuer Isaacs (refer to Memoranda. above.)
Soon afterwards the land was near, which was taken to be the south Head, and steam was let on a little more. It was shortly discovered that the land was not the Head, and at the same time a ledge of rocks was seen immediately astern of the ship. To back her was impossible, as there was not room enough to turn in, but to acquire this room she was put ahead slowly towards the beach, when she took the bottom aft. The sea then swung her around, and she went broadside onto the beach. It was then discovered that she lay in Indian Cove, and that the land which had been taken for the Heads was the bluff of the Cove.
As soon as she went on, Mr. Dowling, the chief mate, jumped overboard with a line by which to haul a hawser ashore, and succeeded in his attempt. The ship now lies heeled off ashore, which fact gives additional ground to hope that she will be gotten off. She is perfectly tight, and although her copper is much chafed and rubbed off there is every reason to suppose that no serious injury has thus far been sustained by her. Her engines and all the apparatus are in perfect order, nothing as yet being displaced. The water is smooth, and in her present position there is a complete lee formed under her inshore side, assuring the safety of the lady passengers on her, who can and will be taken off with as much ease and security as if the ship was lying in dock.
The steam tug Goliah lies at anchor close by and will bring up the passengers and many of the goods in the course of the day. In the mean while the mails and express packages are all landed on the beach and the ship is being discharged with the greatest dispatch. Captains Mellus and Totten are present and are lending every aid to the comfort of the passengers and safety of the ship. Mr. Dowling, the Chief Mate, has rendered and is rendering very essential aid and making almost superhuman efforts for this fine ship and the interest of her owners. This gentleman has commended himself by his courage, promptness of action and presence of mind in a number of cases previous to the present one and stands deservedly high as an intrepid sailor in the estimation of all who know him.
Indian Cove, where the steamer lies, makes round nearly in the shape of a horseshoe, and is not more than two hundred yards in extend between the points that form it. It is a little isolated strip of sand beach, the surrounding coast being bold and rugged rocks, where if the ship had gone on she must have gone to pieces in a short time. It is therefore a most providential circumstance that spot.
The passengers erected tents and endeavored to make themselves as comfortable on the beach as circumstances would permit.
If the weather continues smooth, there is scarcely a doubt, that the Tennessee will be got off, as the water is bold to and she lies heeled off shore, besides which she is only bedded about three feet in the sand, is perfectly tight.
We are told by Mr. Isaacs that the embarkation of the passengers, mails and baggage of the Tennessee was accomplished in four hours, with no accident of any kind, although the surf was rolling in heavily at the time. Captain Mellus and his officers, aided by Mr. Cuyler, U.S.N., Mr. Rogers, of the Coast Survey, Captain Eyre, Thomas Gihon, Esq., D.H. Haskell, Esq., deserve most honorable mention in return for their invaluable assistance. These gentlemen, in connection with the officers, many times by personal risk and exposure succeeded in landing and dispatching the boats as they came on shore.
The Goliah on her return to San Francisco with the passengers, &, struck heavily on wreck of the Aberdeen.
More on the wreck of the SS Tennessee
THE MAIL DELIVERY.�The mail by the Tennessee was received at the Post Office at half-past 3-o�clock yesterday afternoon, and although the largest yet made up for this State, was opened, sorted from the confused mass it presented, and a delivery made by 9 o�clock in the evening. It should be borne in mind by those who are inclined to complain at not getting their letters immediately on the arrival of the mail, that upwards of 200 large bags, containing some 70,000 letters and nearly as many papers, cannot be sorted and boxed before they are fairly in the office. Nor can the Postmaster perform miracles, however willing he may be to accommodate the public. Thirty persons were hard at work in the distribution of this mail, in order to facilitate a portion of its delivery last evening � an accommodation all must admit, and entirely gratuitous on the part of Mr. Moore. The Postmaster is not required to keep his office open after 5 o�clock in the afternoon, either for the delivery or reception of letters; and if we are not mistaken, he violates a regulation of the Department on the sailing and arrival of every mail.
Daily Alta California, March 16, 1853
The P.M. steamer Tennessee, one of the finest and certainly the most profitable vessel in the employ of the Company, ws run ashore during a thick fog on the morning of the 6th inst., and became a total loss. Passengers, mails and furniture, were saved. She was trying to make the harbor, after having performed one of the quickest trips of the season. The Tennessee was a favorite ship, and her loss is regretted by nearly every citizen.
Cargo: Not listed.
Passengers:
Abraham, M.
Abrahams, P.
Accock, B. (This is the listing, but perhaps it�s Babcock)
Ackley, J.
Alexander, J.
Anderson, A.
Anderson, W. and wife
Andrews, Mrs. and three children
Appleton, M.
Arbuckle, Jno
Ashton, C.
Ashton, Mrs.
Attichs, G.
Augher, J.
Backburn, J.M.
Bacon, A.
Bacon, J.
Bacon, J.
Bacon, N.
Bacon, P.
Bacon, S.
Bahn, J.
Baker, A.J.
Ballow, Chas
Barmester, A.
Barnett, S.D.
Barre, P
Barret, G.S.
Barrett, S.
Barry, Jno C.
Bates, Mrs.
Bauman, J.
Baxter, S.
Belden, G.
Belden, Mrs.
Bellow, Mrs.
Bellow, T.
Benham, N.
Berry, G.
Bidleman, E.
Bigh, J.
Bird, E.J.
Bishop, J.
Bradly, J.
Bradstreet, G.G.
Bratling, S. and J.
Brayton, J.W.
Bristol, G.
Britton, B.H.
Brough, D.
Brown, B.B.
Brown, C.P.
Brown, E.
Brown, Miss M.
Brown, W.P.
Bryan, D.
Bulger, B.
Burgen, M.
Burr, R.
Butterfield, J.
Caen, J.R.
Calhoun, E.
Canro, A.
Caswell, Judge
Caswell, Mrs.
Cerriz, M.
Chadwick, D.
Chempion, J.
Chenerey, Mrs. and child
Chichester, F.
Chidness, G.
Clapp, S.E.
Clark, C.A.
Clark, E.V.
Clark, J.C.
Clarke, C.
Clifton, G.
Cochran, J.
Collins, G.
Colluns, M.
Compton, J.D.
Coombs, J.W.
Coombs, L.
Coombs, M.
Cooney, T.N.
Cox, H.
Croghan, J.
Cross, J.
Cunningham, J.
Cunningham, S.
Daley, .
Daniels, W.
Davidson, W.
Davis, J.
Davis, M.
Dawmoray, W.
Decker, J.
Delany, N.
Dewey, D.S.
DeWitt, Alfred. and boy (of San Francisco)
Dexter, Jno N., Jr.
Diffendoeffu, J.
Diffendoeffu, Mrs.
Dolcet, Mrs.
Donnett, W.
Donohue, Mrs.
Dorain, J. (Might be Dowin, who is listed in a separate article about the fate of the Tennessee)
Downer, Edw
Duer, Mrs. J.
Duffy, E.
Duram, J.D.
Earnest, J.
East, B.
Edgecombe, J.H.
Eggar, A.
Ellis, M.
Elowre, M.
Elowre, Madame
Ernest, G.
Euffy, M.
Evans, D.R.
Fairchild, C.C.
Fairchild, I.
Farrick, R.
Faufoy, M.
Ferris, H.
Ferris, Mrs.
Fields, J.
Fillger, J.
Fisher, E.
Fitzpatrick, H.
Flanders, Eliza
Fleming, J.
Fleming, M.
Fleming, Mrs.
Floyd, J.
Flynn, F.
Flynn, J.
Ford, E.
Fox, B.S.
Frankenstein, J.
Frankenstein, M.
Freer, J.H.
Fumiv, J.
Gallagher, H.
Gallagher, J.
Gallagher, S.K.
Galway, S.S.
Gann, J.M.
Garrity, Bridget
Geer, ?
Ghuidan, T.B.
Gibson, Mrs.
Gibson, W.
Gihon, Thomas
Gillett, ?
Gilman, Mrs. and two children
Goldsmith, ?
Graham, Y.
Greely, A.
Green, D.
Green, Mrs. and three children
Greer, Albert
Gruder, M.
Hagan, A.J.
Hahn, Mrs. and three children
Haight, C.
Hall, J.
Hall, L.
Halpin, M.
Hamilton, F.
Harris, C.
Harris, D.
Harris, E.W.
Harrison, J.H. BR> Harrison, J.L. (Note: G.W. Harison of New York is on another list)
Harrison, J.W.
Haskell, L.J.
Haskins, Mrs.
Haydock, S.
Hayweod, A.W. (Might be Haywood)
Heath, E.O.
Heath, J.
Herman, M.
Herod, J.
Hicker, D.
Hicklin, T.
Hines, N.
Hoberts, E.
Hodge, Mrs.
Hoffman, A.
Holland, E.
Holton, J.O.
Hones, ?
Housey, G.
Howard, G.
Howard, J.
Hoyt, F.C.
Hubbard, W.A.
Hughes, C.
Hughes, H.
Hughes, J.
Hughes, O.A.
Hughes, T.
Hurlburt, A (Note that the Cortes passenger list of March 5, 1853 indicates the arrival of an R. Hurlbut, and the death of a P. Hurlbert of New York who died on board of dysentery. It may be that they were traveling together � it is an unusual name � and were separated on the Isthmus)
Husk, S.
Irwine, C.
James, L.
Johnson, J.
Johnson, J.
Jones, A.
Jones, James
Jones, John
Kane, Mrs.
Keeter, Jacob
Keinshart, J.
Keller, W.
Kelly, A.
Kennings, Mrs.
Kent, W.
Kenton, R.E.
Kernon, J.
Kindly, J.G.
King, G.
Kiph, P.
Knott, S.W.
Kohn, H.
Lampman, J.
Leland, A.
Lentil, D.C. (Might be Lentin, Lentir)
Leohu, P.
Leuskett, J.
Lewis, A.
Lewis, E.
Lines, C.L.
Lines, Mrs. and four children
Locke, D.
Loder, Mrs. and three children
Long, A.
Lord, E.
Lott, Judge Peter (of Oregon)
Low, F.T.
Low, H.H.
Lyle, W.M.
Lyman, J.P.
Lyon, J. and two children
Machin, Mrs.
Madden, Mrs. A.
Maffsgar, F.
Maguire, T.
Mann, Mrs. and two children
Marks, B.
Marooney, J.B.
Marroreay, Mrs.
Marsh, B.M.
Marston, M.
Martin, J.W.
Maynard, J.
McCheney, F.
McCheney, F. (listed twice)
McClane, A.
McConnell, J.
McCoy, E.
McCoy, J.
McCoy, M.
McDermott, N.
McGrath, Eliza
McIntire, N.
McIntyre, W.
McKinsury, Mrs. and two children (Might be McKinbury)
McLaughlin, Mrs. and infant
McMahon, P.
McManus, D.
McMullin, N.
McPurdy, R. (Might be McCurdy, McFurdy, anything � one letter missing)
Menduns, O.
Micke, B.
Miller, Mrs. H.
Miller, Mrs. W.
Miller, S.N.
Millett, C.S.
Millmore, A.
Minor, J.
Mockwood, E.
Monroe, J.
Moore, E.
Moppoll, F.A.
Morrill, R.
Morrill, W.
Morrissey, P.
Moyle, J.
Muant, J.
Murphy, J.
Murphy, J.M.
Myers, M.
Myers, Mrs.
Naphet, H.
Nerton, J.M. (Might be Ncrton or even Newton)
Newcomb, M.
Newcomb, S.
Newman, C.
Nicholson, J.
Norris, R.
Norton, Roger
O�Brien, John
O�Brien, Mrs. (Listed as Mrs. Brien, but it�s probably Mrs. O�Brien given that she was listed immediately after John O�Brien)
O�Grady, P.
Ogden, G. (This may be Peter S. Ogden, Governor of Oregon, who was noted in a following article as a passenger of the Tennessee)
Orctt, C.S. (Seems as though it should be Orcutt)
Packard, W.
Padou, W.S.
Parker, E.
Parker, Mrs. and child
Patridge, C.M.
Pearce, M.
Pearce, R.
Pearce, W.
Pease, C.B.
Pendleton, J.
Penniman, H. G. (of St. Louis)
Penniman, Mrs. C.
Penniman, Mrs. G.
Pettiboe, Mrs.
Pettingham, A.
Pettingham, Mrs.
Philbrook, G.
Phillips, T.J.
Phipps, F.H. (Might be Shipps)
Pierce, A.
Pillrorck, Chas (This is the listing, but note that G. Philbrook also travelled on this steamer, so this may be a typographical error)
Pond, Mrs.
Pool, J.
Pratt, ?
Pratt, Judge O.C.
Pratt, Mrs. and two children
Prince, J.
Prince, L.M.
Putnam, Mrs. and child
Quinn, J.
Ragen, J. (Might be Ragan)
Ramer, C.
Ranning. B.
Ransbolter, Mrs.
Rauels, S., wife and two children
Ray, A.
Ray, H.
Ray, Mr.
Ray, Mrs.
Reed, R.
Reese, E.
Reider, M.
Renney, F.M.
Rhines, W.
Rice, N.
Richards, J.
Richards, J.V.
Richardson, A.A.
Riggs, H.
Ritcher, A.
Rogers, A.
Rogers, Jno
Rogers, P.
Rogers, R.
Rogers, R., 2d
Roos, D.G.
Rose, S.
Rosenbaum, E.
Rossenbaum, J.
Rowe, N.
Ruddick, Mrs.
Russel, E.A. (Might be Resel)
Russett, L.D.
Ryt, J.
Sample, ? and child (Unable to read first initial)
Sanborn, Mr.
Sanborn, Mrs.
Sandford, Miss
Schaffer, E.
Schaffer, J.
Scho, Mrs. and child (Might be Seho, Sehn, Sehn)
Schuber, Mike
Schuler, J.
Schuolt, B.
Scott, N.
Sherwood, D.
Shore, F.H.
Silk, J.
Simes, J. and two children
Simes, Mrs. and child
Sissions, S.
Smith, B.
Smith, E.C.
Smith, F.F.
Smith, J.
Smith, L.
Smith, M.
Smith, Mrs.
Smith, Mrs. A.
Smith, Mrs. and child
Sorry, J.F.
Soule, G.O.
Spaulding, D.
Spear, Mr.
Spins, G.H. (Might be Spine)
Spulling, ?
Squires, S., Jr.
Staples, Jas
Stattius, J.W. (Difficult to read)
Stephens, D.R.
Stevens, J.H.
Stevenson, J.
Stewart, J.
Stewart, W.
Stocking, F.W.
Stone, D.
Straus, L.
Struchfield, B.
Sumer, Geo
Sunch, F.W.
Supple, P.
Sweet, C., Mrs. Sweet and two children
Taylor, J.D.
Thomas, G.H.
Thompson, E.
Tichnor, P.
Tilley, J.
Tilton, T.
Titcomb, J.M.
Tubbs, H.
Tubbs, Mrs.
Van Conets, ?
Van Conets, J.
Van Schaick, J.
Van Schalck, J.
Van Vankenburgh, J.
Vanderhoff, John H.
Vanderhoof, Peter A.
Wade, Mrs.
Waglum, Abraham
Waglum, P.
Walden, W.C.
Walker, D.M.
Walur, D.J.
Wand, P.
Waterman, M.
Watt, C.B.
Welch, Mrs.
Welch, P.
Wetherell, H.
Whipple, C.
Whipple, W.
White, M.
Wight, A.
Wilkenson, ?
Wilkins, P.
Williams, A.
Williams, Adelaide
Williams, J.
Williams, T.
Williamson, A.
Winter, G.
Wood, A.
Wood, Israel D.
Wood, John
Wood, J.D.
Wood, John W.
Wood, M.
Woodruff, D.
Woodward, A.
Wool, N.
Wright, W.S.
Yates, A.
Yates, C.H.
Young, D.
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