Passengers arriving at the Port of San Francisco

hed2

Arrive San Francisco

January 27, 1863
SS Oregon
Captain Edgar Wakeman
From Mazatlan and ports on the Gulf of California

Passage

The M.P.M. Co. steamship Oregon, Edgar Wakeman, Commander, left San Francisco, Saturday, Dec 27th at 4 p.m. with freight and passengers for Mazatlan and ports in the Gulf; January 3d, at 11:30 a.m., arrived at Cape San Lucas, and sailed at 1 p.m. for Mazatlan; January 4th, at 1:30 p.m., arrived at Mazatlan; left Mazatlan January 8th, at 6:30 p.m., arrived at La Paz, Jan 8th at 11:30 a.m.; sailed January 9th at 6:30 a.m.; arrived at Guaymas on the 11th, at 4:30 a.m.; sailed January 14th at 12 M; arrived at Mazatlan January 16th at 11 a.m.; left Mazatlan, January 17th at 4:30 p.m.; arrived at Cape San Lucas, Jan 18th at 4 p.m.; sailed at 10 p.m.; arrived in San Francisco January 26th.

Left in Guaymas, H.M.'s ship Tribune. In Mazatlan, H.M.'s ship Mutine, Hamburg ship Mazatlan, Hamburg brig Emma, New Grenadian schooner Neva, American schooner Alert. Spoke barque Carib going into port.

Daily Alta California, Tuesday Morning, January 27, 1863, San Francisco

Acapulco, January 16, 1863

Editors Alta: As chance would have it -- the same day that we arrived at this port, on the 8th inst., the four French vessels of war did the same, lying off the harbor in company with the U.S. steamer Saranac. The Constitutionentered the harbor without hindrance, but did not land any other passengers. The people of the town sought refuge in the neighboring hills. The people of the town sought refuge in the neighboring hills. Fancy the hurry in which I had to land with my goods and effects in the midst of the confusion. Fortunately nothing occurred that afternoon, and at night I took all my things to my house. Next day the vessels anchored at 10 a.m. and the little steamer Diamant along came up to notify the Commandant-in-Chief as follows:

1st. That he should annul the official communication which Ghilardi issued to the General Government, to the effect that theBayonnaise had cowardly fled.
2d. That he should destroy the fort surrounding the bay, and
3d. That they (the French) should be allowed to get provisions and water, as they did not come with hostile intentions.

To all of which the Mexican Commandante gave utter refusal, and warned them not to come into the port, as they would be fired into by the forts.

The American Consul and the Agent of the P.M.S.S. Company thereupon embarked in the Saranac, to have a conference with the French Admiral -- probably about the steamers touching there. The Agent returned to the town to advise the General-in-Chief of another parliamentary interview with the fleet. Next day, at 8 a.m., the Diamant returned with a flag of truce, and her Commander brought new proposals. The day passed without bringing matters to a close, and at least the Diamant retired, at 6 p.m. The Commander concluded that they would come in the next day a, and surely, at 8 o'clock a.m. on the 10th, the four vessels came in and placed themselves in line of battle, and when they came within range of our forces, the Fort de los Hornos gave the signal -- opening fire -- and the next moment the other forts followed; during that time the vessels were got into position, and their fire opened at 8-1/2. You can easily conceive that our artillery could not resist their fire, which silenced our forces, excepting Fort Alvarez, situated in the Cerro de la Mira; but we could not do them any damage, on account of the short range of our guns. Nevertheless the French kept up a good cannonade till 5 o'clock p.m., causing that day the incendiary of several houses, both straw and brick. Don Juan Alzuyeta's house was burnt. My house, fortunately, stands, but received some shells. Others were more or less damaged.

The 11th January, the bombardment continued, and on the 12th, from 2 to 0 p.m., when they left for Mazatlan, where they will probably do the same thing, as well as at Guaymas. The families are returning, but fear another attack. The merchants think of establishing a depot inland.

The following is a copy of a letter addressed to Wells, Fargo & Co., by C.R. Payne:

Acapulco, January 16th:
The French fleet bombarded this port on the 10th, 11th and 12th, when they left. They were unable to reduce the fort which is back of the town, without great loss of life. The fort fired at the fleet as it passed out of the harbor. The Mexicans lost about fifteen men killed. The French damaged the town somewhat, firing on the troops in the streets.

Passengers

Capt. Andrews
P .E. Ashebume
Agustin Beaven
Captain Black
Mrs. Blohm and child
B. H. Camman
M. Campbell
Major Caperton
Henry Edgerton
Mr. James Fuller
Capt. Griffing
Col. S. W. Inge
Mr. Johnson and wife
Mr. and Mrs. Kithridge
Isidoro Maldonado
F. E. Maldonado
Mr. McElroy
Capt. Mills
W. G. Moody, wife and daughter
Eduardo Moreno
Veneranda de la Vega y Motz
Lieut. Mowry
Captain Mowry
Nicolas Navarro
Mr. Poole
Asa Porter
Mrs. C. F. Ramirez
Mr. Richards
O. P. Richardson
Juan A. Robinson
J.F. Schleiden
Judge Sherwood
W. H. Simmons
S. A. Sperry
Mrs. Stevens
Elena Stockfleth
Eduardo Techon
Julio Valade
H. W. Vaughn
C. Wheeler
B. B. Wycald
and 70 other passengers