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[from the Nassau Guardian, April 15.]
We deeply regret to announce that the screw steamer Karnak, which has been so faithfully and punctually carrying our mails from and to New York, Nassau, and Havana, for the last four years, is now lying in a hopeless condition at the entrance of our harbor. The Karnak left Havana on Saturday last, about half-past 12 o'clock P. M., with a strong northerly wind, and at half-past 11 o'clock A. M., on Monday, on nearing Nassau, took on board Mr. Cooke, one of the branch pilots of this port. Captain Le Massurier, we are informed, raised objections to coming in the harbor, but on being assured that it would be to more difficult to enter than it was during the March trip from Southwest Bay, he consented to do so. On crossing the bar at 12 o'clock the vessel struck heavily, and the Captain appeared to be remonstrating with Mr. Cooke for not piloting properly. The ship was then thrown by the surf on the coral reef, the engines all the time working in perfect order, with the hope of getting her off. In this trying emergency, what was to be done. Out of five steamers lying in our harbor, not one of them was in a condition to render the slightest assistance. Had H. M. steamer Bulldog been in port, the casualty would have been averted; but she did not return from Rum Cay till this morning. The steamer Thomas L. Wragg (late the Nashville) was at anchor very near the Karnak, but having no coal on board, she was also powerless. The boiler of the steamer Cecile being under repair, could not have been got ready for working in less than six hours, but nevertheless Captain Carlin did all he could to facilitate the work, seeing the helpless condition of the Karnak. The steamer Ella Warley arrived at ½ o'clock from Havana, but having a valuable cargo on board, and drawing nearly as much water as the Karnak herself, could do no service, more especially as the latter vessel had bilged before that time. The English steamers Gladiator and Southwick were out of coal, and therefore were as useless as the rest. The Karnak rolled heavily from side to side, and, presenting her starboard broadside to the breakers, thumping awfully at every turn, in half an hour from the time she struck began to leak. The steam pumps were than set to work, but after a short time the pipes were broken. The force-pumps were immediately manned, and by this time a number of men from the shore came to the vessel's assistance. When danger was found to be imminent, Dr. Linquis, the Surgeon of the unfortunate ship, at the risk of his own life, took all the ladies and children up in his arms and deposited them carefully in the small boats that were plying around the steps. Three of the ladies fainted, but soon came to, on being assured of their safety. There were about sixty passengers in all, nearly half of whom were women and children. In this trying emergency, Captain Le Massurier gave his orders with the greatest presence of mind and utmost coolness, and too much praise cannot be bestowed on him and his officers generally; nor must we forget to notice the perfect discipline that prevailed among the crew. Several of the wreckers are reported to have been drowned by the upsetting of a boat in the surge, and many received severe wounds and bruises while in the vessel's hold by the shifting of boxes of sugar, occasioned by her rolling motion. Since the Karnak first struck she has completely shifted her position, and now lies with her head towards the South. Upwards of sixty passengers from this city alone had taken passage in the Karnak for New York this trip. They will now take their departure by other vessels which are getting ready for sea. The schooner Vigilant has been chartered by Messrs. H. Adderley & Co., the agents here for the Canard line, to carry the mails and Havana passengers to New York to-morrow; and we also hear that the brigantine Alma, schooner Charles Tunnel, and the brigantine Lucy Darling, (this last being hourly expected from New York,) will be made available for the American passengers; while the steamers Gladiator and Southwick will take the passengers booked for England to their destruction. Dr. Linquist, we learn, will leave in the Vigilant. H. M. steamer Bulldog, Commander McKillop, returned from Rum Cay this morning, and reports that not a vestige of H. M. steamers Conqueror can be seen above water. [From the Nassau Guardian, April 19th.] We are informed that the iron steamship British Queen, commander Harrison, hitherto employed as a passenger vessel between Liverpool and Havre, is advertised to leave England this day (April 19th) for New York, en route for Nassau, to supply the place of the Karnak.She is said to be a vessel of the same class, but of greater speed, averaging eleven knots per hour. The tonnage of the unfortunate Karnak was about 593½, She was built at Dunbarton in 1831, by W. Danny Brothers, and her engines were furnished by Tulles & Denny. She was engaged in the transport service during the Crimean war. She still lies midway between the point of Hog Island and Toney beacon, nearly upright Since the disaster the crew have been engaged in dismantling her. We notices about five and a half feet of water in her hold this morning. We learn from an officer of H. M. S. Bulldog, (the return of which from Rum Cay we announced on Wednesday last,) that when this vessel left the cay on Monday, all the ships-of-war that had visited the wreck of the Conqueror had taken their departure.--The Abukir (90) had left for Bermuda a few days before the Bulldog's arrival, and the Melpomene left only a few hours before to the flag of Vice-Admiral Sir Alex. Milue at Bermuda. The fleet will leave Bermuda for Halifax on the 20th inst. The unfortunate steamship Karnak remains in the same position in which we last described her. The diver belonging to H. M. S. Bulldog has paid a visit to the bottom of our harbor and walked round the keel of the Karnak for the purpose of examining her bilge. He reports that the starboard midships compartment is completely broken in. Commander McKillop has been requested by His Excellency the Governor to send in an estimate and plan for deepening the harbor. We hope that this opportunity will not be allowed to pass without completing this long-required desideratum. Commander McKillop's experience in submarine explosions has been well tested in the recent blowing up of the wreck of H. M. S. Conqueror.
The Daily Dispatch: may 2, 1862. Richmond Dispatch. 4 pages. by Cowardin & Hammersley. Richmond. may 2, 1862. microfilm. Ann Arbor, Mi : Proquest. 1 microfilm reel ; 35 mm.
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