Wreck of the San Francisco Disaster and Aftermath in the Great Hurricane of December 1853
Produktdetaljer
Biografisk notat
The late John Stewart was the author of nonfiction books on a variety of topics including African states and rulers, Antarctica, the British Empire, Moons of the solar system, Italian movies, Broadway musicals, the British circus, Lord Byron, and the flight of the Confederate government from Richmond. Winner of numerous reference book awards, he lived in West Jefferson, North Carolina.“Stewart's dutiful, and at times creative, attention to the historical particularities surrounding this event serves as a major strength of this book. … Stewart expertly sets the scene for <i>San Francisco</i>'s departure by highlighting issues with the steamship's trial runs, a background on the engine machinery, and alternatives to both the chosen ship and route. …Stewart succeeds in communicating the human emotions of fear, despair, and frustration, which adds a deeply personal component to this tragic story… Overall, the wealth of biographical details Stewart provides in the text and within footnotes makes <i>The Wreck of the San Francisco</i> a compelling, human story. …an entertaining and gripping account of a maritime tragedy that has been ostensibly forgotten. … Much more than a story of a shipwreck, this books guides readers in connecting the proverbial dots of this historical event, while providing an understanding of the human characters involved.”—<i>H-Net Reviews</i>
On December 22, 1853, a new steamship left New York on its maiden voyage. The San Francisco--perhaps the finest ocean-going vessel of its time--had been chartered by the U.S. Government to transport the U.S. Army's Third Artillery Regiment to the Pacific Coast.
Two days out, the ship ran into one of the great hurricanes of maritime history. Sails and stacks were blown away, the engine was wrecked and scores of people were washed overboard, as the men frantically worked the pumps to keep afloat. A few days later, cholera broke out.
After two weeks adrift, the survivors were rescued by three ships. The nightmare was not over. Two of the vessels, damaged by the storm, were in no position to take on passengers. Provisions ran out. Fighting thirst, starvation, disease and mutiny, survivors barely made it back. Then came the aftermath--accusations, denials, revelations of government ineptitude and negligence, and a cover-up.
Preface • 1
Prologue • 3
General Orders No. 2 • 9
Picking the Right Ship • 16
The U.S.S. San Francisco • 23
Will She Ever Sail? • 26
Trial Runs • 33
Departure Day Minus One • 43
Ship’s Log • 52
Thursday, December 22, 1853 • 55
Friday, December 23 • 62
Saturday, December 24 • 71
Sunday, December 25 • 97
Monday, December 26 • 106
Tuesday, December 27 • 111
Wednesday, December 28 • 116
Thursday, December 29 • 135
Friday, December 30 • 140
Saturday, December 31 • 142
Sunday, January 1, 1854 • 148
Monday, January 2 • 151
Tuesday, January 3 • 153
Wednesday, January 4 • 157
Thursday, January 5 • 159
Friday, January 6 • 162
Saturday, January 7 • 166
Sunday, January 8 • 168
Monday, January 9 • 170
Tuesday, January 10 • 174
Wednesday, January 11 • 176
Thursday, January 12 • 177
Friday, January 13 • 180
Saturday, January 14 • 186
Safe • 190
The Voyage of the Antarctic • 194
The Inquiry • 198
The Falcon and the Trial of Major Wyse • 213
Epilogue • 217
Appendix: Those Aboard the San Francisco • 229
A Note on Sources • 239
References • 241
Four Previous Books • 245
Index • 247