Wreck Of The Propeller Bucephalus.

Ten Lives Lost-Further Particulars, and Interesting Statement of Capt. Alexander.

From the Buffalo Democracy, Nov. 18.

We gave, yesterday morning, in our marine column, all the particulars of the loss of the propeller Bucephalus and a portion of her crew, and the rescue of the Captain, Mates, Engineers, and some of the deck hands, in the gale of Sunday last on Lake Huron.

Captain Alexander reached our city yesterday morning, and from him we obtain the following interesting statement of the loss of his vessel:

The propeller Busepalus left Chicago, Saturday, Nov. 4, at 4 o’clock, P. M., with fourteen thousand and thirty-five bushels of corn, and a deck load of flour, seed, butter, ashes, & c., and proceeded to Milwaukee to complete her cargo. After making the usual stops at Waukegan, Kenosha, and Racine, the propeller arrived at Milwaukee about 5 o’clock, A. M. of the 5th, and at once began to take on the balance of her cargo. Having finished loading by 9 A.M. the same morning, and the wind and weather favorable, they left for Port Washington for wood.

Shortly after leaving, the wind increased in violence, blowing from the south, and by noon there was such a sea on that they could not lay at Port Washington pier; they backed off and came to an anchor, and lay till next day at 9 A. M., when the gale moderated, and they took on their wood and proceeded on their way, calling at Sheboygan. The wind at this time was westerly. At 6 o’clock was on the course for Beaver Island with a fresh breeze northwest. At daylight on the 7th made the Manitous with a strong increasing breeze. Arrived at Beaver Island, remained until the 8th at noon for fuel, when they left for Presque Isle. Arrived there on the morning of the 9th, but had to lay until Saturday, the 12th, at 11 A. M., when they left for Buffalo.

Shortly after leaving Presque Isle, the wind veered to the N. E. and it began to snow. At 3 P. M. the wind increased to a strong breeze, and at 5 it was blowing a gale. About this time the foremast gave way, and went over the side. At 6 o’clock the forward gangways were stove in by a heavy sea, and part of her deck load washed overboard.

Everything had been secured, in anticipation of a severe gale; but it increased at such a fearful rate, that it was almost impossible to keep the vessel on her course. The heavy rolling of the boat shifted the corn in her hold, and made her unmanageable. The other two gangways on the lea side were now stove in, and the captain had to keep her before the wind to get the after on secure, and throw a portion of her freight which was on deck, to trim the boat. The officers were unable to secure the two forward gangways, and all the freight on the deck was washed over board.

The wind continued to increase in violence, accompanied with snow and hail, and after an attempt to keep her on her course proved unavailing, as the boat would not stir, they kept her before the wind as their only safety. About midnight the rudder unshipped, when the boat breached too. All the gangways were stove in, the guards around the stern torn up, and the boat filling with water. Shortly afterwards the fires were extinguished, and the boat fast going to pieces.

Capt. Alexander now finding that there was no hope of saving his vessel, ordered the three boats to be got ready for launching. The first boat was put in charge of PETER SHOEMAKER, formerly second officer of the Bucephalus, and in it DANIEL BROWN, Wheelsman; GEORGE RUPPERAUGH, HENRY WORENER, GEORGE SMITH, MICHAEL STEIN, and JACOB MARKS, deck hands. This boat was swung out preparatory to being let down, when one of the men in it cut the rope holding up the stern and all were thrown out and drowned.

The second boat was placed in charge of R. STODDARD, the first mate; and with him, A. H. BROWN, engineer; WM. PETERS, 2nd Engineer; SAML. CHAPPELL, wheelsman; RICHARD SPARKS, steward; PETER KING, fireman; JACK ROLLINGER, do.; MRS. MARTHA MIDFORI; and MISS EMILY MARBLE, passengers. This boat got clear of the wreck, and put off, heading against the wind. The night was so dark that it was impossible to tell where the nearest land lay. The crew, however, pulled nobly some fifteen miles, and, through good fortune, made the land between two reefs, on either one of which, had they struck, all on board would undoubtedly have perished, as the breakers were running mountains high. The men here built a large fire on the beach, in hopes of attracting the attention of the third boat. They, however, were too far off to see the light.

The third boat-one of FRANCOIS’ metallic life-boats-was taken in charge by Captain Alexander.

By the time this boat had been made ready, the propeller had sunk to her cabin deck, and the boat becoming entangled under the ledge of the upper cabin, it was drawn down several feet under water. Through the exertion of the second officer, the boat was pushed off clear from the propeller, and came up. All in the boat now got out and hung over the side, while the Captain, with a bucket, bailed the boat clear, and again all got it. They then pulled against the wind, and in three hours, or shortly before daybreak, approached the bench, and came in sight of the fire that had been kindled by the crew of the second boat. Captain Alexander, knowing the coast to be very rocky, and the breakers running so high, suggested that they should keep out until daybreak, when they would be able to make the shore in safety, and stating that the chances were, should they then attempt to land, that all would be lost. The men, however, were so benumbed with cold, that they insisted on pulling in, saying that they would rather endeavor to land, even if they should drown in the attempt, than stay out and perish before daylight came. The men were so urgent that the captain had to consent. The first breaker was passed in safety. The second overset the boat, and all were thrown out. WHITE, however, succeeded in getting hold of the painter, and righted the boat. The captain was unable, at first, to reach up to the side of the boat, and allowed himself to sink and touch bottom, when he sprung up and caught hold of the rudder, and drew himself into the boat. WM. DAY also swam up to the boat and got in. EMMONS and GERHART had held on to the seat of the boat when it capsized, and came up again in it. The other two, ANDREW RECTOR and JOHN WEBBER, were drowned.

Those in the boat were left without oars for some time, but one happened to float by, and with its aid the boat was got in shallow water. The captain and mate then got out and hauled the boat ashore. They landed near where the second boat had made the shore, which was found to be Bird’s Creek, near Point Aux Barques.

The crew and the three passengers, fourteen in all, were treated with the most humane kindness by the people at Point Aux Barques, furnished with dry clothing, and everything was done for them which could be.

The Captain here chartered a fishing boat and with it brought all of those rescued to Port Huron, running the distance ninety miles in nine hours; and from there came down to Detroit on the steamer Rub.

The crew speak in the highest terms of praise of the conduct of Captain Alexander, on that trying occasion. The vessel sunk under the crew and the Captain was the last to leave her deck, which he did when the water had reached his waist, taking his chances for life in the smallest and poorest boat.

The propeller as we stated yesterday was owned by HOLT, PALMER & CO., of this city and Captain Alexander, and was insured for $10,000. She was valued at $28,000.

The following is a list of those saved:

Capt. S. Alexander, of Buffalo.
R. Stoddard, first mate, Buffalo.
John White, second mate, Buffalo.
A. H. Brown, engineer, Buffalo.
Wm. Peters, second engineer, Buffalo.
Samuel Chappell, wheelman, Buffalo.
Richard Sparks, steward, Buffalo.
Peter King, fireman, Buffalo.
Jack Rollinger, fireman, Buffalo.
Anthony Geshart, deck hand, Buffalo.
Thaddeus W. Emmons, porter, Elyria, Ohio.
Wm. Day, passenger, Troy, N. Y.
Mrs. Martha Midforth, passenger, New-York.
Miss Emily Marble, passenger, New-York.

Lost.
Peter Shoemaker, late second mate, Perrysburg, O.
Daniel Brown, wheelsman, Beaver Island.
Anderson Rector, cook, Colchester, C. W.
John Weber, deck hand, Buffalo.
Henry Worener, deck hand, Buffalo.
George Smith, deck hand, Buffalo.
Michael Steen, deck hand, Buffalo.
Jacob Marks, deck hand, Buffalo.

One man, name not known, and who came on board at Port Washington, was missed over two hours before the first boat left, and, it is supposed, was washed overboard.

The New York Times, New York, NY 20 Nov 1854
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Transcribed by June. Thanks June!