The hopes which had been entertained that the fine steamer, San Pablo, would be safely floated and' brought into dock, were dispelled by the receipt o by General Kennedy, U.S. Cons on Monday morning to the effect that she had become a total loss. Further particulars came to hand during the day, when the Blue Funnel steamer, Menelausarrived here, having on board Captain Reed and the crew of the Sun Pablo, who had remained with their ship in the hopes of saving her. The U.S. flagship Brooklyn which left here on Sunday, and the tug boats Fulee and Rocket, previous day, have by this time arrived at despatched to the scene of the wreck the mahout, unless the tugboats, which led first to Foochow, heard there that the vessel was beyond their assistance. The story of the wreck since the San Pablo struck is heightened by the account of the piratical attacks of the Chinese w the vessel when she became helpless, thereby showing that the despatch of an Imperial gunboat from Foochow to the scene of the wreck was a most necessary precaution on the part of the Chinese Government to protect the property and lives on the ill-fs from the rapacity and inhumanity of the people along the coast. And under the circumstances it is fortunate that Captain Bradley, of the Pechili, came to the
large amount of treasure, from the wreck. rescue of the Passengers, mails, and the There were rumours in the Settlement on Monday to the effect that some disaster had overtaken @ number of the looters, whether by the bursting of one of the boilers or by an explosion of coal gas in the bunkers it is impossible to say, but the Story, imncotffimied so far, is that an 6t-plosion did occur after the Captain and crew had left the ship, and a number of Chinese were killed. Though. the of sith a Hrié Stealiiér is a serious matter to the Company, it is a consolation that no lives were lost, a fact that should speak strongly in favour of the Captain Reed and the officers of the San Pablo, when the Marine Court of Enquiry holds its inquisition into the cause of the wreck. As to the acts of the Chinese looters it is to be hoped that they will be punished by their government, and taught to treat unfortunate foreigners, cast bj accident upon their tender mercies, witl more humanity, and honesty. Probably the shipping companies interested will profer some claim agximt the Chinese jovernment in respect of the piratical attacks made upon their property, but it is a pity that the Brooklya, or even the Chinese gunboat, did not "get upon the scene before the marauders red. The Court of Enquiry. will probably take place at San Francisco, when the facts will be S, 45 fully investigated, but beyond the Captain's fatement which he has very properly lost: no time in placing before the public, we believe there is little to give. The passengers and crew speak in high terms of the praiseworthy energy and seamanship of Captain Reed and his officers during a most trying time, and great credit is also ne to the Company's Agent, Mr. Harman, for the promptitude and foresight with which he acted upon receipt of the first intelligence of the disaster, and also to General Kennedy, Consul-General, for the promptitude with which he took immediate steps to secure the despatch of the Chinese gunboat and the s.s, Haitan from Foochow to the assistance of the San Pablo. Admiral Chandler also at once communicated h the British Admiral at Hongkong, with the result that H.M.'s corvette Constance sailed without delay. to the scene of the wreck. On the arrival of the Mewelaus at Shanghai, Captain Reed immediately proceeded to the U.S. Consulate General and made a full statement covering the entire period from the moment the vessel left port till she disappeared, which we append for the information' of our readers. He further informed our reporter that even if the vessel had not been fired he does not think that any efforts to save her would have been successful. Her position upon a rock, where the spring tides rise over twenty' feet, would have rendered all attempts to' get her off fruitless, The crew who wore very wearied by their long exertions are now comfortably housed at the Sailors' Home.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.