cams_hparker_2311_f003_024_1

San Francisco Oct 12th 1854

My Dear Mother,

You will no doubt be surprised
not recieving [receiving] a letter from me about the
1st Nov. as you have always recieved [received] letters
from me quite regularly heretofore, and the
following explanation, will show why you
did not hear from me as usual.

You will find a letter enclosed with this
one, which I wrote the last of Sept. which I
intended to have sent you by my partner,
Mr Noyes. He left here on the 30th Sept. on board
the Steamship "Yankee Blade" anticipating a
quick and pleasant voyage through to New York
and a speedy return to San Francisco.

There were on board the Steamer about 1200
passengers all of whom appeared to be in ex-
cellent spirits when the Steamer left the wharf,
but they were doomed to meet with a sad
accident for the next afternoon, Sunday, at
about 4 Oclock [O'clock] P.M. the Steamer struck on a
rock and was completely wrecked.

Most of the passengers were obliged to re-
main on the wreck throughout the night
during which time they were in imminent danger
of losing their lives, for the sea was continually
beating against the wreck, threatening to break
her in pieces every moment, and as they
were a mile and a half from land it was im-

[written vertically in the left margin]

Please give my love to Charles, Harriet and all my friends,
and ask them to write me whenever convenient