The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-04-25 00:00:00

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E OBSERVER.

A correspondent of the Now tort Herald. describing the
scene on board the Amerique ft the moment of the catas-
trophe, says .
-

-
" On the morning of the 14th the sea went down,
but only for a short time. Everybody on board was
working at the pumps, unti at ten o'clock the engine
was finally stopped, with in possibility of rekindling
the fires. It then became sertain that the ship had
sprung a leak. The heavy seas shipped at various
Cones could not have pranced so large a body of
water in the hold. Engineers and carpenters were
examining the vessel, vrithoit, however, being success-
fill in their researches. Evey effort was used towards
*efling the water; the tonkey-engine was set to
ork, but suddenly the wind and waves increased
again, and the ship, whicl had a large quantity of
water in the hold, became unmanageable. Towards
half-past four in the evening the captain was com-
pelled to inform the passemers that the ship could not
float much longer, and he proposed to signal an Italian
ship, which since midday had gradually stood by us.
At first this communicatioa was received with some
surprise, because until that moment the ship's officers
had endeavoured to hide frma U 8 the sad reality of our
danger. In a few words, however, the captain re-
assured everybody, recommending each person to take
a life-belt, to conduct hirmelf as quietly as possible
during the process of trans-shipment, and he would be
responsible for the consequmces. The transfer took
place in a furious sea, wit a number of children,
females, and old men, who vith difficulty could be per-
, evaded that the danger waild be lessened by being
transferred to another ship. All was accomplished with
the greatest order, commerving at five o'clock, and at
' seven o'clock everybody hal left the ill-fated steamer
without the slightest accidmt."

Some particulars relative to the loss of the Trans
atlantic steamer Ameriqte have been furnished to
Galignani's Muselige. by Baron Barbier and MM.
Brun and de Chassagny, win were passengers on board
the ill-fated vessel. The weather, they state, was
dreadful on the Monday right, but the passengers
maintained themselves trantuilly, notwithstanding the
violence of the wind and waves. The next morning the
storm somewhat abated, ani the vessel had as yet only
lost one boat, which had been washed overboard at
about two in the night. At that monent the fatal leak
sprang, and after a short time, the heavy plung-
ing motion of the vessel attracted the attention of
the passengers, and a ferling of alarm began to
spread. About three in the afternoon the fact became
evident that the injury, whaaever it might be, was irre-
mediable. Captain Rousso'', who had made every
possible effort to save his ship, said nothing, but
anxiously scanned the horizor.. The water got into
the boiler-room and put the fire out. The carpenters
broke up all the bed-places fer fuel, in the vain hope of
relighting them. At that moment the three vessels
already mentioned in the accounts published appeared.
They were not very far off, but had hitherto been con-
cealed by the mountainous wavms running. The Nor-
wegian was he nearest, about half a mile off, when
she hove to and aided as well as she could in such a
sea. The captain summoned every one on deck, and,
perfectly calm himself, told them to put on their life-
belts and show their presence of mind. He made all
pass before him, the women and children first, the
male passengers next, and afterwards the crew. In that
order he ranged them along the bulwarks and comman-
ded the boats to be lowered. Three of them were
with great difficulty brought alongside and rope lad-
ders lowered. Then took place a scene which no one
who beheld it can ever forget. A young man of 26,
the Brest pilot, who had been engaged for the whole
voyage, a perfect Hercules, named Marec, jumped into
the first boat with the oarsmen. Placing his feet
firmly, one on each side of the thwarts, he gave Ida
orders, and at the same time received in his hands,
which appeared to be of iron, the women and children
who were thrown to him like bundles front the deck
of the steamer—when the ladders became encum-
bered by the crowding. He received these living
packages, for no other name can be given to the
human bodies paralysed by terror, and calmly
arranged them at the bottom of his boat. When that
was full he jumped into another and recommenced
a similiar process, with just as much coolness
and dexterity. The persons on board consider the
devotedness of that man as quite sublime. To pre-
serve such coolness under such circumstances with the
boats dancing under his feet, and men, women, and
children literally raining on his head, exhibits a
force of character and a feeling of humanity far from
common, and which deserves a recompense far other
than a medal, of which Marec already possesses two,
gained for similar acts. These beings were all placed
on board the Norwegian vessel until the captain made
signs that he could not receive any more, but the boats
continued their task, and rowed to the Italian barque,
which was then coming near the steamer. Great
difficulty was experienced in ascending the side of
the El lea. The crew threw out roves, and the
passengers had to climb up, but the violent motion
rendered the process exceedingly dangerous. At
every instant they were dashed together and none
reached the deck without severe bruises. The first
officer, Reberge, fell into the water five times. His
hands were quite numbed and he could no longer hold
the rope ; at last he made a final effort, and managed
somehow to scramble on deck, where he fell down in-
sensible from exhaustion, and in so doing broke his
jaw against the foot of the mast. At that moment the
10103 of the unfortunate Garay was discovered. A sailor
had seen him washed overboard, and stretched out his
hand to save him when he rose once under a boat, but
a wave carried away the mate, who was seen no more.
And now nearly all were saved, for the last boat had
gained the third succouring vessel, the English brig
Michigan.

PLYMOUTH, Monday.

On the application of Mr. Sanders Stevens, the agent
for the Spray, the dockyard authorities, and Sir W.
King Hall tugs were sent alongside the Amerive, and
hand pumps on board on Sunday night. N otwith-
standing that these pumps as well as a steam fire engine
that was taken on board were kept at work during the
whole of Sunday night, the water in the vessel was not
decreased to any extent. This being so, it was deemed
advisable to take the ship into shallower water, and for
this purpose she was taken in tow yesterday morning
by the Government steam tugs Carron and Scotia and
the Sir Francis Drake into Catwater, where at low
water she grounded on the mud, but at high tide again
floated. During the morning preparations were made
for the purpose of taking the cargo out, but the repre-
sentative of the Transatlantic Steamship Company,
who arrived in the course of the day, did not think this
advisable. The pumps are still kept going, and the
water is now being got out of her. The vessel is now
in charge of the Custom's authorities, and it is expected
will be taken in docktin a day or two.

The representative.s of the F. T. Barry on Monday
nailed a writ to the masts of the Amerique for £lOO,OOO,
and it is understood that the owners of the Spray
claim 00,000. An action has been entered in the High
Court of Admiralty in the sum of £lOO,OOO against the
steamer. The vessel was arrested on Tuesday at Ply-
mouth by one of the assistants of the Marshal of the
Court. Instructions have, however, been given the
proctors by the owners of the F. T. Barry to reduce
their claim to £25,000. A representative of the firm
who built the vessel, at Newcastle, has been on
board, and thinks that the damage sustained is not
much. The pumps are still kept at work, and the
water is gradually being got under. Insurance agents
have also hoarded the vessel, but it has not as yet been
decided what is to be done with her. If an arrange-
ment can be come to between the company and the
salvors the cargo will not be taken out, and it is in-
tended that the Amerique shall then be towed across
to Havre, but if a settlement is not come to by the
26th inst., six days from the time the vessel was ar-
rested, the cargo will be discharged at Plymouth.

Captain Roussan, of the Amiirique, has published a
report respecting the abandonment of that vessel :-
--

All, it appears, went on well until the lath inst., when at
noon he was in 48 deg. SO north latitude, and 9 deg. 64 west,
longitude: the sky was then menacing, the wind, before
furious, had increased to a hurricane, while the sea was
terrible to witness. The steamer, however, behaved admir-
ably, but at about six in the evening it was observed that the
immense waves had two different directions, which strained
the vessel seriously, while the masses of water which fell on
the deck demolished everything, and penetrated to the fur-
naces. The gratings were then covered with thick sail-
cloths. The captain adds--" 1 was shortly afterwards
informed by M. Keesen, chief engineer, that the water was
increasing in the engine and furnace rooms. Assisted by
his men he laboured without relaxation, and with remark-
able energy, to master the position, and every hour gave me
an account of the situation. By means of our persevering
efforts the state of things did not grow worse until about
four in morning of the 14th , the height of water in the
stokehole had seemed to remain the same, but the fact now
became evident that we had a leak and that it was assum-
ing dangerous proportions. The engineer, notwithstand-
ing the menus employed, could no longer suffice with all
his staff, whom he animated with his courageous example ;
the fires became extinguished as the water reached the
furnaces one after the other: al: the seamen and all the ser-
vants were utilized, and each one rivalled with the others
in zeal. All was in vain, and the water continued to gain on
us rapidly ; lily second lieutenant, M. Gaillard, informed me
that a vessel was near and ...ling in our direction , I had
hoisted the signal, ' Please remain in sight ; • it was under-
stood by the captain, and, while we redoubled our efforts, he
employed the most able mancenvres to keep at a short
distance imder close-reefed topsails. At about five o'clock
all hope of saving the Amerique was gone • she was
visibly going down forward her stern was so high out of
water that we could see the nave of her screw, and the
inclination to larboard was enormous. I then assembled
my officers, and all decided on abandoning immediately
our splendid but unfortunate steamer: consequently, in
despair, I ordered the boats to be launched. The opera-
tion was difficult, for the sea was enormously high and
the wind still violent ; nevertheless, it was effected with
order and intelligence, and, I will add, with perfect obedience.
During that time all the passengers provided themselves
with ...rimming belts, the boats ranged themselves along-
side at a proper distance, and every one approached in
order to embark in turn The longboat was kept apart from
the rest, so as to help those who might have fallen into the
sea In the meantime two other ships ,ere sent to us by
Providence, an English and a Norwegian. The rescue
commenced at half-past live with the women and children ;
at half-past eight I was the last to quit the vessel, with
M. Keesen, chief engineer, my second, M. Oarray, and M.
Vie, commissary. Before we embarked, M. Keesen and
I took a Mal and rapid survey of the sinking ship ; we es-
timated at five metres in depth the water in the engine-room.
The catastrophe was fast approaching, and on leaving the
deck we obeerved, in spite of the darkness of the night, that
the water was approaching the port-holes of the great saloon.
The resift' of the inqffiry will show with what success and
coolness ..he rescue was effected, and in what weather. I
hope that justice will be rendered to my brave and
devoted officer& My unfortunate second, M. Garrey, in
trying to get on board the Ellsa-Querole, fell into the sea,
and all the efforts made to save him were fruitless. I pro-
pose to make a special report about the worthy conduct of
the captain of the Italian ship, who landed an, DV in
number, at Brest, on the 16th inst. ; at the same time the
Norwegian, two hours after, disembarked 40 passengers at
that pert: the English vessel only, which had but four, had
not yet appeared.