The Sun.
London, England, 1854-10-13 00:00:00

[FROM THE ST. JOHN'S (NEWFOUNDLAND) PUBLIC LEDGER

OCT. 3.1
The French merchant :crew-steamer Vesta, from St
Peter's bound to Granville, arrived here on Saturday morn•
ins, with lose of foremast and bows completely shattered
to pieces, having been in collision with the Collins' pe-bile-
steamer Arctic, fi one Liverpool to New York, about fifty-
four miles S.E. of Cape Rice.
It appears that the Vesta left St. Peter's on Tuesday last,
and on the following day, at noon, in the neighbourhood
of the Virgin Rocks, in an exceedingly dense fog, steaming
eight knots, came into collision with a large steamer,
which was recognised as th. Arctic of New York, whose
speed is stated not to have been less than twelve knots.
The Vesta appeared to be shaking, but immediately rose
again, but no hope was entertained of her ultimate safety,
the passengers and crew looking upon the Arctic as their
only chance of saving their lives. • One man was killed,
and others severely wounded. Two boats were put
ever the side, the firat of which was sunk, and the
second was immediately boarded by two of the crew
and several cf the passengers, who, not heeding
the order of the captain to return on board, aban-
doned the vessel. The foes coutinuing very thick, they lost
sight of the Arctic altogether, still hoping, however, that
she would not desert them.
A cry .f distress was now heard, which was attributed
to some men of the Vesta, who, it appears, had jumped
overboard to get on board the Arctic. Providentially, the
bulkhead in the forecastle was not started, which the Cap-
tain (Duchesne) noticed as affording a chance of safety.
Ile immediately, with the utmost promptitude, gave
orders for lightening the vessel by the head, which was as
readily obeyed by throwing overboard all the fish, cargo,
luggage of the passengers, Sec., which was in the fore part
of the vessel, and which raised her bows considerably.
This elevation, with the tirmuesa of the bulkhead, contri-
buted much to stop the heavy rush of water. About 150
mattresses, paliasees, and other effects of the crew and
passengers, were now placed abaft the safety partition,
over which were thrown sails, backed by boards and
planks, the whole being secured by cables well and firmly
wrapped round all.
The foremast, which had received some damage, was cut
away, and contributed considerably to raise the head still
more, This occupie,t two days. They thou ran under small
steam for the nearest port (St. John's), which they entered
on Saturday last most providentially before the rising of a
severe gale which blew on that day. -Upon mustering the
hands thirteen were missed. The Vesta had on board 147
passengers
and a crew of 50 men. The conduct of Captain
Duchesne is much applauded, and the condition of the ves-
elicits the admiration of all who
1, as she now aPPears,
sveisit her. Indeed nothing but the most indomitable energy,
unwavering perseverance, and most superior seamanship,
could have succeeded iu bringing the vessel into port. The
unfortunate men have been taken into the hospitable keep-
ing of Mr. Toussaint (through whose kindness we have been
enabled to gather the foregoing account), who spares no
pains to provide for their comfort.
Nothing further was known of the Arctic until the even-
ing of Saturday, when news reached town that she had suf-
fered considerably from the shock, and had been abandoned
by the passengers and crew. On Sunday some of those who
had taken to the boats arrived here from Renews. From
""f the passengers we have gathered the following infor-
mation respecting the collision •
It appears that en Wednesday last, about noon, as the
passengers were at lunch in the cabin, a violent shock was
felt, and upon rushing r indis-
tinctly seen, through atZ:
deck a steamer was ve y
bow, which turned oat to be fog,
broad off .
the starboard
the Vesta, abovementioned.
At first no danger was apprehended on board of the
Arctic, and the chief officer was sent with a boat to the
rescue of the crew of the Vesta, It was soon discovered,
however, that there was littlea.h
and the lady, daughter, and son oofP:lof saving the Arctic,
several ladies, were put on board a .bEoa..tK.inr2olelhines'awctitohf
waysh fastnd all,
t oelowering which one of the tackles
ex-
cept one lady, who clung to a sairrveh
boat, were precipitated into the sea anodlin-
party of ladies and a few gentlemen ever lost.
Another
another boat, with some provisions, but were on board
manned by sailors there is little chance of their speedily
reachin„e the land.
The ship could not be stopped to lower the boats, the
pumps being attached to the engine for the purpose of
keeping the vessel clear of the water, which was rushing-
furioueiy into her from au injury done on the fore side
the starboard wheel. She was then headed for Cape Pslceof;
but after having gone some 15 miles, the water had so. far
gained as to extinguish the fires, and the wheels conse•
quently ceased to work, at which time the boats saved left
the ship. Captain Luce had no hopes of saving the vessel
or his own life, and on sonie one wishing to take his little
eon into the boat, declined.

A large boat,. capable of containing 50 persons, was on
deck, but there not beitg sufficient hands on board, and
being yerybeavy to launch, it is supposed she would be filled
with persons, in the hope that she might float off' when the
shi sank• It is conjectured that three life-boats are yet
flog, which will be likely to live out the gale of Sa•
The purser, Kr. Geih, it appears, chartered(a small craft
at Renews to visit the scene of the disaster, and ascertain,
possible whether there tre any more boats cur, so that