The Liverpool Standard, and General Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1854-10-17 00:00:00

THE COLLISION,

The St. John's Ledger of the 3d instant says
" The French merchant screw-steamer Vesta, from St.
Peter's, bound to Granville, arrived here on Saturday
morning last, the 30th September, with loss of foremast
and bows completely shattered to pieces, having been in
collision with the Collins' paddle-steamer Arctic, from Liver-
pool to New York, about 64 miles S.E. of Cape Race.
It appears that the Vesta left St. Peter's on Tuesday
last, and on the following day, at noon, in the neighbour-
hood of the Virgin Rocks, in an exceedingly dense fog,
steaming eight knots, came into collision with a large
steamer, which was recognised as the Arctic, of New York,
whose speed is stated to have been not less than 12 knots.
" The Vesta appeared to be sinking, but immediately
rose again ; no hope was entertained of her ultimate safety,
the passengers and crew looking upon: the Arctic as the
only chance of saving their lives. One man was killed,
and others severely wounded. Two boats were put over
the side, the first of which sunk, and the second was
immediately boarded by two of the crew and several of the
passengers, who, not heeding the order of the captain to
return on board, abandoned the vessel. The fog continuing
very thick, they lost sight of the Arctic altogether, still
hoping, however, that she would not desert them. A cry
of 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 captain
(Duchesne) noticed as affording a chance of safety. He,
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, &c., which was in the fore part of the vessel,
and which raised her bows considerably. This elevation,
with the firmness of the bulkhead, contributed much to
stop the heavy rush of water. About 150 mattresses,
paillasses, 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 greatly to raise the head still more.
This occupied two days. They then 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 13 were missing. 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
vessel as she now appears elicits the admiration of all who
visit her. Indeed, nothing but the most indomitable
energy, unwavering perseverance, and most superior
seamanship could have succeeded in bringing the vessel
into port. The unfortunate men have been taken into the
hospitable keeping of Mr. Toussaint, who spares no pains
to provide for their comfort.
' Nothing further was heard of the Arctic until the
evening of Saturday, when news reached town that she
had suffered considerably from the shock, and had been
abandoned by the passengers and the crew.
" On Sunday, some of those who had taken to the boats
arrived here from Renews. From one of the
passengers
we have gathered the following information respecting the
collision :
" It appears that on Wednesday last, about noon, as the
passengers were at lunch in the cabin, a violent shock was
felt, and upon rushing on deck a steamer was very indis-
tinctly seen, through a dense fog, broad off the starboard
bow, which turns out to be the Vesta above-mentioned.
At first no danger was apprehended on board 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 little hope of saving the Arctic, and the