Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1840-11-10

nct eaehed the sns-sigheA part Of sur dssti
tner:sere, wosid csssidsr you jastifabIe by nut
ply q fuel am, dear sir, your ssst obsdient and
humble servant, VIZ. GnIYrIrns, Eseineer.
My other reasons were based on the impression,
that although we had coal sufficient for favorable
passage still lett, we had not the OF
plenty in ease Of meeting adverse winds and long
passage. This made me decide on returning here,
as matter Of justice, alike to my owners, my pas
sengers, and the best interests Of the ship prefer
ring certain loss Of time, (however distressing
to the reproach OF my own mind, in becoming the
cause OF cur being ont Of COAL within a few days
sail of home. take il for granted will ac-
cuse me Of wishing (from personal motves,) TO re-
visit even New York, under circumstances so mise
rably notifying TO your most Obliged and obedent
servant, M. Nj. KEASE.
Accompanying this is document handed me by
my Passengers, and also abstract 1T my log show
ing their feelings, and my peculiarly difficult posi-
tioa; hopeless as it appears of easy decision.
STEAM SHIP President, Nov. 8, $40,
We, the undersigned, Passengers on board the
Steam Ship President, from New York to Liverpool,
feel il due to the Commander Capt. Keane, to give
publicity TO the following statement of facts, expla
natOry the true Of returning again to the
port Of our departure, before accomplishing our in
tended voyage.
On the morning after our leaving New York Nov.
81, we encoratered a strong head wind, from the
n. z, which gradually increased to a hard gale,
with a very heavy sea, against which the ship
propelled by steam, for four successive days, with
out making greater progress during the whole Of
that time, than ABOUT JDU miles
On Saturday, the It'll of Nov, Capt. Keane assem-
bled the passengers together, communicated 10
them that he had received a report from the eng-
neer stating that there remained only fourteen days
consumption of coal on board and there being every
prospect of a continuance Of the adverse gale for
several days longer. he deemed IT his duty to make
the fact known to his passengers without delay. He
then frankly expressed his opinions that il would be
rushing too great risk TO proceed further on the
voyage, under such circumstances, fourteen days
was the shortest time in which We could hope to
reach En- gland If the adverse gale TO i'm
mediately, and should be favored with fair winds
and fine weather for the greater part Of the way
But, We could not safely reckon on this, our po
sition would be very painful one, it, after exhaust
ing fourteen days supply Of coal, should then
find ourselves approaching the English coast, with
out any fuel board. He thought his duty there
fore, for the interest of all concerned, both owners
and passengers, to return to New York while the
gale lasted there to take in the requisite supply Of
fuel and then resume the:voyage. He wished, at the
same time by submitting these facts and 10
his passengers, to obtain an expression of opinion
the subject.
On this, deliberativc conversation followed
amosg the passengers, in which some difference Of
opinion appearing to exist on miner points, it was
thought best to take the decision OF the whole body
present on the main question; and accordingly the
the votes were takcn-thoss who approved Of re-
turning TO New York, and who thought the reasons
Tor the step abupdanty sufficient, being requesisd to
answer in the Affirmative, and those who thought a
further perseverance preparatle, to answer in the
negative; when two only appeared TO embrace the
view, OUT ot al icdst sixty gentlemen Assem-
bled on the occasion.
After this brief narrative Of facts, we desire TO
state, that the good qualities OF the President, as
sea boat were tested and proved in the most salts
factory manner, during the gale, which she weather.
ed in perfect security, without straisins bolt or
timber, and with less of motion and working in her
frame than is usually similar casions Our
confidence in her perfect safety was, therefore, me-
yer once shaken or disturbed, as no vessel could
have sustained herself better during ouch gale as
she encountered.
To Capt Keane and his officers we also bear the
willing testimony Of unreserved praise, for their
vigilant and indeatigabe attention to their duties
throughout the whole period of the gale; and we
deem the conduct Of the Captain, in returning to
New York, for the reasons assigned, perfectly jasti-
fable and worthy Of all commendation as best cal
euated to protect the lives and property committed
to his care.
At the same time, feel it due to the public,
and to ourselves, to express our unqualified disap-
probation Of the conduct Of those, with whom the
responsibility lies, who caused the ship to be sent
to sea for winter passage, with inadequate sup
ply of coal, and equally manifest deficiency OF
hands in the crew, the more espe cally inter-
mediate depot Of coal has been formed any place,
to which the ship could repair in case Of need