Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1851-03-06
R. B. DUNCAN
Account of the Passage and Safety of tn,
steamship Atlantic.

r. NJ. STEAMER AFRICA Feb. Is, 1851.
To the Editor Of the ~ T. Herald In order to
prevent garbed of the accident the
Atlantic from obtaining publicity, take the liberty Of
sending you correct narrative OF facts, compiled lom
her log and for which | can personally veuch.
The Atlantic left Liverpool on The 18th December in
fine steamng condition, and without any apprehension
the part OF her officers in regard the voyage. 1t
was blowing strong gale the time of her departure
from w. 5, W. SO much to render it impossible to
land her pilot. On the 29th December, at 80 p. M.
she passed Cape Clear and fairly commenced her home
ward passage by plunging 1T once into heavy head
sea, and stemn9 strong westerly gales which continued
without inter sson for the time following up the day
of the accident. On the 9th of January al noon she
was in lat. 46 II, long. Ill W. it blowing strong gales
from W. n. w. AT $50 p. NJ, the engines were
stopped, at first supposed by the engineers
account o the breaking oil tile eccentric strap the
starboard engne-and, on examination. it was deter.
mined 90 ahead again. working that engine by hand
hut another revolution OF tue wheels proved that the
cident OF much more serious nature, the main shaft
lonnd broken completely through in a diagonal d.
rection the bearing OF the starboard pillar block and
the additional turn after the first stoppage, caused one
part OF the shalt TO lap the oherthus racturing
both pillar blocks rendering the engines perfectly useless
The ship once hove under storm canvas the
wheels dashed, and all hands employed during the night
and for the following day, in sending up hsr square
yards and stripping her wheels OF the hoatsa task
at difficult aud dangerous in gale of wind and
the decks covered with ice but fortunately accomplished
without accident.
On the 18th and Sth, laying to- with the hope of an
"a D.
tain and all hands extremely anxious reach
port on coast. On the 9Th the wind hauled 10
the northwest and became quite moderate. Immedi-
aIely made SAIL and shaped for Halifax S97
miles distant and New York 400. This weather con.
tnued until meridian OF he 10th, when an observation
placed the ship $50 miles south and 20 miles Of her
position at the time of the accident gale sprung
up again from the southwest and became necessary 10
heav the ship Tor with mudrate weather evi
dent TO all that she could do nothing 10y the wind under
canvas. AT 8 A. NJ. of the 1lh large ship passed
bound To the eastward but she either did or took
notice OF signal of distress At 10 p NJ after
taking of stores board and con.
siderng the apparent mpossibuity of reaching home
with the ship her disabled condition. the CAPTAIN de-
termined with the of his officers and passengers
bear up for the Of Europe-whch was accord.
importance occurred.
We had following gales and high seas, and the ship
made average distance Of $50 miles per day and in
that interval ran 400 miles AT 3 p. NJ. of the 22d
she anchored in Cork harbor, which fact alone when
considering the immense size of the ship her small spars
light canvas and heavy machinery, sufficient prove
her splendid seaboat, and add small degree
to the reputation already acquired by her commander
for prudence and seamansp In regard the conduct
Of her passengers under such trying circumstances too
much could scarcely he said Suffice it that thew bore
the misfortune with becoming fortitude and cheerunes
and testified leaving her Cork, much svmpa nv
those who have permanent interest in the good
Atlantic The Atlantic had board $50 TONS OF freight
IND considerable quantity of specie, which the Cam
srIa chartered to bring over, and probably
allied from Cork the 4h inst, direct for New York
Before the Africa left, gements making
the Atlantic LisI ool for the purpose of being
paired. This will possibly require three months
| The Africa brings her mails and passengers
! r. w. SHUFELDT, Chief Officer.