Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-02-20
FOREIGN NEWS.
Arrival of the Africa,
FOURTEEN DAYS LATER FROM EUROPE
Steamship Atlantic Safe!!

Arrival of the Africa.
FOURTEEN DAYS LATER FROM EUROPE.
Steamship Atlantic Safe!!
Steamship Africa arrived at new New
York on Saturday evening at half-past s,
having left Liverpool OH the LIST of February.
The following account of the Atlantic is
from Lieut.. Shuleldt, her chief officer, who
came passenger in the Africa -
The Atlantic left Liverpool on the 2Sth
December, in fine steaming condition, and
without any apprehension on the part of her
officers in regard to the voyage. II was
blowing a strong gale at the time of depar-
ture from w. S. w., so much so as to render
it impossible to land the pilot. On the 29tb
December, at 9 80 P. NJ, she passed Care
Clear, and fairly commenced her home ward
passage by plunging at once into heavy
head sea and stemming strong westerly gales,
which continued without inlerlnission for
the time following up 70 the day of the acct.
dent. On the 9Th of January, at noon, she
was in lat. As IL, lon. Al W., it blowing
strong gales from w. N. w. Al $50 P. NJ,
the engines were stopped, it was first
supposed by the engineers on account Of the
breaking of the eccentric strap to the STAR
board engine, and Oh examination it was
determined to 90 ahead again, working that
engine by hand but another revolution of
the wheels proved that the main shaft was
broken completely through in a diagonal
direction. The bearing Of the starboard pill
arblock and the additional turn, after the
first sioppage, caused one part Of the shaft to
| lap over the other thus fracttiring both pillar
blocks. rendering the engine perfectly USE
less. The ship was at once hove to under
storm canvas. the wheels lnshcd, and all
hands employed during the night and for
the following day in sending up her square
yards and stripping her wheels Of the floats,
task difficult and dangerous in gale Of
wind, and the decks covered with ice, but
il was accomplished without accident. On
the 9TH and 9Th laid 10 with the hope of an
abatement OF the gale and change of wind,
as the captain aud all hands ware extremely
anxious to reach some port of our own coast
On the 9th wind hauled to N, W., and
became quite moderate; we Immediately
made sale and shaped our course for Halifax,
S97 miles distance, and New York 140O
This weather continued until meridian of the
10th, when an observation placed the ship
$50 miles south, and 20 miles west of her
position AT the time of the accident. A gale
now sprung up again from the southwest,
and it became necessary to heave the ship
| 10, for even with moderate weather, il was
evident 10 all that she could do nothing by
the wind under canvas. AT s A. NJ. of the
! 1lth, large ship passed, bound 10 the east
ward; but she either did not see or took no
notice Of our signal Of distress. At 10 P. NJ,
after taking an account of stores on board,
and considering the apparent impossiblity
of reaching home with The ship in her DIS
abed condition, The captain determined with
the assent of his officers and passengers, TO
bare up for the cost of Europe, which was
accordingly done. From this time TO the 22d
nothing of importance occurred.
We had the following gales and high seas,
and The ship made an average distance of
$50 miles per day, and in that interval ian
400. AT 3 P. NJ. on the Cpd, she anchored
in Cork harbor, which fact, when consider
ing the immense size of the ship, her small
spars. light canvas and heavy machinery, is
sufficient 10 prove her splendid sea boat,
and must add in no small degree to The repu-
taion already acquired by her commander
for prudence and seamanship. In regard TO
the conduct of the passengers, under such
trying circumstances, too much can scarcely
be said they bore the misfortune with forth
tude and cheerfuness, and on leaving at
Cork manifested as much sympathy as those
who have a more permanent interest in the
Atlantic.
The Atlantic had on board $50 tons of
freight and a considerable quantity of specie,
which The Cambria was chartered to bring
over, and probably sailed from Cork on the
4rh INST. drec, for New York. Before the
Africa left arrangements were making to
low the Atlantic TO Liverpool for the pur-
pose of being repaired. This will possibly
require three months. The Africa brings
her mails and passengers.
The passengers published card at Cork
bearing high testimony of the A;lantic's
great strength in contending for nine days
against an almost uninterrupted westerly
gale. They also allude 10 her admirable
conduct under sails in returning 1900 miles.
They award high promise to Capt. West for
his exertions, but more particularly 10 his
first officer, Mr.. ShufeIdt, who was sick at
the time, and also 10 Mr.. Rogers the chief
engineer The engineers also unite in a
card Of thanks TO Capt. West for his kind
ness and attention.
The weather on the British coast has been
very stormy, and many vessels have been
obliged TO put back.
| A second batch of ministers have been ap-
pointed in France, giving the executive pop.
ularity and strength. The rents are up TO
90. 49, and trade is improving.
A report has been received that The pope
is about TO abdicate and retire 10 monastery
| for life. Cardinal Anronelli, il is reported
regrets the recent papal aggressions were
not attempted in another form, and that the
steps were not taken simultaneously with
the appointment of three cardinals tor the
United States.
The Dresden congress seems likely TO rest
in the discontinue Of the liberal party in
Germany. Prussia has yielded everything
to Austria.
A ukase has been issued in Russia prohib-
iting the expectation of silver.