The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-02-17
THE SAFETY OF THE ATLANTIC.
The Particulars of the Accident
to her Machinery.
SPLENDID SAILING QUALITIES OF THE SHIP.
Shufeldt, and ngineer Roberts,
SC. &c. sc.

We published yesterday, full socount Of the mis-.
hap which occurred to the steamship Atlantic her
trip nom Liverpool TO New York. and attempted the
time to describe the enthusiasm which the intel
gence of her safety created in this city say that
We attempted to do So for 1t would DO impossible to
depict 1t in such manner to convey to readers
at distance true idea Of 1t. The community ofNew
York. of every class INDUCED in exuberance Of
such have seldom witnessed in this city of ex.
| element.
The Atlantic, 1t appears left Liverpool under very
favorable auspices although during the prevalence OF
gale which war to render it unsafe to
land her pilot 1t hoped that by the time she got
to sea, the wind would have sbated; but it did not
No sooner had che passed Cape Clear that she met
with as rough and as boisterous . sea as was ever
seen in that region. Nevertheless the Atlantic was
not to be deferred She in the strong
est manner possible and fitted to encounter any
ricane any that the ocean ever witness
ed, with safety; and with full confidence that she
was equal to any emergency which could arise her
captain, MI West, and her first officer, Mr. shufedt
headed her towards Cape Race confident that she
would give good account of herself But man
proposes and God disposes." On the sixth OF Janu-
ary when the noble chip nine days at sea,
having encountered during that time q succession
OF gales from the westward, the main shaft broke OF
course this accident precluded all hope Of making
her usual passage for she would have depend upon
sail alone to reach the port Of her destination
fourteen hundred miles distant. Halifax being the
nearest port Captain West determined head her for
that place but another gale having sprung up 1t
deemed best to steer for Bermuda But the wind being
unpropitious, her changed with the
OF the passengers and officers an at ten o'clock N
the eleventh Of January westerly winds still pre-.
vailing Capt in West determined to seek the nearest
port in Europe, which Cork, in Ireland, distant
! rod mill. qn-o1
Of the 22d ofJanuary she anchored in Cork roadtead
safety having accomplished that distance in alitle
over ten days. Considering tho immense dimensions
OF the and the all amount of which
she carries this was an feat Thanks to
kind Providence, and to the skill of Captain West
and M shufeldt the Atlantic reached in safety
with no damage to the chip OF any moment. In fact
learn from the Ensisn papers that she could have
been rentted for in Cork, in very short tme but
Captain West being subject the orders the agents
of the Collins line, in England had to abide by their
directions and they gave directions that she should
be towed to Liverpool and shaft made for her
there.
The following lie copy of letter addressed by Cap
tain West to Z. X ollins Esq the agent in New York
OF the splendid line Of steamships which the Allan
tic belongs;
U.s.. MAIL STEAMER ArLASrIc)
Coax, Jan. 22d, 1851.
sir:-It becomes my duty inform you OF the acc.-
which rendered aeecesssry in my opinion to return
to Europe, instead OF Prosecuting our home ward voy
We lief. Liverpool on the 2sth ult our regular sail
ing day, at r. ~, with fresh wind from w NJ W.
at 80 NJ, of the following day, passed Cape Clear
and shsped q course Tor Cape Race; from ths time
Monday. Jan. eth, we had to contend against heavy
westerly gales the chip behaving admirably, and be-
day ct sailing At half paste p M on tina. day, the
engines were stopped and after examination BY the
engins-rs they reported that they were broken
hey ond the possibility Of immediate repair until
our arrival in some port Our position at this time
latitude 4s IL longitude Al 80 with fresh gales from
W N. W. and heavy sea running at once laid the |
ship to under canvass and com enced preparations
for saiiipg her. The wheels dashed aud the en-.
giDes properly secured, which occupied the time
TILL the sth OF January, att A. NJ, during which the
gale continued and chip remaised in same position.
breeze now sprung up from eastward and kept her
away W.. With the intention Of ching Halifax
fpossible at noon found observation that had
drted xty miles south ward whilelour re-
manned the From this time 10 the 10th OF Janu-
airy We had variable winds, and made 40 miles south
gale sprung up from the southwest aud hove to; We
remained in this condition until four p. NJ OF the
1ltb the wind uoderating, and hauling more TO the
north 4 and westward; made sail and stood TO the
eoutL but made little progress. consulted with
the che, engineer, Mr. Rogers, aud found there was
no possibility OF using either enginss and the proba
bility Of prevalent westerly gales; abandoned the
hope OF reaching Alitsx to the Westward Bermuda
to the southwsrj and determined after aseertsinns
the wishes OF the passengers TO the chip before
the wind ~ P NJ January III blowing strong from
and not feeling justified in passing good port with
the ship in crippled condition have this day 22d Of
January, anchored in the Cove OF Cork
For further inf,rnation respecting the extent of |
damage TO the engines beg leave TO refer you to the
letter Of the chsi engineer The ship Is In good order
and made no water Cargo cannot be damaged.
have the honor TO be-
your obedisnt servant,
JAMES WEST
With characteristic msdesty, Captain West states
the facts merely and does say word Of his agency
under Providence in bringing the Atlantic into port
saiey. He Is, however entitled to the credit Of not
only doing that but Of satisfying the world that the
Atlantic 10 sure vessel II her machinery breaks
down. and that travellers embark in her With the
assurance that they are safe, come what may
Mr.. Ropes, the chief engineer ALEC Is entitled TO
some credit His exsrtons TO get the Atlantic into
port of safety when the accident occurred entitls
him to great deal Of credit The following is an ex
tract OF a letter which be wrote to Mr. Colin.-
"At745P NJ, on the 9Th January, IN the midst |
Of . heavy gale Of wind the centre shaft broke |
In the stsrbosrd Journs and in operating fractured
the pillar block but doing other damage aud
obliged to take OF her buckets to impede sailing
progress as little as possible; but osins to the heavy
sea occupied nearly three days When all secured
much possible com ed prepariu g our port
engine With view Of usingit In ca. Of absolute ne
cessity, and succeeded In preparing pretty we'll had
occasion required but ens bied to reach hsr
Dor OF Cork wthou ut its aid Previous to our mi.for
had never performed better / had not mad tbs |
slightest trouble since leaving New York.
That the detention Of the Atlantic caused by |
accident which vas unforeseen, and which could |
not be provided sgsinst Is the opinion Of not only
the gentlemen Who took passage in her, but Of the
English press, without exception. when Cape |
Clear in sight, the former held .eting in the |
cabin and parsed the follorins resolutions
0rF CoRK Jan az 1851
At meeting Of the passengers held on board the |
United States mail steamer Atlantic Mr. james 4.
Wadsworth, cf Ne~ YORK, being called to the chair
sndJ H. Pottinzer Of Maryland appointed Secretary
Henry Ben amin, OF Mes York q n. Reece of Penn.
sylvspia. aud A Lawrence Jr, Of Macs appoint.
"a committee 70 draft resolutions expressive. OF the
sense OF the meeting. In view Of the circumstances
which have compelled tn. vessel TO return.
Resolved, That We feel IL du. to Captain West to
acknowledge our gratitude TO him for his unweared
and devotion TO bis dsty under circu instances of
great responsibility The having been deprived In a
great measure Of the ysluabl. and efficient service OF
his frst oio.r Mr. shufedt by temporary illness In
bringing the ship safely into port veil a. for the
atts ntlon and cnnrtsaY With MhLnh he Ahnred