The republic., 1851-02-18
The News by tho Africa.


ON the LIST instant. The most interesting intel
hgence which she has brought is that of the
passage and eventual safety of the steamship
Atlantic, the following account of which we
copy from the New York Herald:
r. M. SrEAMEa AFaIoA, Feb. Is. 1851.
To the Editsr of the Neu York Herald
la order to prevent garbled statements of the re-
cent accident to the Atlantic from obtaining publi-
city, take the liberty Of sending you correct mar
rafve Of facts compiled from her log, and for which
can personally vouch.
The Atlantic left Liverpool on the 2sth Decem-
Der, in fine stenming condition, and without any
apprehension the part OF her officers in regard
the voyage. It was blowing strong gale at the
time Of departure from w. s. W., so much 30 as
to render il impossible to land her pilot On the
18th December, at 30 p. M, she passed Cape
Clear, and tairly commenced her homcward pas
sage by plunging at once into heavy head sea,
and stemming strong weserly gales, which con-
tinued without intermission for the time following
up to the day Of the accident. On the 9Th Of jan
uary, at noon, she was in latitude 46 l2 longitude
4l west, II blowing strong gales from w. n. w.
At 80 p. m. the engines were stopped, as II was
first supposed by the engineers, on account Of the
breaking of the eccentric strap to the starboard en-
gine; and, on examination. it was determined 70
60 ahead again, working that engine by hand; but
another revolution Of the wheels proved that the
accident was Of much more serious nature; the
mAin-sha was found broken completely through,
Gin diagonal direciion,) the bearing OF the star
board pilar-b block and the additional turn, after
the first stoppage caused one part OF the shaft to
lap over the other, thus fracturing both pillar
blocks, and rendering the engines perfectly useless.
The ship was at once hove 10 under storm canvas,
the wheels lashed, and all hands employed during
the night and for the following day, in sending up
e saa sF in
Of wind, and the decks covered with ice, but foru
nately accomplished without accident. On the 7th
and Sth laying to- with the hope Of an abatement OF
Hh~ ~kev ~ tbo roS ,Aull
hands were extremely anxious to reach some port
on our own coast. On the 9th, the wind hauled to
the northwest, and became quite moderate. Imme-
diatey made sail, and shaped course for Halifax,
S97 miles distant, and New York 400. This
weather continued until meridian the 10th, when
an observation placed the ship lS0 miles south and
10 miles west Of her position a the time OF the acc
dent. gale now sprung up again from the
southwest, and it became necessary TO heave the
ship to; for even with moderate weather it was
evident to all that she could do nothing by the wind
under canvas. At 8 a. m, OF the llth, large
ship passed, bound to the eastward but she either
did see took notice of our signal OF distress.
At 10 D. M, after taking an accurate account of
stores on board. and considering the apparent inn
possibility of reaching home with the ship in her
disabled condition, The captain determined. with
the assent Of his officers and passengers, to bear
up for the coast of Europe-whch was accord
ingly done. From this time to the twenty second
day nothing of importance occurred. We had
following gales aud high seas, and the ship made
an average distance Of $50 miles per day, and in
that interval ran 400 miles. At3 p. m, of the
22d, she anchored in Cork harbor, which factaone,
when considering the ilnmense size OF the ship, her
small spars, light canvas, and heavy machinery,
il sufficient to prove her splendid seaboat, and
must add, in small degree, to the reputation al
ready acquired by her commander for prudence
and sealnanship. In regard TO the conduct Of her
passengers, under snch trying circumstances, too
much could scarcely be said. Suffice it, that they
bore the misfortune with becoming fortitude and
cheeriulness and testified on leaving her at Cork,
Yfch nat fhv thone uho hav Der-
manent interest in the good old Atlantic. The At
lantic had on board five hundred and fifty tons Of
freight and considerable quantity OF specie,
I, which the Cambria was chartered TO bring over,
and probably sailed from Cork on the 4th instant
direct for New York. Before the Africa left ar
rangements were making 10 tow the Atlantic to
3 will possibly require three months.
The Africa brings her mails and passengers.
r. w. SHUFELDT, Chief Officer.
NEwspApRn ACCOUNTS
FROM the London Illustrated Ners, February 1.
This.magnifcent steamship, which left Liverpool
for New York on the 28th December, was compell-
ed, in consequence of the breaking of the main
shaft and the prevalence of southwesterly winds,
to put round for the port from which she started,
and ultimately put into Queenstown.
The Atlantic, It appears, took her departure from
Liverpool with the ordinary mails, a considerable
cargo, and twenty eight passengcrs. After pass
ing Cape Clear the steamer encountered CONT
nuance of severe weather, with the wind blowing
west, WHICH, ~ 10 unnecessary 10 say
was directly against the course in which her port
OF destination lies. Though the wind Mt intervals
rose to the violence of hurricane, the Atlantic
steadily pursued her way until Monday, the 9th Of
January, when the wind came OH moderately from
the northwest; and, in few hours after, the main
shaft OF the engine suddenly snapped, and the en-
gines were consequently disabled. At this time
the vessel was about midway between Cape Clear
and New York; and, after the necessary precau-
tions had been taken to secure the machinery
from any further injury, it was determined to
steer for Halifax; but it was found that, from the
quarter from which the wind was blowing, il
would be impossible to make that port, and the
ships course was altered for Bermuda. The ves-
sci then proceeded towards the above island which
course she pursued until the 18th, when the wind
again came round to the southwest, and il wae
found useless to pcrscvere. The efficient COM
mander of the Atlantic, Captain West then deter
mined to steer for a European port, and, with en-
gine: 80 disabled as to be totally useless, with a
vessel only slightly adapted for sailing purposes,
be succeeded in navigating the Atlantic, from a
IA distance of over fifteen hundred miles, in safety
into the port Of Queenstown. The Atlantic was
deserted of the harbor at an carly hour on We'd
nesday morning, the 22d ult; and, as she appeared
to be partially disabled. two of the river steamers
went out to offer their assistance; but the offer
declined, and the vessel entered the harbor few
hours alter. She then lay in the man of war roads
short distance south of her majesty's screw
steamer La Hogue, where she remained until or
ders were received from the parties interested in
Liverpool and Glasgow.
the steamer, at which resolutions were passed In
testimony of the unwearied care Of Captain West
and the other officers, in bringing the ship safely
into port.
The Cork papers attach importance to this acci
dent from its likelihood of proving advantageous t.
the port, by showing the amount of skill and en-
terprisc now existing in Cork About clever
E O'Clock on Wednesday night despatch was sen
up 10 tho establishment of Messrs. Lecky and Bealc
informing them that the Atlantic had come int
Queenstown with her machinery disabled and a
an early hour next morning Mr.. Lecky went OF
board to ascertain the amount Of injury done. Th'
principal repair requisite the construction Of
main shaft. Captain West then arranged for tm
TO consult his correspondents in Liverpool and las
gov. 1t was suggested that Haulbowline would b.
an excellent position for the repairs
The injury which the Atlantic has sustained, il
addition to the breaking Of the shaft is confined Il
much damage to the paddlc-whecs and boxes
those at the starboard side especially being almos
completely destroyed. We regret to state, also
AksA~ - - g. - - - -.