Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1852-09-01
THE ATLANTIC.

the passengers taken into Erie by the Propeller,
who arrived here about II o'clock Saturday, in
the Ken Stone State. Nearly the whole num-
Der are stopping at the National Hotel They
represent the conduct of the officers Of the At
lantic. AS most cupable and cowardly, with the
exception of Mr.. Givan Clerk for the trip Mr..
G.. did everything which daring and generous
man could do; was ceaseless in his efforts TO
save life, and the last to abandon the Inflated
steamer. When he got on board the Propeller,
he Immediately set TO work to aid the unfortu-
nate passengers many of whom were left almost
wholly destitute of clothing. The passengers
unite in saving that after the collision, the steam
er kept on her course ; and from that fact many
were lulled into fatal disregard Of exertions
for safety. A lady told us that the regular mo-
ton of the Vessel caused her to neglect all ex-
ertion for safety until miracle was required
to save her and her family. No alarm bell acas
rung; no warning to passengers was given =
The Atlantic was running away from succor =
The Passengers were permitted to sleep on to
death, while the Officers were running the boat
away from the means of escape. An awful re-
sponsbiity rests somewhere, and we trust there
will be full and searching investigation, which
shall expose every fact of omission on the part
of those to whose care had been committed so
many precious lives
We just enquired of little girl, concerning
the disaster, and asked her how she was saved.
Her reply was simple and perhaps truthful
God saved me prayed that he would, and
he ddw When those taken off by the Propel-
Ter were carried into Erie, the inhabitants tho't
they were Indians-they had little other cloth
ing than blankets, which the Propeller supplied.
Under such an impression, great numbers flock
ed to them, to enquire to what tribe they be-
longed.
Mr.. Titus of this city, and his son, residing in
Florida, were on board They abandoned the
boat, taking with them table, first breaking off
the legs. They then foated about quite CON-
fortably waiting for succor. In their course,
they fell in with poor fellow who was trying
to navigate by the aid of dry goods box. Ev-
cry time he seized the box it turned over upon
him. Exhausted by fruitless efforts to gain u
resting place on the box, Mr.. Titus rescued him
with his table. Three foreigners in frantic fever,
rolled barrel of sand into the Lake, and plum
ged after it-they all went down together. A
lady on being enquired of, as to the manner of
her escape, said she was early on the deck, and
followed the Captain, who she knew would lead
her to safety! A gentleman states that he had
two Life Preservers-one for himself and one
for his wife-that he had with him two children.
While putting on his own Preserver, 4 strange
woman ran off with the other. He then took
his own off, put it on his wife and giving her
one child, took the other himself, and they all
jumped into the sea. He struggled for long
time, bearing up his charge and showing his wife
and his other child. He was finally rescued,
and his little family reunited on board the Pro-
peller. After the propeller first went to the At
lantic and had hauled off to examine her condi-
y.
screaming most vociferousy for help. He was
heard, and boat sent for him. They seized
him by the collar and dragged him in On exam
lining the man, he was found to be dry as pow
der flask. "How is this" enquired the rescuer
"you are not wet at all p "a Leetle in the safe"
was his response. He had been floating on
gang plank, which might very conveniently have
carried ten men.
In connection with the loss of the Atlantic, we
beg to refer the reader to our remarks in the
Free Press, on occasion of the loss of the Hen
ny Clay. We then said:
"There has been growing impression thro
the country, that upon steamboats, and railroads,
there has been too much forgetfulness or neg
lect OF necessary precaution to guard the lives
of passengers. To great extent this is true !;
and the example set before the country in the
manner in which the officers and owners of the
Henry Clay are pursued will, we trust, have a
most excellent effect upon other boats"
We used this language as warning, we used
it with distinct view of impressing upon Off
GERS more care, in the navigation of steamers
The lives of the travelling public placed in the
hands of officers should be considered, at least.
We do not intend to PREJUDICE the case of the
Atlantic; but we do believe if men had dischar-
ed their duty the lives of hundreds would have
been saved. Who was to blame is the ques-
ton to be answered. Mr.. Givan says there
were 4l6 persons all told Of which number 10
were cabin passengers. Mr.. G. is positive that
there was not over fifteen cabin passengers lost.
None of the crew were lost. Mr.. G. thinks it
certain that one hundred steerage passengers
were lost-not more than that number
Mr.. Givan represents that the course of the
Atlantic was w by W. at the moment of the
collision-he is certain of that as he saw her re-
verse her wheel. After the collision the wheel
was put a-port. The Propeller's course was d.
rectly on to the land, Long Point That the
propeller was bound to Gravelly Bay and was
positively twenty-five miles out of her way to
the westward. Mr.. Givan is entitled emphatic
ally to every respect; he proved himself to be
brave and humane man.
The Buffalo Commercial Advertiser contains
the following:
The last persons taken from the wreck were
Al Al.