The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1853-03-11
THE DAILY DISPATCH
Friday Morning, March N, 1873.
APPALLING SCENE AT SEA.-WREt X
OF THE STEAMER VICTORIA, AND
LOSS OF SEVENTY LIVES.

SsOOS OA III i La kSs
The main facts concerning this terrible dis
aster have already been laid before our read
ers-but the incidents we subjoin possess me-
lancholy interest. The vessel, which piled be
tween Liverpool and Dublin, it will be remem.
bered, struck the Cliffs Of Howth, little to the
North of Bailey Light at the entrance of Dub
lin Bay.
1.-THE mate, who was the look out at the star
board bow, horrfed TO perceive looming dimly
through the snow-coud at distance of not more
than twenty yards, the dark and rugged cliffs of
Howth, little to the north of the Bailey Light He
Immediately gave the order to stop, but it too
late, and the next instant the doomed vessel went
headong upon the rosk with fearful and appalling
crash. The captain was instantly upon deck, and
and the vessel being released from the rocks backed
out into deep water, when, finding that she was ira
pid sinking, the captain attempted to run her
ashore. in the meantime q scene OF the most meIan-
chsly and heart-rending description ensued The ca.
bin passengers were in bed, and being awakened by
the shock OF the collision, rushed halfdressed and
some almost in state of nudity upon the deck when
to their horror they found the ship fast going down.
The steerage passengers, ahrishted and dismayed
running In wild confusion about the deck vain
ly seeking for some mode of escape husbands were
looking for their wives, wives were cngipg to their
husbands and mothers ciasping their helpless chill
dren to their breasts, were u.tering impassioped
prayers to heaven for and for mercy The cap-
tain, the first mate and the other officers preserved
30 that the passengers and crew might have better
opportunity of efecting their escapes but such was
the alarm and excitement and so short the period
that elapsed between the collision and the final de-
structon of the vessel that their efforts proved quite
unavailing. The confusion increased every moment
the cries for assistance became louder and louder
and general rush made towards the ships boats
The starboard quarter boat immediately filed
by number of the wretched passengers; but in the
hurry and confusion of the moment proper care was
not taken to the ropes and tie great weight
caused the boat to slip from her davitts into the sea
when she instantly swamped and ell in her perished
The larboard qusrter-boat was then lowered fortu-
nately with more success 1t contained II PERSONS
On reaching the water, however, it was found the
boat was leaking fast, and must have gone down in
very short time were it not for the presence of mind
of young lad, who, having searched with his hand
round that the pug-hole was open, and immediately
thrust his fingers into it. At this time the boat was
almost Immediately under the side of the sinking
ship the bulwarks of which were crowded with the
passengers, whom the captain was seen endeavoring
to quiet and pacify Some of them, however, lsaped
into the sea, and were instantly drowned Mr. Walsh
whom we have mentioned being in the boat saw
his wife clinging to some of the woodwork of the
vessel, and called upon her 10 leap down. but Mr.
Ralph cried out, "FOr God s sake don't Jump down or
you Will surely be drowned-hold on and we will re-
turn tor you in few minutes" They had no idea at
that moment that the vessel near her final de-
structlon, but In few minutes afterwards she went
down bodily, bow foremost and the unfortunate lady,
and nearly all whe remained board were lost.
(Seyenty lives in all supposed to have been lost)