Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1854-10-19
loss oF TEE OCEAN STEAMER ARC
NEW YoRx. Sept. II.

Geo. n. DuIuos cApICSo mCcSCnScA
Sr Adams d Co., on board the Arctic,
gives the following in regard to the loss
ef the steamer: On Wednesday. Sept.
eth, precisely at 12 O'Clock, NJ, in a
dense fog, we came in contact with a
Bsrque-1gged iron propeller, with black
hull. salmon eolored deck and boats,
and black pipe. She was bound east
ward, and had all sails set, with a
strong, fair wind. The speed OF the
Arctic at the time was about thirteen
knots an hour. The shock to us ep-
reared slight, but the damage to the
other vessel was frightful. Capt. Luce
instantly ordered the quarter boats
cleared away, and the chief mate, boat
swain and three sailors went to her re-
lief. Before other boats left the order
was countermanded. The Arctic then
described a circle twice around the
wreck, during which time l caught a
glimpse of more than two hundred peo-
pie clustered on her hurricane deck
At this juncture it was first ascertained
that we had sustained injury, and the
water was pouring in at our bow when
the first officer came alongside to report.
The Captain was unable to take him up,
but headed N. n. w. in the hope of
making land.
On the previous day, attwelve O'Clock,
was in latitude 38 deg. 80 min. LoRgi-
tude As deg. 81 min. We had run
about thee hundred and ten miles from
the time Of this observation until the
moment of the collision, and were sup
posed to be forty miles from Cape Race.
The pumps were vigorously worked,
and an anchor chain thrown overheard,
but in spite of all exertion the engines
stopped, and the water extinguished the
fires. -Four of the five other life boats
believed to have been well provisioned,
entertaining the engineers, sailors, few
passengers and all the officers except
the captain and third mate, left the ship
at an early stage.
The majority of the passengers were
working at the pumps. some firing the
signal guns, and others launching spars.
Under the direction of Captain Luce
and Mr.. Dorain, the third mate to form
raft in order to facilitate this latter
work, the sixth and last boat was low
cred. Dorain, one or two fremen,
three of the other passengers saved and
myself were busily lashing water casks
and settees to the main yard. Two top
gallant yards and several spars. The
Captain with a number of gentlemen
were protecting the work by keeping
back the crowd, when panic seized all
on board. A rush was made; passen-
gers and fremen precipitated themselves
over the bulwarks on to the raft, and in
a moment our little boat was full, and in
imminent danger of being sunk in this
emergency.
Dorain ordered the rope, which held
us to the steamer, to be cut, and with
our hands and axes, we padded from
the RATS side. The mate, who through
out preserved great presence of mind
and labored with heroic energy, cried
out for Gods sake, Captain, clear the
raft SO that we can work. l wont desert
the ship while there is timber above
water; but the sea was now flush with
dead lights. In less than three minutes
from the time he spoke, the stern sunk.
The foam went boiling over the tumbling
heap of human beings. Many were
dashed forward against the pipe. l
heard one wild yell, still ringing in my
ears, and saw the Arctic and the strug-
Cling mass rapidly engulphed. The
contents of other boats supposed to be
saved. About thirty known to be safe;
other boats not yet heard from. Most
of those saved in the other boats were
attaches of the Arctic, but few of the
passengers were with them. Captain
Luce, wife, daughter and son of E. K.
Collins, were lost.
STATEMENT OF CAPT. GRAM.
Capt. Paul F. Gram of New York,
states that at the time of the collision
he was below, but Immediately went on
deck The shock was not violent and
could hardly be perceived aft. Upon
going on deck the propeller was on the
starboard quarter of the Arctic, about
half cables length off, with her star
board bow completely slowed from stem
to fore rigging, to the waters edge
Saw the passengers on board the propel-
ler all rush aft, which raised her bows
up out Of the water. The propeller
lowered a boat which got under the
starbord wheel of the Arctic, and was
swamped, one man alone escaping, a.
French Canadian, who got on board of
the Arctic, and was most probably SUBJ
sequently lost. He stated that she had
about 200 passengers; but her name was
not ascertRined.
When came on deck they were low
ering away the boats. Both anchors
we're on the stsrboard side of the deck,
and I went aft and asked Capt. Luce if
/ should remove the anchors to the
port side, as all of the ships officers
were aft lowering away boats and rig
ging pumps. He gave orders so to do,
and with the assistance of some passen-
gers and few of the crew / carried the
same into execution. / then went on
the top -gallant-forecastle and examined
into the state of her bows. Could see
no evidence of her being stove, except