Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1854-10-21
Loss of the Artic-F'urther Details.

Being aware of the intense interest felt by
the community in everything relating to the
loss of the Artc, we publish from the n. Y.
Herald the annexed statement Of particulars
furnished by Mr.. BALKAN.
SO dense was the fog that the vessel was not
seen minute before the collision. The wheel
was put hard STAFFORD and the engine stopped
instantly and backed with full speed until she
was clear of the other steamer, which occupied
couple of minutes. The steamer seemed to
be sinking. bow first. Capt. Luce Immediately
gave orders to clear away the quarter boat,
which was done, and Gourley, the chief officer,
left the Arctic in charge of it. On the lowering
of the port boat, the Captain exclaimed, Hoist
up that boat again, Mr.. Belham p and beckoned
me to go to him. Upon doing so, he ordered
me to go over to the bow to ascertain, if posi-
Bile, what damage had been done. l then found
the holes above mentioned. Upon informing
him OF the facts he gave orders to get up the
sails and try and get them around the bow, to
endeavor to stop the leak, which was promptly
done; but to no advantage whatever. There
was so much of the bow and iron broken off
from the other steamer projecting that the sails
could not be brought close to the vessels side.
The carpenter was then lowered over the side
of the vessel, and pillows and mattresses were
passed down to him to try to force them in, but
the leak was found to be so far below the water
line that they could not be got in. Every ex-
ertion to stop the leak proved unavailing. Capt.
Luce then ordered the ships head to be kept for
land, which bore n. West by West. By this
time we had lost sight of the chief officer, and
the boat. and the other steamer, which sup
posed sunk.
We had not been on our course more than five
minutes when run over a boat and crew be-
longing to the other vessel all of whom persisted.
with the exception OF one, who caught hold of
rope hanging over the bow. Directly the boat
seen, orders were given to stop the engine.
which the chief engineer said could not be done,
as the ship was sinking fast. In about minutes
all the lower fires were out. and about 8 feet
water was level with the lower deck beams
1t was soon discovered that there was no hope
of saving the Arctic, and the lady, daughter,
and son of E. K. Collins, with several other
ladies, were put boat, and in the act of
lowering which, one of the tackles gave way
and all except one lady precipitated into
the sea and lost. | then jumped into a boat
with eighteen more picked up. We fell in with
another boat which had been lowered from
another side, and lightened her of part of her
compliment, leaving 10 in her, and 26 in my
boat
The last sight had of the ship her guards
were level with the waters surface. The sea
was strown with human beings who had jumped
overheard and to whom it was impossible to
render any assistance, and We soon lost sight of
ALL as the fog continued very dense.
We were then about 60 miles from Cape
Race, and deeming it our duty to take the
nearest course for safety, after pulling 40 hours
with nothing to guide us but the run of the sea.
which l took, bearing from the Southwark, and
in thick fog which lasted all the time, we
reached Broad Cove, twelve miles North of
Cape Race We then proceeded by land to
Renen's, which place we reached on Friday last,
and there obtained and took charge of small
schooner and proceeded Immediately in search
Of the wreck and boats.
We cruised around in strong gale of wind
from the North East, but discovered no trace
Of the ship or boats. sent word to Captain |
Leitch, of the steamer City of Philadelphia, ac-
quainting him of the catastrophe; and, I am
he sent off two vessels which he had |
employed about his own ship. No trace of the
Arctic or boats could be found; but as there |
were many vessels in the neighborhood where
the disaster occurred, it is not at all impossible |
that many lives may have been saved. Nodoubt,
however, is left i'll my mind as to the total loss
Of the Arctic.