The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-10-11
From the New York Tribune.
Full Particulars Of the Loss Of the
Iron Steamship City of Philadel-
phia.
NARRATIvE or 4 pAssENGER.

ielegraphic report from Halifax. This
morning wear enabled TO lay before our
readers the full particulars of this sad
catastrophe.
1t appears that the cause Of the disaster
il solely attributable to the fact that the
c8mpasses, OF which the ship was provided
With xix, were almost useless, owing to the
attraction Of the material OF which the
vsssef was composed. These compasses
were adjusted in Glasgow and London.
but by some lnexplicable fatality no two
o4 them agreed. Capt. Leitch, is said.
was uuremiuing in his vigilance, scarcely
having his post for an hour at q time from
he fine she left Liverpool sntil it struck
the rock, off Cape Race. But for some
4S hours prior to that event, owing to the
fsg and heavy weather which prevailed, he
vas unable to obtain an observation.
Ss'rhe vessel was built in compartments,
bnt 20 great was the shock that the bulk.
R6ads were started, and she speedily filed.
aud would have sunk had the Bleaching
Been long delayed. That she did not
inmediately go down in deep water. with
ul on board, is solely attributable to the
fact that she was built in water-tight Sec
tions or chambers.
ssfri his extremity. Capt Leitch did all
thar thorough seaman could do for his
passengers and owners; and those who
SaW him through tie whole OF the trying
circumstances, acquit him Of all blame,
1hd accord TO him high praise TOR his hu.
faanity and devotion TO duty.
e As the facts are set forth in the narra-
tive of our informant, Mr.. Gadsby, Of
Brooklyn herewith appended, we submit
Il, nearly as related by him.
NARRATIVE OF MR. J. w. GADsBY.
The City of Philadelphia sailed from
liverpool on her first trip for Philadelphia,
favored by wind and tide, at noon. on
Wednesday, the 20lh OF August. The
Day was fine, and scarcely single indi-
@lluaT Of 600 passengers but appeared as
happy asthough bound upon some pleas
eure excursion, rather than as though in
most cases leaving home and country to
SEEK shelter and subsistence in another
lahd. The day following our embarka.
&iJii We took last look at the dim cliffs OF
Old England and turned our faces to our
Western haven. For six days we were
favored with fine weather. clear skies. and
SIiiooth seas, end everything bid fair for a
Prosperous voyage. Our snip saiieo auo
sssameu se9 right ga,ian1iy aiong' anu We en- en-.
loyed all the pleasure win none o. tne
dlecomiorts OF an Atiantic voyage.
But I could not help observing tnat'
xthid The general hilarity, our commander
though prompt and unceaslng IN his atten-
tl6n 70 his onerous duties, wes evidently
trdnblsd about some matter Of grave mo-
mellt. He rarely retired to his stateroom,
sven Cor IN hours repose, but paced the
dsck night and day, ever and anon peer
ing into the compass boxes, and then con.
6hlting with his officers. sAtlengthI close
WSxstnined these objects .of his particu.
7ar solicitude, tie compasses. We had
Sixlof them on board, all OF which il is
Thld were duly adjusted in Glasgow and
liverpool. but L discovered that no two ol
llsdi agreed, some OF them varied between
1fvs and six points, and the steerage
ooi,,pssses in the wheel.house differed
if6Sdt i point 10 q point and a half
7f'his sad state OF things was undoubted
VITO De attributed 10 the person pretending
36ttseulate the compass, forin my opinion