Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-10-17

was not started, which the captain (Duchesne)
noticed as affording q chance OF safety. He
Immediately, with the utmost promptitude, gave
orders for lightning the vessel by the bead,
which was readily obeyed by throwing over
board all the fish, cargo, luggage Of the pas
sengers, &C., which was in the fore part OF the
vessel, and which raised her bows considerably.
This elevation, with the frmness Of the bulk
head, contributed much to stop the heavy rush
of water.
About 100 mattresses, pellisses, and other
effects of the crew and passengers were now
placed abaft tho safety partition, over which
were thrown sails, backed by boards and planks,
the whole being secured by cables well and
firmly strapped around all. The foremost,
which had received some damage, was cut
away, and contributed considerably to raise the
head still more. This occupied two days.
They then ran under small steam for the near
est port, st. Johns, which they entered on
Saturday last, most providentially before the
rising of q severe gale which blew on that day.
Upon mastering the hands, l3 were missed.
The Vesta had on board l47 passengers, and q
crew of so men.
The conduct of Captain Duchesne is much
applauded, and the condition of the vessel, as
she now appears, elicits the admiration of all
who visit her. Indeed, nothing but the most
indomitable energy, unwavering perseverance,
and most superior seamanship, could have sue.
ceeded in bringing the vessel into port.
The Vesta-the Report that Thirty.one Pas
sengers were Saved by Her IL Incorrect.
1t now turns out that the report that thirty
one of the crew of the Arctic we're picked up by
the propeller Vesta is incorrect. The passer-
gers and crew on the two boats which left the
steamer and made Broad Cove, were at New
foundland, with the Vesta, and several Of the
passengers talked with the French captain and
saw his vessel. He saved no one from the
Arctic, but had one of his boats run down by
her, while she was making the circuit round
him after the accident. From the circum.
stance that Capt. Luce steamed around him to
give assistance, he supposed that the Arctic
was not seriously damaged, and when she left
New York. Otherwise, the Vesta could and
would have remained by her.
The bow of the Vesta was. damaged, indeed,
literally stove in, and leaving rent of thirty
feet. But the compartment of bulkhead saved
her. and the French captain said his vessel
could have lived four or FIVE days, If necessary,
before putting into port for repairs In other
words, he could have taken off every soul on
board the Arctic and landed them safely at
Halifax, or even Boston. That the Arctic
steamed off in the western direction, the state.
ments heretofore published concur that the
captain of the Vesta was thus put out of hear
ing of the signal guns which she subsequently,
fred, is not unaccountable. When the boat in
which our informant was saved was launched
from the Arctic, say about Il o'clock, p. m,
she was steaming at the rate of six or seven
knots.
The mistake telegraphed from Halifax, in
regard to the thirtyone persons said to have
been picked up by the Vesta, originated in the
fact that 80 or 81 persons of the crew, and Is
passengers on Baalham's boat were Mt New
foundand with the Vesta.