New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-10-17
THE LOSS OF THE ARCTIC.
ARRIVAL OF CAPTAIN LUCE.


One Of the cars of the evening express train from
Albany, on the Hudson River Railroad, last night
contained small, spare but vigorous man, with an
intensely careworn face quick, keen eye, small and
firm mouth, end a rudy complexion. This man,
with blue navy cap upon his head, and gcld-lsced
coat OF the same color buttoned up to his throat was
the observed Of all observers. Capt. JAMES q.
LUCE of the Arcticthe man, just as he was when he
refused to leave the post of duty and of honor-the
man AZ he stood firm upon the deck of his ship until
the wheming waves swept her from beneath his feet
In conversation with Captain Luce, he informed us
that no had been most Hospitality entertained in Mon
trea by Mr.. Warren Coleman, OF the Montreal
House. and brother of Mr.. Coleman OF the Astor
House Of this City; who accompanied him hither. Mr.
Russell, of the Russell House, Quebec, also threw
his doors open to the shipwrecked mariner and his
passengers. On board the with Captain Luce,
were Mr. George Allen of this City, who is deeply
bowed down by the loss of his wife aud child. Mr..
James Smith of Mississippi and Ferdinand Keyn,
young German passenger. These parties have passed
free from Montreal, and the Hudson River Railroad
Company provided special car for them and their
friends.
All day long Capt. Luce had been engaged in an-
swering questions, and his consequent fatigue, to-
rather with his own Affections and tho almost inces
SAINT INQUIRIES from friends relatives OF some ono or
other of the passengers, precuded us from length
eped conversation with him. He said that at the time
of tho collision no fog bell or alarm whistle was
soupded on board the Arctic; the reason Of which
was that during the day the weather had been nearly
or quite clear; at 10 o'clock that morning II was so
much so as to allow him to take an observation, and
mn 10 the time that he went below it had been at no
time 90 foggy as to render these precautions neces-
ssry; the fog would it is true occasionally wrap them
closely around for few moments but then 1t cleared
nm again soon 80 that the eye could reach from one
mile 10 ak Capt Luce had been below working his
reckoning about is minutes, during which time, I'M
known to him, the fog had become very dense, and
tho two steamers coming head for each other, ap-
nroacbed unperceived to the fatal onset Capt Luce
beardtbe command to board the helm and ran upon
dec inst in time TO witness the collision He acknow
aase. that the fatal step was the loss OF the chief
,ns,o and the seamen who accompanied him upon his
hrr,.n. Grand. From the lips of Capt. Luce We
learn that at very early period after the collision
,ho ereron and crew, more especially the former,
,brew of their allegiance TO discipline, and looked
ont q, their own safety. The boats on board the
ship would. if properly slowed, have saved SVV per
sons but the brutal seshness Of the crew thrust 'ne
majority Of that number back TO die. In the nrs'
boat that was lowered for the purpose oil saving
sepeers were several ladies, the only one OF wnom
Capt. Luce remembers by name, is Miss SniIn'
daughter Of Mr. G. G. Smith, Of this City, EhceP-
IN this boat, no other ladies saved All oil tne
families on board gathered on the quarterdee ana
after the first shock Of terror, became compsr-
..ively calm and collected. In the only bosf
hat remained, the largest life boat on deck
Captain Luce placed Mrs. Collins and her
hrnily, the Browne family, and many other ladies;
add but for the unfortunate necessity that this boat
vas required to assist in the construction of the ra
Aeywould undoubtedly have been saved. As IT was
b, launched the boat intending after the ran was
made TO again place the ladies in it. How bis inten-
tons were frustrated Is too well known The passen-
ger, when Il hope past, gathered upon the
ou,ter deck bu. instead Of exhibiting external signs
Of scrror and despair, they nearly all assumed cheer
lnsss that beautifully bespoke the sublime power OF
mind aver matter Ere they departed for that long
and dark journey they babe each other farewell and
yet .et fsrerea, but kind Of gentle good nigh,
stspoke Of the sublime hops Of soon greeting each
Other with bright "goOd morning before the gates
ofPssadise.
At lenQth, with a cough Of agony and " al 'ns'
pierced the heavens the great hull reeled to and 'r0'