Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-10-21
THE ARCTIC CALAMITY.

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THE ARCTIC CALAMITY.
OF the forty-fve persons who were saved from the
wreck of the steamer Arccn the two boats under the
charge or WLIrAM BAALHAM the second mate, thirty
eight arrived at Boston from Halifax Thursday night
The passengers report that at the time Of the collision
the Arctic the top Of long wave, while the Vesa
was in what is called the through" Of the sea, so that
the Arctic was Injured below her waterline. This will
account for the reported difficulties in stopping the leak
Mr. Baalham states that there we're two men on the
lookout when the collision took place The propeller was
seen but moment before the vessel struck, not in time
to stop her headway He repeats his former statement
regard the thorough search which was made by the
which were sent to look the boats Of the Arc
tic and speaks in Of the highest praise OF the con-
duct Of Capt LEITcH Of the City Of Philadelphia In
sending off two vessels to cruise for them The cruise
was continued seven days. but not vesge Of the wreck
was seen The boat in which Mr.. B. went out cruised
from Friday until the succeeding Tuesday.
The Vesta was running, according to the report Of
her commander the rate Of eight knots and the speed
the Arctic is stated the same authority at not less
than twelve knots Immediately after the collision,
Capt DUcHEsNE noticed that the bukhead Of his vessel
was started and he proceeded to tighten his vessel
ut the head by throwing overheard all the cargo ana
gage which in the fore part of the vessel This eeva
tion with the rmness of the bulkhead contributed much
to stop the heavy rush Of water About one hundred and
fifty mattresses paiasses and other effects OF the crew
and passengers placed abat the safety part
tion over which were thrown Sails backed by boards
and panks the whole being secured by cables well and
firmly wrapped round ALL The foremast which received
some damage cut away and contributed consldera-
bly, to raise the head still more Two boats were
ed the first of which sank and the second taken
possession Of by two Of the and several OF the
sengers against the orders Of the captain They were
seen afterwards.
The Vesta arrived at st. Johns IN. f.. the 30th Of
September She is merchant screw steamer, and was
bound from St Peters TO- Granville. She he's ~ 49,.
one unareu and forty-seven passengers and crew of
fifty men-of whom thirteen were lost.
1t unfortunately out that the report that thirty
the Of the Arctic picked by the Vesta
incorrect The passengers and the two boats
which left the steamer and made Broad Cove New
foundand with the Vesta and several Of the passengers
talked with the French captain and saw his vessel. He
saved one from the Arctic. From the circumstance
that Capt Luce steamed around him. to give assistance
he supposed that the Arctic seriously damaged
and when she left him his impression she had made
directly for New York otherwise the Vesta could and
would have remained by her Although the Dow OF the
Vesta was literally in, leaving large rent yet the
compartment of bukhead saved her. and the French cap
tain that his could have lived four days.
necessary before putting into port for repairs lie
could have taken off every soul board the Arctic and
landed them safely at Halifax butsthe Arctic having
steamed off in western direction the captain OF the
Vesta put out of hearing Of the which she
subsequently fired.
OF persons known to have got places in the boats,
the rush made to the boats by the stands the
conduct Of the passengers. Mr.. DORIAN, the third
mate tells that he cooy courage
GUS than these same passengers and he adds that their
quiet resignation and implicit confidence in the captain
and officers of the ship such it is impossible to
surpass Mr. BURNS also says in his statement that af
the collision and to the last moment the majority
of passengers working at the pumps firing sig
nal-guns and launching spars, &C. to form raft by di
recton Of the captain while the took advantage of
the opportunity to seize the boats and escape leaving the
captain without experienced hands, and the passengers
to take care of themselves It should be remembered
that there boats enough board to save all with
proper exeron and the Of raft which the sailors
alone knew how to construct.
The passengers agree in stating that Mrs COLLINS and
her SON and daughter drowned Indeed, it does
not appear that single female escaped This however,
was not fault Of Capt LUCE for notice in the state
Of several of the survivors that had caused boats
to be launched for the of the women but they were
Immediately taken possession Of by men, consisting
mostly Of the crew. who jumped overheard in order to
get into them The selfshness Of human nature
was more strikingly displayed There not less than
sixty females board but the instinct of sepreserva
ton to have been predominant the occasion, and
with some honorable exceptions, courage chivary and
humanity were thrown to the winds