Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-10-04
Wasbingtnm gentinsl.
From the New York Tribune.
Full Particulars of the Loss of the Iron
steamship City Of philadelphia.
NARRATIyE OF APAssENCER.


Up to the present time. the only account of
the wSeck of this fine iron steamship that has
been published, is the meagre telegraphic re-
port from Halifax. This morning we are en-
abled to lay before our readers the full particu-
lars OF this sad catastrophe.
1t appears that the cause Of the disaster is
solely attributed to the fact that the compasses,
of which the ship was provided with six, were
almost useless, owing TO the attraction OF the
material of which the vessel was composed.
These compasses were adjusted in Glasgow
and Liverpool, but by some inexplcabe fatal
ty no two of them agreed. Capt Leitch, it is
said, was unremtting in his vigilance, scarcely
leaving his post for an hour from the time that
his ship left Liverpool until it struck the rock,
off Cape Race. But for some AZ hours prior
to that event, owing to the fog and heavy
weather which prevailed, he was unable to OBJ
tain an observation
The vessel was built in compartments, but so
great was the shock that the bulkheads were
started, and she speedily filed, and would have
sunk had the Bleaching been longer delayed.
That she did not Immediately 60 down in deep
water, with all on board, when she struck, is
solely attributable TO the fact that she was
built in water-tight sections or chambers.
In his extremity, Capt. Leitch did all that
thorough seaman could do for his passengers
and owners and those who saw him through
the whole Of the trying circumstances aequit
him of all blame, and accord to him high
praise for his humanity and devotion to duty.
As the facts are set forth in the narrative Of
our informant, Mr. Gadsby of Brooklyn, here
with appended, we submit it, 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 18th of
August. The day was fine, and scarcely a
single individual Of 600 passengers but ap-
peared as happy as though bound upon some
pleasure excursion, rather than as in most
cases leaving home and country to seek shelter
and subsistence in another land. The day fol-
lowing our embarkation we took last look at
the dim cliffs Of Old England, and turned our
faces toward our western haven. For six
days we were favored with fine weather, clear
skies, and smooth seas, and everything bid fair
for prosperous voyage. Our ship sailed and
steamed right CALAMITY along, and we enjoyed
all the pleasure with none OF the usual discom.
forts OF an Atlantic voyage.
But could not help observing that amid
the general hilarity, our commander, though
prompt and unceasing in his attention to his
onerons duties, was evidently troubled about
some matter Of grave moment. He rarely re-
tired TO his stateroom, even for an hours re-
pose, but paced the deck night and day, ever
and anon peeriug into the compass boxes, and
then consulting with his officers. At length
closely examined these objects of his particular
soheitude, the compasses We had six Of them
on board, all of which it is said were duly ad
iusted in Glasgow and Liverpool; but discov-
cred thasno two of them agreed some Of them
IL al
steering compasses in the wheel-house differed
from a point TO a point and q half
This sad state of things was undoubtedly to
be attributed to the person pretending to regu.
late the compasses, for, in my opinion, with
properly isolated compasses, an iron vessel is
as easily worked as would be one OF wood On
the morning Of the oath Of September heavy
rain began to fall, and the atmosphere became
so densely clouded that no observation could
be taken that day. The same kind of weather
prevailed throughout the next day, and agar
no observation was practicable. About oclocl
in the afternoon, if l recolle,t Alright, on cast
ing the log, the steamer was said to be making
IL knots an hour.
About liz, p. m, when nearly all the pas
sengers were in their berths, and the ship was
going at the rate of over ten knots an hour, she
ran against sunken rock, with frightfnl con
cussion. Instantly the ship was alive; from
every hatchway the passengers-men, women
and children-poured over the deck, in tn,
widest confusion and distress, and many o
them in an almost primitive state Of nudity
rendiug the air with their shrieks, and mani
Testing every symptom Of mortal terror.
Now the seamanship Of our captain, and the
discipline OF the crew came into requisiiion
The engine was reversed, and on taking sound
iDgs il was found that the ship was in deel
water on both sides, and that she had struck
rock on her port side near the cutwater. A maj
was stationed at the well 10 see now fast tn
water gained, while the carpenter and his ere,
with oakum and blankets sought TO stop III
hole. But the latter was found 10 be impos
sible, as the orifiee was some six feet long b
four broad, through which the water poured i
q cataract, soon filing the forward compar
ment Of the hold to the water-line.
Ia was ascertained that the point upon wbie
the vessel had struck was off Cape Race, s
having taken in all sail the steamer was backe
off and headed for Chance Cove, about seve
and half miles 70 the northward. This Gov
she reached however. She had hardly &c
into shallow water ere the second compartment
was flooded, and the fires extinguished. Dur
ing all Of this time the sea was calm as a mil
ror, but The fog was so dense that objects eoul
not be distinguished ships length distant
Boats we're launched and party sent TO SUI
vey the beach; they reported il good, with
fine sandy bottom, whereupon the vessel wa
put aground as far up as possible, and b.
about three-quarters Of mile from the shor'
aad the anchors let 60.
The boats were then boisted ont, and III
passengers having by this time mostly come I
something like their senses, the yfrk Of pu
ting them ashore was commenced. sihe ladis
and children were first debarked, and afte
them the male passengers. During the PEI
Torrance Of this arduous duty the utmost car
was taken 70 prevent accident, by keeping j
check the excited crowd, who would otherWis
have rushed into the boats and swamped then
Forth nately but little surf was on at the tim,
SO that the whole Of the passengers we're 70
on shore BY A A. M, without the slightest a,
cident
The shelter and provision Tor so large n nun
Der Of people thus thrown upon desolate shor,
some sixty miles from the nearest village {
fowo uvao tha nat no., o.Iorafton Cnarg ,oH