New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-10-13
THE PRESS on THE DISASTER.
Eros The Courier and Enquirer

What need of praise Is sufficient for Capt. Luce
He died al his postand tbs that which makes the be-
70. Subliner courage, GRANGER presence OF mind
seader fidelity we're never exhibited on the ned 81
battle than were os played by james C. Luce, on the
deck of the Arctic against the death that yawned bes
neatb hi. gallant ship. Nothing that a single man
could DO TO avert the fate did be leave un tooe; and
when last all effort had proved vain, and the tern.
bl. conviction tell upon hun that nothing more could
he done with the faithful sor that belongs TO great
nature be resoS ed TO share the fate OF those commit
ted 10 their charge aid put fom him all offer OF the
means of escape. He was isithful-yea more than
faithful, for he sealed bis fidelity with his life.
Nothing could BE- in greater contrast to the noble
hearing OF the Captain than the hearess conduct of
most III the subordinates and menlals who escaped.
The deseriion of the passengers oy the bremen and
crew in the boats was all outrage that would hardly
seem possible for the worst barbarans on earth u De
entity of; and We are thankful that we recognize
smoig these dastards 10 few that have an American
name The boats, had they been hlled TO their real
capacity would Of themselves suced for the preser
walton Of almost all the ships company and ia
they lowered around the raft and assisted 10 us cyu
struetiOp its loading and trimming "a tney e%ny
might have done IN the perfect smoothness OF inc
sea not person need have persisted. But craven
Ike brute iikeperhsps in justice 10 the more seus.
Gus order of brutes who are ofsen known " perm
their lives for each other, ought rather 10 say
s,pd-like-they fed. IL would have been Infamous
for them 10 have simply kept away from the snip
and deprived their perishipg ello" men VI 'nsir PER
sonal helm. ont when in lying they not ony an
This but absolutely removed all possible means Of
eecape thew made themselves the most aecar'ed
Of humanity. We would not apply this condemns
t;on unfortunately There Is reason 70 believe
that one of the boats did its full duty and Doubtless
tbers were individuals in other boats who would
have acted faithfully If they could but upon the ms
;or;,v ~ those who occupied the boat no other
godgmer, can be pronounced than that they are
sy gulty of all this destruction Of life. And again
We 30 no, think that we are mistaken in saying
, ,bs engineers were atrociOusy delinquent in the
Sscbaroe Of ID cir peculiar duty. IL would ap-
eer from present accounts that the engines did not
TIN Of themselv,s but that they stopped whea
the fires in the lower furnaces extinguished by
the invading water Now it il certain that the water
eoud not have reached the upper furnaces for some
time affervard and ths; they could have generated
sufficient steam TO keep the boat under full heedway;
and that even after they had been ertingusbed the
steam 10 The boilers themselves would for time have
suiieed for the purpose. Bot notwithstanding all
this il il 10 be gathered that the engineers and fire
men caused the engines TO be stopped aud abandoned
their poets when the water entered the lower furnscss
and rusbed to the boats and with entire disregard
to the general fate swept away from the scene Of sn
ger. We do not care, hoseveS to dwell upon tneee
narrowing details at present. There are many vex
important points for consideration, conneo,so
ths amentabe event; but they ought NOS 1s -
up and definitely Disposed Of until more eo"P'''
coherent accounts are received