Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1858-12-31
voyage of the Indian Emp,re---The Particulars.


The following particulars supplied by the Free
mans Journal THE anxiety which for some time
past has prevailed ggenerally in this country rea
tive to the safety of the Indian Empire whose arri-
val at Galway long DUE is now happily allayed
the gallant vessel having anchored at Broadhaven at
A NJ on Friday morning, after having experienced one
of the most continuous storms that has been wit
messed in the Atlantic. The qualification which all per-
must feel at learning the safety of ship respecting
which apprehensOns had been entertained will De
enhanced in the minds Of 1rshmeh by the fact that the
steamer whose safe arrival chronicle is one be-
longing TO the newt established transatlantic line,
whose prosperity is subject Of such lively interest to
the people Of this country The arduOus and danger
passage which the Indian Empire has successfully
accomplished under the most adverse circumstances lasted
in all, Is days from Halifax to ireland. We have been
enabled to CLEAN the following particulars of this inter-
esng voyage which will satisfactorily account for the
delay, and which may be relied trctly accurate
Having taken in fresh supply of Goals, and repaired
some trifing damage which had been sustained by a
collision with brig leaving New Y ork harbor, the
Indian Empire, having then 16 days supply of coal,
left Halifax the afternoon of Saturday, the 3ls Of
! October, and had toerably favorable to Cape
Race, distance of about 500 miles. The wind
not directly favorable being on her quarter and the
average speed of the ship during this time was IL knots
| an hour
Upon rounding Cape Race the wind shifted dead
ahead and gradually rising, blew with great violence
which in few days increased to most fearful hurri
The ship galany struggled against the violence
of the wind and waves, the captain showing all the
sources Of sku and experienced seamanship and being
ably seconded by his officers and crew, who had the most
implicit reliance in his ability and judgment. OF course
progress was scarcely possible under the circumstances
and after thirteen days of such weather has rarely
been experienced in the Atlantic at this of
the year, the captain found himself still four days from
Galway Upon calculating the amount of coal which
still remained on board and finding that it was barely
sufficient for four days rum he thought it eXpcdient
| n the of
fuel in an unavaing struggle against the clements. At
this time there was lair prospect of more favorable
weather the barometer rising, indications Of change
were apparent, and moreover, it is unprecedented
thing for southeastery wind to last three weeks in the
Atlantic especially at this season of the year, when
westerly winds generally prevail. However, the
expectation of fine weather not fulfilled the wind
still continued high and the Indian Empire ay-to
days during which time she made little Roadway. AT
the end of seven days there lu and the captain
gave orders to steam ahead in the hope of completing
the passage without further difficulty In a short time
however, the wind again sprung up and increased almost
to its former violence. At time, Wednesday last
the Indian Empire reached within 25 miles of the Gal
way coast, running at the rate Of IL knots an hour
against heavy sea- when the gale increasing in violence
drove her distance of 90 miles away to the westward
The prudence and foresight Of Capt. Courtney in
having aldtO for seven days was then made manifest
for this time the Goals had been completely exhausted
and 1t became necessary to consume small portion Of
the cargo consisting OF cotton, stores &c and also some
spare sPars and part of the planking of the decks At
halfpast l. on the morning of Friday, the lights Of
BrOadhaven were sighted, and we need not say that
every board experienced the keenest delight at
the approaching termination of their long and difficult
voyage. Broadhayen, as readers know, is excel
lent harbOr the coast of Mayo about forty miles from
Wesport; and eight hours after its lights sighted
the Indian Empire dropped her anchor in the harbor
amid the hearty cheers Of the passengers and crew 1t
is gratifying to be able to state that at time-even
during the greatest violence of the gaedid the passen
gers manifest the slightest alarm apprehension Their
confidence in the captain, officers and never for
moment failed and they took frequent occasions during
the voyage to give expression to this feeling. They know
that everything which skill and Judgment could do would
be effected to bring the vessel in and their confidence
was increased by the good qualities displayed by the
ship which excited the admiration of the experienced
and the inexperienced. The manner in which the Indian
Empire stood the test to which she subjected
proves her to be excellent scaboat we'll adapted for
Atlantic navigation. No convincing proof of this
could be afforded than the fact she shipped one only
during the whole passage Capt Courtney, who has
had large experience as an Atlantic navigator states
that the weather unprecedented in its combination
of violence and duration.