The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-10-03

On DOAkD PASSENGER SHIPS.-The MARIA
tives of this disaster CLEANED by our re-
porters from the mouths Of the rescued pas
sengers concur in showing that the most de-
plorable negligence-the most culpable absence
OF discipline-not only marked the origin, but the
progress of the catastrophe. Had there been
but one cool head and firm will amongst the
officers in charge of the steamer, the probabili-
ties are that the vessel and her valuable freight
Of lives and cargo might all have been saved.
Amongst the numerous accidents which have
occurred to passenger ships, there is not one,
we will venture to say, that can he compared to
this in the utter helpessness and imbecility that
characterized the conduct of all connected
with it.
1t is less our purpose. however, to bear hardly
on individual errors, aggravated us they must be
by sense of remorse, than to point out the les
sons that are to be derived from this painful oc-
currence. We believe that if the officers en-
trusted with the command of passenger and mer-
chant vessels were trained in the discipline ne
cessary to be observed on board their ships we
should not have one for the ten marine disasters
which our columns record. 1t has always been
a matter of surprise to us why the rules and OBJ
seryances deemed essential TO the safety of yes
sels-ofwar should not be vigilantly enforced in
the mercantile marine. If such regulations are
required in service placed under strict military
laws, they would seem still more necessary in
one to which much more serious responsibilities
are entrusted. II is the more to be wondered at.
yhau hat soil ilu do Ia
comprehend the wisdom Of rules which conduce
to the common benefit and safety.
From u perusal of the statements Of the sur
vivors of the Austrias passengers. no one can en-
terrain doubt that ifthat unfortunate vessel had
been under the command of officers like Captain
Judkins or Capt. Higgins she would have passed
scathelcss through the accident that befell her,
it, indeed, such an accident could have happened
at all. Whatever may be Captain Judkins' de-
fects of temper and manner. every one will ac-
knowledge that his ship is always under perfect
control and that no details Of its management,
however minute, can escape his vigilant super
vision. Of Captain Higgins, when in command,
the same thing could always be said, with this
diference-that although no martinez, he insisted
upon anticipating casualties by drilling his men
to meet them. We have known him, for in
stance. to ring the fire bell on board his vessel
twice during a voyage, in order to break his new
hands into the ordinary discipline Of the ship.
He wisely preferred creating little alarm
amongst his passengers to being caught UMPIRE
pared for any accident that might arise from I'M
ioreseen causes.
II is now clear that If the officers of the Aus
tria had been men of the right stamp. il their
crew had been properly disciplined, ii would
have been impossible for the series of mishaps
and plumbers which caused her loss to have &C.
Cured Surprising, under such circumstances,
the fire to have taken place. il would have been
instantly eytiHPuished and admitting the posi-
bility Of its gaining head, We arc satisfied that
most Of the passengers would have been saved
by selfpossession and GOODNESS on the part of the
officers, and experience in the lowering and ma
nagcment of the life boats on the part of the
crew. II was the absence of these qualities--the
neglect Of ordinarily careful discipline which no
doubt led to the deplorable disaster which has
brought grief and mourning to 50 many hcarths
There is one other point 10 be considered in
connection with this unfortunate affair. from
which another useful lesson may be CLEANED. Had
the fire afforded time for the passengers to get
of in the boats there were not II appears, su'fi-
cicnt boats to accommodate them. In how
many accidents Of this kind would The fact OF
there being adequate provision for such emer-
gencics calm the frantic excitement and insane
efforts Of persons who are ready to brave death
in one form to escape II in another. We think
this is precaution that ought no longer to be
lcfs tn the discretion OF ship owners. A law
shalld be passed to prevent passenger ships from
carrying any greater number Of persons than
their complement Of life boats will accommodate.
With such legislative safeguard and the en-
forcement Of rigid discipline on board passenger
ships, We are satisfied that the annual rate Of
casualties might be reduced to one-third Of their
present amount.