The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-10-04
The III-Fatsd Austria.


From the Roston Traveller, Oct. IL
TIC steamer Eastern city, Captain KHAN from halhaS
among her passengers Mr. J. y Cox OF Boston aud
Charles Brew Of England, who escaped from the wreck of
the steamer Austria Although we have no, seen either
them yet learn from others 60 whom passengers al
HALIFAX communicated the particulars Of the terrible
disaster a few incidents not before published.
when the alarm OF IRE given, the passengers and
crew Who rushed deck seemed % pause FOR moment
and look AFT nssincivcy expecting orders from the cap
tain or that would restore discipline but no orders
having been gyenno one vested with authority making
MS appearance 70 calm the tumuit-ihe mob rushed
towards tho boats few only who saw The utter folly Of
such tired 70 collect their friends around them
and wait the issue.
Prom the time the alarm was given until the flames
obtained the mastery ~ Judcous management, every
boat night have been lowered. The vessel, for I've
miputes Was under control-time enough n change
her that the ire could have been kept clear
the sides But the boats themselves were 70 securely
dashed and checked. that under ordinary circums'ances
much time would have been required 70 clear them Re
sides. the slow IN all their movements-there
regular discipline beyond the mere waica-and
watch II a common merchant vessel
The had been stationed % the boats and con
ycquenty the hour a. peril each towards the uoai
that was nearest une ~ two boats were ihereore w
possession q the crew. and the rest were e 10 the mercy
Of the passcngcrshenco the terrible mismanagcmen; Of
lowering them.
In particularly tbose q the Cuuard line,
there = always quaTtcrmaster standing the helms
direct the course Of the vessel but there No
such occr the AUSTRIA tho hemsnan, therefore had
n rely or orders upoa the captain mates and when
they og of the way. was ici to hs own discretion
This was had oversight Tor quariermasters gene
rally the best sailors ~ the ship, aud N the absence o su
t~fior officers fuly qualified 20 take charge bsd
there been quartermaser al the wheel Il The Austria,
he could not only have altered her course but could have
stopped her be had ht when he that sncn was
hc only hope saving the boats and the lives OF those
en- board
some 81 the crew without orders. seemed 10 oompre.
bend the danger aud tcd ~ restore confidence among
Tho Passenger but liked 20 take the responsibility
~ assuming command
Two nen actually ~ zcd axes 10 cut away tho masts,
and some % thc Passengers unbut the bead sas FOR the
purpose ~ smotterug tc ere hUt want ~ decision was
manifost IN every movement There no head, and
thy passengers sHw N few moments that the Old
game ~ "cvcry for himself
The Austria amply supplied with FIRE engines
force purrr hose. ure buckets, a. Nut an 81 these
seemed H. have been out o. the WAY whom required.
Altiourh the discipline ~ having station for every
man afd compelling every man ~ Oh his station.
MAS not ths rule board this Inflated steamer. ret
there vas ore system of discipline that vas newer
laxed. namely. sc0urlng trafs work, pointing ropss
ouds rraftfe ana other small work Tho mon were
well worked but not w,ll trained. Naturally they
were permitted 10 almost crawl along Their duucs. instead
being compelled 10 rapidly, ~ d ne custom "a
American ana British ships Tne CAPTAIN himself was evi
IDENTITY man II ability IN the ord nary nc fgst0n q the
ship bot neither he, any ~ hs officers appeared "
have the experience necessary 20 take care u suc 81
hcf details Wec tO0 extensive for any Of them t.
pfchrnd rancc and hence The miserable part they
played u The torrihe tragedy.
TIC t1ats might have been lowered, The m1sts and
spare Iata could have boon cut away and thrown over
~atd the ship herself could have been stopped and NJ
douhi hundrd R ~ lives saved some a the passengers
say mat The Orc itself could have been suppressed ~
cnnon pfomp,uess the rart II the officers f0f the
never appeared % without orders. The h0rrd
details q the loss 81 life shall not dwell upoB-they
have already spread before the publc but from an
we can learn aprears That ths noble vessel and her
pricelese frcrht human ut we're t,e victims ~ tie
anCEpercuCe 0I Der cafia "a ef8 officers