Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1859-10-14

Disaster OF Steamer Quaker City.
From the Baltimore Sun.
NORFOLK Oct 9.-We are indebted to Messrs. David
son, Woodwork, DR. A. Wilson Brooks and Mr. Ed
monston for the following particulars of the disaster to
the steamer Quaker City: On the morning of the 7th,
when so miles southwark of Cape Hatteras the passen
gers were awakened suddenly from their sumbers by
succession of severe and alarming Shocks which on nves
tigation proved to from the engineroom. Mr. Ed
monston gives the following detail: On hearing the
shock lie sprang and ceeded to ascertain the
The tail of the engine had first parted the port
sde disabling the engine which, aided by the swell OF
the acting the cranks and from this The
TAIL had thrown the whole duty the starboard OF the
lever which in turn parted about twothirds from the
fulerum The weight of this broken part of the lever
carried the head of the arpump this sde bend
ing the rod and guide rods and carrying away the gland
bolts of the stuffng box.
The crOssta being thus freed from the control of the
side levers and under the action of the swell of the
through the Wheels carried the cranks their centre
and swung i'll succession heavy strokes against the fore
and aft columns supporting the main shaft and parted
the bed plates into three pieces close by the two
after columns. The starboard crOsS-tal links, being
bent by the strokes Of the side lever struck the
pipe with great force, tearing of the felt The cylinders
did not escape accident The levers being united at the
crank end the breaking off the port journal crossta
caused the cylinder crossheld to devate from level
and the side rods to ont of the vertce lines The
crosshead struck the deck beams the port and star
board sides successfully, splitting and tearing them into
atoms and raising part OF the upper deck. The piston
and side rods also bent, but the cylinders and air
pump are both apparently sound The engine presented
a complete wreck and more general smash up has
seldom been witnessed.
The fires Immediately extinguished and the en-
gineers about clearing away the wreck Great ankle
ty manifested by the passengers to know othclaIy
the condition of the ship it reported she
making water ast ard when they the prompt man
ming and provisioning OF the boats and the working of
the pumps by the passengers by orders OF the officers
This painful anxiety continued till the captain returned
from the engine room and appeared on deck where he
surrounded by the passengers, all eager 10 know
their fate He replied that the steamer had made lit
tie water but he had to believe that 1t would not
continue and it did he would inform them. The pas
senyers experienced immediate relief when informed that
tn ir services at the pumps longer needed and
that the hull sound.
Efforts imm, diaely made to change the course
of the steamer but owing the buckets of the wheels
it found TO be impracticabe Nothing more re-
manned but to wait for daylight and relief. About
o'clock i'll the morning sail discovered bearing to-
wards the steamer Capt Schutedt sent boat to board
her and brought off Capt. Chadbourne of the Dunbar
ton, when arrangements made to transfer the
passengers This evidently difficulty and
one of much danger owing to having lurching ship
Bat the task successfully performed with the aid OF
Francis eboats, under the direction Of the steamers
officers
The greatest anxiety prevailed when it was announced
that the time had arrived to transfer the ladies and chill
dren They exhibited the utmost courage and coolness
however The debarkatlon on board the bark was not
the less difficult, but conducted in the skilu
Capt. Schuteldt ordered provisions and water
for the Of the passengers be transferred to the bark
and when all was completed be detailed two of his Off
GERS Finne and Hargson, to accompy the bark to Nor
folk
The DunbartOns cabin afforded but limited accom-
modations, which given up to the ladies. Alta o.
clock all beng ready Capt Schuftdt from the deck of
tie disabled steamer, waved last adeu to his passen
the bark, which quickly spread her sails for Norfolk
In taking leave OF her gallant commander and crew. but
feeling of mingled sympathy and gratitude to Prov
dence pervaded the passengers.
The excellent discipline OF the ship, and the of
Capt Schuedt, fully appreciated and universally
recognized. To his able management and promptitude,
and the obedience Of his officers and men, mainly to
be ascrbcd under Providence, the safety of many
li1,oc