The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-10-21
DISASTERS AT SEA.
Wreck Of the Ocean Steamer Atlanta,
from New Orleans.
LOSS OF NEARLY FIFTY LIVES.
Only One Passenger and Four
Of the Crew Saved.
THE VESSEL BREAKS m THREE PARTS.
Observation-Disclosures.
Gallant Conduct Of Captain Pierce,
Of the Anderson.
INTENSE sUFFERlNGS OF THE SURVIVORS.
THREE DAYS ON A RAFT.
NAMES OF THE PASSENGERS.
DISASTER TO THE STEAMSHIP ClRCASSIAN.
She Springs Aeak and is Run Ashore at
Rocky Bay, Cape Breton.
The Passengers and Cargo All
Saved.
&c. &c. &c,

Inc eteamsnlp ALBANIA, OF the Auanuc Coast Mail
Steamship line. running between Now Orleans and this
city, was wrecked on Sunday morning last from the
sprngng Of leak while in very heavy sea- about three
hundred miles south OF Sandy Hook. There
teen passengers including four ladies and child and
thirty-6ve officers and board at the time, Of
whom only passenger and four Of the have been
saved.
The illfated vessel started from New Orleans on the
9Th Of October with full cargo OF cotton and seventeen
passengers and the crew. Up to Thursday, the 18th
inst the weather all that could be desired there
only being just enough wind ill the Sails The passen
gers were all in the highest spirits expecting to be
released from the tediurn OF q voyage, but
doomed 10 and bitter disappointment. On Thurs
day night, the 18th inst, stiff breeze commenced blow
ing from the west together with considerable
ming, which continued TO increase in violence the
night wore Thursday night q night Of some
anxiety 70 every board and all hoped that
storm would abate In the morning
THE STEAMER SPRINGS LEAK.
Friday morning came but with It the storm had not
abaed and yet fears apprehended for the real
asety Of the Atlanta until that day, when II dis
covered she had sprung q leak and was making
freely Tho cry went immediately through the ship;
and the captain with commendable 0rmness entered
The cabin, and told the passengers TO keep calm and
- prepare for the worst Every took IL with great
and 70 put on life belts In the meantime the pumps
were set 10 work, and throughout Friday night and
Saturday steadily pumping with the hope that the
steamer might be kept a1oat until friendly sail
should appear but the water steadily gained, until
Saturday night had reached the furnaces covered
the coal bunkers exngushng the nres thus deprving
the pumps Of the power necessary TO keep them in
operation. It evident that the vessel could not
last long, with the heavy seas dashng and
surging around; and the captain, seeing there
hope saving the vessel turned his to
the passengers who had up TO this time preserved the
greatest good order through the terrible ordeal The
gale sin continued and with the loss Of the engines by
the putting Of the fires the could not get
seerage way, and fell of into the trough Of the sea,
each succeeding making clear breach her
and sweeping the decks with terrific force.
THE BOATS LOWERED.
In this extremity the captain gave the order lower
che boats, which promptly attended TO by the
sailors These consisted Of three lifcboats and one
small boat. When the first lifeboat lowered one
woman and child first put into IT, and afterwards
- many the boat could carry entered, numbering
about twenty The second lifeboat was then lowered
and was as quickly filed. These two life boats put
away from the vessel, but were Immediately capsized
and not soul escaped the sea running very high
Tho only remaining lifeboat on the ship was
small one which successfully lowered, and into
which four Of the crew embarked, and whether
By design or by the action OF the waves
was drfted away from the vessel thereby taking away
The last boat which left. The small boat pre-
viousy attempted be lowered but in before
reaching the water Thus the only chance OF salvation
lsf 70 the unfortunate passengers destroyed The
passengers and behaved extremely well, very little
confusion to be observed among them, and every
oos began 70 give himself 10 God
THB BREAKING UP.
Throughout the whole Of Saturday night the vessel
sun kept above water when at eight o'clock the
morning Of Sunday, the vessel smashed mp into three
distinct pieces leaving only portion Of the amdships
about thirty feet long, a1oat Tho scene was now heart
rsndns and perfectly ndescribabe, every striving
% save himself spar other floating object
Numbers got the amidshps, but we're Immediately
washed overheard only Eve escaping by clugng to the
wreck with all their might.
THE CAPTAIN LAST SEEN.
Tho last which Of the Captain he was strs.
Cling In the water and managed to get hold Of q cotton
BALE butwas Immediately obliged go on account 81
the rolling around Of the bale He then caught hold Of
aplatorm, which was floating about and nothing fur.
sher 10 known respecting him.
ON THE RAFT.
The Ave survivors found themselves on the raft, or
amidshps without single mouthful to eat or drop OF
water and were exposed 70 the Indictment weather. hav
ing very little clothing upon them. On discov erng their
situation they placed small white handkerchief on
stick in order 70 attract the attention OF any vessel
which might happen TO pass within sight, and which,
most fortunately for Them served the desired purpose
During the two and half days they were the raft
they suffered greatly from the hunger and the in
tense thirst to which they were subjected Each day
they eagerly scanned the horizon for the signs Of ap
preaching Sails and rewarded by she appear
ance Of sails In the distance which proved TO DO the bark
William T. Anderson, from Mobile.
THE RESCUE.
They Immediately began 10 wave the white handker-
chief 70 attract the attention Of the vessel and tho cap
tain noticing ~ directed his course towards the
wreck bearing up near AZ the rough sea would per.
init Tho boats then lowered and soon reached the
wreck, and secured them from impending death They
Wero then transferred 10 the William r. Anderson from
the boat They offered their most sincere thanks 70
shedr pressrvers-Captsin Pierce who did an Ia his