The New York herald., 1869-01-11

Wine Dress, uOUOroU Applause
and cheering. The company separated at . late
hour.
PERILS OF THE ATLANTIC.
>~~~~~>~>>~-~>~~~~-~~~~~~~
Stormy Voyage Of the Steapship Rtna iron
Liverpool 20 New Yerk-Exposure 70 Gales,
Tempestuous Sens, Hurricanos, 61cct and
Hail-The Fifth Omcer Washed Ovcrbeard
anAaest-Accidents and 6aMerings.
The particulars Of several unusually severe and
stormy passages by steamships from Europe to this
port were chronicled in the HERALD during the
fall Of 1sos and at comparatively recent period tho
accounts of the loss Of the steamship HberniA on
the coast OF Ireland, added another to the
already long List Of disasters. Numerous c0astwtse
vessels have also been severely handled by the eQui
nocttalgaes Of the past fall and the succeeding win
ter storms.
The latest evidence that the broad Atlantic sends
its need Of pr1vation suerings, Sadness death and
alarm to those who seek 1t for pleasure profit and
that It's clashing waves BUFFET toy, at win, the
mighty hulls wherein the commerce Of man s done,
Ii vivdly shown In the pers that befell the steam
ship Etna one OF the nman neet Of propellers that
arrived at this port from Liverpool yesterday morn
ing terminating voyage fraught with danger and
death. The story its ocers tell Of Its unprecedented
length Of Its fghtfu character and great terrors,
robs an ocean voyage OF some Of its romance; and
the vacant chair at their mess, which held at the
commencement Of the trip bright and promising
onacer, but whose body was left in mid ocean when
the elements were shreking their widest power
fully c0rroborates their narrative.
What fell to their lot what dangers, storms, acct
dents and deaths occurred In their eighteen days OF
continuous sailing before their anchor was dropped
in this port was told with excitement betting the
subject, vet with sadness that the memory OF lost
comrade, and one greatly beloved, naturally Inn
parted.
BEGINNING THE VOYAGE.
On the 23d OF December, with everything in readi-
ness aheavy cargo, ten cabin and $50 stcerage
gers, men, women and children OF all ages and many
nationaites, the voyage OF the Etna was commenced
to this port. The departure OF the vessel was wit
messed by the usual crowds Of sympathizng friends,
and universal prayer went up that the voyage would
be accomplished In safety. But misfortune seemed
to befall them at Its inception, and the sunny pic
ture Of the start was soon dispelled, as strong
breezes, with heavy squalls from the northwest,
set in continued without abatement and accom-
panied them to Queenstown, where they arrived the
following day at two O'Clock In the afternoon. Hur-
riedy the business Of obtaining the mails and the
reception OF additional number OF passengers
despatched, and night set In and the bells OF
many towers proclaimed the eve Of Christmas the
final adieu was said. From this time on there was
hardly breathing spell ior ta the sr hardy @ mariners
hardly abeam when fresh gales and heavy squalls
cracked through the rigging as though some demon
were ut work. The stancn ship fully fifteen hundred
tons burden began to labor heavily and ship great
quantities OF water, crashing like artillery Us they
fell on the deck. This continued throughout the
the morning Of Christmas Can Light, the last
beacon that sends ITS pleasant beams to the mariner,
The dawn OF Christmas came to the passengers In
very stormy mood. The strong gales from the
almost the vessels annihation, as the great black
waves broke completely over her. "Peacc on earth
and good Will to cnn went out from the hearts and
voices Of the 200 on board but to them tho start
seemed to bring anticipati0ns OF a dreary voyage.
GALES AND HIGH SEAS.
Through Saturday and Sunday, the 26th and 9th,
the gales OF the previous days increased In violence
preventing the carrying OF any but light sails, and
satisfying the crew and passengers that the voyage
heavy volumes Of water shot over and upon them.
drenching alike all ON board. when on Sunday
rail and into the steerage carrying away the doors
and other light work about them. For moment
the widest confusion prevailed, but the wei drilled
crew quieted the alarm OF the passengers and they
acted with great moderation, considering their
ACCIDENTS AND DEATH.
The good old ship and machinery acted nobly.
Never, thought those on board, was there truer
craft. The gales increased with slight cessation and
moderation during Monday, and on Tuesday, the
23th, eliminated in fearfuly squally weather, with
tremendous and dangerous high seas. Wave
after wave dashed furi0usly with Seething
rage against the iron huh, breaking into thousand
sheets, each severe as the first, as 1t from
the water went boiling through saloons and cabins,
drenching every soul and saturatng every stitch OF
clothing the trunks aud lockers contained me wind.
from the northwest by west, howed with de espe-
ration, and the crew on deck could hear its deep
4Ean chant swelling through all the rattle OF the
running gear and moaning OF the shrouds II was tae
death song. The ship labored fearfuly; all the
officers were on deck early Tuesday morning, 40
dangerous were the seas. Captain Bridgman and
chef oficer Br0mless were on the saloon
decS giving orders during the frigftful scenes. At
quaisfrpast eiaht' O'Clock, one gf succession o.
dred storrss struck the vessel amdshlps the
board quarter, md the great mass Of water rose
above the buwarks and swept revengefuily across
death among the hand an II carried from his post Of
duty, on the sacrn deck Mr.. Molyneaux, The lfth
officer, who had been stationed at the standard CON-
pass against the ron bulwarks with such force thst
he was almost Instantly Killed, and the same instant
he was swept re 1sefpoard n gu. OF ,, sne reacn
the cruel waves had carried against the iron
stanchioDs, several OF the officers and crew among
lar bone was broken. while the others escaped with
less serious fractures OF the mbs but broken bones
were numerous i is beyond the power , o. Ian Ian,
wave left, and words cannot tell the horror that
pervaded passengers and CREW at this death and the
saloon deck rails. engine room. hatch ana standard
compass had gone, and the great thick bulwarks OF
bent TO frghtfal degree This deatii, as the victim
OF the cruel storm, was young man d great
promise and OF many friends. This msfortune, the
injured men and the deslructiveness or the storm,
everywhere apparent, cast gloom over the vessel.
shared alike by all. The day had already its
full share or the perils, but there more come
In the afternoon another broke over the vessel,
and this time went crashing along the onlcers'
rooms, tearing them away and leaving their occu-
pants drenchcd and lorIorn. Wednesday the wind,
northwest, moderated somewhat with fresh hreezes.
II was overcast and no observations could be taken
In the evening fore and aft sails were set but almost
Immediately taken IN, "a the falling barometer told
OF stormier times, and they came Thursday, 3lsi.
was ushercd In with strong gales and ship aboring
heavily: at noon hurricane from the northwest
struck the vessel ana continued for FIVE hours,
during which CONSERVATION was depicted upon
every face. The stanch vessel bore herself through
this Wild period as n she had charmed life, and
when II subsidized never did heart-tried men acknowl-
eige with more gratitude their mercful dclverance
from threatened wretched death.
The New Years TO this company was anything but
pleasant, as the weather continued with scct.
han and confused seas saturday and sunday. "a
and % inst, there was but little variation and