The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-02-09
THE STEAMSHIP PERElRE DISASTER.


PASSENGERS Account Of the Accident.
The following account OF the steamship Pereire
disaster is given by one ofthe passengers
On BOARD STEAMER PERErRR, Jan. 25, $780,
We left Brest on the 10th, but had only been six
days to sea when the vessel met with fatal acct
against the terrific sea and headwinds which were
prevailing; SO she was obliged to put into the nearest
From the time we put to sea we encountered
very heavy weather, heavy winds and head seas
nearly all the time On the Goth and 21st the
quarter past two O'Clock in the afternoon OF the 2ist
when we were in lat As 80, l0n 40 35 the vessel
struck by huge dead sea, which swept away every
thing on deck from the bowspr TO the smoke stack.
Many OF the state-rooms were also carried away On
investigation as to the result OF the damage 1t was
wounded. great body OF water passed over the
vessel, and twenty out OF the thrty-two fires
were extinguished. The captain promptly gave the
order to wear ship, and that measure was success
fully carried through. Both officers and crew be-
haved CALAMITY throughout the trying ordeal.
Further Particulars Of the Accident and Testi.
mOny of the Passengers.
The following extracts from the Courier du Hare
OF January 20 viii tend 10 eucidate the disaster on
board OF the Perere, the particulars OF which have
been SO mysteriousy withhold
The steamer Pereire left Havre on the 10Th and
Brest on the 10th ult., under command Of the able
full weather, and on the 2ist Inc wind Gained but
the sea was tremendously agltated. At about half
past two I. M an extraordinary volume OF water
struck the fore part of the vessel destroying the
looms the cabins and all the forward dxings, sweep
ing OF the boats and causing the fail Of one OF the
and the vessel was fully four minutes in r1ghting
herself. Six persons were killed, three Of whom
were passengers More than half Of the fires were
ways instead OF forward, she must inevitably have
gone down.
The list Of killed is as follows
IelsOur. sailor and lean (,ahapuef en1nl0vs were
swept on by the sea-
Jean Jonah, sailor; skull fractured by the falling
yard.
Miss Finkelberg, passenger, had her neck
broken.
Mr.. o'callaghan, priest; killed by the yard fall
Mr. FoulQuier, passenger. died from conclusion OF
the brain.
Twenty Of the passengers, officers and crew were
injured but progressing favorably with the ex-
ception OF missionary, who had one foot badly
s and Is setting II the sg
Waiting the sulferngs OF the injured persons 10 the
utmost In their power.
Extract Of the Testimony Given by the Pas.
sengers.
We, the undersigned, passengers on board OF the
French steamship Pereire during her voyage from
Havre and Brest, bound Tor New York; having left
Brest on the 10th and returned to port under damage
ties OF the vessel, and especially TO the admirable
sang Jo.d, the aptitude and the intrepedly Of our
that we just experienced.
We dare to affirm that IT, by the infinite grace Of
our Almighty Father, we are permitted once more TO
those dear to us, we owe such favor, after God
TO the quick decision, knowledge and consummate
talent or Captain Ducnesne, admirably seconded by
his officers and crew. because their activity and zeal
caused the adopted measures to be crowned with
success at the moment OF the catastrophe.
Four days after leaving Brest on the afternoon OF
Wednesday. January q, heavy gale gave way to a
tempest and afterwards 20 terrible hurricane The
vessel beng brought TO at two O'Clock, was struck,
rather was buried under the most huge wave that
any OF remember to have witnessed, although
several OF our party have crossed the Atlantic many
times during the last twenty years. This bulk OF
water estimated at from 800 to 700 TONS broke the
bows, destroying the saloon and carrying all before
1t, killing and wounding some Of the passengers and
crew. and partiof the vessel open and
exposed so that the continuation OF the voyage was
rendered impossible in the face OF rough weather.
Notwithstanding tire Inconvenience arising from
our return TO France, we consider the prompt action
taken by the captains to have been the only means
OF saving the vessel and the passengers. We wish to
prove that In opinion the crew gave convincing
evidence Of order discipline and capacity during the
sad and terrible circumstances through which we
passed. and thatlour confidence IN the solidity and
the nautical qualifications OF the Perere the con-
summate ability and intrepid courage OF her valiant
commander only increased on seeing them put 10
the test during such q catastrophe.
On board Of the Pereire at sea, January "a. 1869.
Here follow the signatures OF the passengers.