The New York herald., 1870-02-06
THE LOSS OF THE YsCHE METEOR.
She Strikes on u Coral Reef-Her Course and
Condition at tue Time-Everything Saved |
Probable Cause OF the Disaster.

She Strikes on Coral Reef:-Her Course and
Condition at tue Time-Everything Saved
Probable Cause OF the Disaster.
LONDON, Jan. 15, 1870.
This splendid vessel became total wreck near
Cape Bon IN the Mediterranean, on sunday the 18th
December. The particulars Of this sad disaster are
as foows:-The Meteor was bound frofn Malta TO
Tunis, prior TO taking part In the ceremony OF the
opening OF the canal at Suez. She left Malta on
Friday, the 10th December, at seven A. M In tow ol
tug AT nalf-pa seven the tug was cast Off
and all sail made; the latter part OF the
day was squally, with variable wlnas. Saturday
the 11th December, commenced with heavy squalls
Of rain and wind, aud there was nasty sea on At
two p. NJ, Cape st. Demetra, on Gazo Island bore
southeast by east, distant nine miles, In latitude 80
deg. 03 min. north, longitude IA deg 0S min. east.
The weather was threatening and the vessel pitch
ing considerably. Ine pumps were attended to.
Latitude, by dead reckoning SO deg 10 mn., course
west by north, distance seventy-three miles, lon&i-
tude II deg. 40 mln east.
sunday the 18th December.-The weather was
fine, with light and variable Wind. AT half past one
p. NJ the mantopmast was sent uD and the NAN.
topsai set; towards the middle part OF the day the
weather became cloudy and the breeze freshenea
considerably with occasional showers. Al mid
night the mantopsall was furled and two reefs
taken In the malusall. AT four A. NJ the mainsail
AT about twenty minutes past five A. NJ. the vessel
struck on coral reef, during the boatswans watcn
bringing her more to the wind but the attempt was
useless She struck twice again heavily, when she
biged herself, and III less than fifteen minutes from
the time Of her nist striking was full OF water.
Latitude 20 deg 05 min. north, longitude ii deg. ~
min. east, course northwest by west. Az daylight
lines were run on shore and a boat launched, and
as the vessel lay on her beam ends, at au angle OF
fifty degrees, lines were rugged on deck to enable
the crew TO walk thereon, and the OF saving us
nlucn stores as possible commenced Immediately.
Sails were unbent and sent ashore; spars boats pro-
VISIONS shipwhee and IN fact everything that could
atatv
no sheers could be rugged to get out the lower masts
they were obliged 10 be cut away, and were both
broken IN falling. For twenty-five days the crew
labored III saving property, ana finally the vessel
was cut IN three pieces order that the timber con-
tanned IN her. and whicn Is or great value at 1unis
may be more easily got on shore.
Her late captain tDaytonh who has arrived at
Cowes, In the Isle OF Wight England, attributes the
loss OF the Meteor to the fact that strong current
not mentioned In any OF the nautical works sei her
on the land, ana that ia consequence OF the lowness
of shore and thickness Of weather 1t was Impossible
TO see any object distant 100 yards. Captain Dayton
Kept the irst ana part OF the middle watch, when
he was relieved by the mate, that Ocer being in hs
turn relieved Dy the Doatswain ut four A. M.