The New York herald., 1870-03-20
ENGLAND.
The Oneidn Disaster-British Opinion.
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The Opeidn Disaster-British Opinion.
From the London Times March 81
Particulars have at length been received Of the
fatal collision between the Bombay and the Oneida
which was reported last week. We earnestly trust
that in this account there may be still something
wanting, and shat It's statements, though undoubt-
edy authentic, may be imperfect, for otherwise we
must deeply regret condEct which is nothing less
than an outrage on humanity as well as disgrace
70 the British nag.
OF the Peninsuar and oriental Company very pro-
perly teegraphed to their superintendent at Bonn
bay for such particulars Of the occurrence as were
turned the reply which is now before u.s. The col
lison occurred at seven 7. NJ on the cath Of Janu-
ary about twenty miles from Yokohama. The
tns night is u stated was s quite darR.a The The
Oneida was under ali sail and going thirteen knots
an hour, which must, we presume, have been her full
speed; the Bombay was steaming eight knots an
iision itself are given in the following words.The
Bombay ported her helm shutting III the Oneida's
green lights the Oneida starboarded her helm, cross
ing the Bombay's bows" In another minute the
Oneida was .'cut down on the quarter, and soon
sunk with ll5 men; Two OF her ooats, with sixty
these conditions, was inevitable or how or in what
proportions the blame should be distributed ques
cial inquiry. Our present concern with the graver
incident Of the neglect or indifference shown by the
.1n ~ snn ,e ,d uI Sot % 90 anu
mediately, but only soon'' after the collision and
aS two or her own boats succeeded In saving sixty
kves 1t appears morally certain that the aid OF the
British vessel, promptly rendered, would have suf-
need TO snatch tine rest rom destruction. Is IT, then
count Of the AFFAIR, never stopped alter the COLI
eion," but steamed on as II nothing had happened,
leaving the Oneidas crew TO their fate9 We lear II
u, for these the words Of Mr. HenTys message
ferrng to the incident:-"The Bombay felt the shock
80 little that Captain Eyre did not think the Oneida
could have been much damaged, and continued his
voyage ON to Yokonama' Az we earnestly trust
Tor the sake oi humanity, that some further ustinca
tfon or explanation Of such q course may yet be
forthcoming: we cannot omit to point out that no
mention s made OF the signal guns said to have been
ured by the sinking ship and which would aggra.
yate the case against the British commander.
Nevertheless, we feel at loss TO conceive how any
seaman could nave imagined that such collision
~ is described could have occurred without 'much
damage or without some demand for the ASSIST.
ance Of hts ship.
II may perhaps, be observed that though the in
fslliQence Just received comes from British source
and from the representative OF the Peninsular and
Oriental Company ITSELF 1t does not come directly
from the captain OF the Bombay IL true that the
expressions imply some report or communication
from that of1cer, or from some person his be-
half since the words, captain Eyre did
not think" must be taken as conveying an
apology for his proceedings. still, t is fair
TO reserve our Judgment Until sll the facts are
before There must 10 evidence In abundance
90 come, since every soul on board the Bombay was
witness TO the transaction, and the testimony ef
these witnesses may bs compared with that OF the
Americans who escaped the wreck. That full and
searching inquiry will Immediately be held is, OF
course, 10 be assumed and II result should tell
es heavily against our countrymen as the American
reports would lead us 10 fear the indignation oil the
public will only be equaled by Its regret.