The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1871-03-31
A TERRIBLE STORM AT SEA.
Loss Of the Captain and Mates Of the
Steamship Europa.
From the New York Sun March Ia

Loss Of the Captain and aIates Of q
Steamship Europa.
From the New York Sun, March IA.
The steamship Europa sailed fro
Glasgow for this port on the 25th
February with 195 steerage and 10 ca
IN passengers. She experienced souaI
weather during the first few DAYS, whic
increased to a strong gale from ii
west, with sleet and heavy cross sc
on March 1. Next day (Thursday) .
noon another strong gale blew UP fro1
the south-southwest, accompanied by
heavy cross sea. AT IL P. NJ the win
checked to the west, followed by al
other gale from the west-northwesi
with heavy cross seas. This continue
all night, but on the next morning ar
other fresh gale sprang up from tn
west, which necessitated double reefin
of all the sails. Toward evening tn
gale increased in fury, and the vesse
was put under very slow steam.
The scene at s O'Clock was awful
The vessel had reached latitude 48:3
north, and longitude $3.50 west.
was dark as pitch, the horizon beiny
overcast, and the air was chilly witt
the driving sleet and the dashinJ
spray. The wind whistled through tn
rigging and rushed against the sides o
the ship, which groaned and shiverec
at every blow. In all directions foam
crested waves from 20 to 80 feet higf
ran roaring up the gallant vessel, threat
ening to crush her, but she rode like &
duck.
At about $50 O'Clock the steerage
and the intermediate passengers had
been partially quieted, and the Captain
sat down In the midst of the cabin pas.
sengers, nearly all of whom had known
him and sailed with him before, and
began conversation about old times
every one became interested, and in
Joking, and even laughter, they forgot
the peril of the hour At about 9:25
O'Clock Captain Macdonald drew out
his watch and excused himself, saying
that it was time for him to go on deck
to give his final instructions for the
night to his mates, as was his custom
before going to bed. Turning to Mr..
d. Corson, of No. 8, Bowl
ing Green, in this city, he said: 90 Cor
son, wouldn't you like to come up and
look at the sea 2" Corson replied in
the affirmative, and they started up the
companionway together.
1t was the watch of the first and
third mates, Messrs. Davies and Waller.
These officers were standing together
On the bridge, under a canvas awning
which had been erected especially to
protect them from the weather. The
bridge was very stout, and was braced
with iron stanchions and rails.
When Captain Macdonald and Mr..
Corson reached the deck, the storm was
It its greatest fury. The Captain laugh
ngly dared Mr.. Corson to go with him
Ipon the bridge. Mr.. Corson accepted
he challenge, and the two started for
ward. They had barely reached the
md of the deck-house when the ship
yave sudden lurch to starbosrd. and
Mr. Corson's courage cooled. He said,
. Captain, 1 guess I'll go back, as I've
'niy got my slippers on. " The Cap
ain laughed, and said, "Al right, go
,ack then" Mr.. Corson shouted,
{ Captain, take care of yourself ~ and
e-entered the cabin.
He had hardly seated himself when
le was startled by tremendous crash,
quickly followed by the hoarse yells of
he seamen, "Helpl The Captains
Mr.. Corson sprang up the steps, and
aw at a glance the full extent of the
isaster. A tremendous sea had struck
be bridge beneath the starboard side,
visiting the horizontal iron railing into
perpendicular position, and tearing
be planking up like paper. This broke
be wave, and its crest fell with crash
pom the leeward side of the bridge,
mapping the stanchions and grinding
hat part of the flooring into kindling
Tood. The almost solid mountain of
-ater then bounded off into the sea
gain, staying in two boats and break
lg the main boom, having evidently
1rned a somersault in its passage. 1t
the Captain and Mates,
weeping them far off into the deep.
Startled by the cries of the sailors,
L. Finlay, the second mate, rushed
pom deck in his undershirt and
rawers. He bounded to the taffrail
lst in time to see three black speeks |
In the darkness behind. |
Dreaming to the men to throw out |
1pes and hfe-buoys, he sprang to the
atchwsy and signalled the engineer
} stop the engines. The ship was |
peedily slowed and stopped, and the |
uoys and. ropes were cast into the |
aves, but without avail But the |
nip soon began to pay of in the trough I
the sea, and Mr.. Finlay was COM
elled to order the engines to move
gain slowly. A strict watch was kept |
ut for the lost captain and mates, but (
u chance for rescuing them had gone
they had gone down In mid ocean.
The news of the disaster was care |
lily kept secret from all but the /,
abin passengers. The remainder of
ne night was spent In prayers and (
,ars. Even the bravest refused to oc-
1py their state-rooms, and lay down
/ their clothing in the saloon. Mean
me the gale became a tornado. At |
bout midnight, another wave struck |
le Europa, and the noble vessel trem-
led from stem to stern. The hurri- I
ane continued through the night and
4 day Sunday, Sunday might, and
[onday, the vessel, from necessity, |
Ding under very slow head of steam |
i the time. To add to the terror of
.e night of the disaster, one of the in
'rmediate passengers heard of the
aptain's death, and spread the story /
nong his fellows. Next morning il /
as told to the steerage passengers,
ling them with CONSERVATION. /
kind of mutiny ensued, mass indig- I
alton meeting was held, and a COM
Iittee of two-one member selected |
ON the intermediate and one from the
eerage passengers-was sent to Mr.. (
inlay to demand that he should put (
ito the nearest port. But the cool /
esded, skilful officer quieted them
ter while, and they soon became SO
ell satisfied with the second mates
anagement of the ship that they
ubbed together and raised twelve
ounds sterling, which they gave him
morning with the warmest
Zpressions of their thanks and es-
,em. From the disaster to yesterday,
hen the Europa arrived at this port,
II. Finlay did not sleep twelve full
ours. The bridge was repaired on
Tonday, the 9Th, and Yesterday the
,sual arrival eofolxz of fb;o ,,oy+ Che