The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-03-14
FIRST Z EDITION
TERRIBLE CASUALTY AT SEA.
The Disaster to the Europa.
The MetbOdi'ts and the State.
Gifts Not to be Accepted.
The Small pox in London.
Oxygen Explosion in Wilmington.
Rtc., Etc.. Etcs. ETC.. CSC.
TERRIBLE STORM AT SEA.

Loss Of the Captain aim ard R Mates Of the steam-
The steamship Europa sailed from Glasgow
for this port on the 25th of February, with 1875
steerage and 10 cabin passengers. She expe-
rienced squally weather during the first few days,
which increased to a strong gale from the west,
with sleet and heavy cross sea on March 1.
Next day Thursday at noon another strong
gale blew up from the south-southwest, accom-
panied by heavy cross sea.
At II P. M. the wind checked to the west, fol-
lowed by another gale from west-north west,
with heavy cross seas. This continued all night,
but on the next morning another fresh gale
sprang up from the west, which necessitated the
double reefDg of all the sails. Towards evening
the gale increased in fury, and the vessel was
put under very slow steam.
The scene at o'clock was awful. The vessel
had reached latitude 4S 80 north and longitude
SO so west. 1t was dark as pitch, the horizon
being overcast, and the air was chilly with the
driving sleet and the dashing spray. The wind
whisted through the rigging, and rushed
against the sides of the ship, which groaned
and shivered at every blow. In all directions
foam crested waves from seventy to eighty feet
ran roaring upon the gallant vessel, threatening
to crush her, but she rode like a duck.
At about twenty-five minutes past o'clock
Captain Macdonald drew out his watch aud
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.. Alexander
d. Corson, of No. Bowling Green, in this city,
he said "Corsen, wouldn't you like to come up
and take a look at the sea ?' Corson replied in
the affirmative, and they started up the COM
panion-way 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 strong iron
stanchions and rails.
When Captain Macdonald aud Mr.. Corson
reached the deck the storm a its tact
fury. The captain laughngly dared Mr.. Corson
to go with him upon the bridge. Mr.. Corson
accepted the challenge, and the two started for
ward. They had barely reached the end of the
deck-houee when the ship gave
SUDDEN LURCH TO sTARBoARD,
and Mr.. Corson's courage cooled He said,
Captain, guess I'll 90 back, as I've only got
my slippers on" The captain laughed, and
said, 'All right; go back, then" Mr.. Corson
shouted, Captain, take care of yourself" and
re-entered the cabin.
He had hardly seated himself when he was
startled by p tremendous crash, quickly followed
by the hoarse yells of the seamen "Helpl The
captains overheard J"
Mr.. Corson sprang up the steps and saw at
glance the full extent of the disaster. A tre-
mendous sea had struck the bridge beneath the
starboard side twisting the horizontal iron rail-
ing into perpendicular position, and tearing
the planking up like paper. This broke the
wave, and its crest fell with crash upon the
leeward side of the bridge, swapping the stan
into kindling wood. The almost solid mountain
of water then bounded off into the sea again,
staving in two boats and breaking the main
boom, having evidently turned a somersault in
its passage. 1t -ye-e ava te.rl ..,l-.---. r
wHELMED THE CAPTAIN AND MATES,
sweeping them far off into the deep.
Startled by the cries of the sailors, Mr.. Finlay,
the second mate, rushed upon deck In his under
shirt and drawers. He bounded to the taffrail
Just in time to see three black specks disap-
peariDg in the darkness behind. Screaming to
the men to throw out ropes and life-buoys, he
sprapg to the hatchway and signalled the engi-
neer to stop the engine. The steamer was
speedily slowed and stopped, and the buoys and
ropes were cast into the waves but without
avail. But the ship soon began to pay off in
the trough of the sea, and Mr.. Finlay was COM
PEELED to order the engines to move again slowly.
strict watch was kept out for the lost captain
and mates, but all chance for rescuing them had
gone--they had gone down in mid ocean.
CAPTAIN MACDONALD
was a native of Greenoek, about thirty-three
years of age, and unmarried. His mother is
living in Greenoek, and dependent upon her
son for support. lie was captain fifteen years.
during six of which he was In the employ OF
the Anchor Line. He had command of the
Caledonia at drst, and after her three initiatory
voyages was transferred to the Europa, which
vessel he commanded to the day of his death
He was we'll known in Glasgow, having for a
long time been engaged in the coasting trade
there. He was the most popular captain on the
line.
MR.. DAVIES, THE FIRST MATE,
was Scotchman, a native of Glaigow, and un-
married. He was but thirty years of age, and a
very efficient officer. He was the man whose
case created such widespread interest about a
| year ago. in connection with the ill-fated Hi
| hernia. He was one of the victims of that dis
aster, and was picked up half dead in an open
| boat on the coast of the north of Ireland six
teen days afterward, his only companion being a
dead womans rs -
Mr.. Waller, the third mate, was Scotchman
also, but twenty-four years of age, and con-
sidered very able seaman. He was formerly
| connected with vessels plying to and from the
| Mediterranean. This was his second trip In the
employ of the Anchor Line.-N p Sun, TO-DAY.
| SIMILAR ACCIDENTS
1t is very seldom indeed that a ship is de
| pTiyed of all her officers at one time vet such a
| case has occurred before the accident to the
| Europa. A great many years ago the Black
| Ball packet ship Columbia, Captain Rathbon
was on her voyage from New York to Liver,
pool, when one night, just as the midnight
! watches were being changed, and all of the
| officers were on deck, she was popped by a very
heavy sea, which swept all OF them overheard
| carry ing away also the mizzen mast of the ship
In this case there was not soul left on board
who understood navigation, although she wal
. full of passengers, The sailors cleared away
| the wreck, and cared for the safety of the ship