The New York herald., 1872-12-14

RIO JANEIRO Nov 5, 1872
The French steamer Senegal, Of the Messageries
Maritmes line, arrived here yesterday from Monte
video bringing intelligence OF the loss OF the Paciao
steamship Tacora, on the Uruguayan coast at a
point 200 miles to the northeast of MontevideO. on
the night or the 2Sth OF October.
Although the Senegal did not leave Montevideo
until the 3lst OF October and many of the passen-
gers OF the Tac0ra had then reached Montevide0,
yet the details are very meagre, even Messrs. E. p
Wilson Co., the agents OF the Pacific line at this
place, not having received line or word concern
ing the disaster. am able, however, to give few
items concerning the matter, which shall send by
the Senegal, which sails for Bordeaux in the morn
ing.
OCEAN RACE COMPETITION.
The AcOncagua and Tacora, both new steamers
OF the old Pacific line. and the White Star steamer
Republic, OF the new Pacific line, were due here
from Europe on the 10th, 23d and 25th OF October,
respectively, and an unusual amount OF interest
felt in their arrival, inasnuch as the first two
were new steamers and competing with the Re
public, the pioneer steamer OF the new l1ne
The Tacora came into port on the morning OF
Thursday October "a, and as the Aconcagua had not
arrived preparations ere made to despatch the
Tacora Immediately and anticipate as much time
OF the competing steamer Republic as possible, the
Taeora being already one day ben behind ~ tine nt sne
sea at twelve O'Clock on the night OF the 24th. The
Republic came in at twelve O'Clock noon on Friday,
twelve O'Clock noon OF the 26th, Saturday.
Both steamers were bound to Monteydep, and and
thence, via the Straits OF Magellan, to the Pacific
coast, Valparaiso and Callao
ON THE REEF.
dark and somewhat "thick, y the Tacora suddenly
and without the slightest warning, struck on
portion OF the island of PametOs crushing in her
hull to such an extent that her fires were eXtln-
guished almost instantly. and with the remaining
power OF which her engines were equal she was
THE ISLAND or PALMEros
is not far distant from shore, and is sixty miles to
the east Of Cape , santa snst li Maria which &c th well
Maldonado, and $50 miles to the north aud east Of
'A'-'' NAVAL AND OTHER AID.
AS soon as possible information OF the disaster
was sent to Montevideo, and the English sloop-of-
boat Pert, Commander Charles G. Jones, X N, left
for the scene OF the wreck and with such other as
sstance as could be obtained all the passengers.
the mails and portion Of the cargo were safely
taken from the Tacora. The steamer now lies
firmly on the beach with no probability OF her re-
moval. A pampero liable at any moment to arise,
would destroy her utterly in twelve hours.
CONCERNING THE CAUSE.
anv deanltyeness OF Certainty oI the causes which
led to this unusually unfortunate AFFAIR. Captain
Stuart, who commanded the Tacora, Is considered
one of the most efficient commanders in the Pacific
line, and his speciality in this trade may, perhaps,
considered mis- acssgrEe y oa1s and %
s ns ha
ohd officer, at this time, was Mr.. G. II. Brough,.
most efficient officer and aiiable gentleman, who
bringing out in most satisfactory manner tue
fine steamer Santiago, OF this line, to run on the
seems to have more than any other cauS-
ing the disaster is this
BETTER LIGHT
was to be established Cape Santa Maria, and
the lighthouse was finished and notification given
in all the proper channels that this light would be
formally exposed on the last week In June; but, by
reason OF some mistake in its construction, three
days before the time appointed for the exposure
light was known in Montevideo and along the
coast here afterwards. Notice OF the failure
OF the light made by the English Admiralty on
August Is last, and 1t certainly seems as though
any navigator coming here would naturally have.
become familiar with the fact The presumption,
however, is that the officers, navigator, Of the
Tacora were unaware OF the non-existence or the
light. and were really running for IT, being perhaps
set to landward also by two or three knot south
erly or southwesterly current. The very absence
OF light when expected would, however, amply
give cause tor the disaster. '
1t Is presumed also tnat the Tacora was running
close In shore, comparatively, to enable her to
make better time, this being her first trip, and
with the Repubc-her first trip also-ol com
petng line, Immediately behind her, 1t was mat
ter OF much moment that she should at least
reach the Pacific ports ahead OF the Republic.
Although the Republic came IN on the 25th OF Oct0-
ber, heavily laden, having on board more than l0ur
thousand tons Of cargo and fair passenger list,
an aaa n az 1 and at the Pacific ports many thou
sand pounds sterling mad been staked on the re-
suits OF the voyages.
was a new, fine, triple masted screw steamer, and
was built by Messrs. John Elder Co., on the
Clyde She was fine Ship and, though built
with more reference to her cargo capacity than
passenger accommodation, she had yet arrange
ments for passengers by which large number
might have been accommodated In the most per-
1ect manner. The saloon, which was at the after
end OF the main deck, had staterooms leading from
it on each side, was about one hundred feet in
length, and finished, decorated and equipped in
the best style. and with all the latest improve
ments. The engines OF the compound pat
tern, and, l think, were OF 500 nominal horse
power, but capable OF indicating $500. She could
carry nearly or quite 500 tons OF coal and when ae
full steaming power consumed OH an average nlty
to ffty-five tons per day. The gross register ton
mage was 1000 tons, and she was able to carry
cargo up to 3,7O0 tons. Her length over all was
42S feet and 39l feet the water line with
breadth Of Al feet and depth OF IS feet.
Both the Aconcagua and the Tacora were OF the
highest class and their performance was looked
forward to by mercantile and nautical men Wild
eager interest; and now, the former broken down
so as TO make her a week behind time to this port,
and the latter lies probably helpless wreck ON
fha al nf