National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1872-11-08
Another Holoeaust nj Sea.

Tho perils Of those who "go down Il
the sea In ships" are receiving striking
illustration. The burning OF tho Blcn,
vile, which has been chronicled NC
lately. has now its sister horror IN the
news which comes to us from Key West
of the destruction by fire of tho Atlantic
Mail Company's steamer Missouri OF
Abaco. Bahamas, In gale Of wind. We
can calculate the extent OF the disaster by
tho appalling number of lives sacrificed,
aud the amount of valuable property de-
stroyed. Out Of eishty-eight souls but
twelve are reported saved, leaving list
of seventy-six to DO added to the dismal
catalogue OF victims Of the flames or the
waves which have had such plentiful addi.
tions of late. This list includes all the
officers. The Missouri sailed from New
York, having been, 1t is stated, overhanlcd
and certified by the United States inspec-
tors since the loss,of tho Metis, which oc-
cured in August last. But certificates did
not avail her. Whatever virtues they
may possess do not overcome tho FAULT
ness Demonstration which makes YES
sci at once bonfire when the torch OF
flame Is applied. We learn that the fire
was discovered in the pantry at nine A.
NJ, an hour when everybody on board
the doomed steamer was astr. The GER
tiicate did not provide ready hose and
a plentiful supply O. .ter, apparently,
or else it did not pre-, he pantry from
flaming up like pine Knot before water
could be of avail.
We do not know what measures were
taken to save the vessel, so, in mercy to
the dead, We must wait before passing
but we are told what was at
toward the saving oflife. There
we're six boats. Three OF these when |
lowered capsized, and two of them were
burned beside the vessel. From the
wildness OF the sea, which was on at the
lime, this capsizing was to be expected.
Tor, in addition to the nervousness which
often seizes men in such moments de.
all their coolness, there is to
be taken into consideration the fact that
.he crews OF such vessels are generally
instructed in the rapid lowering Of the
boats and their management in heavy
sea. 1t is apparent, indeed, that but
'or the GOODNESS ard intrepidity of
Mr.. Culner, not n living be-
ng would have survived to tell the tale.
The sixth boat lay uon the deck with
'ut davits or tackle - lower her proper
y. She was Lowered, however, and this
heroic man took thepainter in his hand
md jumped OVERHEARD as soon as the
BOAT was launched. He then swan to
he boat, and having got into it, pulled
Ter alongside and so allowed eleven
elbow beings to Jon him. He knew
low to manage boain the surf, and so
,ioted to the shore he only remnant of
he vessels living cayo.
When the Austrian steamer, the -.
london, went down the Bay of Bis
'ay, with Brooke, til tragedlan, among {
he great number lot, it was by the
ofjust sua man in manag.
ng boat that the fey survivors wealth. v
red out the fearful tmpest that ragged. 8
There were ample acomodations for all /
n the boats of the Missouri; but, some n
low, the boats seldm save anybody. i
hey are fixed up, hing on The davits =
nd might as we'll be ieves, for all the
God they do in savin life in such mo. n
lent as came to IL Missouri. The P
rews know nothing-ittle or nothing 8
bout their management, and then when tc
fe is lost in scores ne companies lay W
he blame to Providece. AS with the hi
fe preservers of the let's, the certif-
ates only father frld. 1t is melan ye
holy, indeed, to refebon these things. n!
We shall have an inqiry,no doubt; but IL IL
here is little to be eDected therefrom, ~
Mess in insistance o: compliance with
ertain mechanical coalitions, the higher
man, whosuperintends all, RI
hall be, in every deartment. capable al al;
t doing his duty undr the most trying VI VI
Among those lost O. the occasion was
olonel Evans, late aent of the Associ- al
ted Press in San Flncisco. We can
ut dimly guess at Il horrors of the 70,
,ene which saw the s'rmy waters en- ls
ulf what the flames roed to devour on Sic
at fatal morning; h. if any lesson Il. Il,
IN be learned from he miseries We
lould take care that lis needed. N Y.
,uDer