Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-02-07

The fine steamship Oceanic, Of tho White Il
Star Line, arrived At this port yesterday.
Hsr voyage from Liverpool was perilous
one. Rumou had gone abroad that the u
vessel, having become disabled BY the great d
storms which prevailed towards the end Of o
last month, had put back 10 Queenstown. d
Others, aIcsrtaining that the vessel was
many days beyond her time, were By no /.
means reserved IN expressing the opinion .
that the Ooeanic had iouadsred, several
wrecks having been reported just about the /
time she was due. The reckIessness with I
which these assumptions were venturod
affords striking example Of the nonssusi-
cal and utterly absurd notions which not
unfrequently possess the minds OF poetioAI
and incompetent judges of the situation.
To be sure, terrible gales have, OF late, been
sweeping over the broad Atlantic, and ships
that went buoyanily out Of port will never
be heard OF again, bat when It comes TO
passenger vessels, upon whose construction
money, art and experience have been lavishly
expended, is is a dangerous affair 10 eircu
late reports calculated to create alarm,
From the frat no really serious apprehsn-
sion was entertained in regard 20 the
Oceanic, and although due several days
ago, 1t was ooohdently anticipated that her
wsll.known ssa-going qualities would enable |
her TO weather any storm that nigh, re,Ard |
her progress. Her performance during the /
reoeu, series Of hurricanes and terrific seas
amply coa6rms the opinion loug slice |
formed Of her capacity.
Starting from Liverpool on December II
and from Queenstown the day after, with As
cabin passengers aud 1873 in the s,eerAge,
the Oceanic steamed toward tho Empire
City. For the first few days the weather
was very fair. On Christmas day, however,
the wind rose from south south vsat, with 9
heavy sea, aud although the vessel was
hsAvily laden with frsighs, the increasing
gale seemed 20 affect the vessel but
very little. Running afterwards head TO
wind, the big steamship ploughed her way,
needless, as II were, OF the terrific seas
that dashed her sides. Under the circum-
stances che proved exceedingly buoyani,
and, in the words Of one OF tho passengers,
"glidsd over The waves like an alderin anc
duck Ou ths day following, however, an
Aeciden, occurred that at once tested the
ability Of the commander and the conf.
deuee Of the passengers. In the midst of
full gale, Acco panied by \ mountainous sea,
three OF tho propeller blades we're broken
only one being left unframed. Ii was a
very setious predicAment, considering the
difficulty, 70 say nothing Of the compare
tive worIhlessuess Of setting sail. Captain
Thompson, after duly considering matters,
frankly informed the passengers OF the
state OF affairs, and. although having made
up his own mind what TO do in the pre- nj
SEES, courteously consulted the wishes OF
those for whose lives be was in measure
responsible. BY n singular harmony Of
feeling, the general response was IN con
sonauoe with the desire Of the commander
IN whom the utmost confidence was reposed
Aad the OceLuic steamed on her course.
Heading 10 westward, sails we're set to as
stat the ship, bu, the squalls were so terrific
during the prevailing gales, that the canvas,
although new, was blown 90 shreds. Foi
days the spacious deck vas covered with
binding spray, aud il was with no little
difficulty that other .AiIs were SET De
cember 30, when in latitude - II, lougi
tude 80 %, the Oceanic fell 10 company
with = brig-rizged steamer, bouud vest
Moderate weather ensued for while, and
on January s, when 10 latitude 80 o., and
In longitude 60 -, n brig was sighted e
the northwest, with colors dying Union
Jack down. /, must be borne ia mind thai
the Oceanic was much disabled, bnt, not
viIhaianding the urgency Of her mission
the captain nobly bore up to the rescue.
de found the sinking vessel 70 DO tbs
Mountain Eagle, laden with coal, bound
from Elizabeth 10 Portland Hsr deck val
foot under water, aud the sea was wash
Jog clean over her A boat was promptly
launched from the Oceanic, in charge o
Mr.. shsokford, the second officer Th,
captain Of the brig, tao mate and We sea
men, who had been up TO their waists il
water for tWea,y.tour, without food
were taken of and kiudl,
cared Tor. Ssamsn usually zeal
AspAde spade and when tho log Of tbu
Oceanic sets forth that the gales we're terri
&c, lAhdameu may rest assured that tn
caves Of Eolus stood vide open. L nie
the circumstances the Oceanic bshayet
splendidly, aud the idea that vessel sue
a. she, Is but ill.hJ to encounter bad wsAIhs
aud heavy seas u pretty well reiuted by IN
buoyancy aud capabilities which she dis
played. The voyage, by the way, was NO
unattended BY imminent danger TO both obi
cers and men, and the manner IN shic
some Of the passengers speak Of tbs visi
lance and courage Of Mr.. Bri,t1w, toe frs
officer. and ar. Shackford, the second 9th
Ger, Is not only crsdiiabs 10 them, bu
likewise rebounds TO the sound discrimins
ton OF their employers. AS the Ocesnt
vas coming into porI yesterday, a mesuui
Of the cabin passengers was held 10 tn,
saloon, and q committee consisting Of eK
Congressman John Fox, Messrs. G. II
Allen, O. f. Chisdey, +. A. Brigham and J.
". Brysat drew mp a series Of resolution
20 the effect that Captain W. II. Thompson
well merited the hsariieH thanks OF IN
passengers for his frankness IN impsriin
90 them the disabled condition Of the vesss
while the highest condolences was reposed u
his character AM skill The rssolaio on
also referred to the humane impulses who
he manifested in rescung the officers an
crew Of the Mountain Eagle. a hig
eulogium was also passed upon the officer
Of tbs Oceanic fsr their efficiency and faith
fitness, while the vessel herself came in f.
high tribute Of praise, so far as her con
forts and ssAworthiness we're concerned
Parser WhalerB, who 10 the midst Of all Oh
apparent danger did wonders to sllay th
Anxistiss OF the passengers was siuceiel
thanked for his courtesy and gallant bea
ing throughout Altogether, the voyage {
the Oceanic was evsntful in its way, an
those on board will ia years to come rsca
this trip with q grateful remsm beranc,
The steamship Atlantic, in command I
Captain Perry, will shortly plough her va
through the briny sea, and it is to be hope
that hocssliIy will not call forth that courag
GOODNESS and precision, which, in any enc
gency, he and his officers are well knou
10 possess. Nearly all the steamship
recently arrived have experienced vel
heavy gales.-Ner York Herald, Jan. IL
The growth and increase Of wealth
this State ia unprecedented in the bisto