The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-09-01

SSOrm-Tno burning OF tno stcem.
ship Bienville 1T Sea.
In another place we publish the latest ac-
counts of one of the most appalling disasters
that has occurred on our coast for many years
Fortunately the extent of loss of life incurred
in the wreck of the Metis has not been so large
as was at first estimated; but for this we have
to thank series of fortunate circumstances
which might not be met again in century
On the other hand, the collision and sinking
of the vessel crowded with helpless passen-
gers is an event that may happen again at
any moment with results still more appalling
because it seems as though the necessity for
the adoption of precautions for the preserva-
ton of life must be enforced by terrible calam-
tiles. It would be rash and premature
with the present incomplete and con-
ficting evidence, to lay the blame of the
collision on any individual, but the INSULT
cienoy of the equipment of the steamer Metis
to contend with such an emergency furnishes
us with an explanation of the deplorable loss
of life which ensued, about which there con
be but one opinion. Avoiding all discussion
as to the solidity and sea-worthiness of a
steamer that could be crushed like an egg shell
by very slight collision with small trading
schooner, we have legitimate ground for COM
plant when we find that the vessel is not sup
piled with boats capable of accommodating
one-half of the passengers and crew. Had
the steamer gone down in perfect calm it
would have been impossible to save all the
passengers, because the niggardliness of
wealthy corporation failed to supply few
additional boats. 1t is true that the company
were by no means sparing of the ornamental
life-saving apparatus, those deceptive life
buoys cork beds and other ingenious contriv-
ances to prolong the agony of drowning
wretches but, however comforting these may
be to the sight, experience teaches that, prac-
tically, they are of but slight avail. Their
uses are temporary and in no case can they
safely be allowed to replace the lifeboat. In
this latter absolutely necessary equipment the
Metis seems to have been almost entirely want
ing; for, while she nominally possessed four
lifeboats, the role they played in the disaster
shows that they were little better than sham,
so far as being useful for saving the lives of
the passengers. If they were available for this
purpose at oil the fact seems to have been for
gotten by those in command of the Metis If
these lifeboats were worth anything they ought
to have furnished the safest means of reach
ing the shore, which was at no great
distance, and as matter of hui
mainly should have been placed at the
service of the women and children; but in tho
confusion and Generalization caused by the
collision it appears that a portion of the crew
and few of the male passengers appropriated
the boats, thinking only Of their own safety
This conduct was all the less defensible, be-
cause the nearness Of the shore and the GER
tainty of help being at hand as soon as the
morning light should appear left no excuse for
the supreme selfshness, which, in mid-ocean,
where none but the strong could reasonably
hope to survive unavoidable hardships, might
be pardonable.
We have the safe arrival of one lfeboat
chronicled. 1t bore to the shore number of
deck hands and male passengers, but not one
helpless woman or child. One can scarcely
repress q movement of indignation at the cow
ardly selfshness of these creatures in the form
of men. In imagination we hear the cry of
anguish of helpless women as the infants they
chung to with love strong even in death were
swept from their benumbed embrace and lost
forever in the watery waste We can imagine the
pale faces of women turned up despairingly and
help'essly amid the awful gloom of the dark
waters, vainly seeking for q friendly arm to
rescue them from watery grave, while these
contemplate fellows are rowing away with the
noble aim of saving their worthless selves.
Fortunately for humanity this is the dark side
of the picture, and there were not wanting
gallant men to step into the post OF danger
and strive to shield the weak and helpless
from the danger by which they were sur
rounded. If it were not 80 the list of victims
would have been terribly increased. The
number of women saved in spite
of the carrying off of at least some
of the lifeboats is proof that the
cowardly and the selfish were, after all, but
a very small minority among the passengers.
While it is matter for congratulation that
the loss of life has not been so great as was at
first supposed, it is regrettable that the care
lessness and indifference of great corporations
expose the public hourly to similar disasters.
1t is q debatable question whether an occur
renee like the collision Of the Metis and the
schooner Nettie Gushing can be properly
looked upon as on accident. That is point
which must be settled when fuller and more
reliable information is at hand; but the
loss of life which results from an INSULT
cent supply Of lifeboats must be blamed on
criminal neglect of the safety of the passengers
for which the company alone are responsible.
Calamites like the loss of the Metis are suff-
GENTLY frequent to demand that no precaution
| for the safety of life shall be neglected on