The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-11-11
Another Holocaust ut Sea.

AuullAbA LNANNfAu1N tAt twas
The perils of those who Ego down to
the SEQ in ships" are receiving striking
illustration. The burning Of the Bien-
vile, which has been chroniCled so
lately. has now It's sister horror IN the
news which comes to US from Key West
Of the destruction by fire Of the Atlantic
Mail Company's steamer Missouri off
Abaco, Bahamas, in a gallo of wind. We
can calculate the extent Of the disaster by
the appalling number Of lives sacrificed,
and the amount Of valuable property de-
stroyed. Out of eishty-eight ssuls but
twelve are reported saved, leaving list
Of Geyenty-six to be added to the dismal
catalogue OF victims of the flames or the
waves which have had such plentiful addi>
tons of late. This list includes all the
officers. The Missouri sailed from New
York, having been, it is stated, overhaulOd
and certified by the United States inspec-
tors since the loss OF the Metis, which oc-
cured in August last. But certificates did
not avail her. Whatever virtues they
may possess do not overcome the faulti-
ness OF construction 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 astir. The cor
titicate did not provide q ready hose and
a plentiful supply of water, apparently,
or else It did not prevent the pantry from
flaming up like pine knot before water
could be Of avail. ~
Wodo not know what measures were
taken to save the vessel, so, in mercy to
the dead, we must wait before passing
Judgment; hut We are told what was at.
tempted toward the saving ollie. There
were six boats. Three OF these when
lowered capsized, and two OF them were
burned beside the vessel. From the
wildness OF the seq, which was on ut tho
time, this clpsizing was to be expected,
for, inaddition to the nervousness which
often seizes men in such moments de.
handing all their GOODNESS, there is to
be taken into consideration the fact that
the crews OF such vessels are generally
uninstrueted in the rapid lowering Of the
boats mud their management in a heavy
sea. II is apparent, indeed, TINT but
for the GOODNESS and intrepidity OF u
passenger, Mr.. Culmer, not a living be.
ing would have survived to tell the tale.
The sixth boat lay upon the deck with.
out dayits or tackle to lower her proper.
ly. She was lowered, however, and this
heroic man took tho painter in his hand
and jumped overheard as soon as the
boat was launched. He then swan to
the boat, and having got into it, pulled
her alongside and SO allowed eleven
fellow beings to join him. He knew
how 10 manage boat in the surf, and so
piloted to the shore tho only remnant OF
the VESSELS living cargo.
Wien the Australian steamer, the
London, went down in the Bay OF Bis
cay, with Brooke, tho trngedian, among
the-grent number lost, it was by tho
knowledge ofiust such man in manag.
ing q boat that the few survivors wealth.
cred ont the fearful tempest that ragged.
There were ample Accommodations for all
in the boats Of the Missouri; but, some.
how, the boats seldom save anybody.
They are fixed up, hung on tho davits,
and might MS well be sleeves, for all tho
good they do in saving life in such mo.
ment rs came to the Missouri. Tho
crows know nothing-little or nothing
about their management, and then when
life Is lost in scores the companies lay
the hlame to Providence. AS with the
life preseryers OF the Metis, the certif-
Gates only father fraud. II is melan
choly, indeed, to reflect on these things.
We shall have m inquiry,no doubt; but
there Is little to be expected therefrom,
unless in insistancc on compliance with
certain mechanical conditions, tho higher
machine, man, who superintends all,
shall be, in every department, capable
OF doing hisduty under the most trying
circumstances.
Among those lost on tho occasion was
Colonel Evans, late agent Of the Associ.
ated Press in San francisco. We can
but dimly guess ut tho horrors OF the
scene which saw the stormy waters en-
gull what the flames roared to devour on
that fatal morning; but If any lesson
can be learned from tho miseries We
should take care that It's heeded.-MK.
PptT.