The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-11
LIFE ON THE OCEAN WAVE,
Arrival of the Steamship
Oceanic.
A Perilous Voyage from Liverpool-Head winda
and Terrific Seas-Three Blades Of the PropsL
Ter Broken When Six Days 0ut-Conf
dsnce Of the Passengers-Noble Res
cue Of tho Officers and Crew
Of the Mountain Eagle

The fine steamship oceanic, OF the White star
line, arrived at this port yesterday. Her voyage
from Liverpool was perilous one. RumOrs nad
gone abroad that the vessel. having become dis
abled by the great storms which prevailed towardH
the end OF last month had put back to Queenstown.
Others, ascertaning that the vessel was many days
behind her time, were by no means reserved IN exc
pressing the opinion that the oceanic had fOun-
dered, several wrecks having been reported JUST
about the time she was due. The recklessness with
which these assumptions were ventured affords
striking example OF the nonsenscal and utterly alb
suri notions which not unirequently possess tho
minds OF poetcal and incompetent judges OF
the situation. To be sure, terrible gales nave
Of late been sweeping over the broad Atlantic, and
ships that went bouyanty out OF port Will never be-
heard OF again, but when it comes TO passenger
vessels upon whose construction money art and ex-
perience have been lavishiy expended, it Is
A DANGEROUS AFFAIR
to circulate reports calculated TO create alarm.
From the first no really serious apprehension waG
entertained In regard to the Oceanic and although
due several days ago, 1t was confidently an
ticipated that her well known sea-gomg
qualities would enable her to weather anv
storm that might retard hor progress Her
performance during the recent series OF hurr-
canes and terrific seas amply confirms the opinion
long since formed OF her capacity Starting rom
Liverpool on December 81 and from Queenstown the
day AFTER with fortythree cabin passengers and 1873
in the storage, the Oceanic steamed toward the
Empire City For the first few days the weather
was very fair. On Christmas day, however, the
wind rose from south-southwest with heavy sea.
and although the vessel was heavily linden with
freight tine increasing gale seemed TO AFFECT the YES
sci but very little. Running Afterwards head I'd
wind the big steamship poughea her way, heed
less as IL were. OF the
TERRIFIC SEAS
that dashed her sides. Under the circumstances she
proved exceedingly buoyant, and, IN the words Of
one of the passengers 'igllded over the waves Ike
an aldermanic duck" On the day following how
ever an accident occurred that at once tested tho
ability OF the commander and the confidence OF the
passengers In the midst OF o full gale, accompanied
BY mountainous sea, three OF the propeller blades
were broken, only one being lett unharmed IL was
Guilty TO say nothing OF the comparative worthless
ness or setting SAIL Captain Thompson after duly con.
sldering matters frankly Informed tne PASSENGERS Of
his own mind what To do In the premises, cour-
teousy consulted the wishes OF those for whose lives
he was In measure responsible. BY singular
HARMONY OF FEELING
the general response was In consonance with the
desire OF the Commander, In whom the utmost con .
hdence was reposed, and the Oceanic steamed on
her course. Heading to westward sails were set TO
ins the PREVAILING gales that the canvas although
new, was blown to shreds. For days the spacious
deck was covered with binding spray and is was
December 80, when 10 latitude 4s II, longitude
"a 70. the oceanic fell in company with oris-
rugged steamer, bound West Moderate weather,
ensued tor q while, aud on January 8, when in
iaiisude 40 o. longitude 6s 90 brig was sighted 70
down 1t mus, be borne in Kind that the Oceanic
was much disabled. but, Notwithstanding the
urgency OF her mission, the captain nObly bore up
| to the rescue. lie found
| THE SINKING VESSEL
! to be the Mountain Eagle, laden with coal, bound
| ElZaOetn
under water and the sea was washing clean over
Oceanic 6st G IN charge Of Mr. acKo Inc
| Officer Tne captain OF the brig, the mate and I'VE
| seamen, who had been M TO their waists In water
for twenty-iour hours without food, were taken on
! and kindly cared for. SeaIncn usually "call a spade
! spade" and when the log oil the Oceanic sets
iorth that the gales were terrific landsulen may rest
assured that the caves OF Eolus stood wide open.
| Under the circumstances the Oceanic behaved
but Ill ut to encounter bad weather aud heavy
seas Is pretty well reiuted by the buoyancy and
the way was not unattended by imminent dangers
to both officers and men, and the manner In which
COURAGE Of Mr. Bristow, the drst officer and Mr.
Snackbord, the second ocer Is not only creditAbie
10 them. but likewise rebounds to the sound DIS
criminaton Of their employers. As the Oceanic
was coming into port yesterday
MEETING OF THE CABIN PASSENGERS \
was held In the saloon, ana committee, consisting
OF ex-Congressman John Fox, Messrs. q. II. Allen,
U. +. Chsdey, 4. A. Brigham and =. w. Bryant
Captain W. H. THOMPSON well merited the neartiesi
thanks OF the passengers for his franKness In I'M
parting them the disabled condition oil the vesse,
while the highest confidence was reposed In his
character and skill. Tue resolutions also re-
ierred to the humane impuls.s which
and crew OF The Mountain Eagle. high
eulogium was also passed upon the officers Of the
Oceanic for their eiiciency and aithfuness, while
the vessel herself came In for q nigh tribute Of
praise, SO far as her comforts and seawOrthlness
were concerned. Purser Whalels who III the midst
Of all the apparent dangers did wonders to aiay the
anxiety OF the passengers, was sincerely thanked
for his courtesy and gallant bearing throughout
Altogether The voyage oil the Oceanic was evenuu
In It's way and those on board will in years to come
recall this trip with grateful remembrance. The
Will shortly Pough her way through the brlny sea,
and II Is 10 be hoped that necessity Will not cali
forth That courage GOODNESS and precision which,
in any emergency, he ana his officers are well
known to possess. Nearly ali the steamships re.
Gently arrived have experienced very heavy gales.