The Republican journal., 1873-07-17
The City of WASHINGTON.

the following farther accounts from Hall
fax, Friday, Of the wrecked steamer: The
steamerM. A. Starr, returned Friday morn
ing from the wreck of the City of Wash
ington, bringing all the cabin passengers,
about 800 of the Storage passengers and
DIR. Wilson the surgeon OF the ship, and
several stewards. All the steerage pas
sengers and ID of the cabin passengers
were transferred to the steamer Falmouth
which sailed tor Portland at 8 A. NJ
The Storage passengers were very
cheerful under the circumstances, and
took their misfortunes in good part. Man i.
were dreadtully sunburnt from exposure
in camping out at Port lie Bar Capt
Phillips and his officers and crew will re-
main at the wreck till all the Storage
passengers are sent here
Capt. Sheridan has arrived with his
divers at the wreck, and begun operations
tor saving the cargo. R. B. Seaton, one
OF the agents of the line, is also at the
wreck, looking after the interests of the
company. 1t is thought the greater por-
ton OF the cargo will be recovered,
though damaged. All will probably be
brought to Halifax. The cabin passengers
speak in terms of praise OF the kindness
of James Harding of Port lie Bar, at
whose house they were so comfortably
cared for, while awaiting the arrival of
the Starr. On leaving him, they present
ed him with purse in token of their APP
probation OF his conduct.
Capt. Doane of the steamer Starr, saws
the scene at the wreck when the vessel
broke, was one of extreme peril for the
officers and crew, who We're on board of
her at the time. The crash as the i'm
mense hull broke in two was fearful, and
struck the beholders on the deck of the
Starr with awe
After the ship parted the M. A. Starr
went around to Port lie Bar Harbor. Here
Capt. Doane lett his steamer and travelled
on foot five miles to where the passengers
were encamped. He advised Capt Phillips
to get the passengers to walk to Port lie
Bar Harbor AZ that was the only place
where they could be embarked. The
steam tug Daisy brought the cabin pas
sengers around from the wreck to the M.
A. starr, and after the Storage passen-
gers had footed it over the country to La
Bar Harbor, fishing boats were employed
to put them on board the steamer with the
assistance of her own boats, all of which
was successfully accomplished by four P.
NJ. Thursday, when the steamer started
for Halifax with her precious freight.
The only statement Capt. Philips made
was to Capt Doane, which was in effect
that he could only account for the acct
dent by the compasses being out of order,
as he had not obtained an observation that
he could rely upon during the whole voy-
age. and therefore could not correct the
deviation and local attraction He saw
nothing to indicate the change in the wa
ter till the ship struck; he thought that
when the steamer first touched ground
she was on the south part of Georges
shoal. He got his boat down and went
on shore to ascertain his exact position
and If he could land the passengers,
Pilots were then procured who aided tie
officers and crew in landing passengers,
which was speedily and successfully &C.
cOmplished
STATEMENT OF COL. PARNELL.
Lieut. Col Parnell, u. S. A.-who dur
ing the war, was in command of the
Fourth New York Cavalry, = severely
criticised the inefficiency of the officers of
the ship. His statement was, that after
the fifth day out, a dense fog obscured the
sun, lifting only occasionally, that obser-
lifted, that bulletin board was posted on
deck every day for the benefit of the pas
sengers, but that for days together the
same latitude was posted, with the COM
pass N. NJ. w. The passengers considered
this farce, as it was impossible to remain
on given line, while constantly sailing
away from it. There were two intelli-
gent Swedish shipmasters among the cab
in passengers, who were well acquainted
with the course. across the Atlantic, but
who were told to mind their own business,
when they suggested the impossibility of
continuing on given course, when all the
while sailing away from it. On the morn
ing of the day the Inflated steamer struck,
seaweed was seen floating by, and the Of
ticer in charge was asked if that did not
betoken near approach of land He re-
Piled ono! that they were in the gulf
stream where seaweed was always found. :"
Al twenty minutes to 2, just after lunch,
the snip struck with two distinct shocks,
ana with heavy tremor, and began to
settle. All who were below at once rushed
on deck, and scene of the widest ex-
element ensued. Children chung Shrek
ing to their parents; women cried, MANY
of them falling to their knees in PRAYER.
many rushed wildly to and fro; and for a
while it was impossible to restore order
As soon as the ship struck, the sailors
became demoralized, and it was some lit
tie time before the officers could sufficient
ly command obedience and give the sig
nails of distress. Three guns were fired,
the whistle blown and the bell rung, but
no attempt was made to land the boats,
nor was there any distribution OF life pre-
servers. The vessel at this time was en-
veloped in dense fog and the sea was
perfectly calm, to which latter eircum-
stance the safety OF all on board may be
attributed. Shortly after the guns were
fired, boat containing Cornelius Swan
burg and William Furgeson was sesn ap-
preaching the vessel from the shore, and
was hailed at once by the captain of the
steamer, who asked them where they