Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1873-04-08
TERRIBLE DISASTER.
LOSS OF THE STEAMER ATLANTIC.
562 Paonle Drowned.

Atlantic, of the White Star Line, from Liver
pool March 20, for New York, running short
of coal made for Halifax. When about twenty
miles from port, off Cape Prospect, at 2:3O this
morning, she ran ashore On Meagher's Head.
She had on board over 1000 men women and
children, only $50 Of whom succeeded in land
ing The remainder, including all the women
and children, were lost. The captain and third
officer were saved ; the first officer was drown
ed.
Third officer Brady arrived in this city this
| evening. lie says the Atlantic left Liverpool
| March 20, with upwards of 900 Storage pas
sengers and about so cabin passengers The
steamer experienced boisterous weather during
the passage, but all went we'll until noon of
| Monday 3lst, when the supply of coal became
nearly exhausted, and the captain determined
| to put into Halifax.
The Captain and third officer were on deck
| until midnight. The position was then Judged
to be Sambro light bearing N. N. w. SO miles.
The Captain then went into his chart room,
leaving orders to be called If there was any
change in the vessels position.
Brady went to bed about the same time as
the Captain. The next thing be remembers is
that he was thrown out Of his bunk and felt the
deck, and found the Captain and officers there
and the deck full of passengers. He got an
axe and commenced to clear away boat The
Captain and officers were busy doing the same
thing.
Brady got his boat out and put two women
in it, A number Of men attempted to get into
it, and about dozen succeeded. Just at that
moment the steamer fell over on her beam ends
and sunk. Only one boat had been got out,
and that was carried down by the steamer and
all in it lost.
Brady scrambled into the mizzsu rigging,
which was above water, and seeing he could do
nothing there, went forward and unrove the
halyards, being assisted by Quartermasters
Speakman and Owen. Brady then took the
halyards and all three swan to the rock. A
line was hauled ashore and number of mas
sengers landed by it,
A number had got Oh the rock, but as the
tide was rising their position was no better than
on the vessel. Just then fishermen on shore
came out in boats and rescued those on the
rock and large number from the rigging.
Brady remained at the scene until noon to-
Gay, when all who we're alive on board had been
saved, except the chief officer. Mr. Firth, who
was 10 the rigging shouting for help.
Brady says be tried to get the crew to 60 to
the-rescue of Firth, but the sea was SO heavy
$50 persons were saved, including Captain
Williams, also fourth officer Brown, the Doctor
and several of the engineers and sailors. Not
single woman or Guild was saved. Most Of
them, as well as hundreds Of the men were
drowned 10 their berths The steamer struck
about o'clock In the morning. The weather
at the time was dark. but not thick, and til e
sea rough.
Steamers are going down tonight to render
what assistance they possibly can. All saved
from the wreck with the exception of Brady are
still at Prospect where the fishermen are giving
them all the attention they possibly can.
John Foxley, chief engineer of the Atlantic
Gays: The vessel struck on rock at 3:15 A.
NJ, on the lst inst, and commenced to keel
over the port side, the sea breaking over the
ship and the vessel filing pidly; all the female
passengers, who were asleep at the time the
ship struck, we're prevented from coming on
deck By the seas washing over the ship and ill
ing her; some OF the passengers got 10 the life
boats, the davit falls being cut away to allow
the boats to float clear of the davits, 10 expecta-
ton Of getting clear of the vessel by that means
but the sea broke on board and washed the
greater portion Of the passengers who were in
the boats out; the boats were stove, and those
Who ventured 10 them persisted the third Of
ficer, Mr. Brady. and two qugrtermasters swan
ashore with small Inns, which enabled great
number Of the passengers and crew to get on
shore. l got On the rock soon afterwards, and
also Robert Herring, second John Hodgsou,
third VIM. Patterson, fourth Samuel Davis,
sixth, and Rob't McEarlin, seventh engineers
and we and others OF the crew and passengers
assisted others to proceed from the vessel to the
rock a great many of the people were drown
ed while coming from the vessel to the rock by
the rope. the cold was so intense that some of
them, being benumbed, were unable to hold
on to the rope. and they let go and we were uu-
able to render them any assistance, the rock
| that We we're on was covered with sea weed,
which made it very dangerous to stand upon,
and its edges were round ; all on the rock be-
ing soaking wet and cold, were unable TO rem
| der any assistance to those who were 10 the
greatest peril numbers Of them we're washed
off the wreck and drownsd, and number who
were trying to get from the rock to the island
| by the line, were also washed from it and drown
ed we could perceive people filling from the
ships side and rigging three boats, which were
carried across the island rendered assistance 10
carrying passengers aud crew from the vessel
and the rock to the shore; several persons who
became completely exhausted, laid down on the
| rock and died some Of the passengers became
maniacs,, foamed at the mouth, and tottered a.
bout like children we were very kindly receiv-
ed and treated by the people on the shore; at
! IL clock the same morning the ship was break
| ing up and the cargo washing ashore eorpses
we're also washed within reach; We started at
o'clock yesterday afternoon for Halifax, and
arrived in town at II P. NJ, where we were
we'll cared for.
Fifth Engineer Thomas Grant Urqaehart, be-
| longing to Dumfries. Scotland, is among the
| drowned.
HEARTRENDING INCIDENTS.
| Incidents of toe most heartrending character
occurred. A little fellow, the only child saved
from the wreck, rushed up on deck with the
stream of passengers when the first alarm was
| given. His parents and other meulbe of his
family were still below. They persisted when
the ship filed and fell over on her side. Hust-
led about along with that struggling mass Of ex-
cited humanity, the piteous screams Of the poor
! little fellow went to the stoutest heart. He
ieaped upon the back Of one of the men in the
| hope of being saved by him, but the man shook
off the wailing boy. His cries at last attracted
the captain, who. perceiving the tenacious
| manner in which he was struggling fer life,
called out to the men who were surrounding
the lines that led to the rock and safety to en-
deavnr, if.p0sSible, to save the boy.
The poor little fellow was Immediately pass
ed over the heads of the struggling mass Of be-
ings and placed in boat. The kindly men
who were struggling to save life almost wept
for sympathy as they put the lad on shore safe
in body, though sadly afflicted by bis parents
loss.
Mr.. Fcxley, who remained on the rock for
several hours, assisting the passengers to land