The New York herald., 1873-12-05

AuduvanO gave oruer6 ON Deing Warneu, Duo
that they were too late, and that seventeen
seconds of time would have enabled the Vile
du Havre to pass athwart the Loeb Earns
course.
DEATH BEFORE REPRoACH
The Lieutenant took the desperate chance of
running clear, but had miscalculated and,
seeing the astounding calamity which had re-
suited from his error of Judgment in his
despair he accepted suicide as the solution of
his own embarrassment
There is no reasonable doubt but that he
could have saved himself.
WHAT THE SAILORS SAW.
Five or six of the sailors who were on duty
at the time informed me that they saw the
lights of the Loeb Earn fully five minutes be-
fore the steamer was struck.
Colonel Montagues daughter was the first
one killed by the falling Of mast.
PRAYER AT DEATHS PORTALS.
All the passengers united in prayer during
the few moments of terrible suspense.
General admiration is expressed at the
courage of the American ladies, who deported
themselves with great calmness and made no
confusion. Seeing their almost inevitable
fate, they knelt and prayed in those solemn
moments
THE END TOO SWIFT.
No one thought that the end was coming so
quickly as it did come. Captain Surmont
himself thought the ship would remain afoat
for at least half an hour.
SALVATION IMPOSSIBLE
There were, however, two reasons why
safety was not possible. The falling masts
killed 20 or 80 persons, and many others were
drowned in their cabins in the endeavor to
save valuables.
THE BOATS DISABLED.
Of total muster of eight ifeboats five
were disabled, and three only remained in
condition for service and these saved many
people. One of them, filed with passengers,
was destroyed by falling mast.
THE LIEUTENANTs ERROR.
1t is believed that Surmont charged the
disaster to the negligence of Lieutenant Audu-
wand. All are united, however, in the belief
that the Captain did his duty under the cir
cumstances
THE CAPTAIN SPEAKS AT LAST.
Captain Surmont informs me- later, that he
had been on deck until ten O clock and that
when he retired he gave orders to be aroused
at two O clock promptly.
He was called, and saw the Loch Earn
almost instantly in collision, but believed
there would be time to save ALL He at once
gave orders to each officer to take command
of boat, but saw that two boats were dis
abled by the collision, and two minutes later
others were destroyed by the falling masts.
THE CREW IN DISCIPLINE
He states that the best order possible pre-
vailed among the crew, who placed themselves
under perfect control
He sent the first officer aboard the Loeb
Earn to apprise them Of the steamers danger
and ask the assistance Of their boats. That
boats crew remained on the Loeb Earn.
TILE REsCUMa DESTROYER.
The Captain Of the Loeb Earn sent out
three boats from his vessel to pick up passen-
gers. The Captain remained at his post also,
and endeavored to save passengers, but before
the boats had returned to the Loeb Earn the
steamer went down.
CAPTAIN sURMoNT's CASE AND PRESENT CON-
Captain Surmont and his officers blame
those of the Loch Earn, who were
but, after the examination of Captain
Surmont it is the general opinion among
the crew of the Vile du Havre that had he
(Surmont been on deck the disaster would
never have happened, as the Loch Earn was
seen six or seven minutes before the Vile du
Havre filed.
With emotion Captain Surmont told your
correspondent he was unable to answer his
questions intelligently, he is still prostrated
in strength.
On Saturday will be celebrated high mass
for the repose of the souls of those lost. Also,
on that day, collection will be taken up, after
a theatrical performance, for the benefit of the
crew of the lost vessel.
The Survivors Arrived In Paris.