New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-04-05
THE ATLANTIC DISASTER

CAPTAIN WILLIAMS EXPLANATION.
MS VISIT TO Tue waucK-BoDrES ROBBED HUT NOT
AtUTIrATEp-CoAL ENOUGH BUT FOR THE HEAVY
wsArHrR-A FGYAL "sEr" TO TIRE SoRrHwARD
NO LEApS UsED-liR. METCALFs sEANANsHIF.
HALIFAX, April Capt. Williams returned
from the wreck of the Inflated Atlantic, this morn
ing. in a steam-tue and as the al-important ques-
ton of the miscaculations that led to the terrible
tragedy had not been satisfactorily cleared up,
thought oould do no better than obtain more ex-
phcit account from his own lips than has been pre-
viously p0blished. Accordingly sought an inter
view with the captain which give about as it oc-
Cured;
Reporter-Capt. Williams how do you and your
self after your terrible eXperlencef
Capt. Williams7Improving. bodily; though my
limbs are still very stiff and painful but in mind
stnnned-the whole disaster seems like dreadful
nightmare
Reporter-You spent last night at Mars Island,
with the bodies and looking after the wreck.
Can't Wilhams-Most of the night, and until l
had personally examined and identified all that lay
upon the hilsdes, aud. God knows IWOuld willingly
have exchanged places with them co1ld the lost have
stood where did
RepOrter-Werc the bodies much dsfguredi
Capt Williamsburg were though about 40 pre-
scented the appearance of quiet sleep especially so
an the cases of the little children.
Reportcr-Was there any truth in regard TO the
mutation of the bodicsl
Can't Winiams-Nene whatever. l specially eX-
ahmed The fingers, 10 disprove, if necessary, such
sensational reports believe that many OF the bodies
were rihed but there was no mutllatOn.
Reporter-Do You slider that you were sutf-
GENTLY coaled when you left Liverpool
Capt Wlliams-Yes if il were not for these three
DAYS of heavy weather.
Reporter-But how do you account for being so
much ont OF your position
Capt WilliamS-Soley on account Od the current
1t must have been q northerly set well as west
erly l allowed what, in my judgment, WAS ample
namely eight degrees TO the eastward.
Reporter-Were you quite certain of your position
on Monday nooni
Capt. Wiliams-Yes quite; both chron0meters
agreed and the observations taken by different
Instruments r1ade IL o rule that all the officers
should participate in the navigation Of the ship,
and make themselves cOnVersant with the position
of the ship and the deviation of the compass on
courses steeTed.
Reporter-But bow did you strike the land when
according TO all yogr reckonngs, you should still
have been a safe distance fromit3
northerly set proved greater than allowed for.
For two or three preceding days had found the
ship By observations TO have been set to the south
ward and eastward of her position. BY reckoning
was not astonishe at this sOuth-easterly set, know
Ing the heavy nOrthery and westerly gales that had
prevailed in the Atlantic during the Winters in fact,
when making che northern passage homeward
bound, decided TO near the Virgin Rocks more than
Cape Race.
Reporter-Were You on deck when the ship struck.
Capt Williams-No; L was in the chart room,
which is on tho saloon deck and less than so feet
from the bridge When the wheel-hOuse windows
were open could hear anything that went on on
deck.
Reporter-Had yen the leads and lines prepared?
Capt. Williams-Yes, both deep sea and hand,
soiled on the bridge deck, the leads being armed
and patents attached both anchors also in the
bows
Reporter--Did You use those leads1
Capt. Willams-No.
Reporter-k itROt oustomaryt to do so IN approach
ing the land
Capt Xilliams-Yes when approaching a low
sandy shore OF IN making the land In hazy weather.
but the night being clear, though overcast, and
knowing that SaInbro Island light should be seen
from fifteen 10 twenty-Ons miles, did not think 1t
neCessary.
Reporter-Mr Metcak vas the officer OF the deck
1t the tine did you consider him faithful and
competent officer!
Capt. Wilhams-UIdcabtedlY, OF ] should never
have left him, but should have remained on the
bridge with him.
Such are Capt. Willamss responses to direct qnes-
ions. He may have been criminaIy negligent, but
be seems to have been man in tho supreme
moment.