Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-12-04
The Vile de Hayre.
Additional Particulars of the Dis
aster.
Kindness of the English People to Tho
Survivors.

London, 3. Later details of the wreck of
the Vile du Havre report that the Loeb
Earn was sighted by those aboard the steamer
from 10 to II minutes before the collision &C.
Cured.
New York, 8. The following despatch to
the Herald has been received from London :
Eleven survivors of the loss of the French
steamer Vile du IIavre have departed hence,
and will arrive in Paris tonight. The Rail-
way Company kindly provided special sa-
loon car for their passage. During their stay
in London, everybody wed in comforting the
survivors. Marks Of afIectionate sympathy
were evinced even by the store keepers who
refused to accept payment for goods ordered,
and their offers were with difficulty resisted.
The agents of the company provided funds,
while Morgan, Brown and others offered
homes and comforts to the unfortunates All
this was unnecessary, several Of the surviv-
ing gentlemen having saved sufficient from
the sinking ship.
1t is a remarkable fact that James Bishop
and otheas had seemingly ample time to
dress completely. Bishops watch stopped at
twenty eight minutes past two and Mr..
Cramers watch at half-past two exactly
This leads to the supposition of the loss Of
SO much valuable time in lowering the boats ,
owing to the utter absence of discipline.
After the collision no orders were given
the officers were distracted and each person
helped himself.
The long boat contained no first-class pas
sengers. The sailors and coal boys rushed
and took possession of the boats, all of the
rescues being effected subsequently.
The Scotch ship Loeb Earn wus prevented
from making immediate preparation for res
cue, owing to the ignorance ON board whether
the Vile du Havre had sustained serious or
nbt ohabl ba
counted for by inability to communicate intel
ligence between French speaking and Eng
lish speaking officers of either ship. As a
consequence, the boats were not lowered un-
til the Inflated steamer had gone down
On board the Vile du Havre no life pre-
servers could be found in their proper places.
Five gentlemen among the rescued searched
cabins for these articles in vain.
1t has been ascertained that the occupants
Of three CIR four cabins amidships were proba-
bly, killed when the PROV of the Loeb Earn
crushed in the plates OF the steamer. The
greater number of those rescued had been
floating from half an hour to an hour.
The captain Of the Loeb Earn had little
comfort to offer the perishing survivors be-
yond an open heart and right good will. The
ladies changed their drenched night dresses
for clothes and wrappings from the sailors
stores. Soon, however, it became question
whether the Loeb Earn offered safety to the
large company she now had on board. Capt.
Sermont declared his determination to trans
ter the crew to another ship when opportuni-
ty offered, leaving the passengers behind.
This was resisted by Waite and Belknap, and
after consultation with the carpenter, the
captains opposition was overcome.
When the Tri- Mountain was sighted, the
transfer was made.
The American captain was married man
and offered the ladies increased comfort in
the next cabin. Still, when landing was
made at Cardiff the ladies were in state of
semi nudity. The agents Immediately pro-
vided clothing. The ladies assembled for the
purpose of dressing. When the door opened
all who witnessed the scene wildly realized
the fearful tragedy which had occurred, all
the ladies being clad in deep mourning.
court of Inquiry has been opened at
Cardiff.
The correspondent endeavored to obtain
| an interview with Capt. Surmont, who blames
the offders in charge, beyond which he is
unable satisfactorily to explain the catas
tropbe.
The following, also to the Herald, is dated
at Paris:
The detailed accounts given by the surviv-
org are narrowing and distressing in the ex-
IRENE. Mr.. Waite, who was accompanied by
his sister became separated from her in the
horrid vortex caused by the sudden sinking of
the steamer. When the latter went down
huge waves came surging out from the clos
ing of the momentary chasm, and amid the
boiling waters brother aid sister were torn
| assunder and the brother alone was saved.