The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-22

the Fire Occurred q Mystery-The
Conduct of the Captain Of the Brig
Susan voorhies-Loss Of the
Largest Cargo Of Coffee
Ever shipped.
Yesterday evening at eight O'Clock the Brazilian
mail steamer Ontario came to an anchor in the
middle Of the Hudson, or Canal street, and the
news was soon bruited around that she had
brought the captain, officers and passengers OF her
sister vessel, the Erie which burned near Per-
nambuco on New Years Day. Considerable ex-
element existed among the wives and others on
the wharf ut the foot Of Spring street where the
passengers and mails were to be landed
for the report had spread that several Of
the crew had died OF yellow fever at
Pernambuco. Shortly afterwards the steamtug E.
s. BabcOck was seen poughing her way through
the ice to the wharf In question, laden with the
crew, and as they neared shout OF welcome was
given by those in attendance. One woman was
nearly iaintng with emotion. Soon the vessel was
at the wharf, and over eighty sailors had sprung
ashore. and were fast fastening towards home
and iavOrite groggeries. One Of them, named
Lame JOe," mess boy, Is considered o
perfect Jonah, he having been in the following lost
steamers when they met their fate DE Soto, Mis-
sissippi Missouri and Erie, while another sailor,
named Charles COnnOway, Of the First ward, re-
Gently had miraculous escape at the burning Of
the Missouri. All the crew, officers and passengers
speak IN the highest terms Of Captain Tinkepaugh
and thank him for the various efforts made by him
to make their msfortunes light.
INTERVIEW WITH CAPTAIN TINKEIPAUaH.
Later in the evening HERALD reporter went to
the Washington Hotel in quest OF Captain Tinkel-
In via
OF the noble vessel he commanded, and after pre-
senting his card was shown into the private parlor
occupied by the worthy captain and his better half
Before entering into the subject matter
1t may be remarked that no more re-
spected name, as q veteran steamship cap
tain, exists In this city than that OF
the Captain in question. He has been commander
of fiIte an steamships none of which have been
lost during the past twenty-five years, and among
them may be mentioned the ocean Queen when
she belonged to Vanderbilt, and OF later years the
Brazilian mail steamer South America, which he
commanded for seven years he having her last Oc-
tOber, when she was ordered to be fitted with new
boilers. Captain Tinkelpaugh stands over six feet
in height, and possesses commanding, yet genial
presence. The following conversation then took
place between the HERALD reporter and the Cap
tain:-
REPoRTER-Have you any idea, Captain Tinkel-
paugh now the fire originated
CAPTAIN-None whatever. The matter still re-
you the whole history Of the case with pleasure so
that you can Judge for yourself as well as can.
The Erie lett RIO Janeiro at ten O'Clock on the
morning OF Thursday, December 20, with eight pas
sengers and the largest cargo of coffee which ever
lett Rio-vlz. 26, GAG bags. We arrived at Pernam-
along the coast and through a smooth
sea, at ten O'Clock on the evening Of the same
day January u smoke was perceived in the coal
bunkers, and the chief engineer instantly notified
me OF the fact, and an investigation took place,
when we found that the top Of the cargo Of coffee
In the neighbOrhOOd OF the galley was on fire be-
tween decks l may here state that no vessel
which ever sailed out Of this port was better pro-
vIded with arrangements for putting out fire than
we were. No panic took place, and every man on
board, down to the coapassers, to their credit be
We cut through the deck and played fve
streams OF water, also steam from the
came out Ip IN dense voIieys drove US back as NV
self experienced; but these efforts of ours failed
to make the slightest difference in the fire, and the
flames rapidly ana unconquerably gained upon US.
The fire commenced, as l said, under the galley,
but there had been no fire in that place since six
O'Clock. Seeing the fire gaming upon us fore and
ait and amidshlps, saw the futllity Of making any
further fight with the devouring element, gave
orders to abandon the ship, which was done in
| lady passenger ashore with her child and the
stewardess, so that they should be out OF harms
of water. and the catheads having been burnt Off,
the anchor fell overheard, and we were thus
whole Of the ships crew-about elghty-and the
ten passengers were safely taken on shore. At
one A. M. the three masts went by the board.
THE BRIG SUSAN VOORHEES,.
REpORTER--The people in New York think that
the brig Susan VOORHEES,, which reported you burn
ing, acted in far from handsome manner by Offer
CAPTAIN-Wel, | don't want to say anything
against the VOORHEES,; but she never sent out q
Barbados that passenger on board had begged
the captain to do so. Perhaps she saw that we
were large number and might have eaten up her
provisions. The next morning she was seen hull
down, standing for the southwark
THE ERIE BURNING FOR THIRTY HOURS.
At midnight every soul on board was safely
landed and we had arrived at the fishing hamlet OF
Timbahu, and after having remained there
rev. started on the er ee
OF that name, distant about six miles
from where we landed and thirty miles from the
sea. have since heard that the Erie was seen to
20 down on the morning OF the Sd January at tour
O'clock having thus burned for thirty hours. Upon
our arrival at Parahiba we fortunately found a
for Pernambuco, and ] accordingly engaged pas
sages for all, and the next day we were back at
the American Consul who did all that he could for
my men in the way Of clothing, &C., Tor everybody
had lost everyihing-a they possessed on board.
The ships log was fortunately rescued and also q
package OF money and also $4,000 in bonds, sent
in freight from Pernambuco for Peru for the Brazil
liam government.
COCOA NUT ISLAND.
REPORTER-Where were the crew placed while at
Pernambuco, may ask, CaptainY
CAPTAIN-Tne American Consul obtained permits
sion to locate them In new hospital building at
Cocoa Nut Island, distant about three miles from
the city, and which the sailors called "Short
Branch" to distinguish II from Long Branch. Here
they were placed out OF the reach OF whlskey and
other demorallzing city influences, and every one
OF them is sale and well in this city, although
yellow fever was raging at Pernambuco.
THE CONCLUSION.
REPoRTER-Then, Captain, once more, before
bid you good night. you have no theory as to how
the fire originated
CAPrAIN-None at all. As before stated, it is a
complete mystery to me. may also say that con-
slider the loss OF the Erie to be great loss to the
mercantile marine OF this country, and too costly
addition to the terrible list OF steamboat losses OF
1872 within which list the Erie may be fairly
counted. suppose that an investigation will be
commenced shortly as to the reason OF the loss or
the Erie, by the United States inspectors OF steam
vessels.
The ship was completely filled with coffee, and
the fire. without doubt, had been burning many
hours and. not imposslby, number OF days.
Thanking the Captain for his Kindness the re-
uyfth