The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1873-04-07

Charles W. Allen, a cabin passenger
was called, and Mr.. Mcdonald suggested
that 1t was not necessary 10 repeat tho
previous evidence. Witness then testified
that In his opinion good many more
lives would have been saved II the ship
had had an efficient crew. The captain
could not get any number Of men to dc
their duty efficiently. The No. l boat
remained sound as much as three hours
after the ship struck. The Impression oi
the witness from the beginning OF the
voyage was that the ship was not well
manned; there were enough men, but mol
efficient ones. The captain and officers
after the vessel struck seemed to exert
themselves as much as they cOuld-they
were competent. One rule, to exercise
the crew at the boats once week, was
not observed, but steamers seldom obey
that rule.
John W. Firth, chief officer Of the At.
lantic, testified as follows: At noon
Monday, the captain and took observa.
tons by separate chronometers, and
agreed very closely; the latitude was O3
dg. 55 min, longitude Al dg. 80 min. A
consultation Of officers was held as to the
prOpriety OF turning round to Halifax TOR
coal, and 1t was unanimously agreed to
do SO as the safest proceeding, and at
once the ship was headed for Halifax, the
course being north by east, and the speed
was then about nine knots. l then went
below; at 10 o'clock l returned to
deck. My watch was from ten
to six o'clock. No alteration was
made in our course. / was below from
G to s. o'clock. There had been change
in the weather and several showers OF
rain had fallen. | remained on deck un'
ill twelve o'clock. The course was not
changed. There had been some dark
clouds, but they had passed away, and
it was then clear. About half past II
o'clock the QuartcrmaSter told me the
ship was at twelve knots, and at ~ Omin.
utes to twelve the Captain CAME on the
bridge where was and inquired for
tho third officer, as he wished 10 have
the distance run by the ship. The cap.
tain afterwards came on the bridge and
told me he had placed the ship four miles
south OF Sambro. l then went below.
The Captains orders were 10 keep a
good lookout for loose Ice, and in the
event of seeing the light Ol fixed light
to get it two points. on the port bow and
call him immediotcly, aud under any
circumstances TO call him not later
than 3'o'clOCk. These orders con.
veyed to the second officer: The
lead was not thrown over ut all; tho lead
was ready on the bridge. was aroused
BY the shock when the ship struck. l
went on deck and found number Of
men trying to clear away the lite.boat.
1t was just clear when sea swept It
away. Life.bOat No. 7 was then cleared
sway, and it was also washed away.
The sea was then making clean breach
over the fore part Of the ship. She had
keelel over 10 tho windward and sea-
ward. Passengers were taking TO the
rigging. There were thirty-twO, includ'
Ing one woman, in the miZzen rigging
with me at daylight. l remained until
about p. NJ, when was rescued by
boats crew under the command OF Rev.
Mr.. Ancient. Many who left the rigging
to try to reach the ropes were washed
away. was unable to SWIM. l was the
last man who lett the wreck alive. It
was, In my opinion, impossible to
have launched the boat spoken Of
by Mr.. Allen, it was carried away
about daylight. I have had about twen.
ty.seven years experience at sea with q
great many masters, and found Captain
Williams all that could be expected OF
one In his position. have been a ship
master myself, largely in the India trade.
There could not have been any attempt
made to keep the steerage passengers
below, as the companionways were open.
I cannot give any opinion as to the guam
tity OF coal she had, or whether 1t was
enough or not. Joined the steamer in
tho morning that left few hours later,
A person might be told that there were
900 tons Of coal on board but that would
not prove it. Too often short guam
tity OF coal Is put on ships!
l considered there was not the slightest
risk when l went TO bed at midnight
The course was intended to take us about
five miles west Of Sombro Light. The
point at which she struck Is, learn, seven
miles west Of the Light. I can account
for the disaster in no other way than that
there was o strong set to northwest which
we didn't know Of. The log was hove
regularly every two hours two or three
days during the passage. When We had
no observations, our head reckoning was
found correct. Tho chief steward had
reported o short supply ol provisions that
night to be because We took on board
more passengers than we expected.
This completed the chief officers state.
mcnt, and the Court adjourned till ten
o'clock Monday:
NEW York, April 6.
Mr.. Sparks, agent Of the White Star
Line OF this city, has received by
cable, a full list Of the passengers Of the
Atlantic, and is now ready to answer en-.
uuiries concerning missing friends. Pas.
sengers coming by the way Of Boston are
expected here at six o'clock on Sunday
morning. The company has made every
arrangement for their comfortWhlle stop.
ping In the city and provided tor their
transportation to their destination. AL.
derman ]. II. Kelley, Of Rochester, N.
Y, has telegraphed hero Offering to ad.
ont the only boy saved from the wreck.
HALIFAX, April 5.-The funeral oI
MetcalE, the second officer Of the Allan.
tic took place here to-day from st Pauls
Episcopal Church. The bodies Of Mr..
and Mrs. Davidson, cabin passengers,