New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-07-14
Tile LOST STEAMSHIP.

THE CITY OF wAsHINGToNs PASSENGERS.
PORTLAND, July 12-The steamer Falmouth
from Halifax with the passengers from the wrecked
steamer City OF Washington, Ia signalled.
A UNITED STATES ARMY OFFICER CHARGES TIE
SHIPS OFFICERS WITH MIsMANAGEMENT AND
oBsTINACY-DELAY IN OBTAINING ASSISTANCE.
A special dispatch to The Boston Advertiser
from Halifax contains statement by Brevet Lieut. Col
Parne o. 8. A., cabin passenger on the City OF Wash
ington OF which the following the main portions
The ordinary system Of publishing the ships log was
observed and every day the farce or taking the
gone through when the fog was TOO timex TO see nfty
wards ahead After three four days OF this posting
bulletin business making guess at our position, 1t be-
gan apparent 10 many OF the passengers that the
was the case-but they knew thought they did, and
that together with their pr0verbla Du-headed oostl
nacy caused disaster tits fact that suggestion
made by well known, thorough seaman, passenger 70
run southery and get out of fog and into the
Gulf Stream, Neutrality-suspicious. could De taken ana All
danger he avoided, which OF course was ignored and
almost impertnent " mind your own business" re-
turned Again the seaweed was pointed out 10 one OF
the officers Saturday morning, before we struck, as
conveying evidence that must be near land The OIL
stream it was evident, the seaweed indicated, al
most any child could see" Otherwise u was apparent
that be considerably north OF the latitude pub
shed This On, which for four days was the same
when every compass board Indicated course NJ N W.
since We left Queenstown, except one Gay tnat our
course indicated by the compass was nearly due west
Could all the compasses be wrong and magnetic innu
ence so derange them that reliance could be placed
on any them In that condition. running at about 10
miles hour on Saturday, July 8, at 1870 m we were
startled by heavy thud and jump OF the steamer theh
another, and finally a third. when all hands rushed
and found we were aground IN 10 ieet OF water.
IL obvious now that we must leave tle
ship, not knowing what moment she would
split in two; and now displayed q plentiful lack
Of discipline subordination and system by the ships
officers aud that could not be equaled anywhere
the world The passengers conducted themselves IN
most prasewOrthy manner WINE on the part OF the
ships it was one continued tumut, swearing and
general confusion Finally after three or four hours
they began TO lower the boats ana get the n
The ships purser went 70 small town called Lockport.
TO send dspateh 10 haliA TOT ASSISTANCE put found
going direct horseback 20 Halifax he o
to the ship the consequence being delay OF at least
two days getting any assistance. The steamer NJ A.
small steamer could only take of portion OF
the shipwrecKed unfortunates shore. In the
Some little provisions got Of the ship but their
distribution most miseraby managed in fact. there
weakest went 10 the wall. Forseeing this gentle
man volunteered his services TO organize and
that proposition rejected. Mo- the ships officers
are attending to 1t ALL" the and how they
did. rather didn't Is disgrace TO the company, and
well deserving not only the Of an indignant poo
pie. but punishment that would be remembered The
sailors would work otherwise just they liked, and
no more attention paid to their officers than to
many dogs. Beds and bedding were brought off from
the ship ana thrown ashore, perhaps, II chance
favored il, but more frequently they went
into the sea, and of course were worth
less And now comes OF the most absurd
projects that human imbecility could suggest-an at
tempt to cook provisions for 400 people On board
sunEen steamer liable at any time to go To pieces Had
gone pieces next day, three days after.
hardly imagine what suffering there would have been
for OF provisions aud the bullheaded Obstinacy
or ignorance OF the officers, well their gross
neglect would carry out what common should
teach that all the provisions should be landed with
out delay and the meals cooked on shore strongly
monstrated against such conduct, and intimled that
should 10 consider myself passenger only and
assume the responsibility OF representative Of the
United States Government being officer in its
service and take control of those unfortunate passengers
who were bound for its shores in which resolution
was enthusiastically supported by tic most intelligent
OF passen The second officer and surgeon were
the only officers who displayed any energy at the wreck