Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1873-04-03

AN APPALLING DIsAsTER.-HALIFAx
s., April 1.-The White Star steamship At
lantic, from Liverpool on March goth for New
York. running short of coal, made for this port,
and went about twenty miles from here, on
Cape Prospect, at 2.3O this morning, ran ashore
on Meagher's Head. She had OH board over
1000 men, women and children, and only $50
succeeded in landing, and the remainder,
Including all the women and children, We're
lost. The captain and third officer were
saved. The first officer was drowned. On the
first officer was drowned. On the first receipt
of the news OF the disaster here, Cunard and
u Government steamer started to the assist
ance of the Atlantic, but the third officer, who
arrived hire at $50 this afternoon, says the
yes sci and cargo are a total loss.
Of about 1000 SOUL on board upwards of
TOO were drowned. Third officer Brady arrived
hare tonight and Atlantic left Liverpool OH
March Goth with upwards of 900 steerage and
about 80 cabin passengers. She experienced
rough weather during TIE passage, but all
went well until Monday, when her supply oil
coal became exhausted. The captain deteTiniil.
ed to put into Halifax, and the captain and
third officer were on deck until midnight. Her
position was then judged TO Sambro light bear
Ing n. n. W. 80 miles.
The captain went into his chart room, laay-
ing orders to he called if there was auy change
In the ships position. Brady went 10 bed about
the same time as the captain. The next thing
be remembers Is that he was thrown out of his
bunk and felt the ship strike several times. lie
then rushed Oh deck and found the captain and
officers there and the dock full OF passengers.
He got All axe and commenced 10 clear away
the boats. The captain and other officers were
busy doing the same thing. Brady got his boat
out and put two women in II. A number Of
men attempted TO get into it, and about dozen
succeeded.
Just ut this moment the steamer fell over on
her beam-cnds and sank. Only one boat lad
been got Out, and that was carried down by the
steamer, and all in it were lost Brady scrambled
into the mzzen rigging, which was above the
water, and saw he could do nothing there, went
forward and unwove the halyards, being assis-
ted by Quartermasters Speakman and Owen
Brady then took the halyards and all three
swan TO the rock. The line was hauled asboi 9
and a number Of passengers landed by it.
A numbef mad got on it, but as the tide was
rising their position was no better than on the
vessel. Jus. then fishermen on shore came out
in boats and rescued those ON the rock and a
large number from the rigging Brady remain
ed at the lcene until noon today, when all who
were alive OH board had been saved, except the
chief officer, Mr.. Firth, who was in the rigging.
shouting for help. Brady sal d he tiled 10 get a
crew to 20 to Firtli's rescue bit the was SO
heavy that nobody would volunteer.
Altogether about two hundred and fifty per-
sons were saved, including Captain Williams
also, Fourth Officer Brown, the doctor, and sew
er,l of the engineers and sailors.
Not a single woman or child was saved
Most of them, as well as hundreds of men, were
| drowned in their berths. The ship struck
about a. H., the weather at the time being
dark, but not thick, with rough sea. Steam
ers are going down tonight to render what as.
sistance they possibly can. All the people saved
| from the wreck, except Brad, are still at Pros
pect, where the fishermen are giving them al
possible attention.
New York, April l.-Among the cabin pas
sengers lost on the Atlantic the only ones nov
known are William ii. Merritt and wife ef New
York, Miss Merritt, his sister, and Mrs, Scrym
ser, his sister in law.