The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-03
THE OCEAN DISASTER.
Public Opinion on the Loss Of
the Atlantic.
The Metropolis Thrilled by the Terrors
Of the Great Shipwreck.
WHAT THE PEOPLE THINK.
Fears for the Loved Ones That
May Be Lost.
THE COMPANY'S OFFICERS INTERVIEWED.
They Defend the Captains Character and Deny
the Charge Of Petty Economy.
WHAT THE CITY MOURNS
A Bridal Party Swallowed
by the Sea.
Public Sympathy Strained to
the Utm ost.
WAITING FOR THE TIDINGS.
Scenes About the Oompany's Offices and
81 at Public Resorts.
A Bridal Party Swallowed
by the Sea.
Public Sympathy Strained to
the Utm ost.
WAITING FOR THE TIDINGs
Scenes About the Oompany's Offices and
at Public Resorts.
OPINIONS OF SEAFARING MEN,

OPINIONS Or SEAf ARING MEN.
The shadow Of an awful gloom impended over the
city yesterday in consequence OF the intelligence
conveyed by the morning papers, giving in meagre
form the facts OF the loss OF over seven hundred
lives by the wreck Of the steamship Atlantic. 1t
was, indeed, q calamity" and Of such terrible
proportions that men paused in the selfish hustle
Of business to bestow few words Of sympathizing
comment upon the unfortunate souls so untimely
hurried out OF the world.
THE FOCUS OF ANXIETY,
OF course, was about the ONCE OF the White Star
line, at Broadway and Bowling Green, where. from
early morning until dark, a stream of heartsick
and anguish-stricken inquirers sought Information
OF the expected ones from over the sea. Mr..
Sparks, the general agent OF the line, and Mr..
Gartner, the passenger agent were especially
looked tor as all inquirers strovc to reach the lead
ing officials. but there was clerk or other
Rttache OF the ONCE who was not questioned hun
dreds OF times on the subject until the repetition
of the painful replies that they had no further in
telgence from London or the scene Of the wreck,
became monotonous in the extreme. There was no
SCENE OF EXCITEMENT
such as might be anticipated would have taken
place under circumstances so fraught with grief to
those concerned. The anxious callers came singly
In some instances, and at times in groups OF two
Or three. but it was seldom that more than one
person OF the group had, or supposed that he
had, relatives on board the Inflated ship.
"Have you any news OF the people saved from
the Atlanticp" asked man whose face was be-
grimed with the smudge OF labor and the sweat
Of anxiety.
ave have not received anything later than that
contained in the morning papers," replied Mr.
Gartner. do you expect any one by that vessel2"
81 do" replied the workman: my wife and child
seven year old"
''Why do yeu think they might have been aboard
The Atlantics'' inquired Mr.. Gartner.
SWELL sir sent them the money In January to
come over, and told
In the letter to come by this line; and the last let
ter got, eight days ago yesterday, she said she
expected to start about the middle or end OF last
month. got no letter since and think it's likely
she was on the Atlantic. She was going to sail
from Queenstown"
swell, my friend" responded Mr. Gartner, 1--WE
cannot give you any intelligence yet but as soon
rs receive it we shall be only too glad to make
1t public, TO at least quiet the fears Of the
anxious people whose friends are not on board
We have called into service every means that
money or human ability can command, both to
obtain the full passenger list and the names Of
the passengers saved, well as to assist those
who have been rescued. Meantime only hope
Tor the best"
The poor man WINGED a little under this chilling
consolation and responded, "Yes; that's all we
can do now, spose, to hope"
A cluster OF listeners had gathered about while
this dialogue progressed, most OF them wearing
clothes that betokened them as belonging to the
laboring class. They surrounded the speakers and
craned their necks forward to hear what words OF
hope or promise the agent might have to utter.
THESE SCENES
were multiplied hundreds OF times during the day
and the conversation in all cases was OF the same
tenor. Business seemed to have ceased almost
entirely behind the desks and counters and the
clerks were eagerly interviewed by scores Of
people, as many as half dozen nquirers listening
70 the information from a single speaker.
On the sidewalk the great Broadway crowd went
past with Its usual hustle, and now and then
woman in plain attire stepped aside from the
stream to read the sign over the steamships ONCE
door. Then, as II uncertain, and dreading to hear
the news she sought, with slow steps she de-
scended the steps leading INTO the ONCE. APP
preaching the clerk at the wire-screened desk she
asked timidly:-
slave you got list OF the passengers saved
from the steamer that's lost ?"
"we have not,n replied the clerk in q softened
tone Of voice; 'but we shall have it as soon as 1t
can be obtained in Halifax and telegraphed to u.s."
"Ah, DEAR" sighed the woman. "My cousin, a
young gri, Mary Ann Reilly, was coming over to
America from Queenstown, and she told me she
was going to sail about the 10th OF last MONTH and
I'm afraid she was coming on that vessel.n
II think we shall have a list tonight replied
the clerk, and the poor woman slowly turned.
passed through the solemn-aced groups OF men,
who stood In abstraeted mood about the office
doors, and sighed again as she passed into the
street and mingled with the throng that little felt
the deep grief and anxiety that oppressed her.
While the reporter stood among group outside
A DEcENTLooKING WOMAN,
with plaid shawl and brown dress, came up the
steps from the ONCE holding handkerchief to her
eyes and declaiming in bitter words against the
company and all its concerns.
Directing her conversation TO the bystanders she
exclaimed
"ob. the bloodhounds they take peoples money
and don't care about their lives, and call God
TO curse them all, for they've made me widow ~
my dear LADY, interposed an onlooker, "per-
naps your husband is saved. He may not be lost.
Hope on until you hear the worst" He spoke
soothingIy, but IL was OF no avail, and the woman
raised her hands alot and cursed the building and
all within tt, and then walked away, sobbing and
mumbling her calculations OF grief
HAD you any relatives on board |" asked the