Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-12-21
Are We 10 Prosecute Them?
A Startling Ru1nOr.
THE WILLIE DU HAVRE.
Account of the Collision by the Cap
tain of the Loeb Erne.

ACCVuut % tne COLLISION DY TIC Zap
tain of the Loeb Ernie.
NEW YORK, Dec. 20.-London papers
of the Sth received to-day, contain the of
fetal report of Capt. Robertson Of the Loeb
Erne, which sunk the steamer Vile du
Havre. 1t is as follows in so far as relates
to the collision:
On November %, at 2 A. NJ, steamers
mast head was seen from l to 2 points on
the pOrt-bow; our side lights out and burn
ing brightly. Shortly after we saw the
steamers three lights. She was coming
straight for us. Almost Immediately she
showed her port and mast head lights and
was steering apparently to pass under our
stern. After short time we rang our bell
and ported the helm, as we thought she
was coming too near, the steamer still
showing only her port light. When closeto
the bow, the steamers helm was star
boarded and she was across our bow. A
collision was inevitable. The order was
given to back our after yards, but before the
braces could be let 90 the two
vessels came in collision, the Loeb Erne
striking the steamer amidships. The ships
Immediately separated. We threw our
afteTyards aback. Half the crew then short
ened sail and the remainder cleared away
the port life boat. The carpenter being at
the pumps, reported that the ship was max
ing no water, and then went forward and
found the bOwSprit gone and the bow
smashed completely in by the collision.
The bulkhead was apparently uniniuTed.
The boat from the Vile du Havre then
came alOngide, containing one officer and
four men. | asked if the steamer was much
injured. He said she was injured, but did
not say she wanted assistance. As no sig
mails OF distress were made by the steamer,
| thought at the time the boat was sent to
render us assistance; but while talking with
the officer, | saw the steamer apparently
settling down, and lowered the port life
boat at once, in charge of the second officer
and four men, who made towards the sink
ing ship. Our cutter and starbOard life
boat were then cleared away and in a few
minutes dispatched to the scene Of the cataS-
trophe,
Their Only Guide
being the cries of the drowning people,
the steamer having disappeared. We left
our boats out till daylight until every one
floating among the wreck was picked up.
We succeeded in saving 81 persons out of
30G, large proportion having gone down
with the steamer. The Vile du Hayre on
" fOated about fifteen minutes after being
struck.
Capt Robinson then proceeds TO give an
account of his falling in with the TrimOun-
tain and transferring the steamers paSsen-
gers and crew to her with the exception Of
the mess cook and Weiss and one Of the
steamers firemen who was injured. He
then give an account Of his struggles to
save his vessel.
A Mothers Agony.
The following incident of the disaster is
told by the Captain OF the Locherne: \
lady SWAN alongside with a child in her
arms. A rope was thrown to her which she
seized, but III attempting TO be pulled up,
holding on by one arm with the other
round the child her strength failed her and
the child was lost, but the poor mother was
hauled on board.
Reauiescant.
An imposing requiem mass was solemn
lied at Havre on the Sth inst, III honor of
the victims. The cathedral was draped in
black from roof to floor and was thronged
by a congregation Of five thousand persons
The catafalque was surrounded by the sail
OTIS Of tie Republican navy, and all the
civil, naval and military dignitaries of the
place were present. Inc cure ) SeIlllOh
was interrupted by bursts of grief from the
worshipers. All the ships in the harbors
dressed their flags at half mast high, and
business was at a stand still. The public
subscriptions amounts to 10000 francs eX-
Guiding the contribution Of the company.
The singers of the Paris opera are to give
a performance of La Fayorita at Havre for
the benefit of the families of the victims.
Appeal for Aid.
Prof. Rufel, OF the Geneva Theological
Seminary. Gin which Gar PIONEER, lost by
the Villedu Hayre disaster, was aProfessOr,)
writes to this country asking if American
christians could do something for PIONEERS
numerous family. He leaves wife sick
for many years and six children, the oldest,
only thirteen and half.