The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-10
DANGERS OF THE COAST.
What Should Be Done to Prevent the Recur-
renee of Like Calamitics.
THE BRAVE MINISTE r
Caring For and Burying the Dead-An Un-
seemly Local Quarrel for Possession Of
the Recovered Property.
HALIFAX, April 9, 1873.

the world where the particulars Of the Atlantic dis
asrer known there is not universal feeling OF
profound sorrow. The men who are here from the
States mostly from New York, seeking the bodies
Of brothers, sisters and relatives, 60 about the
streets in q respondent mood all hoping that they
may, at least, have the sad consolation OF paying
the last sad tribute to the nanimate forms OF
loved ones even though they may be distorted,
bloated stiff and stark in the cold embrace Of
death. The people OF Halifax are very kind, and
give such comfort as they can, but it does not
bring back their dear ones who are lost and are
now floating around in the broken cargo of the
sunken steamer.
THE SCENE OF THE WRECK
from the shore is very little il any changed from
that described in the dispatches yesterday. Divers
were at work almost at daybreak this morning and
did not cease their labors until the departure of
the HERALD tugbsat at twilight this evening. The
weather was fine, the water calm ana placid and
everything combined to favor their Efforts. The
result OF their abors briefly told. the recovery
Of five bodies four OF them the remains of steer
age passengers, and the other the corpse OF
one OF the crew. Not q single cabin pas
senger, in addition to those reported, has been
found The total OF the cargo recovered
during the day was about hundred and seventy
TONS consisting largely OF machinery, dry goods
crockery, and now and then case Of silks and
cut into the saloon, and after fifteen iron bolts had
been drawn and large plate removed it was
found that the portion of the wreck which the
divers took for the saloon only part OF OF
the coal bunkers. Among the broken fragments
OF the cargo and debris fioating below the subma-
rne workers can discover the distorted and mutt
lated corpses staring at them and drifting here
and there with the wreck at the mercy OF the roll
inG sea- all forming
AHIDEOUs AND REVOLVING SPECTACLE
which it is almost impossible to describe. Captain
Williams, the commander Of the Inflated steamer,
viewed the wreck carefully to-day, and reports to
the HERALD correspondent that he has no idea but
that many OF the stateroom locks were so dslo
Gated By the shock when the steamer struck the
rock that their occupants were unable to open
the doors; and he therefore concluded that their
bodies will be found within when the divers are
able to get at them. 1t is well known that some OF
the rescued were obliged to smash the panels before
they could get from their rooms and one Of these
narrow escapes has been told in the thrilling expe-
rence OF MIR. Brady the third ofiicer. The ex-
pected divers from New York. Boston and Lake
Superior have not yet arrived, but are hourly ex-
pected When they do come the submarine force
will be more than trebed, and probably the saloon
will be speedily reached.
THE HERALD DIVER
Is at the scene of the wreck, anXiously awaiting
the opportunity to go below, and when entrance
has been effected to the cabin the public Will be
promptly advised OF the terrible spectacles which
probably exist, and which the most fearful and
vivid imagination must fail to contemplate.
The scene on shore where the bodies OF the poor
victims are being consigned to their last resting
place are most narrowing and revolving. Some of
the corpses it is positively sickening to gaze upon
They are in many cases bloated, bruised and dis
figured in most terrible manner, and in ether
instances their appearance denotes as If they were
enjoying peaceful slumber rather than lying in
the sleep OF DEATH
THE GRAVES OR TRENCHES
where they are consigned about twelve feet
wide, thirty or forty feet long and four five feet
deep. The rude collins containing the unfortunate
victims are placed in these four abreast and two
deep and then covered over with twelve or fifteen
inches of EARTH Such have been the rude
monies over the hundreds OF human beings who
went down in the Inflated Atlantic There have
been no obseques, no friends near to shed part
ing tear over their graves, and the only requiem
which will be heard Will be the dashing surf along
the coast where they met their untimely fate. The
Collector OF the port of Halifax has increased his
means at the scene of the wreck for the
PROTECTION OF THE PROPERTY RECOVERED
and the vauables found upon the bodies OF the I'M
fortunate victims, but he has not as yet managed
morrow, Ter the first time, en- the Dominion cut
ter, which mas been lying here almost from the
moment Of the disaster. The magistrates are very
Indignant at being compelled to give up the prop
erty which they have taken from the bodies OF
the victims, and one OF them came up to the city
yesterday to consult counsel as to whether
the Collector had the authority to demand their
delivery. The Collector in all that he has done or
failed to do says that he is acting under instruc-
fions from the Dominion government, and the prop
erty retained in his possession VIII be held one year.
and If not reclaimed up to that time will he appro-
priated towards defraying the burial expenses OF
all the bodies
THE BRAVE EPIscorAIIAN MINISTER.
The Rev. Mr.. Ancient takes charge or the burial
OF all except those who are dentined rs Catholics
and taken to the Catholic cemetery at Terrence
Bay. He assists at grave digging, conveying the
bodies in boats and reads the burial services.
The Court Of Inquiry will be postponed until Sat
urday
WHAT SHOULD BE DONE TO PREVENT LIKE DIsAs-
TIERS ON THE COAST
Although Captain williams has not as yet shown
himself blameless for the appalling calamity, it
must be admitted that hts Is but divided respon-
sibility, and other causes and other means con-
tributlng TO the disaster must not be overlooked
While the Dominion authorities are investigating
In q manner somewhat novel and extraordinary
the cause OF the terrible disaster which re-
suited in such fearful and unprecedented loss Of
life and property II would be well for them also to
turn their attention to the neglected condi
ton OF dangerous coast and ascertain
what additional means Of safety are necessary.
1t is considered that the interests OF commerce
and OF British and American underwriters, apart
from what is due to the cause OF humanity i'm
peratively proves that something should be imme-
diately done. The HERALD correspondent has
taken pains TO inquire from various sources what
IL absolutely needed to remove existing dangers |
and relieve life and property from the perils OF