Wilmington daily gazette., 1873-04-02
An Appalling pIsastor.
WRECK OF THE STEAMSHIP ATLANTIC ON THE
Nova SoOTIAN COAST,
75O Lives Lost.

HALIFAX, n. D., April THE White Star /
steamship Atlantic, from Liverpool on March |
10th, for New York running short Of coal, |
made Tor this port, and when about twenty
this morning, ran ashore on MeaRher's Head
She had on board over 1000 men women and
children, and only go succeeded Ia landing,
and the remainder, including all the women
ana children, were lost. The captain and
third officer were saved. The first officer was
drowned. On the first receipt Of the news Of
the disaster here,a Cunard and Government
steamer started to the assistance Of the Allan
tic, but the third officer arrived here at $50
this afternoon, says the vessel and cargo ara
total loss and about $50 persons drowned.
DETAILS or THE CALAMITY.
Third Officer Brady arrived here tonight
and says the Atlantic left Liverpool on March
2Oth with upwards Of 900 Steerage aud about
80 cabin Passengers. She experienced rough
weather during the passage, but all went we'll
until moon on Monday, March 81, when her
supply of coal became exhausted. The cap.
tain determined to put into Halifax, and the
captain and third oficer were on deck until
mldniRhG. Her position was then Judged to
be Sambro light bearing N. N. w. 50 miles.
The captain went into his chart room, leav-
ing orders to be called II there was change in
the ship's position. Brady went to bed about
the same time as the captain. The next thing
he remembers 10 that he was thrown out OF
his bunk and felt the ship strike several times.
He then rushed on deck and found the cap
tain and Onlcers here and the deck full Of
passengers, He got an axe and commenced
to clear away the boats. The CAPTAIN and 9TH
er oneers were busy doing the same thing
Brady got his boat out and put two women in
tOit, and about Q dozen succeeded
Just at this moment the steamer fell over or
her beam-ends and sank. Only one boat had
been got out, and that was carried down by thC
steamer, and all in 1t lost Brady scrambled in
to the mlzzen rigging, Hhieh was aboVethe wat
or, an mW be could DO nolhing there went for
warn and unwove the hal yards. being assisted b.
Quartermasters 6peakman and Gwen. Brad
then took the halyards and all three swan to tn
rock. The line was hauled ashore and nun
Der Of passengers landed by it.
A number ha1 got on it, but as the tide va
rising their position was no better than on th
vessel. Just then fishermen on shore came ou
In boats and rescued those on therock and larg
number from the rigging. Brady remained q
the scene until noon to-day, when all who Wer
alive on board had been saved, excep: the chic
officer, Mr.. Firth, who was Ia the rigging, out
ing for help Brady says he tried 10 get a crev
to goto Firh'a rescue. but the sea was 70 heav
that nohody would volunteer. Altogether abou
two hundred and Shy persons were saved, ,includ
ing CaptaiR Williamsalso Fourth OElcsr Brow
the doctor, and several Of engineers and sailor
Not siagle woman or child was saved. No,
Qt them, as we'll as hundreds Of men, wei
drowned ia their bertha The ship struck abOr
A. NJ, the Weathef at thstime bsinR dafk .br
not thick, With rough sea. Steamers are Voin
down o-night to render what assistance the
possibly can. All the people saved from d
wreck, except Brady, are still in Prospect, ,WheI
the fishermen are giving them all possible atleu
tion.
NEW YoRK, April 1.-AmOng the cabin pal
sengsFs lost on the Atlantic the only ones no
known are William II. Merritt and wife Of Ne
York, Miss Merritt, his sister, and Mrs. SsEy
myser, his sislsr-in Law. No liSs Of the prssngs
can Be obtained to-day.