The New York herald., 1873-12-02
UBLIC FEELING ABOUT THE
DISASTER.
PUBLIC

UlbASIE6.
The thrilling details OF another ocean horror the
story OF mighty ship engulfed, with over 200
lives, in the ocean, sent pang through the heart
Of the community yesterday, and recalled again
the "reminiscences OF two other fatalities which,
within year, have carried desolation TO tnou-
sand nresides.
"The vile du Havre OF the French General Trans
atlantic Company, was lost by being run down by
the ship Loeb Earn on the 22d OF November.
Nearly $50 lives have been lost" This was tho
summary OF the terrible news and at once the
mind was directed to that awful crash when the
steamer Murillo cut the emigrant ship Northneet
to the waters edge or the English coast and the
Atlantic ran with deadly impetus on to the crag OF
Mars Rock, on our own shores. In the first OF
these more than 300 lives were lost in the next
over 500, and now came the climax, as the year
draws to q close, making over 1000 lives lost In
three disasters.
There was very little doubt expressed when the
first tidings were received OF the sinking OF the
Vile du Havre for the public mind had begun to ac-
cept these gigantic disasters necessities Of the
period. Great steamers carry more passengers
than the smaller ones, and II they unfortunately
90 down the chances are that the loss OF life Will
be at least proportionate and one startling sensa-
another 80 fast nowadays that the pubic ear is
prepared to hear almost anything terrible with
out much shuddering. There was good deal OF
excitement visible when 1t was learned that the
noble though Inflated vessel was on her eastward
passage, for then every man felt as though he
might at least have some friend or acquaintance
among her company. The news was soon dissemi
mated by swarms Of newsboys, who sped like Mer-
CURES through the leading thoroughfares with the
sextrasn OF the afternoon papers, but as usual the
intelligence was meagre and unsatisfactory There
were only partial lists OF passengers published.
with no information as to how many were saved
or how many lost Then when
TIE NUMBER OF SAVED
was telegraphed from London each cne who had
friend or relative board feared that those con-
corning whom they felt such anxiety were not
among the fortunate rescued few. Then list OF
survivors was received, later in the day. and, be-
tween names misspeled and names included which
did not appear on the passenger list furnished
from the ONCE Of the company in New
York, there were still more vagueness
and uncertainty. Then hopes arose in
the minds OF those who had no other
hope left that perhaps some one whom they
yearned for as lost might have been saved by
boats as yet unheard OF, and in this way every
nope and every fear possible or even conceiva-
BILE under the circumstances was indulged in.
Notwithstanding the cold and stormy state OF the
weather, men paused at all the bulletin boards
and eagerly Cleaned all available details and sur
misses in reference to the sad tragedy. The bull
letins being too meagre to safe the whetted appe-
tite for such
CHASTITY DETAILS
The eager public purchased by thousands the
"extras" and regular editions Of the evening
papers, and as the damp sheets, fresh from the
presses, nuttered in the wind the purchasers,
pausing on the sidewalks, were soon surrounded
by groups Of passers-by equally anxious to hear
the news read or to catch glimpse OF the head
lines II nothing more could be heard or seen.
When 1t was made known what very select list
Of passengers the steamer had on board the
anxiety became speedily heightened, however, for
thousands OF people who were not personally ac-
quainted with any OF the victims had yet certain
acquaintance with them by reputation. One OF the
first names that attracted attention and ELECTED
comment was that Of Judge Rufus w. Peckham, OF
Albany, distinguished member OF the Bench, as
well known almost to New Workers as to the people
OF his own town. and still more intimately known
as the father of Wheeler II. Peckham, the resolute
young prosecutor OF the sRng" criminals. Includ-
persons in New York who had q more or less IN
innate acquaintance or recognition OF the Judge,
who, by the way, also has been hundreds Of times
mistaken for Fernando Wood, on account OF strong
points Of personal resemblance. Then there was
Moses Collodion the caricaturist, who came to this
city as o rival Of Regamey, and whose rapid draw
ings and sketches made in the presence OF
theatrical audiences, gave him at least certain
form Of acquaintanceship with thousands who
had seen him before the footights. Besides these
there were merchants, lawyers and
PEOPLE OF HIGH POSITION IN SOCIETY,
with their wives, sons and daughters, and all OF
whom commanded large circles OF friends and it
was no wonder that the disaster created 80
marked sensation. or course people-so accus-
toned has the public taste become to great, stag
gerinX sensations-began to contrast this with the
Atlantic disaster Of last March, and concluded
that, terrible as was this visitation OF death. the
other more than doubled 1t In loss OF life and the
horror OF its attendant circumstances There was
this difference however, in one feature Of the pres
ent calamty-that there did not seem to be great
and responsible degree OF culpabiity on the part
OF the navigating officers OF the lost steamship as
was the case with the Atlantic; yet men queried
anxiously within themselves whether a system
might not be easily devised to prevent the possi-
bity Of collisions at sea, even in fog. The pub
lie will form their conclusions, too, and
the result Of their hasty consideration OF
the case led them to the expression of the
belief that all steam vessels enveoped in o fog
should slacKen speed, display the most power
ful lights known to science, and sound steam fog.
horns. The whole subject was Of course canvassed
in the most complete manner, despite the fact that
the particulars were few, and the AFFAIR so shocked
and interested the community at large that for
the time the prospect Of war, the opening OF Con-
gress, and other important affairs Of the day were
info "A
discussion.
SCENES AT THE STEAMSHIP COM
PANY'S OFFICE.