Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1873-12-25
The Ville-du-Havre.

From private letter written by c
Burritt Waite of New York to his pa
, rents we extract details of the loss o
the steamer by which Miss Waite wal
drowned, that will interest many of oul
readers:
On BOARD SHIP TRIMoUNTAIN,
November 90, 1873.
Ny DEAR FATHER AND MOTHER =
Here / am, and. no worse in health
than when left New York, but in {
sad state of mind hard to describe, con.
sidering what II have passed through
1 have only Providence to thank for be-
ing alive and able to write. Now to my
voyage. Shortly after leaving New
York gales commenced, breaking one
blade of our screw on Monday. From
that time till Friday morning there
were continuous fogs and gales, when il
cleared and we had lovely day, also
a lovely evening with clear sky and
stars. Julia, poor darling, had staid
below till evening. About eight O'Clock
we went for walk on the deck. went
down with her about nine o'clock; re-
mained in the ladies' cabin until 1920.
She then returned. 1 not being sleepy,
again went on the deck, and remained
until II O'Clock, when also retired. At
little before 2 o'clock 1 was startled
by shock which to me seemed to indi-
dictate the breaking of the screw.
cried out to the ladies not to be alarmed
and keep quiet. / Immediately ran on
deck to ascertain in regard to the dam
age, when 1 was told it was collision,
and upon looking over the starboard
side saw hole reaching from the
kitchen, extending about 40 feet aft, and
penetrating about 10 or II feet into the
deck, far below the water-line. was
back again in my cabin in moment,
and found Julia dressing, and seemed
very calm and composed. As quickly
as 1 was dressed we went.together to the
deck. Then 1 looked at the situation,
and decided in an instant what course
to pursue. Seeing the large starboard
quarter boat lying partially on the deck.
L placed Julia, with Mrs. Bulkley, Miss
Bulkley cher daughterO and Miss Wag-
staff, and told them to stand still few
feet from the boat. I then went to work
with two other gentlemen, cut the COW
ering off, and was in fair way to get
it afioat, but while at work the steamer
gave one last lunge and the waves rush
ed over, covering her at once. As 1
saw the water coming ever the side,
creeping up the deck, Thought it only
a wave, so jumped from the boat to
the deck 70 pull Julia and the three 9TH
er ladies to dry place. L had:my arms
around them, when we were all carried
over the side of the steamer. For an
instance we were all together, then 1
was struck by piece of timber on the
head, which for moment rendered me
insensible. When 1 returned to con-
sciousness / saw no one near. l then
struck out and swan for time, when
a piece of timber, such as sustains the
cover of the boats, Heated near me. l
got astride of it and floated for time.
Then two children came near me. l
caught them, and held one under each
arm until my strength failing fast, L
was obliged to let them.go Shorrlyafter
1 was picked up by the boat of the
French steamer and taken on board the
ship Loeb Erne, from London for New
York. 1 found 1 was one of the first
saved coming in the first boat, togeth-
sr with Capt. Surmount, of the steamer,
who was found swimming in the sea,
having sunk with his ship and risen
again. The purser, brave man, was
picked up by the same boat, with scarce
ly any clothing, but instead of coming
on board the English ship remained in
the boat and rowed from an hour and
half to two hours, saving many people.
Miss Bininger was with us. 1 helped
pull her in. Her mother was lost. There
were several others in the same boat.
When got on board the English ship 1
found it was 2:40 O'Clock, so l must
have been about three-quarters Of an
hour in the water. 1t could not have |
been more than ten or twelve minutes
from the time the ship struck before the
steamer sank. 1t was 4 80 before all |
the people came on board; so you can
i'm magine my feelings during that time,
looking at each one as they came over
the side of the ship, with the hope of
seeing Julia; but, alas! she came not.
She must have gone down without
as Mrs. Bulklev, of whom l
spoke before, says piece of timber came
between her and the rest of the party.
and she saw US all go down. She thinks
I must have been the only one saved of
the little party OF us who were together
a few minutes before, as she is confident
the others did not come. About 3 o.
clock, Saturday morning, ship was
sighted, and being signaled came near.
She proved to be the American ship Tri-
Capt. Urquhart, from New
York for Bristol, England. By advice
of Capt. Surmount, who thought the
English ship too much damaged to be
we transferred to the Tri-
where we were cared for as
kindly as could be under the circum-
stances.
God bless you both and help you to
bear this great trial, and believe me
ever, your own loving son.
CHARLIE.
One poor woman, Mrs. Spanonl, of
Chicago, who lost four children, has
been very low, and we feared for her
life. OF the Mixter family, of Boston,
only the two daughters remain. Mr..
Barbanson and Mr.. Met cCreery send their
kind regards. Shall leave Cardiff to-
Tuesday pass in London, and
reach Paris on Wednesday. l must
take Miss Breeden to her mother at Ver-
sailes. The ladies on the steamer were
as brave as lions, Julia particularly so.
c.
"Won't Do it Agar