The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-12-06
The Vile du Havre Calamity.
FURTHER DETAILS OF THE
HORROR.
The SECOND OFFICER RESPONSIBLE.
Statement Of the Captain.


Heroism Of the American Women.
NEW York, Dec. 5.-The following add-
tional facts relative to the lsss of the Vile du
Havre were published this morning under date
of Havre: sa&t@ aN- --t
Captain Surmont and sixty survivors of the
crew arrived here this morning and were greet
ed Ly an immense crowd of people on the
wharf. .s-
As soon as the party landed they proceeded
to the Office Of the steamship company where
the captain was closely Intercepted in relation
to the circumstances attending the disaster
which had befallen his vessel.
One of the officers said when questioned that
ip his judgment the collision was unexampled
in the manner of its occurrence. He said fur
Their that it would never have happened if the
officer of the deck had been Capt. Surmont.
The only accusations made are against him
and the I'd Lieut. Anduvand, who committed
suicide. the informant who was in bed, inn
mediateiy rushed on deck and saw that four of
the boats bad been disabled, and the masts
were already falling overheard.
Some of the sailors state that the lookout
forward gave warning that lights were ap-
preaching through the fog, aud the officer IN
command, Lieut.. Auduvand, gave orders based
upon such warnings. but his command was too
late. Others of the crew assert that be gave
no orders. They affirm that he trusted to the
chances of being able to pass clear across the
fac of the Loeb Earn, and that the first order
was given by Capt. Surmont, who sprung to
the deck Just too late, however, to be able to
avert the catastrophe The lieutenant took
the desperate chance of running clear, but had
miscalculate !, and seeing the astounding calam-
ity which had resulted from his error OF judg-
ment, in his despair, accepted suicide as a So
luton of his own embarrassment. There is no
reasonable doubt but that he could have saved
himself
Five or six of the sailors who were on duty
at the time say they saw the lights OF the
Loeb Earn, five minutes before the steamer
struck. a
Col, Montagues daughter was the first one
killed by the falling Of the mast
Az the passengers united in prayer during
the few moments of terrible suspense General
admiration is expressed at the courage of the
American ladies', who deported themselves with
great calmness aud made no confusion. See
ing their almost inevitable fate they knelt and
prayed No one thought the end was coming
SO quickly as it did. HHk
The despatch from Havre further says in re-
gard to the Vile du Havre disaster, that of the
total muster OF eight life boats five were dssa-
bled and three only renamed in condition for
service, and these saved many people.
1t is believed that Capt, Snrmont charged
the disaster to the negligence of Lieut. Auau
wand All are united, however, in the oenet
that the captain did bis duty under the circum-
stances. Capt. Surmont says he had oeen on
deck until 10 o'clock, aud that wGen ne retirea
he gave orders to be aroused az O'CLOCK
promptly He was called and saw the Locn
Earn almost ms antly in collision, but Delieyed
there would be time to save all. he al once
gave orders to each officer to take commune Of
boat but saw that two boats were dlsaoIed
by the collision, and two minutes latet otners
were destroyed by the falling masts. he states
that the best order possible prevailed among
the crew, who placed themselves under periect