The New York herald., 1873-12-05

pany had nothing new 10 give and to all corners
answered that they would PROBABLY hear no more
OF the particulars or the loss OF the Vile du Havre
until the Official investigation was ended in Paris
Captain surmont was to leave Cardiff Immediately
the investigation was ended there, and, with his
0fhcers, would report Immediately in Paris, when
the investigation would begin. The fact OF the loss
OF the Vile du Havre would not interfere with the
intention OF the company to run their steamers
weekly between this port and France after
the 1st OF March next. The company
had number OF extra vessels and could
do IL now, but that the present state
OF trade would not warrant IT, As for additional
lists OF the lost saved 1t would be impossible to
say any thing until the arrival OF vessels or some
time to come who may have picked up some OF the
survivors. The chance OF such an occurrence was
exceedingly small however and 1t was more than
probable that all the names OF the lost ana saved
had been already published.
1t was stated semi-officialy yesterday that the
loss OF the Vile du Havre, well that OF several
other steamships lately, had impressed the mana
gers OF the various transatlantic companies with
the necessity OF providing some means OF making
such accidents as the late terrible one more dini-
cult OF occurrence than they have been. 1t Is
considered certain that had the Vile du Hayre
carried
THE ELECTRIC LIGHTS
and which had been placed upon the St. Laurent,
one OF their steamships, some years since, the COL
lision could not have happened. 1t is considered
that as the light only cost 800 q day, and need
only be used during thick fogs and very heavy
weather, the charge would be very small compared
with the gain which would ultimately ensue by
making collisions with other vessels next to i'm
possibility. To consider this question 1t is stated
that q meeting OF the managers OF the various
lines composing the Steamship Owners Associa-
tlOn will shortly be called, and that the question
OF electric lights Will be fully debated
1t is also understood that the question
OF life saving RATS will be also taken up, and that
many OF the managers are convinced that these
RATS would secure much greater safety than the
boats which are attached to steamers, and which
in the hour OF need are almost always rendered
useless, not only from the 1act that the tackle to
lower them usually becomes so entangled as to be
unserviceabe, but also because when launched
Of the vessel in heavy sea. Rats, 1t is said, on
the contrary, can accommodate q much larger
while not being so easily naviaabe, are gener-
ally safer from the impossipility OF their being
swamped.
THE USE OF RATS,
1t 6 said, need not Obviate the employment OF
boats also. Several other questions OF equal i'm
pOrtance to the companies and 10 the saving OF
human life will come up at the meeting. The New
York HarbOr Commissioners and the pilots have
already EXPIRE ssed themselves in favor OF some
changes in the style OF precautions taken by these
lines.
THE LocH EARN.
A HERALD reporter called yesterday at the
Anchor Line office to ascertain something con-
corning the Loch Earn, the vessel which lnficted
Havre. Mr.. Cavery, one OF the managers OF the
line said that he believed the Loch Earn to be all
ana o she wd have been
due by this time, he thought she had continued on
her way here, IN which case I'll they should PROBABLY
month, at which time she would be due. Mr.. Cav
ery did not believe the Loch Earn was damaged
to any extent for several reasons One, that the
people who had been on board OF her would have
reported the TACT, and secondly, that there was no
particular reason why she should be damaged.
down upon the Vile du Havre with the full lOrce
OF her PROV, crashing right into her. She just hap
pened to strike the steamship IN the latter's
weakest part where the machinery was placed and
where there was absolutely no resistance but the
struck the French steamship where the cargo was
placed he would be much more apt to believe
that the vessel might have been injured. But even
allowing that the foch Earn was damaged IN front
IL should not initiate against ner continuing to
float all right. as she " was onlt IN compartments:
without the vessel sinking Mr.. Coverly men,
toned an instance Of steamship belonging to one
OF the lines coming to this port which had hole
Knocked in her forward compartment large enough
to drive horse and cart through, and which
that the Locn Earn would turn up all right when
she DUE She left London on November IA,
and one month would be reasonable time to
allow her. She carried no passengers ana her
cargo was not known on this side. Ii was full,
assorted one. Mr.. Coverly further said that
neither he nor the company had any furtner hope
Tor the Ismaiia. She was undoubtedly lost, and he
was afraid would never be heard from again.
THE LOST OF THE VILE DU HAvRE.
Mr. Hamilton NJ rray, who was lost on the vile
du Havre, was a young gentleman OF education
and ample means, vino was gong to Europe with
his sister, Miss Murray, a charming and accom-
plished young lady. They owned a fine residence
the family is brother now at Princeton College.
The mother and younger sister died last summer.
Mrs. Platt, also one OF the lost was an intimate
TREND OF the Murray family, and accompanied them
to Europe for pleasure. They were seen on deck
shortly before the steamer went down, and there
is some hope that they may be on the Loeb tarn.
Mr.. A. L. @. POrtman was also one OF the lost.
He accompanied the late Commodore Perry in his
first Japan expedition as clerk to the COmman-
der-in- Chief and interpreter, being native OF
Holland. He was of great service in this ca
pacity as almost all the Japanese 0ficials
as government Interpreter to the United States
Commission in Washington, composed OF Captains
b. +. Dupont, afterwards in command OF the naval
force at Charleston during the war; s. 8. Lee COM
mander OF the Mississippi, and u. ID. Porter, now
Admiral, which commission had charge Of the first
Japanese Embassy to this country.
Alter the treaty had been concluded he returned
to Japan with the Embassy In 1862 at the request
OF the Japanese government and served as Secre-
tary OF the American Legation in that country. He
there performed, on two occasions, the duties OF
Acting Minister OF the United States during the
absence OF that official. About year ago ne re-
signed his position on account oil Ill health, and
spent year IN Europe He had been in this coun-
try on visit before his last voyage, on which he
was lost. He was about 46 years OF age and lately
had resided IN Amsterdam, Holland He was un-
married.