Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1873-12-03
HEART-RENDING.
Further Particulars Of the Fatal Col
lision Of the Vile de HaVre and
the LOch-Erne.
The Awful Scene on Board the Ill
Fated Vessel-'s0ne Fearful
Scream, then the Silence
of Death.'
HEART-RENDING.
THE PURsER,s STORY

LONDON, December 1.-The purSer Of the
steamship Vile de Havre gives the following
account of the disaster: The steamer was
struck on the starbOard side, and the main
mast and rigging were carried away. The
ter being launched, the miZzenmast fall
ing upon 1t and killing nearly all its
occupants. The mainmast fell after the
mizzen, topping over on the deck and
ship began to sink amidst great disorder and
panic terror. The scene was awful beyond
description. The air was rent with shrieks,
but some were heard saying, GAS we must die,
let us die nObly." The water rushed into the
hold with incredible velocity. l undressed
myself and, with companions jumped over
Erne, then half a mile distant. As
left heard the ship cracking, and, looking
back, saw her go down with one plunge tor
ward For a moment the shrieks were terri
bic, and then all was silent. 1t was the silence
of death. The captain remained on the bridge
of the Vile de Havre during the whole time,
and went down with the ship. He was picked
up an hour afterward. All the officers who
were rescued were saved in similar manner,
except the first-lieutenant, whom the captain
sent to the Loeb -Erne to see if she was in a
sinking condition, or if she were able 20 re-
ceiVe the passengers OF the Vile de H8Vre.
swan half an hour, and finally reached the
me. 1 remained in the water for another
quarter of an hour, but was eventually rescued
by the LOch-Erne. Among the passengers on
the deck of the Vile de Havre was French
gentleman OF remarkable cOOlness- and
presence of mind. He comforted many
by his words. A. priest asked; "Are you
"Repent, then, said the priest, "and 1 will
forgive your sins" With these last words the
priest sank in the waves. The penitent was
saved. The boats crossed and recrossed the
scene of the disaster, searching for sur
viyors, until ten O'Clock IN the morning. All
further efforts were then abandoned as hope
less. The survivors remained on the Loeb
Erne until three O'Clock in the evening, when
they were transported to the Tri-M Mountain.
CAPTAIN URQUHART'S NARRATIVE.
On Saturday morning, November I'D, being
sighted a vessel on our weather-bow, With her
bowsprit gone, and sails flying. We hove to,
and saw Signals of distress flung out Coming
nearer the ship proved to be the LOch-ErRe,
eight DAYS out of London, for New York.
Coming alongside, the captain asked
me 10 receive the survivors Of
the Vile de Havre, which had been
struck by the Loch-Erne at two o'clock
that morning. After consultation. ~ was
deemed advisable to transfer all the rescued
people but one French clergyman, who had
bacenae deranged. Another Of the party was
left TO take care of him. The survivors were
crowded into the small cabin in a
broken, ilI-clad and quite destitute.
Amidst their grief they expressed their graft
tude 10 the captain and crew of the Loch-
Erne for saving them from watery DEATH 1
supplied them with all the clothing which
could possibly be spared on my ship, and with
other requisites. Nevertheless, some were
almost naked. ard others were badly injured
bv fragments OF the wreck coming in violent
contact with them. After receiving ali on
board the Tri- Mountain 1 decided 20 course
about the scene of the wreck. Such was con.
tinued until nearly dark that night, but we