Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1873-04-05
AN APPALLING DISASTER.
WRECK OF THE STEAMSHIP ATLANTIC
OVER SEVEN Hundred LIVES LOST.

HALIFAX. April This afternoon a
report being current that a steamer had
been wrecked on the coast and several
lives lost, it was at first regarded as a
cruel April fool hoax, but this evening
the Cunard agents here received news
that it was all true. and that only little
of the truth had been told, the fact be-
inc that the White Star steamship At
lantic, Capt. Williams, from Liverpool
to New York, while coming into this
port for coal, struck on Meaghers rock,
near Prospect. twenty-five miles west
of Halifax. and became 4 total wreck
OF about l.009 souls ON board up
wards of 100 were drowned. Third Off
Ger Brady arrived in this city this even
ino. lie SAWS the Atlantic left Liver
pool March both, with upwards Of 900
steerage passengers and about 30 cabin
passengers. The steamer experienced
boisterous weather during the passage,
but all went well until noon on Monday
3lst. when the supply OF coal became
nearly exhausted. The captain deter
mined to put Into Halifax.
The captain and third officer were on
deck until midnight. The position was
then Judged to be Sambro light bearing
y. y. W. 80 miles The captain then
went into his char; room, leaving or
ders to be called if there was any change
in the vessels conditions, Brady went
to bed about the same time as the cap
tain. The next thing that he remem-
bered is that he was thrown out OF his
bunk and felt the ship strike several
times. He then rushed on deck and
found the captain and the officers there,
and the deck full Of passengers. lie got
an axe and commenced TO clear away j
boat.
The captain and officers were busy
doing the same thing Brady got his
| boat out and put two women III 1T. y
number of men attempted to get into 1t
and about dozen succeeded. Just at
that moment the steamer fell over on
her beam end and sunk. Only one boat
had been GOT out and that was carried
down by the steamer and all IN 1t lost
Brady scrambled into the lnlzzen rig
cling, which was above water, and see
INC he could do nothing there he went
forward and unwove the halyardS, being
assisted by Quartermastrrs Owen ana
Speakman. Brady then took the hal
yards, and all three swan to the rock
| \ line was hauled to the shore, and a
number of passengers landed by it.
\ number had got on the rock, but
as the tide was rising their position was
no better than on the vessel. just then
fishermen on shore came out i'll boats
and rescued those on the rock and Il
large number from the rigging. Brady
remained ut the scene until noon to-day,
when all who were alive on board had
been saved, except Mr.. Firth, who was
in the rigging, shouting for help.
! Brady says he tried to get the crew
to 90 to the rescue of chief officer Firth,
but the sea was so heavy that nobody
would volunteer. Altogether, about
25O persons were saved, including Cap
tain Williams; also fourth officer Brown
the doctor and several Of the engineers
and sailors. Not single woman OF
! chil6 was saved.
Most of them, rs well as hundreds OF
men. were drowned in their berths.
( The steamer struck abou. two o clock
this morning. The weather at the time
was dark but not thick, and the sen rough