Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1873-12-04
THE VILE DE HAVRE.
Statements Of SurVivers-Much Loss of
Life OccasiOned by the DemOraliza-
ton Of the Officers.
HeFOIsm Of the Ladies-Seenes on Board
-InspiratiOnal Prayer" Let us Go
Down Brayely"-Mlss Hunter.
The Noble English People Again Illus
trate that BIOOd:is Thicker than
Water"-DelIcate and Generous
Attentions.
THE VILE DE HAVRE.

LONDON, December 8-The following is the
Herald cable dispatch: Eleven survivors from
the Vile de Havre departed for Paris tonight.
The railway company kindly provided a
saloOn-car for them during their stay in Lon
don. Everybody We'd with each other in
comforting them; many marks Of affection
were eyinced; storekeepers refused TO accept
payment, and their offers were resisted with
difd Guilty. The steamer sagents provided them
with funds, while Morgan, Brown and others
offered them a home. All this was unnecessa-
~, as several of the surviving gentlemen mad
saved suflleieney OF funds, Mr; Bishop had
three hundred pounds in English notes and
gold, and il Is a remarkable fact that several
seemingly had ample time to dress complete
~. The bishops watch stopped at twenty
stopped at exactly half-past two. This leads
TO the suppOition that much valuable time
was lost in lowering the boats, owing 10 the
utter absence of discipline. After the col
lisiOn no orders were given. the efficers were
distracted and ouch one helped himself This
fact is undisputed. The longboat contained
boys rushed and took possession of it, all re-
serve being effected. subsequently the Scotch
ship was prevented from preparing i'm
mediately for the rescue from its iguo-
rance as TO whether or not any real
serious damage was done TO the steamer,
which arose probably from their inability
20 communicate in French, consequently the
LOch-Erne's boat was not lowered until the
steamer had gone down. No life preserver
was in the proper place. One gentleman
searching .vainly through four cabins, ascer-
tained that occupants OF three or four cabins
in midships were probably killed, when the
scotcbman struck the Vile de Havre. The
most OF those rescued had been floating from
half an hour to an hour before they were
picked up. The ScStchman had but
little comfort 70 extend TO the reScu-
ed beyond open hearts and good win.
The ladies changed their drenched night
dresses Tor sal laR's clothing. II soon, however
became a cushion whether the Loeb -Erne Of
fered safety 10 those on board. Captain Sur
mont declared his determination to transfer
the crew TO some other ship. When the pos
Sible question OF leaving passengers behind IT
was resisted ny the mate and Belikuapp, and
amer consultation with the carpenter they
overcome, with some difficulty, Sur
monts opposition. When the Tri-Mountain
was sighted, transfer was effected, and the
American captain offered the ladies increased
comfort, in neat cabins, occupied by his wife,
sun, when a landing was effected at
Cardiff, at twilight, on Monday, the ladies
were 10 a state Of semi-nudity, some having
only blankets 10 protect them, no bonnete,
ana their feet covered with sailors stockings.
They arrived at the motel, when the agents
dies assembled in the parlor, having but
short notice 10 dress prior TO their departure
Tor London. When the signal was given the
gentlemen asked whether they were ready,
the fearful tragedy, all the ladies being clad
N mourning. The heroism of the ladies was
beyond all praise that of Miss Hunter being
o Peclally conspicuens. All gratefully
they Were treated al the time of
the collision The second oficer was
IN charge OF the ship. He perished. The sailor
on the lookout was rescued. He maintains
that ten minutes prior to the Catastrophe he
reported "A ship to the officer In charge. and
hat the latter gave confused directions to the
M n at the wheel. The few men saved owe
their iives 20 the engineer, who stopped the
engines In time, thus preventing further loss
Of life.
PARis, December s.-The detailed account