The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-06
RECEPTION AT FANEUIL HALL.
SuperstitiOus Fears by the Passen-
gers During the Voyage.
THIRTEEN AT TABLE.
Relatives Caring For the Dead Charity
Busy with the Living.

HALIFAX, N. s., April s, 1873.
The story OF the wreck OF the steamer Atlantic
and its fearful loss Of life has and never VIII
be fully told. The very worst suspicious OF Grim
ina careessness negligence, incOmpetency or
whatever you may call 1t. have been fully
realized. Captain Williams, who now lounges about
the principal hotel in Halifax, is the man who is
responsible, and according to general Wishes as
far as expressed he is man who ought TO dangle
from the yard arm before the rising of another
sun.
THE CUSTOMARY INVESTIGATION
has commenced but there will probably be nothing
more heard from 1t than there has been from the
inquiry into the Metis murder OF Watch Hill last
Summer. There have been very many false
reports sent hence concerning the terrible
calamity, and many persons who have been al
luded to as generous, brave and humane will be
stigmatzed as wretches OF the worst kind when
the facts are known. This statement is broad
but there is an avalanche Of evidence to support
II. That Captain Williams is one who is criminally
responsible it is hardly necessary to repeat His
name and fame will nger for many generations ;
Tor there Is scarcely country on the
whole worlds domain but which to-day is
In mourning on account OF home which he has
made desolate through his ignorance or incompe
tency. To the criminal negligence of the Captain,
which brought about the disaster, there has fol-
lowed painful indifference to the care and COM
fort of the lost and survivors on the part OF the
Halifax agents of the unfortunate White Star line
THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING WHATEVER
10 alleviate the sunerngs OF the saved, and about
the same may We said concerning their efforts TO
care for the dead or assist the bereaved friends in
identifying and recovering the bodies. All this IN
difference, 1t should be stated is due to the Hail.
fax agents, who were notified at once by the com
pany to spare no pains expense IN alleyiatinr
tie snnerings or those who were affected by the
terrible disaster. These Instructions have been
generally dsregarded and not until the arrival
this morning OF Mr.. Ponnclly from the New York
once was there the slightest assurance Of the good
faith and good intentions of t. company which has
suffered SO extensively in consequence OF the imbe
cility OF a commanding officer. Mr. Pennelly arrived
here al an early hour this morning, and besides
HIM and the HERALD reporter here were scores
OF others who were attracted by the dsaster which
has sent rang Of sorrow through the whole
civilized world. Among the number were many
who came to identity and convey tenderly
home the lifeless forms Of those whom they had
anticipated a2d arranged for a hearty and jovia
welcome. Some were from New York, some from
, Massachusetts and other New England States all
bent on mourniul mission. There was COM
mon sympathy, "a sort OF bond Of sorrow and as
if TO ada 30 its inipressiveness and strength there
interviewed
A RAILROAD COLLISION,
with three CT four Killed and three times as many
fatally wounded This seemed an III omen, and 1t
proved TO be what 1t seemed. The anxious and
melancholy passengers were doomed to q term OF
sorrow, for a. they approached the scene Of dsas-
ter the faint rumors which had met them were
more than doubly verified. II was midnight and
long after wneD the Haliiax Hotel was reached,
and nothing could be done until morning.
Al SEVEN O'CLOCK
the little steamer Henry Rood left the Commercial
wharf, wufh Captain Merritt, Of the New York
Wrecklng Company; Mr.. Pennelly. OF the White
star Lines The HERALn reporter ana few others,
ana proceeded to the scene " the wreck The
story OF this ligilt and that was told with great
effect by Mr.. Lawson, who commanded the little
craft; but the who,e thing In nutshell was that
The Atlantic struck q rock
FORTY MILES FROM THE POINT
where her captain almost any other oficer
supposed her to be. The scene OF the wreck as
already described was found 10 be wretched and