The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-08-19
The Steamship Alabama Struck by
the Bark Altoona.
Loss Of the Captain and Seven Of the
Crew Of the Latter.
Solution Of the Reported Wreck Of the
Steamef-ller Arrival Yesterday.
Graphic Story of the Accident by
a Passenger.
PERILs OF OCEAN TRAVEL.

PERILS OF OCEAN TRAVEL.
Last evening the steamship Alabama, Of the
State line between here and Glasgow, came into
port, to the great JOY OF the many to whom the
news OF her oss transmitted across the cable, had
borne most painful interest. In Q collision with
bark named the Altoona she lost one OF her boats,
which, drifting ashore the coast Of Ireland, ~
point near Tory Island thirteen miles from the
scene OF the accident, and bearing the name Of
"the Alabama" gave rise to the conclusion that
the steamer herself had been wrecked at sea.
COLLISION WITH BARK.
1t Is, however, painful to relate that the un-
happy bark, along with eight of her crew, were
lost in the fatal collision, not. as 1t would ap-
pear, through the fault OF the steamer 80 much
as by reason OF the mistake committed by the
bark. The Alabama was advertised to leave Glas-
gov on the I'd Of this month but failed to start
until the Sd. She touched at place called Larne
III Ireland not far from Belfast, the same day, and
LETT the day following for America. According to
the official log, on the night OF the 4th, at
II $50, the Innstrahull light was bearing
east by south onehalf south, fifteen miles distant.
The wind was northwest, the night cloudy and the
ship steering westnorthwest, making about eight
knots an hour. The lookout Donald Mcmillan re-
ported light about one and half points on the
port bow. The officer OF the deck. Mr.. George
Hutchings, short time afterwards gotta
GLIMPSE OF RED LIGHT
and ported helm. Immediately afterwards he lost
the red light and put the helm hard to port along
with ordering the engines to be stopped Then he
perceived bark heading apparently up about
nQrth-northeast crossing the bow OF the steamer.
Though an order was Immediately given to re-
verse the engines the bark went directly
into them, striking them little on the port bow
and little abaft the bark's forergging. The time
from the period Of the collision until the bark
went down is estimated to have been about four
minutes. The engines were again stopped and
the quarter boats, in command OF Messrs. Hutch
ings and Miller, lowered away IN search OF any
vivors. BuOys and ropes were thrown overheard
to one OF which q man who was swimming close
was picked up by the port quarter boat IN charge
OF Mr.. Miller Another man drited alongside on
part OF the wreck and was
HAULED ON BOARD.
third was rescued from the bark's
boat, which was full OF water. The steamers
Ssse vsn, e the 70 wreck p for IN the
hours but failed to discover any further traces
OF the crew. The port quarter boat was hauled
stove in and was lost altogether, but the men who
were In 1t were saved. The steamer remained in
until four O'CLOCK in the morning on the St6. It
was then daylight and clear weather, and nothing
not ns ayns aea time tine
proceeded on their Journey.
The foregoing Is the steamers account Of the
from Portland Me-, who was passenger on board
the Alabama, q more elaborate and glowing sketch
OF the accident was received last evening by a
HERALD reporter Mr. Cousens tells the story
as follows in mis- own words, and If it happen that
he appears to make more OF the affair and enlarge
itc fprrn tn a ore
the steamer, 1t should be borne in mind that the
brayest hearts are apt to quail at anything like .
collision at sea when it occurs In the dead OF night.
PERILs OF OCEAN TEAvEI.
Mr.. COCsens says:-"During the day OF Monday
August 4, we rounded the north coast OF Ireland
happily enough, beheld the bold front Of the Giants
Causeway, and considered, as we set ourselves to-
wards the West that the dangerous coast OF Ireland
would be ere we woke at safe distance In our
rear. Vain expectationsl as the sequel will sadly
show. The dark-visiged angel had already lowered
his pini0n to the wave and ms shalt ft!ed 10 the
bow. We knelt by our cOucheS and breathed
PRAYER FOR SAFETY
the seaand lay down in silent ignorance to sleep
night. That danger came at midnight. Every
sleeper on board awoke at the heavy thud, which
ana @ nS s ses
from their stateroems for the last time. Banched
faces looked ausstio9ipgly in the saloons with
Companionways were choked with the surgng
1s anxiety Sn 70. shlmstsS
oaicers shouted, and to aid in averting or mitgat.
ing the calamity, the precise character Of which
we could not yet learn, we
OF the davits were, However, rusty, and
@ cnoEed our attempts, SO that oasr.
ter OF an hour or 50 elapsed before we succeeded
in Launching on the sea. Amid the tremsndsus
rad struck SHIP that she had already gone down
and tina. the endeavors row being made were to
rescue any swlu,.ners anoat upoa the pillows Dt
WV FAINT CRY WAS HEARD 80 50
on the starboard quarter OF ''Throw me rope ~
and we deserted bit of the wreck clingng to which
thrown him and the boy was dragged aboard. Three
boats had by tins time gone nom the ship In few
ndtSns save N one Ss
one poor fellow above the water who had swan
already to our ships side. They held HIM over the
alive, but the internal injuries he incurred were
such that he spit blood for days aiterward. There
FLOATING IN THE DARKNESS
one OF the lost ships boats full OF water, but con.
tanning the only other survivor Of the fated crew,
board the propeller sucked his boat within its cur.
rent, and itself and the faithful dog, which had
accompanied him thus far, disappeared from our
One BY one, with the same dincuity attending
the lowering the steamers boats were hoisted to
full Of water and thrashinG against the ships side
at every lurch. was smashed in, and the tackles
giving way, was relinquished. This boat, drifting
away to the coast, only thirteen miles or together
with several lifebuoys which mad been thrown,
all OF these bearing the steamers name led to the
approximations OF the steamers loss which have
gone into wide circulation. We called the atten.
ton to the liability OF such an event, but were
sILENCED BY A REMARK
that we should speak some in-g0ing craft In the
morning, and send back word OF our safety. In
the morning we sighted no craft, and So OF course,
sent back no word. Tnus did the accident happen.
The Alabama pierced nearly half way through her,
tyst (2ryaga q sey Yldshps 2n Der stsrPoard SIDE