Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1873-12-05
ANOTHER FEARFUL HORROR.
Loss OF n steamship and Two Hum
dred and Twenty-six Lives.

The Epidemic of Horrors seems to be upon
u.s. Scarce have VIC recovered from the ex-
citemcnt attending the one, before intelligence
comes flashing over the wires that another
has transpired, more excruciatng and heart
rending than its predecessor. Accidents and
crimes move in cycles, the sociologists say and
the experience of this current year can be re-
lied upon to illustrate the truth OF the propo-
sition.
Among the favcrites OF those who go down
to the sea In ships, and those who seek famil-
lar acquaintance with old world scenes, was
the French steamship Vile du Havre. The
vessel was formerly called the Napoleon Ill
She was, with the exception of the Great
Eastern, the largest vessel afoat. Her dimen-
sions were 430 feet by 4S feet, and her carrying
capacity was $500 tons freight and measure
ment. She was elegantly upholstered and ap-
pointed, had urbane and accomplished officers,
and was deservedly favorite with those who
had occasion to cross the Atlantic.
The Vile du Havre left New York, ON the
18th of November, under charge of Captain Sur
mont. With the exception of foggy wealth
or and light variable winds, nothing occurred
worthy of note until the morning Of Novem-
Der %, when being in latitude 1921 and longi-
tude 35.4l the steamer was struck amidshps
by the British ship Locherne and sunk In
twelve minutes afterward. The Vile du
Havrc went with two hundred and twenty-six
of her passengers aud crew to the bottom.
Only ninety-two souls were saved out of that
multitude which left New York so gayly only
a week before.
The purser of the Vile du Havre gives the
following account of the Disaster
The steamer was struck on the starboard
side, and the mainmast and rigging were car
ried away The long boat was not crushed on
deck, but after being lowered, the mizzenmast
oil
pants. The mainmast fell after the mizzen,
topplinS over on the deck, and killing many
persons. In few minutes the ship began to
sink, amidst great disorder and panic and ter
ror. The air was rent with shrieks, but some
were heard saying calmly: "As we must die,
let us die nobly" The water rushed into the
hold with incredible velocity l un-
dressed myself, and with companion jumped
overheard and swan toward the Locherne, then
half a mile distant. AS left heard the ship
cracking, and looking back saw her go down
with one plunge forward. For moment the
shrieks were terrible; then all was silent; it
was the silence of death. The captain remain
ed on the bridge of the Vile du 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 sim
liar manner, except the first lieutenant, whom
the captain sent to the Locherne to see if she
were able to receive the passengers of the
Vile du Havre. l swan half an hour and
finally reached the Locherne, but missed the
ropes thrown to me. l remained in the water
another quarter of an hour, but was eventually
rescued by the Locherne.
Among the passengers on the deck of the
Vile du Havre was French gentleman of re-
markable GOODNESS and presence of mind. He
comforted many by his words. A priest asked:
"Are you a Roman Catholicg" Eyes" was
the answer. "Repent, then" said the priest
land forgive your sins" With these last
words the priest sank in the waves. The pen
itent was saved.
The boats crossed and recrossed the scene of
the disaster, searching for survivors, until 10
a. m. Further efforts were then abandoned as
hopeless. The survivors remained ON the
Locherne until p m, when they were trans
ported TO the Trimontain.
Among the lost were Judge r. w. Peckham
Of the New York Court of Appeals, and the
four children Of H. g. Spafford, Esq, of Chi
cago. Eleven of the victims resided in the
latter CITY