Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-04-06
A. g. EwING.

have been done beyond what was done to
save life. After the ship struck the steer
age matches were open. There was also
passage from the steerage to the cabin.
When the ship had keeled Capt. Williams
was below witness encouraging passengers
to keep moving about, and for six hours
continued getting passengers into boats.
When witness turned into bed at eleven,
he noticed the weather, which had been
clear, getting haZy, a night IN which it
would be difficult to see land.
Charles w. Allen, cabin passenger, was
called, and M. Mcdonald suggested it was
not necessary to repeat the previous eyi-
dence. Witness then testified that in his
opinion good many more lives would have
been saved if the ship had had an efficient
crew. The Captain could not get any num-
Der of men to do duty efficiently. The i'm
preston of the witness from the beginning
of the voyage was that the ship was not
well manned. There was enough men, but
they were not efficient. The Captain and
officers after the vessel struck seemed to
exert themselves as much as they could.
They were competent. One rule, to exer-
else the crew a. the boats once week,
was not done; but few steamers obey that
rule.
Testimony OF the Chief Oncer.
John William Firths, chief officer Of the
Atlantic, testified: At noon Monday the
Captain and took observations by sepa-
rale chTonometers, and agreed very closely.
The latitude was 63 deg, 55 min; loDgi
tude Al deg, 80 min. A consultation Of
tho officers was held as 10 the prOpriety of
turning r9und to Halifax for coal, and we
unanimously agreed to do so as the safest
proceeding. At / O'Clock the ship was
headed for Halifax, its course being north
"A east. The speed wss then about nine
knots. Lheu went below. At return
ed to deck. My watch was from to 6.
No alteration was made In the course
of the vessel. was below from
6 TO s. At there had been a change of
weather and several showers Of rain. | re-
mAined on deck until u. This course was
not changed. There had been some dark
clouds, but they had passed, and it was then
clear. About half past IL the quartermas-
ter told me the ship was running twelve
knots. At 10 minutes % II the Captain
came on the bridge where l was, and in
quired for third officer Brady, as he wished
to have the distance run by the ship from 1
P. NJ. to midnight. Officer Brady was at
the time on bis rounds of the ship. The
Captain afterwards came on the bridge and
told me be placed the ship four miles south
of Sambro. then welt below. The Cap
tain's orders were to keep a good lookout
for loose ice, and il the event Of seeing the
light of fixed light to get it two points on
the port bow and call him Immediately,
and under any circumstances to call him
not later than 8 O'Clock. These orders l
conveyed to, the second officer. The lead
was not thrown over at all. The lead was
ready on the bridge. Twas aroused By the
shock when the ship struck.
have had 27 years experience at sea,
with great many masters, and l found
Capt. Williams all that could be expected
of one in bis position. l have been a ship
master myself, largely in the Indian trade.
l considered there was not the slightest risk
when l went to bed at night. l can ae-
count for the disaster in no other way
than there was strong SCI to the north
west which we did not know of. The log
was hove regularly every two hours. On
two Or three days during the passage, when
we had no observations, our dead reckoning
was found correct.
Adjourned till Monday.
Survivors Reach Portland.
PORTLAND, Me-, April 5.-The steamer
Falmouth arrived here this morning from
Halifax with 325 passengers of the Attain
tic. Among them are j. w. Wick, of North
Carolina, and Simon Camach0, a French
man. The latter has his feet and legs bad
ly frozen. They were in the rigging eight
hours. They praise the officers for their
gallsntry, but are bitter against tse crew.
At Boston.
Three hundred and twelve steerage pas
sengers from the Atlantic arrived here tbs
morning by the Eastern railroad. They
were received by several citizen escorts and
police and conducted to Faneuil Hall where
breakfast was served. The Mayor has ap-
pointed a committeeNto receive contribu-
tons of money and clothing. The entire
party will leave tonight for New York.
Chicago.
CHICAGO, April 5.-The committee who
are soliciting subscriptions in aid Of the
fourth officer and survivors of the Atlantic
disaster, report over one thousand dollars
collected. The money will be forwarded
to the agent OF the White Star Line, and
will be distributed according to his judg-
ment. Sz
RumOrs Of Another Great SbipyVreck.
HALIFAX, April 5-The steamer Uni
corn in coming up this evening from the
wreck of the Atlantic passed schooner
which reported large vessel, apparently
steamer, ashore at Spry harbOr, 80 miles
east of Halifax. No particulars have yet
reached she city. ..r