New-York tribune., 1873-12-19
VILE DU HAVRE DISASTER
THE STORY OF THE WRECK.

MINUTES-WII4D SCENES ON DECh-fALL OF THE
MAsTs AND DESTRUCTION OF TWO BOATS.
The steamship Europe of the General
Transatlantic Companys line arrived at this port at
O'Clock Yesterday afternoon, after stormy passage
from Havrc and Brest. II thought possible that
some Of the Inflated steamers passengers whose plans
had been suddenly defeated, and whose friends
and families had gone down with the wreck.
might return by this. the earliest steamer. to
the friends who had been left behind. The list
OF passengers, however, included none of the
Vile du Havres passengers aud her officers and crew,
Of course. will remain at Havre TO await the Govern
ment Investigation. Before the Europe sailed however,
she was boarded by Capt surmont aud his officers and
the details OF the disaster fully rehearsed.
porter Of THE TRIBUNE boarded the Europe her ar
rival yesterday afternoon. aud from Capt. Lemarie
Purser Lewal and Assistant Purser Gallon. and other
officers. who had several interviews with the ship
wrecked obtained full particulars OF the disaster
Capt Surmont accompanied by six Of his officers and
i've OF his crew, reached Hsyre on Thursday, the 4h
inst. having been landed at Cardiff Wales. on the pre-
cedng Monday The officers aud portion OF the crew
went directly board the Europe. she preparing
10 sail. and the hour for her departure was already
at hand. This prevented the rehearsal OF the
minute details which might otherwise have been fur
nished to her officers. Tne officers and OF the Vile
du Havre dined upon the Europe the day OF their
arrival. and also breskfas,ed there the following
morning, though the night spent shore. The
tragic story OF Capt surmont and his is this:
Tbe Vile du Havre left New-York for Havre on the
18th Of November with full complement Of officers and
crew. large number OF passengers aud heavy cargo.
When only a distance at she entered the
borders OF thick fog, which at shut out all sails
from sight threatened danger TO the great steam
ship which plowing through II. The strctest vgi
maintained in every portion OF the vessel aud
every possible precauton taken prevent collisions.
Steadily the vessel kept her course and vainy her
officers hoped for clearer sky. The fog still erveoped
steamer and the watch deck still peered with
sraining eyes into the mist. Day succeeded day. but
the fog lifted only intervals and then only for few
minutes possibly hours at time. For five days and
as many nights had the French steamer pushed onward
cropping her best she able, and all this time
her officers were guarding against harm.
On the morning Of Nov 20 a brisk breeze spranc M,
the fog swept before it. and the day was clear
almost for the first time her departure from New
York A heavy rolling throughout the day. but
all had been dspeed with the fog. and the VINE du
Havre had plain sailing before her. The morning
Friday the 2lst also clear, and little no fog
encountered during the day. The sea was si run
nng high and the night came clear and start The
captain himself remained deck until about $780, when
ne went below, leaving all things well on board. He
stretched himself his BERTH aud fell asleep. He
was never in the habit OF sleeping than three
four hours a time when at and at about a.
to go on deck AS he up he startled TO
large sailing vessel swiftly bearing down upon the
steamer and a glance he knew that collision
inevitable. He had not been informed OF the approach
OF any vessel. and knew nothing Of it TIL he went on
deck. In a moment the crash came, and the unknown
vessel plowed through the iron plates OF the Vile
du Hayre opening frghtful Chasm through which the
rushed in tremendous volume. The iron bow
sprt OF the Loeb Earn struck the iron mainmas of the
steamship with full force Swapping it like pipe-Stem
Tie great tottered upon the mzzenmast but
was s supported from falling 10 the deck by and by
the STAYS. which had not given way The Loch Earn
had struck GmdshipS the starboard side. and
hai shattered the boats Nos. and beyond all hope OF
reconstruction.
The terrible shock had awakened the passengers. who
rushed wildly upon deck in tina night clothing, and in
eonsternaton sought of rescue. Every one
knew that the vessel sinking and rho officers and
sprang 10 the boats to which they had been cen
.ss,sn"u ,Sy az M sit,v Womb pepInjt ana speedy
prepared them Many OF the passengers hurried
10 sld fro IN VAIN sttept 10 collect thelr scattered
10 ecre the articles Of value which had been forgotten
In the first wild OF the disaster by tins act
been improved many lives mght have been saved
.ince all would had time 70 take their places IN Tue
bo,s or al least TO provide themselves with life pre-
servers A few moments before the vessel went
down three chamoernaids came on, on deoK WIN ol
hfe-presorsers properly adjusted put c9uid no'
summon courage TO trust themselves 10 them
sy Iss S % @
have been carried down with the sinking vessel mean,
s well as Dossi6lo under the circumstances. Boat No.
on the sarboard side commanded by the Brest pilot
@sndsd by second officer Gsiard; These
two boats were successfully launched, d.
the Loeb Larn. Boats Nos and both on the sIarpoar1
side. had rendered useless when the Loch Earn
them Boats Nos and c, on The port side were some
what larger than Nos and tsy @ TSee Se aT me5s
Daring 70 leave the vessel Enduran, the
SfHoer on watch, was preparing 20 take com
mand Of No L. and Thlrd-Leuenant Martin OF No. g.
Of collision aud desth by drowning for the mizzennast
and maumast came crushing down together ana zen
with the Inaintopsa spread directly across the boats
with their 50 passengers. Many Of these were Killed
oners so seriously Injured a" 10 p men m h
and floating bits Of the wreck TIL assistance arrived
tss ma,ts faIline. leaped into ihe water and was
followed by the chief engineer. The latter was uhaDe
10 .%P nIa was Obliged 10 shake his oomrade
who was drowned. while the former escaped 70 tne
Tncb Earn Boats Nos and 8 were also large, the
former being commanded by first officer De Garay ana
the latter bong the csPsa1s me poa So san and H wss
caught by the dav and carried down. Boat NO. was
The captain as he came deck. had ascended the
bridge and taken charge OF the vessel lie went oo%a
was | sftervard pcked up conveyed TO the Loch
Psrn The engineers bad remained at their posts esV
ing everything safe condition 10 prevent an
The discipline throughout WAS good, aud everything
possible was done 10 save the Hves Oh 80
The Ipch Earn seems have suddenly altered her
course when within short distance OF tue n nlo au
Hayre one of ths watchInen the steamer declares
that DISTINCTLY the Loeb Earns green staroVaro M %
hight some time previous TO the colslon an1 w Wv"
esses micht have easily euded each other The' Loon
Tarn's lookout however seemed 10 be de1ectiVe ioi
10 ,or tbe Ve Du Hayre 10 escape. Capt. Surnont,
with portion Of the and few OF the passengers
we're taken on board the Loeb Earn. whose boats as
listed i'm the rescue OF the drowning. Ihe Irihouh
tain from New York, sighted a rev hours iater,
.ai1' u @ .v 90 aInnSsde The Vile du Hayre's sur
wing passengers aud crew we're taken on DoaIt and
landed At Cardiff, Monday Dec capt ouImont anu anu
his crew proceeded thence 10 Havre, where hey arrived
on the following Thursday.