The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-17
THE AGENTS REPORT.

immediately on receipt of the cable despatch
announcing the loss OF the Amerque representa-
tive OF the HERALD visited the oices of the Trans
atlantic Company, in order to ascertain whether
any official communication had been received
from the agents OF the company at Brest or Havre
or from the bureau in Paris. Mr.. Mackenzie the
agent for the line In this city, who had just arrived
stated that no telegram had been sent to him, but
he felt there was little room to doubt the truth Of
the news, Tor he had already seen several
private dispatches sent by passengers to
their friends here, which, however, simply set
forth the fact OF the Amerique having
been lost and assuring them Of their safety. AS
the news OF this latest and third disaster to the
French line became more generally known con-
siderable excitement was caused, and number OF
people having friends on board the lost ship
Hooked to the oflces Of the line but as soon as
they were assured that all the passengers and
crew, with the exception of the second oficer,
mad been saved, they quickly retired
MR.. MACKENzlE's STATEMENT.
Mr.. Mackenzie, who seemed greatly affected by
she loss of the Amerique, in answer to questions
put to him by the HERALD representative, stated
that when he first heard the news that she had
f0undered he could scarcely believe 1t to be true
Tor he thought 1t incredible that in short space
OF time such calamttous disaster should overtake
Tie Lucs uc COuu Ouly dCCOuuL lOT ucF
loss BY reason OF ner having encountered
Q hurricane. She had always been considered
aa one Of the finest ships OF the fleet
since she had been heightened and altered from q
sidewheel steamer into propeller He thought
her loss would possibly be attributed to the fact OF
her being heightened; but, although he was Of a
different opinion, he would state that none OF the
remaining steamers OF the line running between
New York and Havre had been treated in SIM
liar manner. 1t was. however, most singular
coincidence that the three vessels which had I'M
dergone the lengthening process should nave each
and every one have been lost. Pecunarily the re-
cent disasters would not AFFECT the company, al
though they might for short time be put to a lit
tie inconvenience to supply the places OF the
Europe and the Amerique. Their late msfortunes,
too. might possibly afrect the arrangement, which
had been made for the running OF weekly line
during the ensuing season, although the company
might possibly be able to withdraw some OF their
steamships from the West Indian me ana mus nus sup
Mackenzie but little difference has been noticed
in the applications for passages by the line. the
own ships, although q greater proportion Of their
value is insured in different insurance companies
a n
every confidence was reposed. he nad been IN
the employ OF the company for nearly twenty
years. ana had, previous to taking command o!
the Amerique commandcd the washington and
the St. Laurent. He felt assured that 1t was
through no fault on the part OF Captain Rousseau
tnat the Amerique had been lost IL would, ne
tnougnt be absurd to venture any opinion as 70
the cause Of the Disaster for it could not at the
pcst be but the merest conjecture, and no doubt
1uAer DETAILS would shortly be received.
INFORMATION FROM PARIS.
Later IN the afternoon the following telegram
vm Inc cnlef director OF the line In Paris was re-
ceiveo, tnus setting at rest all DOUBT, II any ex
nteo, as TO the loss OF the VESSEL
~.,~. 49, PARIS, April 10. 1874
Amer1que disabled by hurricanes: sunk 18th April
SBm{ maes rom Oshant ian island twenty seven miles
from brest All hands and ngers saved landed
% Brest except second captain who was drowned Cap
tnIn nousscan hnu crews courageous efforts unani
mousy tesuneu 10 py passengers. GOYETCHE.
Mr.. Mackenzie further stated that the Ameriuue
was not loaded heavier than usual with their
ships. In TACT, the rule was rather to underload
them than otherwise. 1t could. therefore not be
on that account that the disaster occurred. She,
too, must have been lighter when lost than on the
day OF her departure by some 400 tons on account
OF her consumption OF coal. He had never heard
either the Captain or officers complain OF the ship
making any water during her three trlps ACROSS