The New York herald., 1874-12-20

MANY LIVES SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN LOST.
here. IL is feared ina, many lives have been lost.
THE LOSS AS FELT IN THE CITY.
The loss by ire at sea Of the Pscinc Mail Steam
ship Company's steamer Japan, on her voyage from
Yokohama to Hong Kong, VIII, there Is every rea-
son 10 believe add another chapter to the fright
fui record OF marine disasters for which THIS nm
sort innate association, TO which the vessel be.
i0nged, has OF recent years become somewhat
notorious. Startled as the community must
have peen by the dread announcement that
another steamer OF the line had gone under, and
this time with severe loss OF life there WAS new
erthclese manifested considerable doubt as to the
genuineness OF the report. despite the apparently
authentic sources whence the sad news was de-
rived Indeed. many shrug OF the shoulder and
many toss OF the head plainly Indicated that the
intelligence was received as being simply charao-
tcristic OI the mountebank performances for which
the company has won the prize, but the confrma.
tion OF the weiul story, ready and concise as 1t
was, tended in some degree TO dissipate the idea
that stockjoobers were advertising new panto-
mime, with new clowns and appropriate scenery,
IN view OF the coming holidays Whatever OF con-
tempt or indifference familiarity may breed, there
can be little doubt that the reported loss OF
Pacific Mail steamer. especially IN some dis
tant quarter where the means OF communication
may be somew what limited. fails to invest the
mind, uDmaniy as 1t may seem with those SYM
pathetic feelings, which casual wreck, even in
remote parts, at all times encits. Tins. wnen the
rumor OF the terrible disaster that befel the Japan
was spread broadcast through the city yesterday
the eueslon as to the sacrifice OF human beings
was only secondary to the problem as to how the
nnu uvo w ha
must deplore The terrible tate that befel the un-
lucky passengers the sensation caused yesterday
cannot iail TO bring to mind the Oft-repeated
story OF the tricky iarm boy, who called assist
ance when the wolf was far away from the fold.
~ would be an exaggeration to say there was
much excitement on receipt OF the news yester.
day, yet, when the Official intelligence reached
this city, setting forth briefly the fate OF the
vessel, the fact that size was burned at sea and
that, incident to her destruction there was . loss
Of lie. the popular sentiment was quickly changed
and sorrow took the place OF speculation In,tne
afternoon the loss OF the steamer Japan formed
the sole topic OF conversation. From other
sources than that sprinslng from the generous
fountain OF the mines OF Pacific Mail operators,
whose honest penny Is generally turned In pro-
portion to the extent Of any real calamity or I'M
aginary disaster occurring to vessels OF the line.
II was definitely known IN the evening that the
siaewhec steamer Japan, which left san Fran
cisco bound for Yokohama and Hong Kong had
been destroyed The once OF the company
IN Wall street was besieged by IN
quirers, since, as already ntlmated lew
credited The reports so freely circulated. In view,
therefore, OF the numerous demands for iniorma-
tion the officials apparently determined on hold
ing what might be not inappropriately termed "a
clam. convention" SO that breathless inquisitors
VI q nrOho
fused than when they entered. The fact was the
Of,cials knew nothing ana the assumed air
OF mystery renerally manifested was simply
characteristic of the entire concern. The story Is
comparatively BRIEF Yesterday morning the Sec
retary Of State received . despatch dated from
Yokohama announcing the disaster During the
day Mr. Talcotr, one OF the directors OF the COM
pany, telegraphed to the State department re.
questInR intelligence as to whether the news had
been confirmed, and. IN response, despatch
was received eH eae 70 sne ,h ns e
Consul AZ Hong Kong that the Japan had been
burned at sea with irghtful loss OF life and thar
the Secretary OF state The Japan left San Fran
CISCO on the 14tn OF November last. She was
destined Tor Yokohama and Hong Kong. As 1t
appears rom oficial statements she had $s76, 900
IN treasure. Her cabin passengers tor Hong Kong
we're I: W. Crocker. r. N. Tindeil anu Mary Stott.
The Chinese In the steerage numbered 324. The
following is list OF her oficers:--
CdptGt9s-E r. warsaw.
First ODacer-F. w. Hart
Second ODycer-H. II. Andrews.
Third UWcer-J. r. Gallagher.
PMy8er-John Rooney.
SuTyeON-V. b. Gales, N. d.
Freight CzeTk--C. /. Gornam.
jytOrekeeper-W. B. Horn.
Steerards-First o. N. Clark; Second. William
Ray.
ant, w. Bennett; Second Assistant, David Fulton;
Third Assistant, James Henry
The loss or the Japan cannot be pictured by imagi
nation. Luckily, as 1t appears some OF those on
board escaped and the minute details OF the fright
iUl scene wil doubtless, furnish little history IN
itself or the appalling scenes incident to fire at
sea- The Pacific Mail steamship Company have
lost about seven or eight vessels within the past
five years, including the Relief the Ariel, the
America, the City OF Guatemala and the Bienville
IL is thought that the Alaska viii be got OF the
beach where she now lies high and dry near Hong
Kong. The Japan Is insured for s15o, 600 III English
and French companies.