New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-04-21
OCEAN PERILS.
THE CASE OF EAMERIQUE.

FURTHER ACCOUNTS OF THE WAY IN WHICH SHE WAS
BROUGHT INTO PoRT-PRoBABLE CAUSE OF THE
PANIC ON THE vEssEL-HER PRESENT CONDITION
LONDON, Monday April 20, 1874.
The French steamer rAmerique was brought INTO
Plymouth on Saturday evening. The engineer ana
mate of the steamer Spray, who first boarded the
French steamer PAmerique, report that they fouhu
all the steamers boats gone, except the gig' lhele
were six feet of water in the stOpehole Two oi tue
deadlght were burst in and admitting water. Inc
numps were found TO be choked which circumstance
probably caused the panic. The mate Thought II
was possible TO save the steamer as the weather
then blowing half a gale was moderating. Inc
Spray sent a salvage crew on board. Large warps
were attached to pAm6rique's cabe-chan, and the
Spray started with the steamer in tow on the morn
ing of the 18th, heading for Brest. The Work OF
towing was easy all that day Wednesday, 1t was
discovered the next day that the propeller Oh
rAmerique was gone On the same day her chalh
slipped and was lost The Spray then sighted
the steamer +. T. Barry, and arranged Tor
her to assist in bringing the steamer into
mort. They continued to head for Brest until
4 in the afternoon when the wind shifted and they
resolved to change their course and make for
British port, and Plymouth was sighted on Saturday
at ~. IN.
No soundingpumps were to be found On the
rAmerique The donkey-engine was broken. The
mate of the Spray says that bedding was pied
against the broken headlights until the damage
could be repaired. LAmerique when first sighted
was under two cose-reefed topsails on her mizzen-
mast and was hauled out on the starboard tack.
The cargo had shifted. but when the port side was
brought to the wind the steamer righted There is
no list in her at present as she lies il Plymouth
harbor
Lloyd's agent reports that pumping is actively
continued to-day but no decrease % water Is APP
parent. There are feet yet IN the after compart-
ment and 81 feet in the engine-room.
PLYMOUTH Monday April 20-Afternoon.
EAmerique, having been partially relieved of
water by Government pumps. was about TO be taken
into berth to-day but she grounded IN the attempt
She must be lightened to bring her afoat again;
but the agents of the Transatlantic Company pro-
test against touching her cargo
MR.. LEvERET's VIEWS.
Mr.. Leveret Superintendent OF the Morgan Iron
Works states that tue report circulated TO the effect
that he said captain OF OF the French steamers had
informed him that the Amerque leaked after leaving
Tyne, and all the way from Hdvre to tins
port utterly false He denies also having stated that
of n large consignment Of silk forming part OF her
cargo nearly 800 boxes were destroyed or damaged"
He only stated that the iron must have been poor ana
that when the work is properly done engnenng yes
sci strengthens rather than Weakens ~
ENGLISH AND FRENCH COMMANDERS.
The following translated from the Franco American OF
April 90 is French defense Of the commanders Of the
Europe and the Amerique:
1t has been observed that the Amerque was aban-
doned under the same circumstances ar the Europe IN
both interests OF the passengers were looked
alter before those OF the Company Rather than expose
the lives OF hundreds Of persons on vessel that aad
sprung leak they preferred to place them ont OF
danger. Captains not generally prepared 10 saefl
flee their vessels for their passengers but the disaster
OF the Vile du Havre made such an Impression on the
officers Of the Transatlantic Company that ther nrs'
ca has been TO safety OF their passengers
IL is the passengers who ought to reproaeh them
What matters the loss Of vessel when the lives OF
hundreds Of men, women, and children are at STAKE
English captains do not understand II thus In thelr
ewes OF greater Importance than the pas
seDgers We viii return 10 port as we left IT, OF perish
all" is their motto This courageous but courage not
to our In consequence OF the obstlnacy OF Engsh
captains, half dozen steamers disappeared In the
Atlantic without single survivor to give an account OF
the disaster We prefer the action of the French cap
ans who prefer losing the vessel rather than endaneer
the lives OF the passengers. Like the Europe, the
Amerique remained a0at after Its abandonment whlcn
proves that Capt Roussan did not wait tlu the last
moment to save the passengers lives.