The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-18
Loss Of the steamer Tacna.


. Loss of the Steamer Tacna.
The most important news brought by the last
steamer from Valparaiso relates to the loss OF one
OF the coasting steamers OF the Panama Steam
Navigation Company, called the Tacna, Captain
Hyde.
His vessel LEFT Valparaiso on the 18th ult., and,
when out to sea, began to keel over.
WORKING FOR RELIEF.
An attempt was made to throw the deck load
overheard; but before anything efectual could be
done the steamer upset, and, filing with water,
sunk in about five minutes, at four O'Clock A. M,
Of the 14th ult.
NINETEEN LIVES LOST.
Nineteen persons were lost. all OF whom, 1t is
asserted might have been saved but for panic
which seized the crew, and two men who ran
away with the boat.
Press Account OF the Disaster.
The Valparaiso and West Coast Mai gives the
following account OF the dsaster:-
On the evening OF the preceding day the Pacific
Steam Navigation Company's steamer Tacna lett
this port, on her customary voyage to Pan de
Azucar and intermediate ports, with o general
cargo and passengers Nothing occurred during
OF anybody on board, nor until the following morn
ing at quarter past four O'Clock, when, as the
steamer was being headed to the land, she sud-
forwards filled and sunk.
At the time OF the accident all the passengers
and many Of the crew were asleep. The captain,
however, who had been called at four O'Clock,
agreeably to the instructions he had given on the
previous night, was on deck. and he immediately
took measures to right his Ship among others that
hay, to be thrown overheard. Captain HYDE was
ably seconded In his efforts by the officers OF the
ship, but not 80 by the crew, who appear TO have
been panic stricken.
COwARDLY CONDUCT AND ARREST OF THE EDWARDS.
Finding oil efforts to right the vessel were OF no
avail the order was given to lower the boats The
was swamped on being lowered, in consequence OF
the forward tackle becoming jammed, and all, or
nearly all on board, persisted. Two Of the crew got
into the port dtngy, and made for the shore,
despite the cries Tor assistance OF the drowning
occupants OF the gig. We are happy to say the
cOwardly fellows are In custody. and 1t Is to be
hoped their inhuman conduct viii bring down
upon them the punishment 1t deserves. Captain
Hyde and several OF the officers remained on board
until the vessel sunk from under them, when
they struck out, and alter being In the water
for some time, supporting themselves bv clinging
70 pieces OF wreck. the saloon deck having been
blown OF by an explosion caused probably by the
water rushing down the funnel, they were finally
picked up BY the other boats. After remaining
upon the scene OF the disaster until all hope OF
covering any more OF the unfortunate passengers
and crew was lost, the boats proceeded to Los
Who's, where the authorities and Inhabitants We'd
with each in rendering all the assistance in their
power to the unfortunate sufferers.
THE DEAD.
The total number OF persons who have persisted
by this sad occurrence is nineteen, all OF wnom IL
Is asserted might have been saved had It not been
for the panic which seized upon portion or the
session Of the dngy to render any assistance to
occupants OF the gig.
All kinds OF rumors are a1oat with respect to
the cause Of the accident; but, while many OF the
reasons assigned are possible, few OF them are
0f the Captain and first and second officers, was
properly slowed, and the quantity In the hold was
amply sulncient to counteract the eject OF the
hnnr load NH In Uo has