New-York tribune., 1875-02-27
DOUBTFUL PERIL OF THE FRANCE.

DOUBTFUL PERIL OF The FRANCE.
CONTRADICTORY STATEMENTS or THE CAPTAIN AND
THE PILOr-NO INJURY RECzIyED BY THE YES
Sci.
The same strong westerly wind that aided
the National line steamship the Queen 70 escape from
her dan position also ade0 the France of the
Transatlantic Company in similar emergency, she
having been reported ashore on Thursday night of
Long Branch. TAs steamer ablo at an early
hour YESTERDAY morning TO come 10 her usual
anchorag re in North River in nowise damaged by the
accident AS the statements made by tho captain Of the
France, by the agents. and by the pilot who was taken
on board ~ others to be conversant
with the facts of case conflict very much and that
both sides Of story be heard, their various
statements are given
Mr. Mckenzie OF the TransatlaDfic Company office
sad that it was the statement OF Capt. Tfudele com
mander Of the France that for two days lie had been
laying on and off shore, account OF the dense fOg
hoping TO fal in with potboat In this they were
disappoipted until late on Thursday when pilot
taken on board boat w. w. Storay No 8 Of the
Jersey City Pilots At the time the pilot was
taken on board, it suggested by Capt.
Trudele that they had better lay too until the fog
,,,.ad hut the pilot seemed confident that he knew
tbe position and could easily BRING her into port
40 no further objections were made According To Cip
Trunelie's statement, only few moments had eapseu
after again starting ahead before the vessel grounded
The fact was teirGraphed to TINS CITY fhe
accident not 50 unfortunate as was NJ nrst under
stood for IN the course OF eight minutes sue
WAS worked of the bar, and. the fog ntlng
shortly aiterward the voyage continued to lhis
city without further incident The Captain states that
the vessel struck upon bar abont hle fOm tue man
shore off Long Branch and from all accounts about ton
miles from wnere National steamer, the tldeen had
been aground TIE vessel was ashore sucn short
snace of time of the passengers we're aware oil
the cause delay The agents mere ielt No uneas
ness knowing that the sup had been turned over W
The care OF the pilot. Those IA the Company employ
considered that under these circumstances no e1pana
tion on their part seemed necessary
Calling AT the office the Jersey city Pilots on Nal
dem Lane near South-s. different story was told N
vas admitted by the pilots that the France had one OF
their mber on board evening previous, man Dy
line name OF Thomas COnley, who had brought me
sreamer into port had again gone TO and MS
nersonal statement could not be obtained From MS
sssociae little could be gained. Thls however
he mad told them that the Pilot Boat No. met the
France about IS miles of shore, and afer boarding
her at hs request his steamer was brought IN and an
chored between the hghtsbips of Sandy Hook When
the fog lifted they proceeded toward port anu arrived
here without incident He stated positively That the
France did not ground at any time wiille nn-
his charge. A pil0t OF the NeW-lOrs
Pilot service stated that it was believed
in b,s Office that the France had grounded
while In charge OF the pilot, the statement being made
thai she was boarded by pilot from boat NO ~ whie
aground Conley is the person who some time ago punt
new boat and tried have it entered among the New
Work potboats and this being refused ny the C0mms
.,oners he offered his services 10 the NeWJersey Com
'mssiOners, where they were accepted