Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1875-11-15
THE PACIFIC DrSAsrKR.

A hS been anticipated it turns out
that the recent terrible disaster to the
steamer PsciAc. whereby two hundred
souls or more were plunged hurriedly
into . vstsry grave. was due to a COLI.
sion with another vessel. the ship Or
phsus. The two survivors, subsequently,
picked up floating on pieces Of the de-
stroyed steamer. both testified to the
collision. but in the gloom OF tho night.
and fearful hurry and excitement OF the
moment, neither Of them had any dsfn-
ito idea OF the matter. They only saw
the liahts Of q vessel bat realised no do
scription Of her. and did not see her
again. As near o. al b understood
now. the lookout was not very sharp.
especially on board the steamer. and
neither vessel was fairly sighted till
they were running into each other. Then
somebody ~blundered. Tho Captain Of
the Orpheus reports no loss Of life on
board his own ship, and In his state
ment he tries TO throw all tho blanc
OF the disaster upon the Pacific.
The Orpheus was in ballast and was
supposed by her master to be about 20
miles south OF Cape F1sttery. The
wind vas FROM the southeast and she
was running before it to tho southwest.
The night was clear and tho steamer was
sighted. but h,r side lights were not
observed aud the captain was uncertain
as TO her direction. He had the helm
starbosrdsd and eventually had his sails
aback. and the ship hove to. Whilst
thus exposed. the steamer whistlsd. and
in q few seconds her bow struck the
ship q glancing blow abaft the fore
chains. AL her starboari rigging aud
her foretopmast and for-.opsallant
masts were carried away. The ship lay
to all night. and on Friday repaired
damage. She then proceeded on her
voyage. and. ~mistaking . light on
Tatoosh Island. she ran ashore and was
wrecked.
Nov ID 10 q sll.kpowm and old estab-
lishsd rule Of maritime law and usage.
that when two ships accidentally or
otherwise ooms into close proximity ii
sea, both vessels must promptly port
their helms. Yet according to tho Cap.
tain's own statement the helm OF the
0rphsus was put q starboard. Had he
followed the regular maritime rule and
put his helm "hard q port" the
collision would easily have been
avoided. The actual blame in
this matter should. and doubtless
will BE- decided by Q Court Of Inquiry.
Another point which requires explain.
alton Is. why there was N effort made
IN the part Of the 0rpheus to ascertain
what vessel she had collided with; what
was the effect Of the collision. or to res
cuo any Of the survivors. Tho ship lay
10 all night. near the place where the
Inflated steamer wont down, and no
doubt she had the usual supply Of boats,
yet not one was lowered. and the poor
victims struggling for life, swimming
and floating about were left to their
fate. There was no heavy gale blow.
ing; the sea was not very rough, and
even had he run his ship down to the
spot whore the collision took place and
cruised about a little, many lives might
have been saved. The Captain Of the
Orphsus appears to have been a blsn.
dsring numbskull and dsmoralized at
that, for he hsd not sense enough left
aftsrward 10 keep from running ashore
and wreeking his vessel upon rocks.