The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-27
TOTAL LOSS OF THE VcKsBURG.
The Cunard Steamer Parthia Ashore In the
Harbor.
FOUNDERING OF A SCHOONER
Further Particulars About the
Steamship The Queen
FLOTS AM AND JETS A M

+ AOI'S a NJ "A N - - = - N1
The foggy weather which has prevailed along
che coast since the commencement OF the present
week has resulted not only In offering great I'm.
pedlments to navigation and bringing about de-
lays IN the arrival OF the transatlantic steamers
and other inward bound craft, but 1t has unlor-
tunately been the cause OF considerable loss, IN
the shape OF stranded and wrecked vessels. First
on the list OF disasters OF any Importance was the
grounding OF the steamship The Queen, Of the Ma
tonal line, and the France, OF the French line on
the Jersey coast Fortunately. however, Dotn these
vessels were got of without any serious damage
the only loss sustained being from loss OF time
and the throwing overheard Of few tons
vi the cargo OF the first named vessel.
Yesterday. however, the record was more I'm
favorable. for the total loss OF the steamship Vicks
burg. belonging to tne Port Royal and Rernandlna
line, the sinking OF o schooner on Squan Beach,
and the grounding of the Cunard steamer Partnia
In the naroor, OF Ellis Island. have to be chron.
lcied. AS time elapses the probabilities are that
lore becomes apparent that the present appliances
and instruments by which
SHIPS CAN BE WARNED
Of their proximity 70 the shore and dangerous
reefs, as well as those BY which the posi-
ton oil ships can be determined in iOggy
and thick weather, need to be greatly
improved, II 1t Is not desired to see the
record OF losses increase In the future in q far
greater ratio than at present. There also appears
TO be a necessity OF the passage OF a law by
which the captains or navigators OF ocean-g0ing
crafts should be compelled TO anchor when they
tnd they have reached in shore to Within GER
tain distance OF the land which can be determined
by soundings in thick or foggy weather. AS 1t Is
at present the desire to make quick passages at
all hazards. whether by European or coasting
steamers Is made to override all considerations
and speed Is kept on the snip IN the hope that by
some lucky circumstance port may be made
The safety or the ship, the lives OF the
passengers and the properly on board,
In the shape OF cargo &C.. Is thus ignored. in order
that reputation Tor quick voyages may be main.
tanned by the commanders. Masters OIL Sailing
vessels, too, should De compelled to pass more
risid examination as to their fitness to take
should only be granted to those who can show not
only theoretical but practical knowledge OF
acting with Judgment and GOODNESS IN cases Of
emergency which acne can be acqu& ed by expe.
rience and familiarity with the sea.
THE LOSS OF THE vICKSBURG.
Early yesterday morning o telegram was re.
ceived to the effect that the vicksbure, belonging
TO the Port Royal and Fernandna llne Of steam.
ships, had gone ashore on Fire Island and was
total wreck Beyond this brief despatch no tnior.
NATION could be Obtained Tor some time. It was,
however, subsequently learned that all the passen.
gers and crew had been saved, with the exception
OF tire chief COOK. The agent Of the line, Mr.. Her.
man Gelpcke. was visited by HERALD reporter,
In order that particulars and details might DO
obtained. This gentleman, however, stated
tina. he had received put one telegram,
which had been sent py the telegraph opera
tor at Sayville. l.. J., wnicn simply an
nounced the TACT OF the vessel having gone
ashore on Thursday night opposite that place, and
that every one had been saved except the cook,
rs previously mentioned. He further stated that
he han taken no steps whatever to ascertain any
Of the details, ana had not even sent q telegram
TO the Captain advising hlm what to DO with the
passengers He thought that they would be taken
care Of by the purser and Captain, and that there
was no necessity for him to bother himself about
them. All hands were, he thought, on Fire
Island. where they might have to remain several
days, on account OF being unable to cross to
the mainland by reason OF the Ice. He supposed
the ship had some twelve persons on board besides
the crew, which consisted OF twenty.lour men. all
told, besides the Captain. They would, he thought,
find some accommodation on the island, and he
did not see the use Of sending any one to the spot
TO look after ihem In fact,
THIS MODEL AGENT
seemed utterly careless OF ths whole affair, and
Hccording TO his own showing did not even
trouble himself to send simple telegram. but
preferred, Mlcawber ike, to wait ior something to
turn up. He even lett his Office shortly after Jour
O'Clock Tor his comfortable uptown residence. ap.
paenty oblivious OF the fact that others whose
well being 1t was Els duty TO look alter were alone
and uncared Tor on the barren and inhosoitable
beach o. Fire lsaGd. MT. Gelpcke is evidently q
believer III the Old motto. che sara sara.
Finding that Information cOud obtained
from he Office where n was out natural to SUP.
pose that al particulars couia be secured, the
HERALD reporter paid Visit to tho owner O the
vessel MIR. charles kn0plauch. at No. 81 Broad
street. Here, however, the same apathy in re.
crew OF the VicKspurR, as we'll as In regard to the
loss OF the ship tthe1. was founa 10 exist.
iorcoly Drought TO mind the experience OF Daniel
Doyce Ia his visit TO
THE cIgcuMLocuTioN OFFICE,
described IN Little Dorritt." No information
whatever coud be gained.
1t al pears that the vlcSsbnrg lett Port Roysl on
tue 22u hst., on ner return voyage 20 New YORK,
anu made u la'r average passage until tuesday
last when she became developed In q dense io4,
The engines were slowed down 10 hau speed aud
every precaution taken bv placing extra look.
All Tuesday iiigat. all Wednesday and Throughout
TGursccy the same condition OF weather existed.
No observations could lie taken. the Captain was
unable 10 determine after The nrst lew hours log
where he Was, and as precaation ne kepr, as ne
rnougnt, standing on and on with view OF walt.
ing Until tue iog should HIT, when he would be
able to determine MS position. No such desired
result occurred, however, ana Ii became O mere
matter OF bind steering with the nope that NO
accident would occur.
ALL WENT WE'LL
until about nine O'Clock on Thursday night, when
the wind rose and soon blew uaie. Tnis caused
W Sps log to s n's's When ,nsr captain
!ls IiEat on Fire Island. both these lights are
similar IN appearance ana DASH the same. Think.
ing ne had AZ last obtained LANDMARK lie steered
nis snap accordingly. me mistake he made IN
taxing one light !Or the other w8e however must
lxtai one, Tor the very course which would be ols
Uweu IN the one case was certain destruction III
the other. Where one would leau 10 4 SAFE maven
tie Qtupr KuuIu so IL