The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-08-27
A HELPLESS STEAMER.
The Colon Adrift in Mid
Ocean.
HORRIBLE DEATH OF TWO MEN,
S afe Arrival of tn @
= a engers.

scngers from Aspnwali met with disaster on
ner outwardbound trip Luckily only two victims met
the tate which, for tho time, anticipated 10y every
body on board There 1i5 passengers aboard,
sixty five OF whom belonged to the cabin, and on Sun.
day morning, the Goth inst, while Captain Griffin was
holding religious service on the quarter
deck q terrible explosion occurred. But tho
services, nevertheless proceeded. Or. n. r.
DAVIS the medical officer of the vessel with tact and
promptness meeting the congregation TO finish the
hymn that had been SO harmoniousy commenced
There was no panic Captain Griffin quietly laid down
bis Prayerbook, and unnoced by the majority OF the
passengers, sped quickly to the spot This was at ten
minutes past eleven O'CLOCK $50 miles from New York,
In latitude rs deg IL min longitude ia dogs min,
with the smooth and the wind nowhere in par
ticular On his passage TO the engine room he was
met by Chief Engineer Brooks vino told HIN the story
In a nutshell, Captain, the low pressure crank shaft
has given way" Without another word Mr. Brooks,
who, like the Captain, according 10 the state
mont of the passengers cool and self possessed,
descended Immediately the saloon and, closing
the DOORS prevented the steam forcing way alo
that would at spread alarm. Or. Davis
and Purser Docherty, however doubtless approaching
the situation, and with a presence OF mind worthy of
remark, managed to keep the passengers at prayer,
and long before tho sad results were known all hands
became resigned to the situation 1t would appear in
the first place. that while the vessel under way,
apparently n the best OF FORM the crank shaft broke
throwing forward the immense cylinders breaking the
supporting pillars beneath at the extreme upper por-
lion and breaking open the supply pipe at The
throttle. The pressure OF seam at the
time was fifty eight pounds and the immense
volume rushing out, Mr. John Bunting, the
third assistant engineer. and oiler named James
Farrell sulocaed IN a moment. The nrcmcn
tutv baln
after the whizzing noise had startled the people
prayer the Coon's engines had TO work. and
the vessel rolled about in the trough OF the in
most helpless condition, for there breath of
wind. to speak, and sails useless But kind
Office nevertheless performed even in tn terrible
emergency Captain Griffin called all hands, and in
announcing the fate OF the poor fellows who fell at
iheir post, calmly spoke 20 tho somewhat excited
passengers warned them the first place, preserve
composurc, and again TO honor the remains Of the
human beings whose souls had passed away The
scene must have been Impressive in mid
ocean, no sail or land in view, and, doubt
lees alter the funeral services many tear
was shed as the two corpses were dropped
the side OF the sh p. Never did passengers be-
have more nobly. Ihore was not a word OF complaint
All eyes might naturally be ected In suca cases,
were directed toward the Captain with cheerful
Uok he went among his oh rge hoping for better
poets. But The outlook was bad, No Wind and roll
ing sen, the appearances decidedly dscouraging
Meanwhile the nag OF distress had been hoistcd but
the melancholy rag seemed TO doze alof no generous
pull OF air procalmng the situation. Tow
ard five o'clock light breeze sprung up
from the west, and with the hosting OF sail
as the vessel began to have some siecragc way
q feeling of joy seized every soul board. But tho
vessel had hardly about when the wind lcl, ana
with the hopes OF safety o many OF those on board
Away IN the distance the smoke OF steamer was dis
cerned The luck of good sailor is everything, as
the saying goes, and from al first beng hull down the
strange craft came piping 10 the rescue After all
good lookout nj sea can never be over estimated he
proved to ~ the steamer .Etna. oil the Atlas
line, Captain l. W. SAMSON commanding and alter
an agreement with Captain Griffin a line was passed
out and the iron steamship Colon was taken
In tow The passengers were elatod The
Colon arrived ut her docA, A. yesterday morning,
at eleven O'Clock Apparently she looks bright and
beaut ul as over, ana the damage VIA doubtless be
speedily repaired. Chez Engineer Brooks, who has
the reputation of being very careful and abe
chinist, attributes the accident flaw the shaft,
which, he said might exist in the machinery the
best steamer ever launched Ihe damage. he sand,
would be promptly rcmcdicd, and he expected the
Colon, of whish nc enertains high opinion, would
resume her regular trips IN short TINE. Every pro-
vision, 1t said has been made for the passengers
Eno by the way, loud IN their praises OF Captain
Sriftn IL IS understood that the passengers
and cargo OF the Colon VIII be transferred
the steamship Crescent CITY which will New
York Tor Aspiuwal on Tuesday. Bunting, the assist
ant engineer who was highly spoken OF by his chief,
resided IN BROOKLYN and leaves wife to mourn hts
loss, while the onman, James Farrell, who was also
victim 10 the melancholy accident, has "A wife and
child 10 mourn over his untmey end. Altogether the
accident, while much TO be doporcd, might, but Tor
the tact and OF the officers board have
more terrible results.
THE FOLLOWING Is THE LOG
AUGUST 1I.-At oue T. NJ left tue company's pier
for sea; ship Ia first rate order and we'll found in
every respect, with crew of scvcntynve pc sons. las
passengers, l27 tons cargo and 81 tons coal, drawing
eighteen feet Elk inches. Crossed the bar and dis
charged pilot at quarter past three L. ~ and shaped
the usual course for Walirgs Island.
AUGUST lS-Light northeast winds clear, pleasant
weather; at noon she was 2i6 miles south of New
York
ArGusr 1e-In The Gulf stream had variable winds
very heavy squalls accompanied by ram, light
ning ana thunder; distance maze this day 255 miles
AUGUST 20 Light westerly winds and clear, pleasant
weather: at ten MINUTES past eleven A. NJ, In attitude
2S deg. Il mn., longitude "a deg. min, 15l mirs
from New York, during divine service, loun crash
was heard. followed quickly by another ana another
then Immediately the Missing of escaping III
large volume was heard. services were suspended rnd
passengers aud crew, without confusion hastiv LETT
the cabin and went on deck. The eugines stopped;
first 1t was impossible 10 enter either the engine
room or ire room, they being llcd with live steam
Ten MINUTES, however The chief engineer succeeded
getting over the tops oil The boilers aud raising tho
taioty waves Very soon aflerward the men were able
10 return TO the IRE room and TO haul the upon
entering the engine room the bodes OF Third As
tistant John BuLuns and Uier James Farrell
we're found dead on tue eratines at their
stations At ii 40 A. N ship under all saL Upon
animation found the To be damaged follows
The low pressure crank shalt broken the low pressure
pillow block broken, the columns that carry the
cylinders broken, tue tcam pipe rom the throt
lie chamber and other damage OF less degree. The dis
aster is due 10 an obvious defect In the ornq of the
crank shaft. The flaw the surface, and
could not be seen before. Al the time of the disaster
The engines were working suoothyprossureo OF steam
bS pounds; cut on 20 inches; revolutions per minute
b. AT 2:26 L. NJ. boarded the French brl, Einan uel
Anne, Captain lie Gour who kindly offered MS services
Al 3:45 made a steamship coming from The southwark
At4:ls buried the remains OF John Bunting and
James Farrell agrceably 10 the forms OF the
Episcopal Church. the ship duuIng badly
10 the eastward, not wind enough to handle her At
bl0. IN compliance with our signal the strange
ship bore down Tor us At $500 the Atlas steamship
II ma, Captain W. SAMSON. stopped close alonl side
Made an agreement with him TO be lowed To New York.
Al seven r. NJ with two tow lines last, the .Eina
started ahead with the Colon in tow. since then We
have singuarly ,ortunaic IN having weather sd-
mlrabIy adapted to towing With the uncoupicd
and by carrying sail TO every favorable slant Of wind
~e averaged 81 knots per hour up to the bar our
thanks due To Captain SAMSON to tho prom
with which he relieved IN distress for his
sailor like conduct in successfully towing us to this
port IL proper t. remark that the detective shaft
was not forged IN the United States.
THE WRECKED GEORGIA.