The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-02-14
Especial correspondence OF The Globe. !
LETTER FROM AsPINWALL.


vermonters on the Isthmus.
AsPINwALL, U. S. G., Jan. 81.
Editor Rutland Gb5e:-The Acapulco
leaves for New York tomorrow, and am
again reminded that II is time for me to
commence my letters if get them off by
this mail. intended in this to finish up
our journey across the Isthmus which we
left of several weeks ago, but as time will
not suffice, | must make this communca-
ton general one, hoping that portions of
1t may be of interest to some of your read
ers. In the first place let me congratulate
you on the splendid centennial sheet that
you gave us on New Years day, and which
has been the subject OF much praise from
all who have seen it here, and who recor-
nizc in 1t that spirit of go-aheadativene
which the GLOBE has always displayed.
Success to 1t and may its circulation and
influence be greatly extended during our
centennial year. You have probably heard
10y cable of tho sinking of the steamship
Tagus in our bay, and as was witness
OF the whole transaction must tell you
something about it.
SINKING OF THE TAGus.
Friday, the 2lst, the Royal mail steam.
ship Tagus, while layingat her dock, was
struck by the steamship Severn, belonging
10 the same company and in few
hours sank in about thirty-fve feet of
water. The Tagus is one of the finest
steamers running to this port, and the accl-
dent was the result of sheer careessness on
the part of the captain of the Severn. She
is an iron ship of 1890 tons, is 355 feet
long and rated as A in Lloyds register,
being one of the regular mail boats between
this place and England, and had accommo.
dations for five hundred passengers. The
Severn is also an iron boat and was used
exclusively as cargo boat. The Tagus was
taking in the last of her cargo as she was
to leave for home at five that afternoon.
The Severn was coming into port, and
while endeavoring to make the wharf
struck the former with great force
about mdships, going through the iron
casing rs though it were nothing but an
egg shell, and cutting gap at least three
feet wide and extending several feet below
the water mark. The force with which
the Severn struck was so great that she re-
bounded a number of feet aud several men
at the farther end of the wharf were thrown
down by the conclusion. Assoon as it be-
came known what had happened the dock
was filled with an excited crowd, while
those on board began to make active prepa-
rations to leave. Baggage was thrown on
to the dock in hurry. men, women and
children were running here and there, as
though there was no danger, refusing to be
quoted. The two after compartments
filled rapidly with water, which poured in
like deluge, and in half an hour the
saloon was full. At dark the hurri-
cane deck was under water and
the next morning that part of the
ship back of the engines was covered,
while the how Of the boat was raised some
distance above the water line. The cargo
was large and very valuable, comprising
about 100000 in specie which got very
wet, ivory, nuts, cocoa, bark, tobacco and
several thousand zeroms of indigo, all of
which will be more or less damaged. The
coffee in the forward compartment did not
get wet as the bulkhead proved strong
enough to hold the pressure that was
brought against it. No good reason can
be produced for this calamity as there was
ample sea room and very little breeze
blowing, and nothing but extreme stupid
ny on the part OF some one was the cause
IL IS matter OF great congratulation that
the disaster did not occur on the sea for in
That case pothi.s .:s--iA -.r--'s".-i
another one as terrible and APPALLING as was
that of the Vile du Havre some three years
ago.
Hardly had the ship commenced sinking
before preparations were being made to
raise her. The Panama railroad offered
their services, and what was more fortu-
nate than all at Panama was q party of
divers and engineers who had lust arrived
from the south coast for the purpose of
raising an English brig that sank in that
bay. AS soon as possible word was sen,
to them. AT three the next morning they
were on their way here with all their ap- |
paratus, and before eleven, divers had ey- |
amined the ship and said that she could be |
raised, A contract was made with Mr.. |
Bryce, the managing engineer, in which he |
agreed to raise the ship and put her IN |
readiness for voyage home for 500 900 |
gold. The Saturday following the sinking,
Work OF raising was commenced in earnest. |
Monday 1t was plain to be seen that she |
was safe, and Tuesday night she was again |
atioat, and to-day, nine days from the time |
u sinking, she is ready TO sail for home, with |
he exception of taking in another cargo.
and before this reaches you she will be well |
On her way home, with nothing to show |
hat she had laid many hours under water |
'aye large patch on the side, which is SO |
put on that one can hardly see it |
8 there. The success attending the efforts |
% raise her is almost unparalleled, and the |
company are we'll pleased with that and |
he action of their efficient agent at this
place, Mr.. j. II. Leverch, who has worked |
with will, os have all who could in any
way assist.
STEAMSHIP MIsFogTUNEs.
The companies running steamships to
his port have been very unfortunate of |
ate, commencing with the stranding of the
shannon last September, and then the loss
If the Boyne, soon after ending, as we
nope, with the disaster to the Tagus The
Rayal Mail have been unfortunate to have
hree disasters in four months. The Ham
burg American too have lost two ships-the
Schiller and Deutchland-and the G. G.
7. line, running from France, has recently
ost a fine ship-Louisiana which sank
when within few miles of the home port
And now we all hope that they may have
! season of prosperity and success.
SOCIAL ITEMS.
Although SO tar away from home and in
/ land where it IS said no comforts or pleas
Tres can be had, the time here passes quite
pleasantly, and in fact the season may be
aid to be quite CAV. While with our
weekly sociables at the Washington house,
'icnics, euclre parties, etc., time flies quite
Witty. The last sociable was given last
friday evening, and was quite well attend
d, all of the ladies being present except
wo. Music was provided for those who
Wished to dance, and a merry and social
ime was enjoyed by all. In fact, those
Who have been here the longest say that it
vas never as gay as at present, neither
we're there ever 80 many ladies here as
.I Of |