New-York tribune., 1877-11-26
FIRST TDIyGs OF THE DISASTER.

FIkSI liillNOS OF lIl. LI--A''i A-iA'
A MAN-)F-wAR AsHoEE-MEAGRE NEwN-NFcRETARY
THo,PsON's VIGOROUS oRDsR--FIIsI THEORIES
RrGARp1SG ruE CAUSE OF TIE LOSS OF IHE
HURON.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 2j-The Navy Department re-
ceived the sad news at noon. yesterday, that the
man-of-war Huron had been wrecked on tie coast ot
North Carolina The dispatch telling of the disaster
WAS sent by a signal Service observer sta
toned at Kitty Hawk, y. C.. who reported
that the steamship ran ashore two miles north oi
No. station, situated near Oregon Inlet, at I:iO
a. H. that dav. He also stated that the steamer was
q total wreck that the sea breaking over her,
and that several persons had already been washed
ashore drowned. This news naturally caused great
gloom il the Navy Department and much anxiety
was felt regarding the safety OF that part OF the
crew still doubtless cngiug to the wreck Secre-
tarv Thompson at once tclegraphed TO Admiral
T1euchart at Hampton Roads. 10 send a steamship
forthwith to the rescue of those who might vet
remain on the Huron, and If he thought wise
To slso send one Of the steamers Of the Baker Wreck
ing Company. Admiral Treuchard, in answer, tele-
elaphed that tie Swatara would be sent at once
tnat the flagship Powhatan would follow her, and
that a wreckiug steamship would also be sent The
Of the Norfolk Navy Yard, IN reply to
similar instructions said that the tug Fortune would
be sent through the Dismal Swamp Canal 20 Hat
teras Inlet. and thence to the wreck. Secretary
Thompson sent third dispatch through the
Signal Office TO the signal Service observer
at Kitty iiawk requesting him to give all possible
aid 10 the uryvOrs and send for assistance III every
direction Three hours passed before any more
news was received from the scene of the disaster
Then The same ignal Service observer telegraphed
Surf-men jus, returned, and report that the Huron
has gone to pieces. Thirty saved. All the others
persisted No assistance rendered. Again, three
hours later, At p. NJ, he telegraphed: Among
those saved were L. T. Warburton, of Penn
sylvauia. Cadet Engineer; Lucien Young, of
Kentucky, Ensign; K. G. Denig, Of Ohio
Assistant Engineer; George h. Ryan, Jo-
seph Murphy. ships cook; Cary y. Sanders, of
Pennsylvauia Passed Assistant Paymaster; Patrick
Name ordinary seaman. The other names are with
held. Assistance is wanted Immediately; the men
are only half clothed. The dead are uncared for;
seven are now dead on the beach. The others who
perished are still in the breakers Only four officers
and thirty men are saved. The Captain perished
Lieutenant Palmer's name is not gwen This was
indeed very bad news. From Norfolk, at p. m
another interesting dispatch, which had been sent
to that place from Kitty Hawk, was received. 1t is
given below:
have lust returned from the wreck distance ciyht
m down. walked there ana back with medicines
ana such articles could carry. No horse avail
Ist sent a mlu down the 10 ascertain whether
Lieutenlnt Palmer is saved or lost This morning the
saved he feared break the too suddenly 10 the
relatives sheriff Brnkiey viii furnish the steamer
Norfok tomorrow The Huron Is completely under
water and total loss. NAYLoR.
This was the last dispatch received in relation to
the wreck during the night, with the exception Of
short Que stating that the wrecklng steamer had
arrived at Kitty Hawk, and that Cary y. Sanders
reported saved, was declared to be among the lost
and that part Of his papers and chest had been
saved. Still hope was not given up that more
Of the crew were yet alive; perhaps, adrift
in boats or clingiug to spars that had not
yet reached the shore. Word came from Nor
folk that the wreckng steamer Resolute the
war ships Powhatan and Swatara and the tug For
tune had departed for the rescue Of the survivors
early in the afternoon. Late tonight the tug
Chowan. loaded with clothing ana foodf or the des-
titute seamen was dispatched from Norfolk to Kitty
Hawk.
THEORIES ABOUT TIRE DISASTER.
As the storm signals had been displayed at Nor
folk for two days it Is thought remarkable that the
commander Of the Huron started TO sea when a
fierce gale was prevailing. 1t is remembered. how
ever that during the far frazier vessels Outrode
hurricanes while running along the dangerous coast
where the Huron wrecked, and the commander
Of the Huron light have taken courage 10 brave the
sea on remembering these instances Of successful
daring. Doubtless an investigation will be made
in order TO learn who is reponsible for
the vessel starting to sea when such loud warning
was given Of the danger Of doing The officers of
the Signal Service are Of the belief that the navy
holds the weather reports IN some contempt and that
this is disaster that might naturally be looked for
under such circumstances. 1t Is probable that only
one boat reached the shore, as only one line officer
was saved, and one would have been put III com