New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-01-09
THE STRANDED STEAMSHIP.
rRESENr CoNDlTlON or THE AMERIQUE.

PRESENT CONDITION OF THE AMERIQUE.
me VESSEL. DEEPLY 1MBEDDED IN THE SAND
REMOVAL OF THE CARGO-A MISTAKE IN THE
RECKONING THE CAUSE OF THE DISASTER
IFRoM A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE1
SEABRIGHT, Jan. S.-The steamship Amerique
Of the Transatlantic line high and dry almost on
the beach at low tide this morning The Coast Wreckng
COMMANDS steamer Relief and several lighters that are
to assist dschargng the reached the neighbor-
hood OF the stranded steamship this forenoon Every
thing readiness after their arrival TO ais
charge cargo rapidly The only fear Is that the SURF
will wash sand from beneath the ends OF the steam
ship and thus undue weight to fan across the
center, breaking her in two. Capt Alfred POuZolz
Of the French navy. who is the commander OF
the Amerique, says that he believes the vc'sei
will be got off sound The fact that she has IAN Tor 90
hours subject action Of the breakers aud had not
leaked any in tme regarded as In favor OF het
safety. 1t was only when unusually heavy wave
struck against her side that the vessel showed that the
action of the felt at ALL Many persons from 'he
neichboring towns have visited the stranded steamer
chiefly Of curiosity and after short view nave re-
turned TO their From the lett SIDE o. te po"
line has been rigged, with large pulley by winch per
sons are taken upon stranded vessel they are ven
turesome enough to trust themselves 10 the Doa'sWs
cradlep The transit which has only been attempted ny
those who been absolutely Obliged 10 go ON poao'
has been at the expense OF thorough wetung Inc
TRIBuNE correspondent made the trip, and reacheo tno
deck dripping.
Capt Pouzloz who there on the steamship s'a'ed
that Oh Saturday pilot boat No 81 was sgnaied' ana
Henry L. Weaver was taken on board Unusually clear
observations taken Friday II was DeheVed
therefore reckoning was correct From these'
md from soundings taken at noon on saturday e cap
tain concluded that the vessel was then $50 mics from
Sandy Hook Both the captain and the pilot were on the
bridge until about p. IN. linen the Pio'
went to bed. Capt. Pouzolz stated that he had
thorough knowledge OF New-IOrk harbor ana It's sur
roundngs and had taken the pilot chiefly because the
insurance regulations made il necessary The weather
was very bad Saturday night II was foggy ana the
wind blew heavily shore. At 1l:3O y III. the captain
became nervous and ordered the pilot to be called.
Three separate soundngs were made the bottom oehs
found to be like that found in the mGin channe AT SANDY
Hook Nevertheless. as the captain could not SHAKE
of his slowed down the tue vcs
sci was proceeding slowly when suddenly she ran aground
Fears being entertained that panic would ensue the
can called the Passengers into the saloon and stated
that there was least occasion for fear or anxiety
The. ship aground, but they were very
near the shore, and as soon as ooats cie"
could determine where the best point 10
LAND everybody would be placed on shore. capt
Pouzoz said that he would not have sent TINS ooats
crew ashore lie had known that he was so near NE
crew drowned Soon afterward as day was brcaktlg,a
bomb from mortar shot over the vcsscl ny Ie me
saving crew. and nawser was made last enapnE VIC
esavng car make regular trips landing all the pas
sengers. mails. and specie IN safety , o. ,,o,rt n
shit any portion of the responsibility from us own
sbOulders The French Admiralty would hOlu MN 10
strict accountability series oil curious coucuehcc,
he added alone the cause of the disaster Ills CD
accurate his SUuDdlnss were as tey
should have been the quality of the bottom as
COMPARED three different men, all sounQhg ue
same time similar and such as II should De II me
vessel was running in the proper snip cnane 10 tnis
city TIE captain said that the Amel1quc had not eaheu
any far could be learned by the most careu eAaE
inatOn He believed that stn northeast OF southeast
wind would assist III freeing the vessel from her pefous
The pilot Henry L. Weaver of the Sandy HOOK service
states that upon the Amerque on SATURDAY anu
nj noon took sOundngs, and informed OF e ati uue
md longitude Capt POuzOlz According 10 the leckou
ing of The captain, II Judged that then inc Acilque
was about so miles from shore He went 10 sleep AT
$40 u M but was called 1880 y. by the captain
Mr. Weaver said that pilot did not assume charge 3 T
vessel until after the lighshp bad been passed. Inc
cautan gave full account OF his course ana Sounuhes
Alter taking soundings midnight the captain began
steering south southwest The next tlng mat attract ~
attention was grounding Of tho steamship upon the
beach The engines stopped and reversed Dut the
wind was Blowing shore, and the momentum vi ue
vessel carried her among the D:OdKcis
The work Of unloading the cargo was OeSuh lis aict
noon and vii be continued during the night. MT vest
the AGENT of the steamship company, Is III chrSe LIgc
anchors with heavy baTsers have been placed III read-
for the attempt TO haul tue Alncrlque from hei
present position her cargo has been removed
Even men who are acoustic med TO suCn VIII give no
opinion III regard the result everything Is ooheu
uIon as dependent upon the weather.
The bodies OF three sailors VINO wero drowned III
the first attempt reach tine shore are now III charge OF
the coroner Long Branch, who Is 10 nOld an inquest
Great credit given to Capt A. H. west OF LhesaVng
Station No 81 for his prompt aid to the STRANDED slea
ship.