The New York herald., 1877-03-20
Condition of the Steamer on Long
Branch Beach.
HER CAPTAINS STATEMENT.
Gliding Ashore Without Shock Transfer Of the
Passengers TO this City.
rpr TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD. ]

occasionally 49,
beached steamer Ruslana. The beach has been COW
cred with people from ;he surrounding country,
many coming full twenty miles to see the III lated
weasel, which has not changed her position since
yesterday She lies about $50 yards from the blun the
bow being headed OF north She lies over little
to the starboard The Captain remained on board all
night The passengers, some OF the baggage and the
mails were sent TO New York on the eight A. NJ.
Tram Of the New Jersey Southern Railroad,
in charge OF the purser Captain Morse. agent OF
Peter Wright Co.. OF Philadelphia, who arrived last
night, and Captain Merritt, OF the Coast Wreck
ing Company, who now has charge OF LAmerique,
boarded the Rusand early this morning, but did not
mako arrangements at that time Tor unloading tho
cargo.
ON BOARD SHIP.
The writer boarded the about eleven O'Clock
this forenoon. The sailors taking down the rig.
gng and clearing that portion Of the vessel which was
not filed with water. The decks were covered
with leo about half inch thick. The
starboard rail is broken att OF the main
mast by the heavy breakers washing over
her OF The upper cabin There are about three
feet OF water the saloon so that CUSHIONS chairs
and other light furniture aoalng around and tho
which the glassware is kept have been broken
but there is little to be seen by glance down the
companion way save the floating Debris. There are
course, it will be impossible get at the freight until
Ihe water is out OF the ship.
THE CAPTAINS STATEMENT
found Captain De Horsey deck directing the
sailors at their work. He however, gave me few
moments in conversation and made the following
statement relative TO the disaster:-
ION Thursday evening, at eight O'Clock. we took on
Pilot Benjamin Simonson, from pilot boat Isaac Webb,
Georges Banks, 27o miles from the lightship At
eight bclls-that Is noon-on Friday we stopped ship
and took observations On Saturday It was very thick,
with occasional tails OF snow. There was no can.
spread, and l ordered the vessel to be
kept half point to the windward of her course,
thereby making allowance Tor the easterly wind
and set OF tho tide Al six r. M on Saturday l
stopped the ship and made a sounding We had
tweniy-eight iathoms Of water, and the mud
pn the lead agreed with our reckoning
At eight p. ~ stopped again, and our
soundings told twenty fathoms. At nnc
O'Clock 7. NJ. the grounding indicated twenty fathoms,
and clingng to the lead some cakes, that are
rarely found west Of Fire Island. We thought that we
the Long Island coast aud bright lookout
kept TOR Fire Island light and the Highland lights
Al; ten T. NJ sounded again and got sixteen faith
oms, and the bottom agreed with our reckoning At
10 :35 the steamer struck
s'rhe pilot and myself the bridge at the time
and the ship went the sands easily that for a
moment thought not going aground.
signaed at once to back her. but she stuck fast
In the sand None OF the passengers awakened
ana mono knew OF the accident until they called
for breakfast We saw there danger and locked
up the storage to prevent any disturbance on deck
among the passengers When daylight and the
surfboats came or tho stceragc passengers were re-
moved six Mt a time, with their baggage without any
injury person property. The ship full Of water
imagine, but Of course 1 cannot tell certainly, that
the leak in the stern was caused by strain on one
the thrust bearings OF the propeller turned the
sand'
Captain De Horscy has been in the employment OF
the American Steamship Company Tor nearly three
years. and has the reputation OF being an excellent
commander.
UNLOADING TO BEGIN To-DAY.
Mr.. c. A. Griscom, Of the nrm OF Peter Wright 4
Sons arrived at Long Branch by special tram at three
O'Clock T. NJ, and Immediately went TO the Rusland
where arrangements made with the
Wreckng Company for the unloading OF ths cargo
which will be commenced Immediately The ship Il
now in charge OF Captain Merritt. Ono pump and en-
gine have been put on board, and orders have beer
sent for lighters and two more pumps and engines
which will be set up the Rusand In the morning
The greater portion OF the freight will be sent to Ncv
York by tho lighters II the weather permits.
Captain De Horsey and most OF the officers Of thu
Rusand came ashore this evening. as there is nj
sleeping accommodation on the steamer The part.
Is domciled at the New York Hotel. The wad is blow
ing from the southeast, with snow squalls. Do no
think 1t will njure the steamer now this beach
There are iour or FIVE Custom House officers here a
present on the lookout Tor smuggod goods II ther
should be any the Rusland.