The New York herald., 1877-01-10
THE MONTGOMERY DISASTER.

[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.]
BOSTON, Jan. ., 1877
There few particulars TO add concerning the ioss
OF the steamer Montgomery 70 those forwarded to tho
HERALD hast evening Tho captains OF both tho col
liding steamers however, have made statements TO-
day concerning the disaster, which are herewith ap-
pended The statement OF Captain Winters, OF tho
Montgomery, Is as toliows:-
CAPTAIN WINTERS STATEMENT.
The Montgomery steamed away from New York,
bound for Havana halpast one o'clock on Saturday.
9th inst Discharged pilot ut Scotland Lighship and
proceeded on to southwark Wind north northeast
and moderate AT eight O'Clock 7. N. Barnegat light
boro west by north, distant nine miles. AT
eight O'Clock A. NJ weather thickenng and
wind hauling more easteriy ship going
along very handsomely about nine miles per hour. At
ten, wind southeast At twclvc wind south south
east and ircshening, with rain and iog; Montgomery
blowing whistle oLco q minute. At halfpast one or
Whereabouts heard the whistle Of steamer about one
point on starboard bow. The helm was put to star
board aud brought the steamers light abeanl, then
r,ghtcd judging all 10 be clear. In TWO or three rnn
the steamers rod light showed, coming head on,
when the engine OF the Montgomery was stopped and
in less than minutes the steamer Seminole struck
the Montgomery on her starboard bow about three
feet abait the stem, cutting hor through to
tho ioremast and cutting . hole In her the
whole breadth OF the Semnoles bow. The Seminole
then backed out aud swung alongside the Montgom-
cry sinking very last. saw thcre was no cuapco or
time do anything but to leave the ship as soon as
possible ordered all hands 10 get on board the other
ship the Moutgomerys deck was to the water then
| saw number obcy the order, and thinking all That
could would do so / went forward TO take another
look The ships were then separating. Myself ana
mate then got hold OF the Seminole aud got board,
and found but nine belonging TO the Montgomery
thero before Tho boat Ol the Seminole
was cleared away and went for the wreck
as soon AS possible. and met q boat with
seven persons coming from the Montgomery. The
semnoles boat found but three persons IN the water
eH,x nf hnat
Brought thoni and went back for more, but found
nothing. re Montgomery wclk down In less than
seven minutes. The boat I'M was cut away was
noated as soon as tho falls and ashings wero cut
Three persons only got in u, Il time.
CAPTAIN MATTHEW'S STORY.
Captain Matthews, OF the Seminole. makes the FOL
lowing sta;cment:-On the morning OF the 7th, at half
past O'clock about forty miles east OF Capc May,
collded with steamer Montgomery AZ the time the
wind was IRON the southeast, and the weather was
thick and rainy. All prccauton was taken on the
scmipvlc TO avoid the accident whistle blowing and
engine working Iuil speed. Lookout reported
light point oil port bow, aud tue wheel was iininc-
dialely hove to port and bell rang TO stop few
moments after green light WAS seen coming across
the bow OF the Scmino,e. II the Montgomery had
ported her wheel instead Of starhoard, or kept her
course the accident would not have occurred. At the
time OF the accident several of the got board
the Seminole Alter separating the Montgomery sank
in few moments. A boat was got out Immediately
to rescue those who had driftct away. Ono ot tho
MOntgomery's boats came alongside with seven or
eight persons in It aud the Scmnolcs boat returned
with only three, all they could find. II then went
In search OF others but as was thick could find no
one. After lying around about two hours the boat
same alongside and found the Seminole badly dam
aged. Not knowing but she might sink mt any mo-
men thought 1t advisable to make for land as wind
aud sea increasing. The Seminole part OF the
time had i've steam pumps going TO Keep her Tree vi
water.
RESCUED MIN WERE CARED FOR.
Although II was not incumbent upon Mcssrs Nickcr-
sou * Co., agents OF tho SEMI mole, they have PROVIDED
the men saved from the Montgomery with transpor-
tation New York city and furnished them with suit
able clothing wear, most OF them had lost nearly
all their clothing. They LETT this city for New York
to-day.
SEMINOLE
The damage to tho Seminole Will probably be from
81, 900 50 O0O She Is now dischargng and carpcn
tcrs will be able to make examination OF her
stem. which appears badly injured Had she not been
"A remarkably strong I'VE oak vessel she too would
doubtless gono down aud left mono To tell the fate
Of the steamers II is believed that her engines kept
her sufficiently free OF water to prevent Injury TO her
cnrgo