Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-03-28


They are by far too common. Every
few weeks the dispatches inform us that
vessel has become wrecked upon our
own or foreign shore, or swallowed up
in the waters of the sea miles from land,
and lives sacrificed, oftentimes so many as
10 chill the heart and set people to won
dering if carelessness may not often be
the cause, and to thinking if some means
may not be devised whereby "A portion at
least of these appalling calamities may be
averted.
1t is only natural. it is only human, for
those persons who learn OF Il great disaster
to feel for its victims. And when they be-
come acquainted with all the horrors that
attended the unhappy scene, and imagine
themselves situated in like position, it is
again only natural, only human, that these
persons should inquire if there be no rem
edy; though time after time The same sad
tale Is borne to their ears and they almost
despair of ever receiving an answer that
shall contain hope for better results in
the DAYS TO come.
Our century is one of progress. Pro-
made. Advancement in education has
been unequaled. Civilization has wan
dered where il was never permitted TO 90
before, and those remarkable inventions
which even now are a surprise to the
world, and that give the nations ad-
vaniages that they never before knew, are
the products Of this generation. But there
are other things for this age to accomplish.
There are other objects to attain beside
those that will merely benefit man by lend
ing him aid in his labor and manner OF
living. And the grandest material advance
ment Of all arises from that work which
has for rs end the preservation of human
lives. Whenever human beings are like
Iy to become injured or destroy ed--whelh-
er by disease or through the bloody raw
ages Of war-whether BY accident, upon
land or upon the blue waters Of the sea
all powers that tend to lessen the terrible
results, all efforts that are employed TO
produce a diminishing Of such events,
must be hailed with merit.d appreciation
~ booking to the best interests Of man
kind and as leading in direct course 10 q
truer and nobler civilization.
Without doubt a great number Of ma
rine disasters occur through carelessness.
Vessels and steamers are allowed to sail
when they are not sea-worthy. Officers
become used to their position. and, forget.
ting its importance, become negligent be-
fore a calamity. or are found unfit to do
their duty at the hour of trial. To be sure
accidents take place upon the sea when no
one can be blamed. There viii always
be winds to drive TIE bsrts Gpur tie rocks,
and storms will ever CONE ltEi ID human
agency will find il 10 IT. power 70 over.
come; and loss OF life all he the result.
But when such accidents could have been
avoided, when they are owing to seamen
who are not capable Of filing their places
with ability and honor-or when the YES
sci. freighted with its precious load of hu-
man beings is no; made proper TO perform
It's purpose in every respectable blame
should be bestowed s9qneUhers, aud the
laws of each nation should become 20 s,ric,
that such accidents should not se repeated.
provided they arose from negii xeace in
aIy way.
A few days ago the people received the
report of another disaster This one the
wreck Of the British Naval Ship Eurydce
of the Isle OF Wight. and the appalling
news comes to US that over three hun.
dred lives we're sacrificed. The crew thai
composed this ship was mainly inexperi.
enced men and boys, as the vessel was VIVA,
Is called training ship; and what i.
true though sad TO believe is that the ship.
employed for this purpose are nearly al.
ways unfit for other service And the
question arises here Is there not chsne.
for the better. management OF such affairs
Is it right to entrust the lives of the youns
in such hazardous position. and canno
and should not means be employed Il
prevent IL?
DULY those who have been unfoltunat
enough to have been wrecked at sea ca
form any idea of the horrors that atten
the scene of sinking ship; an
the tales that are given to Us of the suffer
ing and agony crowded into few brie
hours are heartrending, and sufficien