The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1878-02-08
LATER RRrOpTs.

one have ever seen on this coast
1t is the opinion of the wreckers that the
Metropolis had the misfortune to ground at
low tide, which caused her TO broach to, as
she had no motive power to hold her head
to the beach. Her decks were thus exposed
to the full sweep of the breakers, and the
passengers were washed overheard by the
terrible surf which was constantly breaking.
The wreckcrs declare that the vessel must
have been in a very rotten condition, judg-
ing from the pieces of timber with which
the beach is strewn. There are evidences of
the wreck for miles along the beach. The
steamer, after striking, went to pieces very
fast, and the wonder is that larger number
did not meet their death. All with whom |
have conversed join in denouncing the life
saving service, and declare that the men
either did not know their duty, or, knowing
it, did not do it.
THE VOYAGE BEGUN.
The statements in regard to the brief yoy-
age of the Metropolis agree in all essential
particulars. The trip down the Delaware
was an enjoyable one, and the passengers
congratulated themselves that their voyage
had been begun under the most favorable
circumstances. Shortly before mid night
the river pilot took his departure, the Break
water having been reached. The night was
clear one, and the morning of Wednesday
opened pleasantly. Toward noon, however,
the wind increased during the afternoon, and
by dusk it was blowing fresh gale. Every
stitch of canvas was taken in and furled, and
the rough sea began to tell upon the passen'
gers, many Of whom were seasick. 1t was
soon discovered that the steamer was leak.
ing badly, and the carpenters were set TO
work stopping the leak. The word was
passed among the passengers that there was
danger ahead. They listened in silence, and
their excitement was kept under complete
control. When, however, Captain Ankers
announced that the water was gaining in the
hold and that the pumps were insufficient,
the passengers were eager and ready to work
for their lives. " ater-buckets were distr-
buted among them, and they scooped up the
coal in the hold and passed the buckets from
hand to hand with will. 1t was hoped by
thus tightening the steamer that the leak
could be controlled, but the truth was soon
known that Notwithstanding all their efforts,
the water was gaining on them. Captain
Ankers, after consulting with his officers, de-
termined to run for the shore as the only
hope of safety and the Metropolis was head
ed for Hampton Road, sixty or seventy miles
away.
All through the night the gale increased.
The men worked in gangs and bent all their
energies to the task of Tightening ship. The
vessel rolled heavily. Many of the passen-
gers were sick and the remainder were rapid
ly giving out. By four o'clock the coal was
nearly all discharged The light at Cape
Henry was made an hour previous, and the
steamer hove to in twelve fathoms of water,
awaiting daylight. Then the pumps gave
out aud it was found impossible to keep
afoat much longer. The boats were all
washed away but one, and portions the
cabin were continually being torn away. All
who could find life preservers put them on
A heavy sea carried away the smokestack
and water found its way to the fires and they
were soon extinguished. With FL sail set
the Metropolis was headed directly for the
beach with the hope that with the aid of the
life stations the loss of life would be small.
II was the only chance for salvation.
THE VESSEL STRIKES.
Just before o'clock the Metropolis struck.
The passengers were ordered TO save them
selves, and to do the best they could under
the circumstances. The life patrol put in
an appearance, and made two futile attempts
to throw lines over the vessel, but no boats
were launched. The passengers saw plainly
that they must trust to themselves alone
The utmost confusion reigned. Wave:
swept over the decks, the masts went by the
board aud great pieces of timber were torn
from the ill-fated vessel and hurled toward
the shore by the seething breakers. Many
preferred jumping over at once and ending
the suspense by making a desperate effort tC
reach land, but the majority clung to the
vessel until washed away by the force of thC
waves. The quartermaster tried to swim
ashore with line, but he was compelled tC
drop it, and indeed. all the officers are spok
en- of as Jealous in their efforts to save life.
The scene on the beach few hours atte
the vessel struck is beyond description Deac
bodies were piled up in confusion and wer,
to be seen up and down the beach as far a.
the eye could reach. The shore was strewI
with great pieces of the wreck. Most terri
BILE of all was the manner in which the dea,
were treated by the negroes and whites liv
ing on the Carolina coast, who revel il
wrecks and disasters. They waudere,
among the bodies and stripped them of ev
erything valuable. Rings, watches, none
and even clothing were taken from tn
corpses which lined the shore. The suryiv
ors were in most destitute condition, bu
were kindly cared for at the Currituck Clu
House. Norfolk threw its arms open to re
ceiye them, and when they reached here las
evening their sufferings were at last ended.
LATEST REPORT.
NORFOLK, Va, February 4.--The Metror
oils survivors left this afternoon by the Ba
line steamer for PHILADELPHIA. The officer
and crew went to New York by the Old Do
minion line.
The officers of the Metropolis were to.da
examined at the custom house before J. j
Dunbar, inspector of hulls, and j. L, Bowers
inspector of boilers to the view of ascertain
ing the condition of the ship when she sailed
Captain Ankers and First Mate Dickinso
both testified that she was in good conditio
and entirely seaworthy and that the who'll
trouble was caused by unskillful loading of tn
4 railroad iron