The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-02-02
A GREAT CRIME.
Further Details Of the Loss of
the Metropolis.
ONE HUNDRED MEN LOST.
Leaking and Unseaworthy
from the Start.
LIST OF THE SAVED.
Fearful Scenes on Board When
the Steamer Struck.
NO HELP AT HAND.
Clinging for Hours to Rigging
Wet and Frozen.
A SURVIVORS, STATEMENT.
Fearful Scenes on Board When
the Steamer Struck.
NO HELP AT HAND.
Clinging for Hours to Rigging
Wet and Frozen.
A SURVIVORS, STATEMENT.
Who Is Responsible for the
Calamity?
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.


BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.
NORFOLK Va, Fob l, 1873.
So far tho news from the wreck OF the steamer Me-
tropolis ia exceedingly meager ony one survivor
has arrived this city, and be being brlcklayer
s unable to tell but little beyond his individual
experience IN escaping from The vessel Following so
quickly upon tho Huron disaster the Metropolis afar
has created profound sensation here, tho latter
vessel was widely known to be unseaworthy. 1t is
appalling to realize such a terrible loss OF life, and
The craving for even the slightest intelligence Is both
Startling and agonizing
THE METROPOLIS INACCESSIBLE.
The scene OF the is distant about sixty or
seventy miles from Norfolk. aud almost inacccss-
lbIc either by land 1t is much in this
respect than was the Huron wreck, which could be
reached through the canal and sound mucn easier
But tho Metropolis be reached except by tugs
drawing at the most two and half.of by
u tedious journey over a road a rough and uneven
beach and every other known to travellers
BRIEF DISASTROUS VOYAGE.
The history OF the sailing OF the Metropolis IRON
Philadelphia aud the mission Of civilization in which
he was engaged already familiar to the readers OF
the HERALD. She was heavily laden with railroad
and machinery and had also living freight of
POO persons including three females After dscharg-
ing her pilot Delaware Breakwater the weather
came heavy. A strong nor,heastery gale sprang up
which tired the ship severely, ana in the very be-
ginning OF her voyage both passengers and DO
TO entertain serious misgivings TO the seaworh
Of the vessel. On Wedn esday night sho sprung
aleak. This created panic, which part sub
dued by vigorous use of the pumps All hands went
TO work them with that energy which is only i'm
parted by despair but despite their efforts the water
increased IN the hold. She began 10 Oil rapidly.
AyKERs' BLUypER.
The pumps failing to keep her clear, CAPTAIN An
kers proceeded tighten the ship by throwing over
board all the heavy material possible Still the
continued 70 risc and death began tho
panic stricken passengers In the face The leak in
creased ana the pumps proved powerless Keep tho
vessel clear Captain Ankers then headed the coursc
of the ship TO that haven OF refuge for disabled yes
sells, Hampton Roads, but as late would have it, he
misook his recEonings THIS owing principally
the heavy and binding storm that prevailed
the time, and the back current OF the Gulf
Stream, which set the ship 10 southwark aud
westward
BRoADsiDE TO STRIKES.
The fires then nearly out but tho vessel still
bore until 1t became terrible necessity with the
captain to her ashore the hope al least saw
ing some the precious lives Of the passengers and
At last the fearful but much wished Tor mo-
mcnt arrived and the Metropolis struck SHORE in
the vicinity OF Whales Back light, tho Curriuck
Beach, about twenty i've miles to the of where
the Huron went ashore three miles south the above
mentioned light and between Lie Saving stations Nos
sand g.
FEARFUL STRUGGLE LIFE
Then ensued terrible scene oil panic, terror and
;ouiusion, such as only those who have had the ex-
perience OF a shipwreck can imagine. Just before
The ship beached sha shipped heavy sea- which
carried away her engine bulkhead aud forward
cabin. The poured into the vessel in an awful
volume and totally cxtlnguisned her fires. She was
then helpless monster, utterly poweriess to stand
the that swept ever her ana beyond all human
SKIN To manage. AZ about quarter TO seven O'clock
on Thursday, her course beiog about south south
west, the Metropolis struck.
DEATH HAsrESED DESPAIR.
She broached broadside 10 the beach winch caused
every succeeding sea to sweep her decks carrying
into tho socIning loan the unfortunate passengers
OF terror and suspense a horseback was seen
In the dim light the shore waving his nat which
gave faint promise OF assistance at which tho
living passengers eagerly grasped But alas, no help
rame Many who had held on 10 hc, finding the ex-
pected aid at hand, gave up In despair aud sank
10 rise more.
LIPg SAVERS MIssAMED.
The terrible moments, which seemed TO the surviv-
ors like ages, wore until about eleven o'clock,
when at last the life saving put IN an appear.
ancc But they unable TO render any assistance.
They merely Idle lockers on at tue havoc of
death among the Wild waves, which seemed TO sing
requiem TO tho desparing mortals who were so
rapidly drowning. The most that hese inefficient
government employees did was to pull some OF the
more fortunate out OF the surf who had washed
ashore some particles OF tho wreck available at
the moment
STRUGGLE YoR LIFE PREsERvERs.
With the striking OF the ship commenced a scene
which dened description No orders could DO heard,
and, II heard, no one was willing to obey Tho ono
feeling that each himself or drown mas.
tered every other A rush made Tor the lie pre-
servers, OF which there full supply board.
suuggle ensued Of the strong against the weak
the coveed articles In tho end, however, none of
the preservers could be obtained, nearly all ofthcn
being wasEed overheard by the tremendous seas that
swept tho ship before they could be used rho angry
waves each momcnt decimated the hsplcss sufferers,
who Tor tho most part, entirely unused 70 life ship
board know not where TO seek protection or avail
themselves OF opportunities Of safety which occurred
TO more experienced persons.
rnn CAPTAINS EYvoRrs TO Save PASSENGERS.
Captain Ankers and most OF his officers stood by
Inc snip as long as possible. Tho Survivors speak OF
his efforts as being. almost supcrhumsn during tho
Time the ship was struggling with The gale. whe she