The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-12-27
THE WRECKED HOOGLY.

A PASSENGERS sTATEMENT-scENEs OF WILD
TUMULT AND DISORDER ON DoARD-THE con-
DUCT OF THE OFFICERS COMPENSATION
THE PASSENGERS WERE SAVED AND CARED FOR.
MoNTEvIDEo. Nov. %, 1878.
The following particulars of the wreck OF the
French steam packet Hoogly, Captain A. Reyne. on
the evening Of November 10. at point on tho coast
of Uruguay known "Castillos. is furnished by q
passenger who has just arrived here from the scene
of the DISASTER
to the company .'Messageries Maritmes," left Pat-
lac on the goth of October with about three hundred
passengers. destined for Brazil and the Rio de La
Plata The voyage up to the time of arriving at the
mouth of this river was devoid OF interest, ana on
the 10th inst. her course was given as CUSTOMARY,
she being in latitude 81 deg As min south ana long
tude SIS deg % min. west from Paris. The distance
ran from twelve the preceding day was 2s7 miles.
and We had to make 200 miles more 10 arrive ~
video.
At half-past four r. NJ on the 10Th dense iog seq
in: it was difficult to clearly distinguish objects at
distance of $50 feet At five oc.ock as Usual dihner
was served and the captain hastily repaired to the
bridge to direct the steamers movements. We were
coin at only half speed and every ten minutes the
whistle was sounded. Coffee was being served, when
duh shock was felt. and at the same time kinn o.
sinking sensation, al II the stern had sunk. FOR
moment the passengers were stupened but tney soou
recovered themselves and rushed precipitateiy on
deck The scene was almost ludicrous and difhcule
to describe 1t was a perfect helter-skelter. Each
was possessed of the sole idea-safety. some men
clutchcd the ladies' shawls and bonnets, and. with
cd umbrellas as a protection against the threat
ened danger presented most ridiculous appearance.
All frightened-men, women ana cniiiren.
some had one others two, and others again had even
three life preseryers Everything was CONFUSION
and disorder. No voice of authority was raised to
inspire confidence and calm fear Little by little the
fears OF the passengers subsidized, but al proteseu
against the conduct OF the officers.
LIGHTENING THE STEAMER
Every few moments grating noise was heard, as
if the screw dragging over the rocks, ana Win
the swell of the the vessel urched heavily from
side to side threatening destruction to ALL Thus the
night OF the 10Th was passed between fear and hope
At four o'clock the following morning an order was
given mot known by whom to disembark the passen-
Gers since ali that had been done during the night to
save the vessel had proved futile and she ad already
commenced to make water fast. from the moment
the steamer first struck efforts were made to tighten
her by taking CARGO consisting of pipes OF wine and
boxes of tobacco ont of the bow and placing it
asterI Anchors and hawsers were also run out and
steam kept up to endeavor to work her on. large
quantity of valuable merchandise was thrown over
board She still stuck hard and fast on ledge about
one hundred and seventy five yards from Rosa Island
sand bank runs out from the spot. Behind TINS
island is another. named Eucantada. and a little
further of the SEGA and San Marcos ISLANDS ana .
breakwater between Polonis and Rosa.
LANDING THE PAssENGEKs.
The landing began about i've A. NJ and was sue
cessfully conducted throughout. All the passengers
were saved and with a comparatively small loss 10
their personal effects. Poiona, in the department OF
Maldonado where we struck terra hrma, is col
lection of some old ranchos inhabited by few men
who are occupied in sealing. 1t is solitary, DESC
late spot, without water or vegetauon-a peak ssnay
stretch plain. People from the neighboring dis
trcts hearing Of the disaster came to render assist
ance and kindly furnished the shipwrecked passen-
gers with many Injuries, especially caring for tbs
comfort Of the women and children All were lodged
in ranches and tents, and with the rough, but sub
stantia diet Of the country together with some pro-
visions from the wreck, managed to pass the time
pleasantly.
ON the morning of the 10th the French frigate
Themis the gnnboat Bruet and tug Artigas arrived
from Montevideo--the last named belongs to Q
wrecking company-and started at once for Nal
donado 10 procure lighters and assistance. We
waited the calming of the sea to enable us to embark
on board the French manof- war, and at half-past
four p. NJ. under good soaking and loss of some
personal effects, succeeded in getting on board to
proceed to Montevideo. Active measures nave peen
taken to get the cargo out of the Hoogly rapidly
as possible the hopes Of saving the steamer, but
the rough weather which has prevailed leads to tho
conclusion that she will prove total loss.