New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-03-26
TIE LOSS or THE EURTDICE.
ONLY TWO LIVES SAVED.

TINE SHE WENT DOWN.
LONDON. Monday, March %. 1878.
1t is supposed that the capsizing and sinking of
the British Naval training ship Eurydce of the Isle
of Wight, yesterday afternoon, while returning
homeward from the Bcrmudas, were due to the sud-
denness with which sQuall overlook the ship. and
the fact that the entire force fell the full spread
of her canvas As the Eurydice was close in shore
dangerous gust would give, probably, no warning
when sail might have been shortened or the ships
helm altered so rs to improve her position, added
TO which it is possible that the disposition of her
guns stores, other dead weight may have given
leverage to the force of the wind by lessening her
ordinary stability. A telegram from Cowes
says: There Is no doubt that the Eurydice
was carrying too much sail. She had her lower and
upper studding sails set"
At haf-past 8 oclock-about half an hour
before the wreck occurred-the esplanade
al Ventnor was crowded with visitors nd
miring the Eurydice, which was carrying every
available stitch of canvas. She sailed so close to
the shore that from the pierhead the cordare of the
rigging was visible Suddenly the sky became
overcast, and snow and sleet descended quickly.
driving the promenaders To cover, and hiding the
vessel from view. When the storm lifted only the
schooner Emma lowering her boats could be seen.
But for the passing of the schooner nothing would
have been known of the loss. rs everything was
obscured from the sight OF those Oh shore III
ouencc of the binding snOw-3tOrm, ana it would have
been thought that the ship had gone on TO Spithead
In this city and the provinces Yesterday the weather
was also fine and bright until about $3.50 o'clock IN
the afternoon, when almost universal change
epsned. Short and violent gusts OF wind, accom-
panied by snow aud dust storms OF n very unusual
character, as brief as they were sudden, followed
rapidly from almost opposite points OF the COIN
pass.
Dunnose, Oh which the ship was lost, is q lofty
headland aud is well known to visitors g. the lslc
of Wight. 1t is situated a short distance south of
Shankijn Chine, about midway from that point 10
Black Gang Chine.
The EurydIce was commissioned at Portsmouth in
February. 1877, and went on practice cruise TO
the West Indies, whence she bad been for some days
expected at Portsmouth. The schooner Emma
which was passing the Eurydice at the time OF the
disaster, rescued five persons, including Lieutenant
Francis H. Tabor after they had been an hour in the
water Three Of these died, 20 the only known sur
vivOrs of the disaster are Benjamin Cuddlford able
seaman. and sydney Fletcher. frst-class boy.
ESTIMATES or THE NUMBER on BOARD.
II is estimated that the Eurydice had on board
about 800 officers and seamen, Of whom 27O were
young men in training. besides about 20 officers and
men taken on board at Bermuda a. uvalids. scamen
whose time Of service had expired. and prisoners
held for cOurt-martial. LiOyds place the number
OH boaiyl at 80 but a Portsmouth telegram says {;
e" IL Is feared that with the men embarked AZ Der
muda aud probably from Admiral Keys's squadron
lNorth American aud West Indies, the Eurydice
had nearly 100 persons on board.
SURVIVORS, NARRATIVES.
Although Fletcher and Cuddlford alone are known
TO have survived. dispatch from Yentnor says
that as a bark was seen bearing toward DunnOse
Just before the squall, there is some hope enter
tanned that she may have rescued Others The fol-
lowing is Cuddford's story;
The ship capsized In a squall and snow-storrn.
i. L five. mill.
sous on board all Of whom, except myself and
Fletcher. were, believe lost was one Of the last
Oh the ship. Captain Hare was near, ne
when she went down after capslzug, and she
carried With her large number of men who
were clinging to her, or Were drawn dow. down III
the vortex. A man near meaDid y vessel was close
by when the squoll came on, and, therefore we VIII
be sure TO be picked up was rore than an hour
| in the water, beng first-rnte swimmer ana very
many of my comrades cried to me for help. ! tried
To assist two three, but at last there were four
elinging to me, and ! was Obliged to Kick
We passed the Lizard County of Cornwall and
| most southern point Of Great Britain yesterday,
and expected to anchor at spithead about O'Clock
| Fletcher says that he was below when be heard
q noise on deck. Rushing mp he found the vessel on
| buoy and jumped overheard. He had been in the
water scarcely minute when the vessel llrched
! forward aud sank drawing him down such dis
lance that he gave himself up for lost, but the lie-
| buoy drew him 70 the surface. All hands were
mastering on deck for prayers at tue time of the
disaster. $500 ,
The vessel hes with her masts visible two miles
of LuccOmbe Chine Point, where a rgvinc comes
down to the sea- and through which the wind blows
with force against which vessels cannot stand I'M
| less close reefed.
THE OFFICIAL LIST PUBLISHED
LONDON, Tuesday March 20, 1873
An official list issued by the Admiralty shows that
the Eurydces officers and crew numbered 20e men.
Seven, however, were possibly left at Barbados in
prison. All the accounts agree that there were also
from twenty to thirty passengers loiicers. inva1s,
men whose time had expired. etc. on board. This
would reduce the number lost to from 3O3 To 3loI