Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-02-12
The Disastrous Voyage.

ESr--Vhe VesSei run on snOfe TO prevent
sinking Excellent discipline preserved
on board.
NORFOLK, Va, Feb S.-SuiIicient time
has elapsed since the wreck of the Me-
lropolis TO bring 10 light the facts relating
to the disaster, and the Survivors bsNing
recovered their composure and collected
their thoughts, are able to make accurate
and consistent statements of the voyage
and the catastrophe which brought 1t to
such an awful termination.
During Wednesday morning tho wind
was fair, and at about o'clock in the al
tornoon il began to freshen, hut no ap-
p-ehensions we're expressed that tenn
pest was approaching During the alter
moor, however, it blew constantly harder,
toward evening rapidly increased in vio-
lence and at o'clock had become gale.
The chief-engineer, Joseph j. Lowell,
inspected the engines shortly after o
O'Clock and found that they were running
at half speed with thirty pounds OF steam
on. The wind was blowing derceiy, bnt
no had no reason to suppose that the yes
sci was in snY way pnseaworthJ until
soon sfterward. when he discovered tour
feet of water in the shaft alley. Even
this did no. create any especial alarm,
for without announcing the tact to The
eaptain. he sent for his frst.assistant and
merely directed him to keep the pumps
working. The water, however, continu-
ing 20 gain, after consultation among the
engineers, the captain was informed that
the vessel was leaking badly, and that
the water was rapidly gaining on the
pcmps. 4 carpenter was summoned, and
be, with the engineers and the chief
mate, made their way through the shalt
alley with the water almost mp to their
arm-pits. The leak was discovered IN
The stern-ss the captain now believes,
in the propeller well-snd 20 the dismsy
of those who made the discovery, it was
found that tho water was not merely
coming through an open seam. but was
forcing its way through the dead wood
in ell parts.
At this time, according 70 the statement
of the chief mate, the vessel was about
seventy miles from Cape Henry, and It
became evident that she could not pro
coed on her course. The captain, or
learning the condition OF the ship, at once
headed io- the cspes of Virginia, hoping
10 make Hampton Roads by Thursday
morning, and The passengers were al
&c. ~ work passing up coal from the after
hold 20 lighteh the ship. The men, more
than 200 ia number, worked well, and
The alarm. " hiCb had spread among them
when their perilons situation was made
known, subsidized In great part when the
ship was headed for land. II then seem
ed certain that there was good chance
OF escape, and the GOODNESS and efficiency
Of tho officers inspired them with added
confidence. The night wore on withou.
lnr,her disaster until o'clock Thursc
morning, when the circulating pump
gave out The engines were running at
high pressure and at o'clock, the chief
mate reports. Cape Henry light was
sighted. Il was then decided TO head
TIC vessel up to the wind, and wait for
the daylight. The passengers continued
At their work tightening tho ship, and the
CARPENTER and his men did not abandon
their efforts 10 repair the leak about the
stern post. The sea was running VIC
iou,ly. and wavo after wave broke over
the yess,l, car ying away the upper
works sud SIT the bos's except one and
putting out tho lights. At 4 so o'clock =
huge sea swept over the ship. washed
away me smOke-Stack aud engine-ro0m
doors. through which il poured below in
par, eVtinglishing tho fires. Tho men
we're s,raid TO GO below, for The engine
room Was flooded but the chiei-engineeT
rallied their courage with the hope OF
50 -'-g ,he ship il tho fires could only be-
kept going, and al the movable wood
work and q barrel Of tallow were thrown
into the furnace.
Il was now evident that the only re-
naming hope was in driving the vessel
upon the beach, and at lille after 1 80
o'clock she was headed for shore. The
engines still continued 10 work for time
and it was hoped that there weul1 be
steam enough to keep her head up and
force her well on to the beach; but soon
after FIVE o'clock the steam gave out and
the engineers went on deck. All sail
was kept on 10 keep the ship headed
toward shore, and at 6 rs o'clock she
struck head on, but sIuug about. Der
broad side 10 the beach, and was exposed
70 al the fury OF the sea. The vessel
grounded about $50 yards from shore,
and soon after she struck. some of the
passengers, most of whom had succeeded
in providing themselves with life-pre-
servers jumped into the water and swan
for shore. Nearly sll, however. remained
on board, in the expectation OF help from
Lite-saying Stations Nos. and 3, about
hSlt way between which the vessel Law
Charles Connolly. one of the passengers,
testifes 20 the discipline and GOODNESS of
the officers, and attributes to this the
Qciet fortitude with which all waited
through the dreary hours Of the morning
for the relief which i. seemed would
never come. About the middle of the
forenoon man on horseback was dis
covered on the shore. He made signs 10
indicate that he would bring assistance,
and then rode away. About y so O'Clock
in the afternoon, the men from the sta.
tiou arrived, with scant ammunition.
with only one liue, and without q boat.
At the second shot from the mortar the
line from shore passed over the foreyard,
but in endeavoring 10 clear il from the
iibstay it was severed. After two more
Intellectual attempts the ammunition was
exhausted, and only part OF the men
from the station remained to assist the
ashore. according to a state
ment OF d. n. Cozzens. the second mate.
During oil this time the sea was running
more aad more violently, and many of
the passengers were washed overheard.
Sometimes a dozen were carried away
by a single wave. Others were con-
stantly jumping into the sea, aud the
water was filed with men struggling to
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