Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-02-04
THE ALLEGED CAUSEOF THE DIS
ASTER.
Her sierra Proves TO Have
Been Rotten.
THE CREWS OF THE LIFE STATION
BLtMELESS.
The Destitute Condition of the Survive
ors of the Wreck.
MATERIAL FROM TIE WRECK SOLD AT
AUCTION.
The story of one of the Survivors

WASHINGTON, February 2. Signal station at
the wreck of the Metropolis reports at $50 A. NJ.
as follows
The survivors leave here at noon by the Cygnet
for Norfolk. They are destitute of clothing and
most all barefooted and bsreheaded, but are being
well cared for by the people
The station al the wreck reports at l p. NJ. that
the material strewn along the beach from the
wrecked steamer is now being sold by public auc-
ton.
X. W. Brook, fireman, who was first to reach
the shore from the Metropolis, says that after she
struck the waves Immediately commenced to wash
the decks from stem to stern, breaking in the
weather side; and that a mortar threw a line over
the tOpssis Of the wreck, but the undercurent
was strong that it snapped. Two more lines
were fired, but failed to reach the ship. These
three shots exhausted all the ammunition of the
life-sating crew, and the men fnding 1t useless to
expect any help,commenced trying to swim to the
sbOIe.
Official accounts show that the crews OF lie saw
ings stations and ) on the coast OF North Carroll
ma, did ali that could be expected of them to save
the passengers and crew of the Metropolis. These
stations are about IL IL miles apart, and the
wreck unfortunately occurred nearly half way be-
tween them, and lust at the hour when the patrol
men came in from their severe night march upon
the beach. As the storm was terrific, the march
from the two stations to the wreck diff cut /,
but accomplished as quickly as could be, and
all aid possible rendered
NORFOLK, February 2. Michael Glennan, pro-
plietor of the Nirglnan, has Just returned from
the wreck, and reports most dOleful state Of at
fairs The engineer had to wade in the water
waist deep, Try ing to mad the leak which appeared
to be in the Stern. The indications are that the
leak was caused by the heel Of the stern post be
Ing perfectly rotten.
Can't. GcLnan thinks that the life stations more
stunned against than shining
he Survivors Of tue wreck VIII arrive tO-mor-
TOW morning and leave Monday for Philadelphia
NORFOLK, February 3. The survivors of the
wreck have arrived here and were comfortably
cared for, anu furnished with hats, shoes and 9TH
er clothing.
Collins, one Of the charteIers of the ship, ar
rived thi, morning. and has been caring for the
men and nah my an arrangement for their con-
Vtyance to Philadelphia. 1t Is understood that
they will leave tomorrow afternoon.
NEW YORK, February 3. Accounts brought
from Cuuituck beach all 20 to cOntirm the worst
reports about the rottenness OF the Metropolis
The evidence Of the engineer shows that the leaS
which begun at the stern post, must have aiisen
from very defective CONDITION Of the wood work.
Once the break had occurred, there seemed no
possibility Of stopping 1.-THE water washing
through 1t in a stream, while the Chief Engin
with Mr.. Gary, stood in the water waist deep, in
electuay attempting TO reach the leak. SO far
as they could Judge, the break occurred in the
stem headings, and there was every indication
that the propeller post was carried away.
PHILADELPHIA, February 3. Capt. John Mer-
show uited States Inspector of hulNs here, stat
ed to-day with regard to his alleged neglect to ex-
anime the steamship Metropolis before she lett
Phiadel phia, that he had no business to make
such an examination, because it should
have been done in New York prior to her depart
ule from that port.
There need he no anxiety regarding the Mer-
cedlta. She could not have reached the mouth OF
the Amazon under three weeks, and the nearest
telegraph station is Pernambuco, six hundred
miles distant with no regular communication be-
tween the two points.