New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-03-26
THE URECK OF THE EURYDICE.

N
point, it would probably be found that ma
iority of shipwrecks take place when vessel
is nearing home. The dangers OF the voyage
seem to be all over, for land is in sight, when
the fatal casualty occurs. Judged from this
point of view, the terrible shpwreck OF the
Eurydicc off the Isle of Wight, after voyage
across the Atlantic from the vexed Bermoothes,
would not be exceptional unless in the almost to-
tai loss of life although the vessel, after pass
ing within sight of the shores of Cornwall, had
been watched by pleasure-seekers on the ter
race at VentnOr. But in the ordinary case OF
shipwreck when a vessel is approaching her
haven, the accident occurs by striking
on the rocks of treacherous shore, or
by collision with an outgoing ship. Neither
of these accidents occurred to the Fury
dice. According to the accounts, she sank
where the water was sufficient to float her,
though 1t Is worthy of note that since the
disaster her masts are visible. The occurrence
was so sudden that out OF more than 300 per-
sons aboard, only two, so far as known, were
saved.
That an IRON vessel capsizing or having
hole torn by collision with another vessel, or
by striking a rock, should suddenly sink, Is
not surprising. That wooden vessel, carry
ing load of only four heavy guns, should
capsize and sink so quickly as to cause the
loss of nearly all on board, seems remarkable.
There are, indeed, frequent instances of SINH
lar losses of coasting schooners; but III all
such cases the crews are small, and the
vessel is often deeply laden. The Eurydice,
naval training ship, had more than enough
able seamen on board to take in her canvas
at the shortest warning. There is no evidence
that she had not plenty of sea ROOM The
case is not even parallel to that of the yacht
Mohawk, capsized and sunk in a sudden squall
off Staten Island, for that vessel was at anchor
the Eurydce was under way.
Crowds of promenatlers, we are told had
been watching the unfortunate vessel, as she
passed with all sails set, 10y the terrace of
Ventnor, celebrated watcring-placc OF the
Isle of Wight. The crew had been summoned
on deck, to prayers. a binding snow-storm.
then enveloped the ship; squall struck
her: she capsized and sank. Brief as is
this terrible history, it leaves room for some
differences which are at least probable Sud
den as may be the onset of n driving
snow-squall, it Is not instantaneous. In our
lckle climate such quick changes Of wind and
weather are far more frequent than in British
waters but skilful commander, If he has a
sufficient crew, should be easily able to meet
the emergency. Perhaps there was an undue
bravado about that exhibition of the Eurydice
under full SAIL Possibly that feeling
held sway when the snow-stOrm enwrappcd
the ship, and when, doubtless, de-
scent of the mercury in the barometer
foretold the coming gale. But after making
all due allowance for the suddenness of the
wind, and admitting all that charity must
grant to the memory Of the captain
who has gone down with his ship. the
calamity must still be ascribed to q want of
prudence and skill There is room for sus-
picion that the use of steam has brought about
a gradual loss of the old art of seamanship.
The navigation of sailing vessels, year by
wear, falls to the lot of inferior men,
az the steamships withdraw those of higher
ability. 1t is yet too soon to class English
seamanshp, as applied to sailing vessels,
among the lost arts, but there are grave rea-
sons for suspecting its decline. On no other
hypothesis can the increased proportion of
shipwrecks among such vessels in the British
merchant marine, as shown in recent statistics,
be fully explained.