The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1878-02-07
ANOTHER SHlPWRECK.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. STRANDED
Twenty Miles from the TreacherOus Kitty Hawk
Two Hundred and Fifty People on DOard-Of
Which Only One Hundred are Saved

vice Observer at Kitty Hawk, North Car
olina, reports to the chief signal officer
as follows "The steamship Metropolis
stranded on Currituc beach, ten miles
south of Currituc lighthouse, and is to-
tai loss. There were two hundred and
forty eight persons on board, Fifty swan
ashore. No assistance was rendered from
the lifeesaving station. The chief signal
officer has ordered one of the operators
at Kitty Hawk Station to 60 at once on
horse back to the scene ofthe wreck and
open telegraph station there, and for
ward all information as rapidly as it can
be obtained. The wreck is about twenty
miles from Kitty Hawk Station"
The steamer was commanded by Cap
tain Ankers. Paul J White, formerly
chief engineer of the Lehigh Navigation
Company, and James T. Moore. we'll
known engineer, were in charge of her
cargo of railroad stores.
The Secretary of the Navy has direct
ed Admiral Trenchard in command at
Norfolk to. send steam launch through
the canal to the scene of the wreck, The
Signal Service Sergeant at Norfolk re-
ports that the steamers Croaton and coast
wrecking steamer Rescue have started.
Norfolk, Va, January 3I.-At 6:3o this
afternoon the steamship Metropolis, from
Philadelphia for Para, Brazil,went ashore
on Currituc Beach, three miles south of
the lighthouse, during the prevalence of
a furious southeast gale. Great confusion
prevailed on board, owing to the fury Of
the gale and the roaring of the surf The
orders of the officers could not be heard.
About fifty of the passengers and crew
were washed ashore and about two hun
dred are believed to be lost.
From some of the sailors who arrived
at one of the signal stations it appears
that the vessel had encountered heavy
gales from the southeast for the last twen-
ty>four hours, and when she struck she
was heading about south south east. The
vessel swung broadside to the surf, which
made complete break over her and
washed many ofthe people overheard in
to the sea. AS soon as telegraphic conN
nection is made full and more detailed
particulars will be sent by the agent of
the Associated Press who has gone to the
wreck Via the Albemarle and Chesapeake
canal.
The following is partial list Of the
officers of the steamer Metropolis, wreck
ed on Currituc beach this evening:
Cabin-Nicholas Hawkins, Richard
Clark Michael Ryan, A. w. Newton and
George w. Stainbrook, foreman; J. J.
Moore, engineer, Josesh Brady, assistant
steward; Dr. Green, physician; E. LaforN
cade, clerk; Paul ]. White, general man.
ager. There were two lady passengers,
both drowned.
The Metropolis sailed Tuesday from
Philadelphia for Brazil. She was dis
patched by contract for Madeira and the
Mamore Railroads, carried two hundred
laborers, five hundred tons of railroad
iron and several mails for Brazil.
"The bulk ofrailroad labarers on board
the Metropolis" said Mr.. Aguiar, "are
residents of this city or of Philadelphia.
They are mostly Americans of German
or Irish descent" "
Philadelphia, Jan. 3I.-The unfortu-
nate expedition consisted of a full corps
of picked engineers laborers.
A private dispatch to Mr.. Collins, one
of the contractors, says there were 2Io
laborers on board, and only ffty-four
were saved.
THE SHORT VOYAGE OF THE METROPOLIS,
Washington, Feb, 1.-The Signal Ser
vice station at the wreck of the Metropo-
lis reports that the Metropolis, Captain
J, H. Ankers, left Philadelphia at 9. A. M.
on the 29th of January, and discharged
her pilot at II P. M. at the breakwater.
At P. M. of the goth, the vessel starts
ed heavy leak in the rudder case. Find
ing she could not gain on the leak with
the pumps, it was concluded to Tighten
the steamer by overthrowing coal and
hurrying away for Hampton Roads.
THE DISASTER.
Atmidnight the circulating pump gave
out, AT 3 A. NJ. a heavy sea boarded the
vessel, carrying away the smoke stacks,
boats and engine rooms and the doors of
the forward saloon, letting in quantity
ofwater below and the ship became CONS
pletely unmanageable. Finding that
nothing could be done for the vessel it
was attempted to reach the beach to save
what lives could be saved.
At six o'clock she made the beach. At
that time the fires were out and the en-.
gine had stopped. Set all head of sail to
drive her up the beach. The surf was
very violdnt.
At a o'clock passed the word for all
hands to prepare themselves with life
preservers. AT GAS the ship
STRUCK THE BEACH.
AtIIa man on horseback made his
appearance on the beach waving his hat
and promising assistance.
At 1890 P M. the Life Saving Service
made their appearance, but came poorly
provided to save life. All the assistance
they could render was to get the people
out of the surf as they came ashore.
INEFFICIENCY OF THE SERVICE.
Had they come to the scene of the
wreck during the forenoon nearly every
one could have been saved. At 5P. M.
she broke up completely, throwing us in
to the sea.
The above is the substance of a dis
patch from Captain Ankers.
EXCITEMENT AT PHILADELPHIA.
Philadelphia, Feb. 1.-The news ofthe
wreck of the steamer Metropolis created
the most intense excitement here. The
office of the contractors, Collins Bros,
was b eseiged by relatives of those on
board and special policemen are keeping