The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1878-02-02
UNDER THE WAVES.
FURTHER ABOUT THE TERRIBLE
DISASTER AT SEA.
I be Scene on Board the Vessel-Ono
Hundred and Sixty Lives Lost.

nal service station at the wreck of the
Metropolis reports as follows:
ga. M.-Total number of passengers
2GO, of whom about l60 were drowned
and the remainder saved. The steamer
is total wreck; nothing is left above the
water. There are no bodies on board the
steamer. The wreck was caused by the
vessel being unsesworthy. She sprsng
a leak about midnight, and stranded at
seven o'clock on the morning of Jsnu-
ary 3lst. The only way ofsaving life was
By running ashore as the vessel
was in sinking condition. This is the
statement of Lew McQaillsn, one of the
saved.
Eight o'clock-The state of affairs this
morning is terrible. Dead bodies are
lying along the beach for distance OF
two miles. They are sll beng placed in
proper positions back from the beach.
The living are being cared for. The
two saloon women are known to be dead
with their husbands. Eight out of four.
teen foremen are known to be dead.
Tie men saved are destitute OF clothing
viii send lis. OF names as soon ss they
can be gathered.
At the wreck-9 o'clock travellers
along the beach are picking up the liv-
ing ard the dead. The latter constitute
about one third of all recovered.
Panic on Board.
NORFOLK, February l.-The steamer
Metropolis had had heavy weather from
the time she left the Cape OF Delaware.
On Wednesday afternoon she commenced
taking water fast and labored heavily.
The Captain kept sway for the Cspes of
Virginia, intending to make Hampton
Roads. The weather being thick and
stormy he fell to leewsri, and Thursday
morning he was compelled to beach the
vessel, the leak having put out the
fires. When the vessel struck q panic
ensued, creating CONSERVATION Of the
widest character. All order and dis
cipline were at an end. Many were
drowned by the sea washing them over
board. Signal operators were up sll
night gathering news. The vessel is.
broken up, no piece of the
wreck being visible, except wha. strews
the beach. The steamer Cygret, with the
is expected here at o'clock.
How the Disaster Occurred.
WASHINGTON, February 1.-The sIg-
nal service station a. the wreck OF the |
reports: The Metropolis,
Captain J. II. Ankers, left Philsdelphis |
at 9 A. NJ. on the Doth OF January; dis
charged the pilot at II p. VI. at Break.
water; st 8 p. VI. on the 3Oth the vessel |
started heavy leak in the rudder case,
and finding they could not gain on the |
leak with the pumps, concluded TO tighten |
the steamer by Overthrowing the coal, |
and hurrying away for Hampton Roads;
a. midnight the circulating pumps |
gave out; al A. NJ. heavy sea |
boarded the vessel, carrying away the |
boats and engine.room |
doors, the forward ssloon letting in a
large amount OF water below. The ship |
was completely unmanagesble. Finding |
nothing could be done Tor the vessel We |
attempted TO resch the be sch TO save what |
lives could be saved; a. . o'clock made |
the beach; At that time the fires were |
out and the engine stopped set sll |
the head sail to drive her up the beach. |
The surf was very violent. At o'clock |
passed the word tor all hands TO prepare |
themselves with lie preservers; at 6:i5 |
the ship struck the beach; at IL man |
on horseback made his appearance on |
the beach, waving his hat and promising
assistance; at 1870 P. NJ. the
Lie Saving Service made their
appearance, but came poorly |
provided to save life. All assistance
they could render was 10 get them out
of the surf as they came ashore. Had
they come 10 the scene Of the wreck, dur
ing the forenoon: nearly every one could
have been saved. At o'clock p. NJ. she
broke up completely, throwing us sll into
the sea.
Excitement In Philadelphia.
PHlLADELPHI, February 1.-The news
oil the wreck Of the steamer Metropolis
has created the most intense excitement
here. The office OF the contractors, Col
lins Bros, was besieged by relatives of
those on board and special policemen are
keeping the crowd under control. 1t is
believed tbs: the Metropolis was not
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