The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-12-27
THE WRECKED HOOGLY.

A PASSENGERS OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES OF WILL
DUCT OF THE OFFICERS CONDENSATION
THE PASSENGERS WERE SAVED AND CARED FOR.
MoNrEvIpEo. Nov. %, 1878.
The following particulars of the wreck of the
French steam packet Hoogly, Captain A. Reyne. on
the evening of November is, at point on the coast
of Uruguay known as 'Castillos," is furnished by
passenger who has just arrived here from the scene
of the DISASTER
This fine steamer, of the new boats belonging
to the company s.Messageries Maritimes,' left PAUL
lac on the 20t of October with about three hundred
passengers, destined for Brazil and the Rio de La
Plata The voyage up to the time of arriving at the
mouth Of this river devoid Of interest. and on
She being in latitude So deg As min south and long
tude So deg % min. west from Paris The distance
from twelve the preceding day was PSI niles
and had to make 2O5 miles more to arrive al Monte
video.
SHAMEFUL LACK DISCIPLINE
At half-past four r. NJ. on the 18Th dense fog set
in: it was difficult TO clearly distinguish objects at
distance of $50 feet At five o'clock as hsial, dinner
was served and the captain hastily repaired to the
bridge to direct the steamers movements. We were
going at only half speed, and every ten minutes the
whistle was sounded. Coffee was being served, when
duh shock was felt. and at the same time kind Of
sinking sensation, ii the stern had sunk. For a
moment the passengers were supehed, but they soou
recovered themselves and rushed precipitately ON
deck The scene was almost ludicrous and difficult
to describe. 1t perfect helter-skelter. Each
was possessed of the sole idea-safety. some men
clutched the ladies' shawls and bOnnets, and. with
opened umbrellas a protection against the threat
ened danger presented most ridiculous appearance.
All were frightened-men women and children.
some had one others two. and others again had even
three life preservers on Everything was CONFUSION
and disorder. No voice or authority was raisea 70
inspire confidence and calm fear Little by little the
fears of the passengers subsidized. but s protested
against the conduct of the officers.
IIGHTEHING THE STEAMER
Every few moments a grating noise was heard, as
if the dragging over the rocks, and with
the swell OF the sea the Vessel iurcnea ne"y FROM t
night OF the 10th passed between fear and hope
At four O'Clock the following morning an order was
given mot known by whom) to disembark the passen-
GERS since oil that had been done during the night to
save the vessel had proved futile and she had already
commenced to make water fast From the moment
the steamer first struck efforts made to Tighten
her by taking cargo. consisting OF pipes OF wine and
boxes of tobacco, ont OF the bow ana placing ~
astern Anchors and hawsers were also run out and
steam kept up to endeavor to work her off, large
quantity of valuable merchandise was thrown over
board She still stuck hard and fast on ledge. about
one hundred and seventyfve yards from Rosa Island
A sand bank out from the spot. Behind this
island is another. named Eucantada, and little
further of the SEGA and San Marcos islands and =
breakwater between Polonia and Rosa.
LANDING THE PAssENGEKs.
The landing began about five A. nj. and was sue
cessfuly conducted throughout. All the passengers
were saved and with comparatively small loss to
their personal effects. Poonia in the department OF
Maldonado where we struck terra irma," is q col
lection of some old ranches, inhabited by few men
who are occupied in sealing It IS solitary desc
late spot without water vegetationa bleak, sandy
stretch Of plain People from the neighboring dis
tricts hearing Of the disaster came to render assist
ance and kindly furnished the shipwrecked passen-
gers with many Injuries, especially caring for ths
comfort Of the women and children. All were lodged
in ranches end tents, and with the rough, but sub
stantial diet the country together with some pro-
visions from the wreck, managed to pass the time
pleasantly.
On the morning of the 18th the French frigatc
Themis the gunboat Bruet and tug Artigas arrived
from Montevideo--the last named belongs to
wrecking company--and started at once for Nal
donado TO procure lighters and assistance. We
waited the calming of the sea to enable us to embark
four p. NJ, under good soaking and loss of some
personal effects succeeded in getting on board to
proceed to Montevideo. Active measures have been
taken get the cargo out of the Hoogly as rapidly
possible. in the hopes Of saving the steamer, but
the rough weather which has prevailed leads to the
conclusion that she will prove total loss.