The New York herald., 1879-11-09
AT THE coMPANY's OFFICE.

At the offices of the New York and Charleston
Steamship Company. pier No. 81 North River.
the clerks and other employees Of the line were
kept busy answering all sorts Of inquirers during
the day. No member of tho company to be
seen, Mr.. James w. Quintard being absent at
Charleston. while the others Of the firm were
said to be out Of the city. The Offices were
besieged by a host Of newspaper men. but
the information which they obtained from the
company's agents was very meagre. The company s
employees had very little to impart. Mr.. I. NJ.
Hempstead the freight agent Of the line. said that
the small passenger list of the Champion mainly
owing to the tact that she was advertised to sail
Friday but owing to the accumulation of cotton at
Charleston they had to despatch her on Thursday.
Many OF the parties who had engaged passage for
Wednesday remained in order to take the
steamer sailing on Saturday.
CITY.
Considering the rapidity with which the news of
the disaster spread throughout the city there
ascertain. possible. the fate of relatives friends
who were on board the ili-rated ship. The number
of kilograms received ut the office were few.
man named Russell. who lives in the city, tele-
graphed to the office asking whether his
wife and daughter were among the saved. An answer
was returned the effect that ladies among
the passengers. James Adger Co.. OF Charleston,
s. c.. telegraphed to the company asking whether
Rev. Theodore A. Porter was passenger on board
When the despatch arrived Rev. DIR. Porter, rector
of the Church Of the Holy Communion. at
Charleston, ana rather or Rev. l. A. Porter.
happened to be in the company's Office making some
ina uries about the disaster The reverend Doctor
is ut present visit to this city He said that his
son, who is also in New York. had intended to pro-
ceed to Charleston on Thursday by the Champion.
He was told, however, that il another OF the
company's steamers that to sail on that day.
and he concluded 70 wait for the Champion. He was
disappointed on learning afterward that 1t was the
latter vessel which sailed Thursday. Had
he known that the Champion was to sail that day
he would have surely gone on her. Mr.. Porter said
he knew Mrs. Andrews and her daughter. Miss
ATikell. very well. The iady's first husband, he
said, formerly wealthy planter. but the close
of the war found the family In reduced circum-
stances. After the death OF Mr.. Mikell his widow,
before becoming the wife of Colonel Andrews,
kept select school for young ladies in Charleston.
Mrs. Andrews and her daughter by her first hus-
band had just returned from Europe on the steam
ship Abyssinia DIR. Porter examined the list OF
cabin passengers, but did not recognize any of the
names he Spesking of the captain he said ~
know Lockwood we'll; he is . splendid fellow; the
all my family with him, and feel certain that he Is
not to blame for the loss Of the ship"
INQUIRIES FOR FRIENps
Frank Steffany, brother OF Charles Steffany. who
was a passenger on board the Champiou on ascer.
tanning at the Office that his brother probably
among the lost. said that no dreaded going homo to
tell the news to his mother. He said ho hardly
pected that his brother succeeded In saving himself
rs he was y small man and sickly. He going to
Charleston for his health. His brother said that
Charles engaged q passage on the steamship Gulf
Stroam, but the Champion was substituted tor her.
ARRIVAL OF THE CAPTAIN.
Shortly after four o'clock Captain Lockwood en-
tered the ofice apparently to the surprise OF all
present Those who knew him eagerly clutched his
hand saying, almost brcathlessly. How are you.
Bob. old fellowp" Captain Lockwood replied to
thoir interrogatores briefly as possible, he APP
which had overtakcn the lives and property commit
ted to his charge He was hurried mp stairs into .
private Office and there made his report to the rep
resentatives OF tho company.