The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-07-22
the humane conduct of the British ofcials. both a.
Halifax and Sable Island.

the humane conduct OF the British oncias, hoth a
Halifax and Sable Island.
81 had ;" said he "great anxiety aDout the safety
OF the rescued passengers, and it was with eAee''s
pleasure read in the HERALD to-day the fu "eia l.
of their safe embarkaton and arrival at ha'isaA.
The transfer of passengers. especially women anu
children in open boats through sucn asuri " 'iat
OH Sable Island TO shipboard is very deieaie anu
dangerous operation. / felt great relief when
learned that there had been suffering among the
castaways while on the island. which seems almost
miracle when the extremely limited acconmoaa-
tions OF the place considered. Their safety was
o. course the paramount question. Now that it Ii
settled We can think OF the minor question OF
trying to save the vessel and cargo. The loss OF life
is deplorable. But. while it did occur. it is
a measure of satisfaction to know that it did not
happen on the vessel it's boats, but on surfboat
the best they could, but the breakers are treach-
enemy to contend with, and the slightest devil
alton in guiding boat when going through them
is almost certain to be fatal Even when the utmost
care is taken boats are frequently swamped and
sometimes turned over endwise by the pillows fol-
lowing each other to the shore. 1 cannot speak too
highly the noble conduct of the Admiral ut Hall
fax in promptly sending two government vessels TO
the relief of the shipwrecked passengers OF tho
humane action OF Duncan Mcdonald the superiu-
tendent of the island while the passengers were
under his care. Under the circumstances we can
still say that We have never lost life by our
sells
A wEEcKING EXPEDITION.
On Friday Messrs Bowring Archibald. Ameri-
can agents for Lloyds, sent cable despatch to DO
submitted to the British underwriters and owners
OF the state OF Virginia in Glasgow 1t contained
the proposition of the Coast WreckIng Company to
tit up expedition to proceed to the scene OF the
disaster and save the cargo and if possible, the
ship The pecuniary feature OF the proposition, 1t
understood, has Since been under
Those concerned here declined to say any
thing about the amount of money offered
would be undertaken. Yesterday Mr.. Baldwin
ceived cable message from the owners OF tho limo
at Glasgow directing him to make the necessary
tracts to have the work done. 1t is understood that
the British underwriters and owners of the line
have agreed to cooperate in the risks OF 'wrcckng
and salvage but upon this point no definite intor-
nation could be obtained as those interested dis
played much reticence on the subject, contendng
that it purely private matter, with which the
public had no AS a result OF this telegram
Mr.. Baldwin had consultation with the officers of
the Coast Wrecking Company. when the contract
closed.
All yesterday afternoon and last evening the wreck
ing company were busily engaged in making their
first preparations to fit out an expedition As tho
preliminary arrangements had already been made, i'll
view Of the probable acceptance of their proposition.
not much time consumed. The large. clipper
built schooner II. W. Johnson will be used i'll the
expedition. She was formerly yacht, is said to be-
stanch and has been altered to suit the purposes Of
the wrecking business. She sails ut dayDreak TINS
morning on her mission. with full crew
and corps of divers and engineers. COM
planes was placed or board yesterday, liz
Guiding large chains cables kedge anchors and sub
marine apparatus. The expedition expects to reach
the State of Virginia i'll tour days with favorable
wind. Their success. as one of the officials OF the
Coast Wrecking Company said last evening. depends
upon the weather and the position in which they
ind the vessel Should the State Of Virginia suffer
southeasterly storm they expect to find nothing but
its bones and such cargo as may have driited
, ashore. II they ind her lying easily in
the sand strong hopes are entertained
that the vessel may be pulled eff utter being
lightencd. by the powerful beverages tu
be employed. Should the wrockers succeed in get.
ting her free of the shoals the pumps will be put to
leakages she may have sustained. II this can be-
done the wreckers said yesterday tho State of Vr-
glnia be saved and brought back TO port. II it
cannot divers Will descend and save as much as pos
sble her cargo. "It Is lottery, said OF the
tawny mariners to HERALD reporter yesterday.
''that depends as much upon the tickle caprice OF
the weather for success as any thing else"
MYSTERIOUS LAND.
A reporter yesterday convcrsed with a gentleman
who was cast away on Sable Island, III the ship
Esler. many years ago. When asked to describe the
place he replied ~ don't think many in this
city have ever been on Sable Island. Judging from
of the published descriptions of it have seen
the wreck of the State OF Virginia spent
thlrty-fve days that strip of sand The island is
thirty miles long and about mile broad. After
crossing the beach 1t becomes table land, with
sional bluffs. Herds of semi-wiid horses. good
pastures and plenty of fresh water ponds meet You
every hand. There is good fishing and any guam
tity OF wild duck. snipe and plover. There is
not twg of timber on the island az long
lead pencil. There is not a stone on
the island largo hazel nut. Eerries.
growing HAT the ground. to be found in album
dance there during the season. The shore line, or
reef, is continually changing. The whole island Is.
in fact mysterious land that would fill so d sized
book in describing. venture to say that the pas
sengcrs OF the State of Virginia who may return Will
have some strange stories to tell OF their
nfti