The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-07-21
HOW the Time Was Passed
on Sable Island.
an ENTERTAINMENT BY THE CREW.
Addresses and Resolutions by
the Passengers.
THE VOYAGE ON THE RESCUNG VESSEL.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD

When IL was determined yesterday to send the
British steamer GrHon to Sable Island it was
thought probable that owing to her superior speed
she would get TO the island or meet the Glen
don and return to Halifax before the latter
vessel which was known to be slow. In the
interest OF the HERALD and Of the public. 1t
was desirable to have reporter board
the Griffon. but this not easy matter to ac-
compish. as anybody who is acquainted with British
naval officers can easily understand. The diff
culties were, however. happily surmounted. and
when the Griffon sailed your correspondent was on
board. To afford any assistance that might be
needed the Admiral only thus promptly sent the
Grifon but told the agents that the admiralty house
at their service for the accommodation Of the
lady passengers.
SUCCESS GLENDoN.
The Glendon has proved trump. AS ex-
planned in a former report the Government stea m
visiting Sable Island often find the weather bad
and wait at Whitehead for favorable opportunity
to go to the island As the Glendon is not very
good boat. such proceeding quite probable in
the present case Had the Glendon waited at White
head there would, in the ordinary course, have
been no report of her, there being no telegraph
station there. and the friends of the passen-
gers would have been subjected to anxiety
by the absence Of To facilitate the getting
news, the HERALD representative made arrange
Lundy. superintendent OF the Direct United States
Cable at Torbay to have courier to keep up COM
munication with Whitehead. By this means the
HERALD was able to state this morning that the
Glendon had not been in the vicinity of White
head, fact which gave assurance that the
steamer had found favorable weather and taken
the direct course to Sable Island and that
early return might be expected. But the Glendon
has done much better than report led us to ex-
pect. At eight o'clock this evening she came into
port bringing all the passengers and part of the
crew. All is well that ends well, and the Glendon
and her commander and crew deserve high praise.
She passed the Griffon early this morning. The
latter vessel kept for Sable Island and will
suit with the captain of the State of Virginia to
what assistance he render.
STORY DISASTER.
The steamer State of Virginia, OF the State Iiue,
sailed from New York for Glasgow on Thursday the
10th inst, with an assorted cargo, part Of which
consisted 1O4 head OF live cattle. and twenty-five
first cabin, twenty -fve second cabin and fourteen
steerage passengers. She commanded by
Captain George Noodle OF Glasgow. and carried q
crew, all told, of seventy men, Captain Noodle has
commanded the State of Virginia from the time that
she first built. about six years He was consid-
cred able and careful seaman and navigator and
possessed the full confidence Of his employers and
of the travelling public. At the beginning of the
voyage all went we'll. The skies pleasant aud
the weather calm until the 18th. when dense fog
in and enveloped the ship until ten A. NJ. Of Sun
day, the 18th. No apprehension of danger OF any
kind felt. and. as Saturday evening approached,
all were enjoying themselves and looked forward to
speedy and pros porous voyage. The passengers
engaged in practising the singing of hymns for the
following day. The captain and his officers all
deck attending to their respective duties Captain
danger. but simply as precaution. had ordered the
boat to be stopped and soundings to be taken at
eight O'Clock and the leads and lines to be prepared
for that purpose. All ready and the quarter
masters stood by to heave the lead soon as the
order should be given.
STRIKING VESSEL.
Suddenly hoarse grating sound was heard from
below and Immediately after. at i've minutes to
eight P. NJ, the vessel struck and became mo-
tionless. As soon the steamers keel
heard to scrape the sand the order given to
the engines full speed but before this could
be done she struck. and the full power Of the en-
gines was unable to extricate her from the cruel
grasp of the treacherous quicksands that firmly held
her. The disaster quickly and occurred
so quietly that neither the passengers the
crew for q time that any thing very un
usual had occurred. When il became necessary TO
inform them that the steamer aground the news
accompanied with the assurance that there
absolutely no danger. The passengers accepted this
assurance and continued their previous amusements
exhibiting fear. On consulting with his officers
the Captain determined TO attempt to tighten the
ship by throwing overheard the live stock and
q portion of the cargo. This was done
but the only effect was to cause her to bump
about for few minutes and then to become again
as firmly liked Nothing then remained but
to wait with what patience possible till the
morning Daylight came and the rose. but with
out dspeing the dense fog low line of sandy
land could be barely made out to the northeast and
the of the surf distinctly heard. Then the
Captain knew that he had grounded Of the
bars OIL sable Island but could not tell his exact
position.
COMMUNICATION WITH THE SHORE.
Therefore at eight o'clock A. NJ. six minute guns
were fired. this being the regulation signal of dis
tress. In few moments q number of persons APP
peared on the beach, and the ships gig was sent of
to make inquiries to the bearing of the light &C.
On the beach Mr.. Mcdonald. the superint endent of
the island. with some of his men. met He gave
the required information and the gig returned to the
steamer. Meanwhile Mr.. Mcdonald had caused a
lifeboat to be brought on carriage across the
island from the station to the beach opposite to the
point where the state of Virginia ashore. This
boat was at once manned by of four and a
coxswain and sent off to the steamer.
LANDING THE PASSENGERS.
On reaching her eleven women and two children
in charge of the doctor purser and fourth officer
were placed in her and they were safely landed The
purser and fourth officer again took passage in the
boat and returned in her to the ship. The purser
then went board and remained there till the last
boat left the ship. The fourth officer remained in
charge of the surf boat. in which were placed nine
women and Ave children, being all but the men who
were on the steamer. The boat was unfortunate.
for on nearing the shore she preached to, upset
and slightly stove. Her crew and the fourth
officer succeeded in Fighting her with some dini-
Guilty, owing TO the heavy surf, and in picking mp
Ave Of the women. The four other women and the