, 1879-07-15
DEATH or JAMES c. LUCE.


Capt. JsmcB g. Luce, who commanded tho
steamer Arctic when shs was lost twenty-five
years ago, died at his home, IN New Rochelle,
on Wednesday night. lie was man much CO.
teemod bY those who knew him, Tho "details Of
the dlsaster arc recalled BY hIa death.
When the nows that the steamer had gono
down reached this city, Oct. 10, 1854, the ut
most excitement prevailed, Which continued for
weeks. Anxious friends and relatives Of those
on board sthe Arctic besc!ced the newspaper
ofIices daily for any ttdings that could bo
gathered The Arctic IVES ono Of tho Collins
Line Of steamships, plying between this
city and Liverpool. On Hept. 30
1854 sho sailed from Liverpool with
493 passengers and crow numbering
leo. When Of tho banks oi Newfoundland on
Sept. a., the vessel became envelopcd In
III 90 Tar asrms srtai
and moment aftefNard d steamer passed un-
der the starboard bow Of tho Arctic. It was the
Vesta, eerew steamer from st. PieEEc,
efforts .were made to stop the leaks 10
tAe Arctic, but It was coon discovered
that she WAS rapidly sinking. Can't. Luce or
dered tho small boats to 10 prepared, and was
them oiled win liremenaul q Tow othors In qplt1
Ut all Opposition. Many passengers were pre-
clpitated Into the sea Wll!lc trying to get into
the boats. When all tho small boata bad left the
sinking vessel caps. Luce began to lab The spars
compltshed the steamer wcat down..
growing denser: 81 tho struggles which fol-
I've cs RGgS Ggou o swns
Of The vessel. "TIe shtp wont down." he said,
II carrying every soul With her. | found myself
on thu sirface after brief struggling, with my
felt nytolt impellcl downward to u great depth.
Before reached the suffaeo a second time
nearly perished, and lost my hold on
my child. AZ again struggled TO the surface
seeus presented isseif to ny 1iew. Over 2o5
men, women, and children were struggling to-
Rether amid every kind Of wreck, calling On
each other for help and imploring God to asafss
thc1n.h
Capt. Luce WIS IN the oct q saving his child,
portion OF tho paddle-box chmv, rushing
ap and fell on the child's hand:
paddle.bo1 faS IL compsny with ssven others. hop.
tng soon to be relieved from the DANGEROUS stu.
alton. Death was tho ouy RELIEF that some OF
the castaWays experienced. In tho mornlng
there yrrc only seven loft 90 tho box. and four
Lucc, AIR. Alien, md another young man. Just
before daylight on bons- ~ q vessel Was seen,
and they hailed 1t, bllt their erica were NOT
beard: A. daylight \ bark passed In tho sasno
The lIttlo party Of three, now almost lifeless
with exhaustion, soou sped another ship. They
watched her closely, 4nd At noon worO rewarded
By seeing man pulled on buar.l from raft
which aoated tear the shlp. 1t was a French
man who WIS passenger on the Ycsta. The
shtp Was tho Cnmbria, commanded by Capt.
Russell. The dtsaAter was reported, aud tic
| Cambria went to the wreck and picked up tho
| few survivors, among them Can't. Luce aud luis
two companions
Over go Of those on board tho Arctic have
never bocn ieafl from a!nss. Among the pass-
4. Collins, ana Colt Co|llns, the wife, daugh-
related ok Capt, Luce that ho always felt lnosE
kcenIy The loss Of tho family Of biz employer,
and ofton referred to 1t OF late years. ". 3.
Browa alld tamily, Who wore relatives to Tho
ssnLor memhcr ct Brown, shiplcy & Co., Liver
Embassy, were ainung also tne lost.
Capt. Luce aEtornald came TO thta city. At
tim. time be was described as small, spare, but
vigorous man, With an intenssly careworn face,
d quick, keen eye, small aud Arm mouth, and
a Fuddy complexion. A most hospttable re-
reptton was accorded him by prominent
| tho W,an who stood firmly upon the deck Of his
| ship until tho overwhelming Wnycs swept
! her from beneath his feet. Capt. Luce whou
| asked about fie crow, replied that II weapons
hau beon at hand, ind hts officers had been
| tlgEn 10 did him, he would have triad tho elect
! Of bullets upon the "dsstards.h Hu also
visited mans of tho principal cities In the Eastt
| nnu always met with the satna warm welcome.