The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-07-22
INTERVIEW WITH THE CAPTAIN,
The Steamer Robbed by an
Unknown Schooner.
DISPOSITION OF THE PASSENGERS
A Wrecking Expedition To Be
Organized.
[pY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD

The British ship Gritfon returned to port
shortly before to-day from what, in view OF
the Glendon's early arrival. may be called wild
goose chase. Still. the expediency OF sending the
Griffon. in order to make assurance doubly sure.
must be admitted, and the prolnptness of Admiral
Engehed In responding to the call for her deserves
all praise. 1t fifteen minutes past three O'Clock
on Saturday afternoon when the Grfon received or
ders by signals from the Admiral's flagship to pre-
pare for sea. So far the vessel was concerned
very little time needed to get ready. but
the commander most OF the officers and part of the
ashore. Several hours elapsed before
they could be collected. Meanwhile supply Of
beds and blankets put on board for the accom-
mediation Of the passengers of the wrecked State Of
Virginia, whom the Grifon expected 80 bring
from Sable Island.
DEPARTURE.
At eleven minutes past seven o'clock the ship left
her moorings and steamed out of the harbor.
Showers of rain and light squalls of wind indicated
an unpleasant night but the weather soon cleared.
light favorable breeze blew. and the Chiffon, with
all sails set and under full steam, made for sSable
Island at about ten knots an hour.
STEAMER SIGHTED.
At six O'Clock Sunday morning q steamer was,
sighted to the northward which your correspondent
believed to be the Glendon She stood of to the
northward about five miles distant appearing to be-
making for the nearest harbor. The Grifon sig
nailed her repeatedly. but through some misunder
standing of the signals the other steamer did not
show her name. She merely dipped her colors and
proceeded on her course. This about sixty miles
from Sable Island. The steamer now known. !
was the Glcndon, returning to Halifax with the pas
sengers and part of the of the wrecked
If the Griflon had been able 10 make her out and
change signals the course of the ship. might
bee A WAS
manned but to proceed to Sable Island. The heavy
ground swell that observed tho forenoon
wore on showed that tho water was becoming shoal.
LAND.
At past eleven land sighted, speed was
slackened. the lead kept going, bearings taken and
everything done to the safety of the snip.
Quickly there up in front Of thegroup-of
sand banks which is justly feared by all mari
ners, and the white surf seen breaking against Z
it with fury even in that moderate weather. The
lighthouse at the western end Of tho island becam
visible. and then few miles east the three :
masts of the Inflated steamer doomed up
over the island. On board the Grinon every
prccaution was taken 20 sec, -, the safety and
comfort Of the passengers expected Oh board.
All the officers prepared to vacste their rooms for
tho women and children and invalids and the Off,
and of the State OF Virginia were~to bes
taken deck. The manner of procedure in.work ,
this kind is clearly marked in British regu-
lutions, the "rulers OF tho Queens navee' bsdng
very precise in all such matters. First. the women
and CHI Idren to be taken off, then the invaEds
If any; then-and here is pardonable bit of sel-
fshness. the British navy holding that their FIRST
duty is to British subjects-every Englishman.
rather every Britisher to be taken; then. tae4
remainder. 1t o in which the words. -Fors
he is Englishma had value. But these prep I
arations needless, for, as the HERALD readers
already know. the passengers had left theistand.
SABLE ISLAND.
The Chiffon anchored at a safe distance. and
by whistles and other signals attracted the notice
of those shore. Although the surf was heavy
Commander Boardman ordered a whaler to beinanned
to visit the island. While the Grffons boat was APP
preaching the shore a surf boat came out. bringing
Captain Noodle Of the wrecked steamer. He ex-
planned that the passengers and part of the had
gone in the Giendon and that he with his daughter
ana the rest of the would the island
for the present for the projection of the wreck.
ROBBERY THE STEAMER.
Captain Noodle reported that most dsstardly act
had been committed. schooner. with her name
concealed came in to the wreck and puuiered 1t of
whatever could be carried away. including cabin
furniture and valuable piano. That the articles
were taken with any honest iutention.of savi,.g
them for the evident from the care
that exercised III concealing the name OF the
schooner. canvas being spread over her 1t is
believed that the schooner fisherman from
Gloucester some other port in New England.
The wind increasing and the getting rougher. the
two boats parted-the Grifrons to return on board
and Captain Noodles to return to the island. After
a long and hard pull the Grfon's boat reached. tho
ship. and ut four p. NJ. the Grifron boro away,for
Halifax.
Experienced divers and wreckers now leaving
for Sable Island to what they
PASSENGERS FORWARDED.
An officer from the New York agency Of the State
line arrived here to-day by steamer from Boston and
will proceed to the island TO look after the cargo.
Arrangements have been made to forward all
Allan line steamer Hbernian. leaving this port to-
morrow for Liverpool. Most of the passengers Will
proceed. 4 few will return to the States. Judge
Jackson. the popular American Consul at Halifax.
has been unrcmtting his attentions to tho Ameri
passengers.
THE RESCUED PASSENGERS To LEAVE HALIrAx'
FOR EUROPE To-DAY-DEpARTURE OF A
wREcKING EXPEDITION FROM THIS poRr-A
STRANGE ISLAND DESCRIBED.
The agents of tho State steamship line I'M this city
deny the statement photographed from Halifax the
effect that the OF the company
latter place have been directed to forward the rescued
passengers of the State OF Virginia to Suropc blythe