The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-10

suggested that prayers should be offered to God
in thanks for the mercy he had graciously
shown. Hardly had the suggestion been
uttered when the assembled passengers kneit
and Joined in appropriate prayer. Then the
hymn, "Praise God from whom all blessings
fow," was sung with an impressive earnestness
but seldom witnessed in cathedral aisies
Heartfelt sobs mingled with the chant and tears
stood in strong mems eyes.
NEGLIGENT WATCH.
When the excitement Gained down men began
to ask how the catastrophe had befallen. The
night, though overcast, was clear, and it was
argued that if proper lookout had been main
tanned the iceberg must have been seen
in time to enable us to avoid it OF else
to diminish the force Of the collision. Mr..
William Roper, Of Newcastle-on-Tyne, Eng
out had admitted to him that they were not
at their posts in the prov of the shie when the
collision occurred. The excuse offered for this
dereliction Of duty was the poor one that the
fore part of the ship had been painted during the
day. Next day the sailors wished to deny this
admission, but several Of the passengers who
were on deck confirmed Mr.. Ropers statement.
There is every reason to believe that, had o.
proper outlook been maintained, the catastrophe
would have been avoided.
WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN.
Considerable difficulty was experienced in
into the water, though the sea was calm rs q
mill pond and it was the universal conviction
of the passengers that had tho Arizona sunk
within an hour after the collision not soul
would have escaped. Fortunately tho very
violence of the collision snapped tho iron plates
of the ships sides as though they were of glass,
and SO broke the force of the blow upon tho rest
of the hull. Beyond the Immediate parts
crushed not q rivet started, and for once the
sengers and steamship. Still there was little
faith in this frail partition. While the sea con
tinued calm it might keep out the water, but it
was felt that the first heavy sea breaking into
the yawning breach would tear the plates
asunder.
1t was, therefore with feeling of relief the
passengers learned that Mr.. S. B. Guion, on con-
sultation with lie captain, had decided to head
for the port of st. Johns, Newfoundland, and
that the steamer was slowly ploughing her way
toward land.
WELCOME HAVEN.
1t was now past midnight, but few we're in
clined to turn in. Gradually the ladies with
drew to their cabins, but goodly number
OF the male passengers merely stretched
themselves ON the saloon seats and gradually
forgot the perils of the night. Fortunately the
weather continued calm and the morning of
Saturday broke warm and balmy filing pas
sengers and crew with renewed hope of q happy
exit from their perilous position. Toward
eight o'clock in the evening lights on
by ten o'clock the welcome glimmering of the
town was seen, the illumined windows spark
ling like diamonds in the roekbound coast.
Signal guns were fired for pilots, bnt no re-
sponse came, and we were compelled to beat up
and down during the night In the disabled ship
till the morning dawned.
This morning pilot came aboard and
brought the Arizona safely into port, and the
rescued passengers hastened from her decks to
the various churches to give God thanks for
their wonderful deliverance from death.
ESCAPE UNPREcEDENrED.
Crowds of hardy sailors gathered during the
day to gaze on the awful breach made by tho
collision, and all arc agreed that never another
ship had such escape.
Experts who have examined her declare that
she cannot be made ready fos seq within
month. Mr.. Guion has therefore telegraphed
for the Nevada TO call at st. Johns, and arrange
ments will be made to enable some of the pas
sengers to sail ON the Allan line next Thursday.
The most pleasing feature of our providential
feed aud not soul dangerously wounded. The
sailors who were injured in their hunks and
half buried amonng the debris were found to be
more frightened than hurt Their names orc
the following
THOMAS CARNAY, cut in the face.
THOMAS EVANS, scalp wound.
ENOCH CRAWFORD, scalp wound.
WILLIAM THOMAS, scalded.
WILLIAM KNOX, scalded.
All these men are doing WE'LL.
PRIVATE DISPATCHES TO FRIENDS OF THOSE
ON BoARD-THE LIST OF PASSENGERS.
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