New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-09-04

left only my mother and me. My brother was on
the Vera Cruz year ago. but he caught the yellow
fever and died. And now father has gone. too"
She utterly refused to be comforted and went away
crying violently.
weil-dressed young man. who looked as II he
had lost everything earth that he cared for came
in late the afternoon and asked for intelligence
of the steamer. He a Cuban and spoke only
few words of English. While going away he was
spoken to by TRIBUNE reporter, to whom he said
that he was the brother of Rafael Avrue. sketch of
whose visit to New-York is given elsewhere.
There were several other of "A like character
with those thai have been narrated, and there was
one scene of another nature that was worthy
of mention because of its exhibition of peculiar
phase Of human character. small Spaniard,
whose distressed look and aggrieved bearing gave
the impression thai he had suffered greatly in mind,
aud was certain to suffer greatly in his affections
or purse in case it proved that the Vera Cruz was
lost, paced excitedly to and fro, and went from
window to window He asked what interest
he had in the steamer and he volubly explained
that he had four horses and two wagons on board.
After this announcement interest in his sorrows
had no further being.
EFFORTS TO OBTAIN NEWS.
John Alexandra. of the firm of Alexandra q Sons.
was at the office from an early hour IN the
morning until afternoon, when he went out
for several hours TO attend to matters of business.
He was there for the double purpose of obtaining
aud giving information. He telegraphed early 10
the Mayor of St. Augustine Fla. asking for de-
tailed descriptions of the bodies and cargo marks
of the goods said to have been washed ashore. His
bearing was cheerful and buoyant, and ne ex-
pressed the most confident belief in the safety of
the Vera Cruz and his evident sincerity gave a
raw of hope to the most despondent while his cheer
e,1a md ,NaO Uin
will of every person who found 1t necessary to ap-
proach him. He afforded every facility TO obtain
information to all who applied for II.
There was only thing he would
not do, and that was to believe
in the reported disaster. Said he 10 reporter OF
THE TRIBUNE | cannot belieTe that the City OF
Vera Cruz has been lost in gale, for she was the
strongest wooden vessel in the world and she was
in charge of experienced and capable officers. Some
wears ago. when the agents of the Russian Govern
ment came to this country to buy fleet, they cast
ewes of admiration upon this ship and wished TO
buy her. They were only prevented by the fact
that we asked what they considered too high a
| nrce / think 1t more than likely that the story
/ about the mail bags and the trunk may be ex-
| plained in way that VIII justify my
! strong hope. The Mexican mail agents state
! room was on the main deck. next TO the baggage
| room, with which it communicated by means OF a
door 1t is therefore possible that heavy sea
niebt have broken in the window of the agents
! room and swept mail bags and baggage away.
cannot believe that a vessel Of the strength OF the
| Vera Cruz f0uudeTed ID sea where any 0iher shp
lived She was a sister sh p to the City of Havana
which WAS lost on reef off the Mexican coast in
1879. This vessel, though subjected to the full
force of the uortber of the succeeding winter, was
found. a wear after her loss, to be good as new
| And last winter. when was down there with Cen
eral Grant more than one-half of the ship was IN
| perfect preservation"
our line" continued Mr.. AeXandre, has never
before this lost life, and do hope and trust that
TIN. affair has been greatly exaggerated. Captain
Van Sice was most capable seaman he has crossed
| the Atlantic many times mastcr Of vessels, and
he has made more than 200 trips to Havana IN our
service. Nh Harris. the first mate, was an expe-
renced sailor; ne had formerly been a captain.
Nh Nlssen the second mate, was an old sailor and
good man. Captain Van Sice wouldn't have any
one but a competent man about h.m. The engineer,
Miller had been in our employ for years III fact he
grew up with Us. l had almost forgotten to say
that when the City of Vera Cruz came in the last
time we went to the expense Of putting her IN the
| dock and having her examined People laughed
at us for taking this precaution with such vessel.
The Vera Cruz was insured fOr part OF her value :;
she was valued at S2JO.O00 The insuraEces were
largely in English companies, and amount to prob
| ably 20 per cent Of her value. The cargo it may
be stated is valued at from 100000 10 $3.50, 600
When spoken 20 some hours later Mr. Alexandra
still cung his belief that the Vera Cruz had not
been lost. and il evident that only positive
and undoubted intelligence of that tact could
change him. He said, in addition to what
he had previously stated. that Captain Dea-
ken. who was in command Of the Vera
/ o.
commodore Of the fleet Of the Alexandra
line is of the same opinion with him. That OIL cer
rave II rs his belief that the Vera Cruz must have
I weathercd any gaze of which news has been re-
ceiyed basng his opinion on the fact that he had
| ridden out several severe gales III her, ana Aad
found her perfectly seaworthy.
Mfr. Alexandra said that if the cable to Havana
had not broken II would have been possible to de-
eide the matter at once and definitely. But though
1t was announced the afternoon that the cable
had been repaired and was in working order, moth
ing had been heard from Havana up to late hour
when the office was closed, and orders given
that any dispatch that might come should BE- sent
10 Mr. Alexandra at his house. Several women, who
had waited for hours for news, were compelled to
20 away unrelieved of their anxiety when the oince
doors were shut.
Mr. f. L. DIVER Of the firm of Stoddard X
Dvver of Mexico. was a passenger on the City OF
Vera Cruz on her last voyage from Mexico lie
saws that the passengers were so well pleased Win
Captain Van Sice and the other officers that they
presented him with written testimonial express
ING their regard and esteem. THESE passengers IN
cluded "A large number of prominent Cubans, incud-
ing CAPTAIN and Mrs.. Martinez. The Vera Cruz
ur DUyver saws was constructed of the best
timber and was considered one OF the
strongest steamers in the Cuban and
Mexican trade Mr.. Miller had been connected with
the line several years and was deemed one of the
most efficient men in the service. Francis Harris
Mr.. Duryea says, was one of the most careful and
votcbfnl men he ever knew. He had commanded
| md 4 American YesscIs.