New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-01-20

we We iudge ourselves clear Of Middle Ground,
give the vessel tsS Sdde FomSG and
Naushon Island. Middle Ground is the out;
living reef off the upper side of Marthas Vineyard
on the northwest. Al Pasque Island we change, III
bound for New-York. But if bound out we Keep
| right on The west-southwest course takes you
right out into the open The wind on the morn
| ing of the accident was west by north. captain
Wright says ne was steering the regu ar course, 80
that the wind was on his starboard and would drive
| the Columbus over toward Gay Head. ! he TIDE was
pretty near high water setting IN the SOUND aiIsa
him. On clear night you can see every ngnt Ia
the Sound from any point along tb Inc bv east
on e-half east of Gay Head about mile. Tho life
raft would blow up the Sound. The people on 1t
have frozen to death. 1t might have gone with the
Head to Cutyhunk is six to eight miles across the
Sound. There is plenty of sea room after you pass
widens gradually from there ont. From Nobska
Light to Gay Head IL about two hours run Tor
steamer like the Eleanora. Tie Columbus might
make ii in an hour and a half The captain ana
second mate are usually on watch toget en- The
first mate takes his watch alone The first mate IS
never with the captain unless thee Is tnlcK
weather"
THE PAST SERVICES OF CAPTAIN WRIGHT.
At the agency of the Ocean Steamship Company
of Savannah at No. 317 Broadway, all knowledge
of Captain Wright and of the lost steamship was
dscaimed The agent was not certain oven about
what route the Boston vessels took, whether
through Vineyard Sound or outside of the Nantuck-
ct Shoals. 1t was denied that the Boston company
was or ever had been connected with the Ocean
Steamship Company, and the agent knew, he SAID
that the officers of his line were not acquainted
with any member of the COlumbias crew.
The steams ip Ch9ttahOOchie, OF the Ocean COm-
pany, lay at Pier No. 80 North RIVER yesterday,
taking in her freight. Captain DagIett, her com
mandcr said TO tribune reporter that nothing
had surprised him more than the news OF the Co
lumbus's loss. Captain Wright" SAID he, II am
well acquainted with. He has been engaged IN the
vessels and afterward captain of steam
ships for the last six years; lie has been
sailor since boyhood. | have always
regarded him as an exceptionally excellent Olhcer,
and his record rs captain, with the exception OF ms
unforuna experience with the coaster last sum
mer, was unimpeachabIe Before he became com
mander of the Columbus in September. 1857, ne
vas the master of vessel running from Boston to
Prince Edwards Island, where six years ago le was
married. He is about forty years OF age ana Is
fne-looking man, with mos engaging manners;
1.-The City of Columbus knew as ship which
was similar to my own, and was one OF
the best cOasting steamships ailoat. She
was built by the same builders as ne
Chattahooche, and if there was any difference be-
tween the two, the Columbus was trite the
smaller. When the Boston company was organized
in 1882 the City of Column was bought from the
Ocean Company, and with 1t two other Vessels
which make alternate trips to savannah. captain
Wright never employed by the Ocean Com
pany The members of my crew, think are not
acquainted with the men on the Columbus. because
when we were in Savannah the Columbus was IN
Boston.
The ronte which Captain Wright chose is the
one which is accepted by sailors to be
the best in point of time distance and safety.
There Is over twenty feet of water al ways IN the
course and the route is much safer than that by
way of the South ShOal, unless one chooses 10 go
considerable distance out to sea. My opinion as 70
how the accident happened can be given III few
words. When the Columbus entered the Sound, she
made eeway on account of the strong west-south-
west wind. The captain. having confidence III the
man at the wheel, went below, aud lett MN IN
Of fhA gllr he
IDENTIFY did not observe what leeway the vessel was
making. although there was a hgnt within three
miles of the Devils Bridge. and in consequence the
ship went on the shelving rocks without an EFFORT
being made to save her. II may be possible
that the man at the wheel went to sleep on account
of the warmth of the pilOt-house when contrasted
with the severe cold on deck. But this do not
thlnk probable. because sailor at the wheel never
goes to sleep.
"Of the officers of the Columbus, | know but
one Archibald Morrison, the chief engineer. He Is
supposed 70 be drowned If he is am sorry to hear
IT, for he was one of the best men | ever had serve
under me when | commanded the Garden City.
Morrison was a ScOtchnan, was born IN Glasgow
some fifty years ago. aud was one OF the most
efficient engineers in the cOaStwise service
lie was connected with the Boston company
since it's organization, and held tine
Engineer. He was married and had a family, which
lived in Boston. OF the crew of the vessel | know
of only four Daniel Mccarthy. age thlrty-llve, I'M
married; James White, age twenty-nlnc, u1mar,
RED; Gallagher, age twenty unmarried. and
Char cs Howe, age tOrty-fOur married aud has
tour children. OF the il IL probable that few
arc saved. The men | have named were IN the
stewards and pursers offices.
- The fact that the Columbus carried so many
passengers IN tins season is not singular. This Is
one of the months in which the largest number OF
persons 20 South to pass the winter and early
spring"