The Portland daily press., 1884-01-23

ne has nothing further to say. He would,
however, corrohorate the interview, as re-
ported Monday, in which he declares that the
captain, about fifteen or thirty minutes be-
foregoing below, gave the course southwest by
west The other reports which made the
Quartermaster say that the directions given
him were southwest by south" were incor-
rect. This corroboration settles the question
of misunderstanding between Captain
Wright and the wheelman. The captain gave
the vessels course "southwest by west" and
the wbeelsman SO understood him. Further
more, Quartermaster Mcdonald affirms that
the second mate was in the pilot house when
the course was given, stayed at his station all
the time during the absence of the captain,
and ordered the wheelman short time before
the vessel struck not to go any to the leeward
OF the course.
Story of the SpeedweIl.
The Speedwell reports as follows: Left New
York Thursday afternoon, at Q O'Clock, and
had good run to Montauk, when the wind
commenced to blow gale from the Westw ard,
with heavy sea. Was obliged to put into
Vineyard HaYen, and came to anchor at $50
q. m. Friday, where we heard of the
wreck of the City of Columbus, and
On the way down Vineyard sound we passed
pieces Of the wreck, furniture, aud several
dead bedies with life preservers on, mostly
men, only two women being seen. We did
not pick them up but kopt on to the wreck Ia
aid the living if possible. We also saw several
life RATS and two boats all empty. The third
boat sighted contained Capt. Vance whom we
took on board in a very exhausted condition,
his boat being full of water. Stood toward the
wreck and saw the revenue steamer Dexter an
chored 400 yards to leeward of the wreck
We saw life boats going to and from shore to
the wreck. The captain of the Dexter said
they had taken off % persons and there were
two more aboard. Seeing that we could
of no service there we went bac1
to pick up dead bodies. We picked up three
men, also picked up four trunks. All were
sent ashore at Vineyard Haven and delivered
to the coroner. The next day there was a
dense snow storm and we could do nothing.
We left Vineyard Haven at a. IN. Monday
for this port and arrived at 10 o'clock Monday
evening.
Dexter Makes an Interesting stnte-
menf.
PROVIDENCE, Jan. 22.-Revenue cutter SAM
uel Dexter returned to Newport this morning.
Captain Gabrielson said he had no particulars
of moment to contribute. The lifeboat from
Gay Head did splendid service in bringing
survivors to the cutter, but he desired to em-
phatically contradict statement made by the
captain of the lifeboat which made him (Gar
brielson) say that the cutters boats could not
live in the surf The work done by the boats
he considers proof to the contrary. He says
after the Gay Head lifeboat had been out a
couple of hours its captain came to him and
Bald his men were worn out and could not
stand more work, and that he must go in.
Gabrielson begged him not to do so but to
come with his men on board the cutter and
get some food and get warmed, and q crew
from the cutter should be put in the lifeboat
until they were rested. There were then four
men in the rigging of the wreck. At that time
1t was impossible for the cutters boats to go to
it. Finally the captain of the lifeboat put off
again and brought two men back, when the
liteboat went away leaving two men in the
rigging. Captain Gabrielscn says they ougha
to have remained until all were. brought away.
Captain Gabrielson says many lives were lost
by jum ping from the vessel while trying to
get to the rescuthg boats. The conduct of the
officers and crew of the cutter, he states, was
highly commendable He will in his report to
Secretary Folger, rec commend especially for
the consideration of the department First
Lieutenant w. D. Roath, Second Lieutenant
=. U. Rhodes and Third Lieutenant @. d.
hennedy Tor great bravery and exemplary
conduct, and First Assistant Engineer Rock
feller and. Second Assistant Engineer c. W.
Beckwith for the great care and attention be-
slowed upon survivors.