Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-01-03
UNMANLYCOyDUCTATSEA
LOSS OF THE CREW OF THE
.ARIO PARDEE.n

CowardIy Bearing of the "ChattahoO-
chee's'' First Ofhcer-He Threatens
the Captains Life and is Dismissed
from the Service-GaIlant Efforts to
save the Wrecked Seamen.
The steamship ChattahoOchee, Of the
Ocean Steamship Company, which had
such an exciting experience during her
last trip TO New York in en-
deavoring TO rescue the crew Of
the water-logged schooner Ario
Pardee. of the North Carolina coast,
reached Savannah Thursday night. The
ChattahOOchee is commanded by Capt.
Nv. CatharIne, one Of the best and most
trustworthy officers Of the line, and some
surprise was expressed in savannah
when il became known that shc came
with new first and second officers. First
Mate Richardson and second Mate Ed
wards both left the ship at New York.
The cause Of their leaving grew out OF
the Ario Pardee episode. Connected with
this are some interesting incidents,
which have not been published,
and which throw a different light
upOn the conduct OF some Of the officers
of the ChattahOOchee than that IN which
they have stood up TO this time. The
Associated Press dispatch to the NEWS,
IT. Will be remembered, spoke of First
Mate Richardson as being injured IN
making a courageous effort TO rescue the
schOOner's crew, and put him in the light
Of a hero. Ii now appears that he made
no effort at rescue at all. and took no part
in il.
When the Chattahoochee sighted the
Ario Pardee she was rolling frlghtfully
in a heavy sea. a strong gale was dow
Ing and the waves were running very
high. Second Mate Edwards made the
first attempt at rescue. He had the life
boat ana a crew of four men. An eye
witness says that he did his work bung-
lingly and wasted an hours time. Night
vas now coming on, and the Chatta-
hOOchee was gradually getting into shall
| low water, when the second mate returned
10 the ship, having failed to accomplish
anything.
Cant. Catharine was still unwilling to
leave the men to their fate.
sThey must be rescued, II possible"
| said he. Then addressing the First Mate,
| ne asked: S.Wil you make the attempty"
The Captain faced the mate, and the
| crew and passengers stood by awaiting his
reply. The schooner was rolling TO lee
ward, with the water breaking in torrents
over the poor fellows lashed in the rigging.
ssNO," said Richardson, Il won't make
| the attempt. You are asking me 10 60
what YOU would not do yourself"
Il do not ask you TO 90 where would
not gO.' said Capt. Catharine, indignant
| w. u have braved greater danger than
| this. But | am i'm command OF this ship
and am responsible for her safety. 1
aeain ask you to 20 and try TO save those
men,"
Again Richardson refused.
Il call on you TO witness that he re-
| fuses said Capt. Catharine, turning to
the passengers.
ssBv Will not CO., cried Richard
son. land want everybody to hear it,"
s'YOu contemplate coward - exclaimed
Capt. Catharine. Second Mate Edwards
refused to make second attempt. The
Captain then called for volunteers. At
first no one responded, but finally steer
age passenger named DOugherty YOlun-
teered to command the boats crew and
make another attempt. Four seamen also
volunteered and the attempt was made.
The boat was roughly butfetted in the
waves, but finally the life line was put on
board the schooner. Then pariey en-
sued among the men on the schooner as
to who should put the life buoy on and
save himself. The men wanted young
man, who was steward, 20 90 II.
He refused, and Allen, the nrst
mate. finally put the life buy on
Jumped into the sea and was saved. In
continuing the efforts to save the others,
the life buOvs were rendered useless, and
the life boat had To return. She was badly
battered. Night had now come on. Inc
ChattahOOchee was rapidly nearing sh0al
water under heavy DRIFT, and to remain
longer, Capt. Catharine knew, would en-
danger the ship. He. therefore, resumed
his voyage.
The Captain was furious at thee 6waTd-
ice of the first mate. He said he would
put him on the dock as soon as he got to
New York. And he kept his word. The
ChattahOOchee had not been in New York
half an hour wheu he~Was-d ischaTged
Richardson drew pistol on Capt. Catha-
rine wlffie or board the steamer, and had
] To b9 threatened with force before he
| Vent ashore.
? Second Mate Edwards was discharged
/ also. but after consideration, and
/ in view of TIE fact that he said the reason
/ he did not make the second attempt at
] rescue was that he had been hurt while
/ making the first attempt, he was taken
/ back and transferred to the City OF Sa-
vaunah. George Savage, formerly Second
| Officer of the City of Augusta, has been
made First Officer OF the ChattahO0chee,
and T. L. Davids. Second Officer OF the
CITY of Savannah. has been made second
Officer Of the ChattahOOchee.
Capt. Catharine says that he thinks the
entire crew Of the AriO Pardee could have
been rescued but for the cOwardice OF his