New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-06-16
RE ESCAPE or The SALE.

A great steamship has seldom escaped de-
struction by so narrow margin as did the
Saale, of the North German Line which came
safely into port on Friday evening after col
Hsion with an iceberg. II was literally close
shave for the steamer slid along the shelving
side of the berg and shot into the clear water
beyond with list to starboard from which she
had not quite recovered when she reached her
dock. She lost the paint from her port bow
but sustained no other damage, and nobody IS
the worse for this near vision OF destruction
unless perhaps, 1t may be one or more oil the
ships officers point which German Court
Of Inquiry will determine In due time.
The escape OF the Saale is not, however
unique among the experiences of ocean steam
ships in recent years. 1t recalls at once the
very similar encounter of the Arizona with an
iceberg on November I, 1879, which was, in
deed. If not more perilous, at least more dam
aging. The Saale sqraped the shelf Of her ice
berg; the Arizona ran into hers nearly full
bow on, was saved from sinking only by her
bulkheads, and put into st. Johns, though the
late Stephen Il. Guion, one Of her owners, who
CHANGED to be aboard, believed that she could
have made Queenstown, and showed ms con-
fdence by going to bed an hour after the col
lision. Some Of the attendant circumstances
were less suggestive Of danger In the case OF
the Arizona than last Tuesday. The weather
was thick on both nights, but large body OF
Ice had never been seen before, it was said, in
The course Of the Atlantic liners SO late in the
wear as November Z whereas this Is the season
OF icebergs, and the captain Of the Saale had
been warned TO be on his guard before sailing
Yet the Court of Inquiry found that the ArZo-
mas lockout wa defective. aud suspended for
six months the certificates OF the captain and
second mate. Doubtless one Of the cicum-
stances which led the captain OF the Saale to
think that he had run out Of danger was inc
rise in temperature during the hour preceding
the collision. II Is certainly surprising, II the
record is accurately reported, that the mercury
should have boon at the highest point reached
during the night just OF the time when small
ice was discOvere around the Saale'S bows, ana
the berg itself WAS within six boat-iengths.
There seems 70 have been no lack OF precau-
tons against a surprise, for two iookoutS were
in the crows nest, and the captain, the cher
officer aud the fourth officer were on The bridge
and certainly there was no want Of energy and
skill after the proximity OF ice was discovered,
Once more the unsettled question o. the
comparative advantages of low and high speed
in thick weather comes up for discussion.
Several Of the most experienced commanders
In the transatlantic service, writing upon this
subject in THE North American Review last
year. agreed that there was less danger, on the
whole, considering the prevailing conditions
and customs Of navigation, TO a vessel steamnR
rapidly than 10 one that was feeling her way
IL is probable that an ingenious argument could
be constructed IN defence Of the propoa alton
that the Saale would have had less narrow
escape in the present Instance II she had been
at full speed, but sensible persons will he very
ant to connect her dehverance with the fact
that she Was making by the captains report,
only nine or ten knots through the dense fog
which had suddenly settled around her. The
passengers at all events, are not likely y" re
grct that an opportunity has been lost to test
the theory Of every ship ior herself and tho
devil take the hlndmo>t They a. least know
that a, half speed they escaped destruction. and
they will be- apt 10 rcnert that though st full
speed the Saalc might have shot clear 81 IA"
iceberg altogether, she might also have shared
the fate VI the President, the Pacific aud ID"
City Of Boston, and hcvom" one Of The IN.
fathOmabo mysteries Of the ogcan.