Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1890-04-07

CLAIMS TO HAVE OFFERED AID.
The story OF Captain Roberts OF she
steamer Adriatic Denying tho Re-
ports That He Refused Assistance
to she Steamer City OF Paris.
NEW YORK, April e.-Csptain Roberts of
the steamer Adriatic gives this version of
what occurred whom his vessel came across
the disabled steamer City of Paris:
CAT about 1870 on the morning of the 28th
of March, in latitude 81. Is, longitude IL. 80,
the officer on the bridge reported that he OBJ
served signals of distress. stopped the
engines and we found that the signals came
from boat belonging to the City of Paris.
The boat was in charge of the chief officer,
who, when he got alongside, saw there was
something wrong in the engine room of his
vessel. He did not exactly know what 1t
shaft had broken, or that one of the cylin-
dsrs had exploded and the piston rod had
beaten hole in the compartment. He said
that Captain Watkins of the City of Paris
wished to be towed into Queenstown. I de-
clined to tow the vessel, but said that was
perfectly willing to render all other assist
ance possible, and If there was any danger
would take off the passengers.
Just then another steamer, bound west
ward, hove in sight. T thought this was the
City of Chester of the Inman line, which
left Queenstown Immediately after the Adri-
attic. I at once gave orders for the discharge
of rockets at intervals in order to intercept
other vessel and place her in communication
with the City of Paris. In the meantime
the boat drifted between the two
ships, which were about four miles
however, did not answer our signals, but
kept right on her course. do not know
exactly what vessel it was, but it seems
probable that it was the City of Chester
which was doeked yesterday. The officer of
the City of Paris then came aboard and pre-
ferred his request. told him thst I was
willing and anxious to save life, if necessity
the vessel to Queenstown. I asked hina
to go back with us and I would do all
possible. He declined to do this and said he
would make for the land. This was about
four O'Clock. The Adriatic was then steam
ing toward the City of Paris. We then
sighted a steamer bound east, which proved
to be the Aldersgate of London from Calves
ton for Liverpool. I signalled her and dis
patched my chief officer in boat to go
aboard and ask the commander if he would
go to the City of Paris and take the people off
her. He consented to this and we then
proceeded in company, in case any sudden
emergency should require us both. I then
signalled Captain Watkins and told
him that the Aldersgate was will
ing to take him in tow and
that would take his passengers off and
leave them at Queenstown. I did not say
would take them to New York. If had
thought there was any danger of the vessel
sinking would certainly have dispensed
with all formality and assisted the Alders-
gate into towing her into Queenstown,
but understood that the damage was not
really serious and that there was no danger
apprehended. The sea was quite calm at the
time. There was slight swell on, but
nothing to create any fear. Captain Wat
kins evidently was not concerned on account
of any immediate danger for his passengers on
account of the injuries sustained by his ship,
for after had placed him in communi cation
with the Aldersgate and he understood that
she would take his ship into port he
signalled to me "thanks, go ahead" The
Adriatie steamed alongside for some minutes
later and then everything being apparently
satisfactory we proceeded on our voyage,
leaving the two ships in company. That is
what actually happened and am going to
that effect to Ismay, Imre & Co., the agents
in London"