Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-12-30
ANXIETY IN LONDON.
Steamship Oficials Confident That the
Umbria is safe, But There is ~ Big In
crease In Reinsurance BATES.

Steamship Omcials Confident That the
Umbria Is safe, But There Is - Big In
crease In Reinsurance BATES.
LONDON, December 29.-The anxiety for
the safety of the Cunard line steamer Um-
bria increases day by day, and those who
have relatives or friends on board OF her
personally visit the Offices of the company
or else ask by telegraph for information re-
garding her. OF course the company has
no information to give beyond that contain
ed in the newspapers, but the officials give
reassuring replies, having perfect con-
fidence in the seaworthinesS OF
the steamer and the sea-
manship of Capt Mckay, her commander
But the long delay in the arrival OF the
Umbria causes apprehension that cannot be
allayed by conjectural statements. A dis
arrangement of the machinery, broken
shaft or lost propeller would be sufficient
reason for the delay. The sail area Of the
Umbria is very small and progress under
canvas would necessarily be slow; it would
be much slower if dragging screw had to
be hauled through the water. With her
long freeboard, the vessel would be bound
to make more or less leeway with the
northwest winds prevailing at this time Of
the year, her drift would be to the south
ward and out of the lane routes of trans
Atlantic travel.
That the steamer could be handled under
is not Questioned, but the fears for her
safety is based on other reasons. There
are several derelicts afloat in the North At
lantic route AID one or two have been re-
ported by incoming vessels as dangerous
instructions to navigation. To seafaring
men who know the dangers presented by
this class of wreck, almost the first thought
i, vba,, ha or 10 lonO 0t,pp0rn that
she has struck derelct. To collide with
such an obstacle is like striking rock,
and the consequences of such mishap are
more than likely to prove serious to the
vessel that runs into them.
The fact that the Umbria was spoken on
December 81 by the Hamburg American
liner Moravia was cabled here from New
York last night, but that afforded no relief
to those who have friends aboard. They
argue that as the Umbria was then half way
across the ocean she was in the worst pos
sible position to become crippled. True,
she light in case of accident, have borne
away for the Azores and made a fair wind
of what had been head one, but the anx-
ious ones say, had Captain Mckay followed
this course the Umbria would have been re-
ported from the Azores ere this. 1t may be
that the steamer, having been blown far
Bermuda.
The underwriters at Lloyds look upon
the Umbria as an extra hazardous risk.
Yesterday reinsurance was effected upon
her at the rate OF II guineas premium,
which is rather high rate, but this morn
ing 20 guineas were demanded. Some re-
insurance was effected at this latter rate
and this in itself is good indication of the
anxiety felt in business circles. As the
day advanced and no intelligence OF the
vessel was received, the underwriters ad-
vance9, their rate for reinsurance TO %
guipSss.
In an interview to-day, Mr.. Patton, the
London Manager of the Inman line, de-
clared that he did not feel the least ankle
II for the safety of the Umbria, adding
that he would not feel worried if he had
half dozen friends aboard Of her and she
was out week longer He said there was
no doubt that her engines had broken down
and that some other steamer had her in tow.
The chances of her being spoken had been
lessened by the withdrawal OF steamers OF
the Inman, Guion and North German
Lloyd lines from the transatlantic route.
The manager of the Cunard line ex-
pressed views similar to those OF Mr.. Pat
ton, and said he felt no anxiety whatever.
for the steamer The last time Cunarder
in 1884. when the Servia was nine days
late in arriving, owing to the overheating
Of her crank pin and brasses, which neces-
STATED repeated and long continued stop
page of the engines.
Those having friends on the steamer
take what consolation they can from the
statements of the managers, but it must be
said that their comforts are small, as man.
ayers are known to always take an optim-
istic view of the situation when the ques-
ton of the safety of their vessels is at an
issue. The heavy advance in reinsurance
rates is taken TO indicate that those CHEEKY
views of the situation are not held by the
men who look upon the loss or safety Of
vessel AS merely matter Of business, in
which they stand to win or lose.
EyENING-The report that the Umbria
had been spoken on December Is, and had
signsled that she desired no assistance,
though disabled, was received here late
this afternoon from New York. The news
spread rapidly and removed a terribls d
of anxiety from those who have frit
aboard. kilograms reporting the factt
the stsamerhad been spoken-vsre semi