New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-01-04
WHY THE GALLIA WENT ON.
an OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM THE
CUNARD COMPANY.
TEE UMBRIA DID NOT APPEAR TO BE IN IN
M1NEYT DANGER, AND THE>GALIIA's COAL

london, Jan. 3.-The Cunard Company have
luued an official statement of the Gallia- Umbria
iroident. In this statement Captain Ferguson, of
tbe Gals, says that when his steamer approached
the Cmbra he saw a steamer lying near her,
buwing of steam. The Umbra was lying easily
IN the water and formed perfect picture Of Sc
,urity while the Gallia was rolling heavily. On
,sading the signal SHAFT broken Captain Fer
.,sen consulted with his chief engineer. The
latter officer, knowing of the appliances on board
m. Umbria and being intimately acquainted with
Chef Engineer 1oullinson was also Captain
psrrusen who had sailed with Mr.. Tomlinson in
The Mediterranean service, was satisfied from the
nsxt signal, Ready to proceed tomorrow" that
the umbra was in no danger whatever, and that
there were provisions aboard to last the passengers
and crew several weeks.
Captain Ferguson had to consider his own po-
s,in With the prospect of casterly weather
having him an insufficient margin in his coal
supply, should he, the statement asks. have en-
pepded considerable portion of his fuel in stand
Inr by the Umbria for one and possibly two days.
Continuing, the statement says: Captain Fer
vusen realized that the Umbria had been broken
down since the previous Friday, yet had not
about her semblance of damage that she was in
that the weather. though unfit at the moment for
the transfer of passengers without great risk
sbowed signs of modcratng, and he therefore de-
cided that it was his duty TO proceed and inform
all west-bound vessels that he met of Tie posi-
ton of the Umbria. He signalled TO a steamer
within ten hours after he left the Umbria that
the latter vessel was disabled, and gave her the
Cmbra's latitude and longitude
;,.. Il Sho
bad weather coming ont of the east was justified.
When the Gallia was within 800 or 400 miles of
the Irish coast she encountered heavy gale from
the eastward accompanied with high head sea.
This gale delayed her twenty hours in reaching
Queenstown.
The Gallia arrived at Liverpool to-day. The
passengers explained the situation as IL appeared
10 them. They said that the Cmbria signalled
10 the Gallia requesting that steamer TO stand
by for twenty-four hours Captain Mckay
stating that the shaft would probably be re-
paired within tllat time. The Gaia waited tor
three hours Then Captain Ferguson signalled
to the Umbria that his vessel had only sufficient
coal on board to reach Liverpool, and upon send
ing this message Captain Ferguson decided 10
proceed. The passengers are uncertain whether
Captain Mckay protested against the Galla pro-
ceeding. The passengers are all agreed, however
that the condition Of the Umbria did not warrant
any apprehension of danger at the time the
Gallia steamed away on her voyage.
A proposal is being discussed by the under
writer's of Liverpool aud London to present a
handsome sum Of money TO Captain McKay, Eas-
neer Iomlinson and the other officers Of the
Umbria in recognition Of their services in having
taken the Umb,ia into port successfully after
the accident to the shaft. The underwriters will
await similar action which is expected on tho
part of the Cunard Steamship Company.
Liverpool, Jan. 3.-Among the Gallia's pas
sengers was Captain Long, who has had long
maritime experience. He said that when the
Cmbria was first sighted by the Galla the
steamer Manhanset was lying-to near her
Everything about the Umbria was snug and
shipshape, and she riding the seas as steady
as church. Her appearance far from that
Of vessel in danger or in need of assistance.
Captain Mckay, Captain Long added, signallei
request that the Gallia stand by him for the
rest Of the morning. Captain Ferguson responde
that he was Unable TO do so, as he had only coal
enough for an ordinary voyage
Captain Long further said that in view of the
terrific weather prevailing he was Of the opinion
that Captain Ferguson was right in leaving the
Umbria BESIDES the question of fuel, which
was most important one, the Gallia WAS not IN
= position 10 undertake 10 tow her. Tie lives
Of the people on the LnbIia were III no cancer,
and the good weather the s.c&mer was making
Of it, despite her disabled condition., was evidence
that they wOulG not be endangered
Captain Long added that the stories OF tic
affair cabled 10 the English newspapers from ne
United States sTCatlT exaggerated the lhclue'i'
but this, he thought was perhaps duc 10 inc
fact that the reports were obtained from pas
sengers who wer,. apt 20 add little 10 the
dangers through which they had passed. In con, con
clusion Captain Long said he must agree WIN
the version of the affair reported 10 have been gwen
BY Captain Mckay: When the 9omiilaIueT o,i 81
the Umbria sgnalle1 that he did not nec1
assistance Captain Ferguson was perfectly Jus'ipco
In proceeding on his course.
The opinion gains ground that Captain Mchay
knowing that he could handle bis ship when thc
repairs to her shaft were completed, ana noI ue-
sire TO delay the Galli1 TOR any length oi '',i .h
which would have entaed heavy expense 10 tne
company. in addition 10 causing much conip'alh'
among the Gallia's passengers The captains ul,
doubtedy tood each other thoroughly; anu
had the Cmbria's situation oeen uaneeions har Oe
Gallia would have stood by ara asSs,c1 heI a. a.
long as necessary or possible. 1t Is believed thai
both Captain Mckay and Captain Ferguson dio
what was for the b,st interests OF their owner,
and their passengers, and that the company VIII
Hnd no reason TO censure either Of them.
cable d,spatch in relation TO the Umbria Gaia cpl
sode was received yesterday afternoon from LNeIpo
By Vernon II. Brown, the Cunard Lanes Ne" VI" OH
agent Mr. Brown said. before he showed IL 10 'nF
newspaper men, that there was nothing III IL 10 ihu'a'
that Captain Fcfgtsen, OF the Gallia' UNDERSTOOD '''
last signal made by the UmbI1a-the 10" Hii'Ou'
ave hold yOu responsible" signal The dlspatcH re"u
sseeng the Umbria lying comfortably as per signal,
dnce Friday. and knowing appliances that she hao
aboard. and having persd al experience with the chief
engineer We fully credited her signal ready 10 proceS
tomorrow We feared losing one or TWO Gays "'ei
ssly on account OF coal, feeling sure oil ehcouie's
easerly gales, as We afterward did, delaying our Ut
rival at least twenty hours Mr.. Browh n9 nnt"Sm' @
derstOood and perhaps had not even sceh' ''ie ''s'
signal Of the Umbria. ,,. a., ,,,h
Regarding the Imbria's repairs he thought IL pivo
able that She would Dc sent 10 England ulner 'enpo
nry repairs 10 have "a thrust shaft put III inert