New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-01-01
TIE TMBRI1'S TOY4GE.

The voyage of the Umbria has been brought
to an end to the intense relief OF the passen-
gers and their friends but several interesting
controversies have been opened. The NEST
important Of these relates to the alleged re-
fusal of the Gala Il sister shipsof the line. TO
take the disabled steamer in tow The officials
of the Cunald Line and the captain Of the In
bra are rcticcnt, but the testimony OF tho
passengers is loud and imprisoned in con-
dcmnaion of the captain of the Gallia. Judg-
ment ought perhaps 10 be reserved until captain
Ferguson has an opportunity for explaining
his refusal but as the story is told by the
passengers his conduct is incxplicablc. In re-
Spouse 10 the I'mbrias signal, Disabled {:
stand by" came The answer, Cant stand
by carving mails" whercupoI :" We hold you
responsible was signalled, and the Gallia con-
tinued on her course TO Liverpool without paus-
ing to ascertain the precise condition OF the
sister ship. If this be an accurate account OF
the occurrence full official explanations ale
Indispensable
The fact that the Gaa was carrying the
Boston mail to Liverpool could not have just-
fled under any circumstances refusal on the
part of her commander to take the Cmbria in
tow. No subsidy WIS dependent upon the de-
livery of that mail by a certain date. and the
amount paid by the American Government for
the service was inconSldcIablc. Even If a
subsidy contract had been at stake it would
not have been inv alidated by delaT caused by
the imperative necessity for relieving another
mail steamer disabled in mdocean. IL Is sim
Div incomprehensible that a slow ship like the
Gaiia should have grounded her neglect 10 as
sist the Umbria upon her obligation 10 deliver
the Boston mail promptly.
A second question which naturally arises re-
lates 10 the captain responsibility III declin-
ing offers of assistance involving heavy costs
10 the company in salvage. From the earliest
accounts his refusal was Incorporating. and
his determination 10 depend upon the skill OF
the engineers and thereby 10 save the managers
unnecessary salvage claims was apparent. From
the full details now published il appears that
these differences were not well founded. Cap
tain Mckay accepted the first offer for tow
which he received and employed the Bohemia
until the cable parted and the resculng steamer
abandoned the attempt. Moreover. the Man
bansc,'s aid was declined because the Gala was
in sight and was naturally preferred owing to
hec connection with the line. The question OF
salvage had its financial side and had 10 be
considered in the case of valuable n ship
and cargo as Captain Mckay had under his
charge but we are glad to be able to acquit
him of any deliberate intention OF impcriing
the lives of his passengers and Of delaying their
arrival in port through undue zeal in keeping
down the salvage costs. Passengers by the
Transatlantic lines aie justly entitled 10 the
specdic,t possible dcliverancc from voyage on
disabled ship well-managed line can bet
ter afford to pay salvage than To earn the
reputation OF being unduly economical in carry
ing passengers into port with patchednp
shaft at half speed
Concerning the flaw in the shaft little needs
70 be said 1t was structural weakness which
could not have been detected in the original
casting OF the metal. and which was made
known TO the engineers by the sound of the
machinery before the final rupture. Whether
all possible precautions were taken TO prevent
the break it would be premature t. state but
certainly the chief engineer is entitled Ia hearty
praise for his ingenuity and practical efficiency
in mcnding the shaft in circumstances OF eX-
ccpiional difficulty. Captain Mckay had the
satisfaction OF bringing the great hip safely
int, Dor, with the Consciousness that while a
few Of the passengers had been declining or
mut;erng against him. his conduc, had been
upheld by the great majority as highly sh6-
mcndallc