New-York tribune., 1896-01-26
THE GROUNDING or THE ST. PAUL.

THE GROUNDING OF THE ST PAUL.
CAPTAIN Jamson, of the st. Paul, cannot be
accused of any lack OF affection for his native
land Seemingly he is so much attached TO the
soil of the United States that he has not patience
enough to get to his destination by the round
about and dilatory route of the Sandy Hook
Channel and consequently he succeeded in put
ting his magnificent vessel fast aground only
few hundred yards from the bluffs Of Long
Branch. 1t is not easy to avoid the inference
that Captain Jamison may be little hasty
and impetuous in his methods at times. Pos
sby if he had handled his vessel as the Cam
pania was handled the ST. Paul would have
arrived at her North River pier in good season
Yesterday without the slightest damage or strain,
and without any necessity of transferring her
passengers.
II appears mysterious and puzzllng that
the commander Of SO stately and superb
steamship as the st. Paul should have per-
mitted himself to run the risks which Captain
Jamison presumably did run He ought not To
have been in too great hurry to complete his
VOYAGE His ship caught in log OF eN-
ceptional dcnsiU. 1t was of the highest impor-
tance that every precaution known to the most
prudent and sagacous Of captains should be
carried out with the utmost care. Perhaps Gap
tain Jamson may be able TO make explanations
which will mitigate or overcome the uniavor
able judgment which his fellow countrymen may
feel inclined TO pass upon him when they read
the accounts of the accident to the ST. Paul
which are published in the newspapers all over
the United States this morning. ii may be
that Captain JamisOn will be able to convince
all critics that he does not deserve censure or
ult-findlng; but the fact that the Campana
was caught in the same fog that settled down
upon the ST. Paul, and that the commander OF
the English vessel took no chances. but anchored
the English steamship and brought his passen
gers safely to port without peril annoyance or
alarm, makes the task Of explanation for Cap
tain Jamson somewhat formidable. The aver
age reader and the average American are likely
10 take the view At first blush that after the
extensive and varied experiences Of the ship
| captains who cross the Atlantic It ought not 10
be impossible to avoid the New-Jerscy coast
even in the thckest and worst Of fogs. Great
ocean steamships are well provided with appli-
| ances for ascertainng the depth Of water as
| they draw near to the shore at any point Why
should any ship captain find it impracticahle
to learn by the use Of the lead when he is ap-
preaching dangerously near the coast Of New
Jersey?
Every American will hope earnestly that Cap
! tain Jamison may be able TO supply an cx-
planation of his action which will silence all
obiectors and will relieve him from reproach.
| The responsibilities and anXieties Of the man
who has in charge the safety of hundreds OF
passengers and of such wonderful structures
as the foremost Atlantic steamships, are most
exactng, overwhelming and even oppressive.
1t is not surprising that accidents occasionally
| happen even to the strongest and stanchest YES
sells; and it is q matter Of congratulation that
! the passengers Of the st. Paul had no more
| alarming an experience than that through which
they actually passed. They were delayed only
q few hours in reaching this port, and at no time
were they in serious danger. They knew that
their ship was as sound and well-knit and nd
| mirable construction as the best skill OF Amcri
| can shipyards could furnish. While they were
on board the St Paul, after the ship had touched
bottom, they felt confident that both their lives
and their possessions were secure 1t Is plain
from all accounts that the discipline maintained
on the St Paul after the grounding was praise
worthy, and the company TO which the shiT
belongs displayed characteristic enterprise and
energy in sending large force of vessels to give
the promptest possible aid and relief Every
consideration was shown to the wishes and
preferences Of the passengers; and the man
agement of the company has distinguished itself
by the ability with which the emergency was
met.
Such an accident as this, by which TO lives
were lost and not even n single person was In
iured, will not tend to lessen the popularity OF
ocean voyages. 1t is an assurance even to the
most timid and apprehensive Of the safety Of
crossing the Atlantic at all times and seasons
in steamships Of the type Of the St Paul, ant
other vessels Of her size. While il Is TO be deep
" regretted that any possible error of judgment
ON the part Of any one should have brough
about the grounding Of the ST. Paul. it is con
solatory to reflect that such great progress ha.
been made in the construction, the control ant
the direction Of great ocean steamships tha
losses of life on account ofoany danger or disas
ter to these marvellous products Of ingenuity
and skill are becoming more and more rar'
every year in proportion TO the numbers OF th'
| vast armies Of passengers. Yet the acciden
| Of the st. Paul will undoubtedly cause the re
doubling Of every conceivable precauion Il
avoid even minor mlshaps TO ocean steamships
Every captain will be warned to carry prudenc'
and caution even to excess rather than TO IN