Evening star., 1923-12-09

One of the greatest marine disasters
ever recorded up 70 that time was an
nounced IN The Star
Vile du HaYre OF December /. 1873.
D;s.s+sr in dispatch from
London that told OK
the sinking OF the steamship Vile du
HaFre az sea, with loss OF 2a6 lives.
The stec-Ee., wnIcn left New York
Novem Der Is FOR Hayre, coilided in
nid-oceaE on the morning OF the 23d
ot November with the British ship
Lochcarn, sailing from London for
New York, and sank In a short time.
The steamer Trimountain rescued
eighty-seven OF the passengers and
crew and took them to Cardiff, Wales.
1t appears from this and later re-
ports Inat at the time of the disaster
3 O'Clock in the morning, the weather
was clear, with little wind blowing,
put with heavy sea running. The
Locncarn, which struck the Vile du
her twelve feet deep and from twenty
five TO thirty feet wide. A panic seized
the passengers. Five minutes after
the collision the main and mizzen
which were filed with people and
ready for launching. killing many If
the occupants. The Grew were able 10
launch only whaleboat and tho
captains gig. The Lochcarn steamed
a mile before stopping. She then got
out four boats to pick up the people
struggling in the water. The cold was
intense. Many of the survivors cling
ing to wreckage were immersed for
two hours and were almost lifeless
when rescued.
Respecting this disaster The Star Of
December 2, 1873, said:
The loss of the Vile du Havre
shows the urgent necessity that some
should be mapped. to be Travelled by
vessels going in either direction. on
the plan of double-track railroads.
The Cunard steamers have been in
the practice of following such dis
tinct tracks with admirable results In
the way of security Of life and prop
erty; but in order to prevent any
chance for collision, 1t is necessary
that all ocean-going steamers should
be required to follow the regulated
course. The establishment of such
oceanic highways should be an inter-
national affair and should be under
taken without delay"
The Star revived the often discussed
question of the merger Of Georgetown
and Washington In
Georgetown and an editorial printed
wl in its issue OF De-
washington. sember 4, 1873, as
follows: "Ipis important In every aspect
Of the case thatths name eofGeorgetown
in that Of Washington. The TWO cities
are one and should be one II name.
Georgetown having ceased 10 be q
separate municipality and forming
now an integral part of the city of
Washington, governed by the same
laws and represented by the same
constituted authorities. and every day
becoming more and more identified
by the increasing facilities of transit
and tntercommunication, this nominal
distinction 10 positive and manifest
disadvantage IN manifold respects. 1t
Is opposed to thorough and cordial
unity and fusion of social and COM
mercial interests. 1t creates a vague
idea Of diversity and substance as
well as in form, fosters a sentiment os
local eSIrangement and rivalry and
repels the influx OF population, trade
and wealth. 1t reduces Georgetown TO
d suburban grade and obscurity. to
q sort of terra incognita to the world
at large, while she Is justly entitled
to share of the civic rank and prss-
tige of the national metropolis. aud
to be endowed with its coastal and
other incidental benefits. 1t requires
the supreme authority of Congress to
effect the new baptism with tins il
lustrieus and venerable name. Minor
details may safely be left to the legis-
lature of the District. The popular
voice is unanimous in support of the
proposition. Murmurs Of dissent from
the Office holders, of course. are 20 be
expected. Prompt and decided action
before Congress is necessary by the
friends of the measure" -,