Year: 1875

The steamship Dakota Of the Williams Guion line
Of transatlantic steamers arrived and anchored in the
stream yesterday evening opposite her dock having
board besides her regular complement OF passengers,
a number Of those who had been transferred TO her
from the steamer Montana, OF the same line which had
obliged TO put back to Queenstown in disabled
condition From the statements made by several Of the
cabin passengers who landed in the city the fol-
lowing account obtained OF the causes leading 20
the return the Montana port after starting her
outward voyage and the dangers to which all hands
were subjected through the reckessness and foolhard
Of the commander In the first place it should be
noticed that on the same day which tho Montana
sailed there three other steamers belonging 20 op
position lines 10 start and there appeared be mutual
understandng-so say the passengers among the cap
that the voyage between the three steamers
should be looked upon as transatlantic race, with
proviso, generally understood that the Montana
be the first in at New York In order to accom-
psh this IT seemed be admitted that she would have
10 her utmost powers and the Captain and other
officers, apprecating the situation, certainly did not
fail 10 do their utmost even under


THE MOST ADVERSE CIRCUMSTANCES,


command success the face Of the expostula
tons Of the whole OF the passengers and the actual
mutiny Of the crew as the sequel will show.


However the story Of the voyage better told In the
Language Of Of the cabin passengers which may be
taken as a general sample Of what is related
by others This gentleman says after re
ferring to matters already mentioned AFTER
leaving Queenstown the weather began get exceedingly
rough the wind and sea increased and there was every
sign that our voyage the first part would be
tremey rough one. There we're, however but few who
felt any fear about ultimate success. In fact all on
board wers confident that the ship would safely
arrive at her destination. We had probably gone
about 200 miles from Queenstown when the
wind increased 10 gale and the sea rose mountains
high sweeping the deck fore and aft each wave
struck us on the bow. We al the time driving
full speed, and while sometimes rode the seas
we more often cut through them receiving the full
force or the shock Of dashed upper
deck and against the sides Still the speed main
tanned although it freely remarked by all on board
that the captain appeared 70 be running ugly chances
in not slowing up. For all this


no ONE APPEARED FRIGHTENED,
notwithstanding that We must have been going at a
rate of fully twelve knots hour This gale seemed
TO increase IN fury II possible and the ship unable
each pitch, receiving as she did so each time
sounding and telling blows her for
ward deck, which shook her timbers from bow
10 stern and making her shver though at each next
shock she must fall to pieces The passen
gers all through the night we're kept awake by the
ceaseess din as well by their fears, which had by
this time become thoroughly reused. AS may be ex-
pected such they all grouped together the
saloons and discussed the probable and possible
OF finally weathering the storm. Among the women,
readily be supposed, there the greatest
Eternation





while others called upon their husbands and friends
make the captain go back or as they caught the bur
den OF the talk which tended to demonstrate that q
slower rate Of speed would the better insure safety
compel him TO order the engines to be
slowed up. The captain was called upon
10 listen TO the remonstrances Of the passengers
but he persistenty refused take any heed OF the
prayers made to him 10 return All night he still kept
meeting and receiving the full force Of the seas
the morning Saturday broke the forward portion
Of the deck, By the continued pounding Of
the waves, was stove, in and the water
rushed down into the hold each sea broke
the ship. The saloon and staterooms flooded
on the lee side and found that ali the lower com
partmens we're filed with water The pumps were set
going but they constantly becoming choked with
portions Of the cargo and baggage which had become
loosened 10 the shape or feathers bagging other
matter, and were consequently Of but little In
fact began TO be felt every hand that there was but
little hope left unless the sea should moderate
speedy return be made 10 port To all this, and in
spite Of every argument that could be presented the
Captain still kept his course, and at very nearly the
came speed Finally however, the ship was laid 10,
and for several hours attempts were made to set |
matters straight alter which the Captain again /
resumed the voyage at rate Of about four
knots hour The crew-viz the sailors, engineers,
hremen and others-had by this time begun realize
the situation, and looked at the state Of AFFAIRS very
serious light. They gathered together IN twos and
threes shortly after the conclusion that
would be not only unwlse and dangerous but fooL
hardy 20 proceed the voyage Of YET 2 700 miles in
the then condition OF the ship when there port TO
be made BY returning, which was only day or q
day and a half sail or They, therefore, refused to
work unless the ship was headed back for the port
shortly left. The purser summoned them AFT and





called, do you refuse to work 2' The reply
almost universal Yes, sir, unless we 90 eastward"


The Captain was undecided what to do in the
premises and at first tried 70 ntimdae the men, say
ing, well / can afford to lay here for week; let the
fires go down and drt around Neither party ap-
peared 70 be willing TO make concession and we lay
rolling and pitching n the trough Of the sea- waiting,
'.hicawber" Ike, Tor something TO turn Up IN the
shape Of an agreement but, for over half day,
nothing gained. Tho crew were threatened
with bread aud water for ratons; but the threat
had effect for the well knew the Captain had no
o as 10
OF getting out the longboat and SAID further that they
knew where the provisions and other stores were Kept
and would help themselves The passengers we're be-
coming despaung Night again approaching and
the appeared to be increasing Of
abating Then TOO the attitude Of the adding
increased anxiety the officers and passengers Finally
the passengers held formal meeting and adopted Tie
following


Captain OERARD, steamer Montaua3-


T9rst-The crew osthe Montana refuse % DO duty.


-The herself eighteen feet " water in her
Tlirs-The drinking has become contaminated, and


In view 81 these while earnestly expressing
confidence yourself your officers Ask you
The Captain. ID answer 10 tho committee which pre-
sented the above replied that as y was then eleven
O'Clock night, and the ship had been rolling
around for 50 long lie felt inclined -
give the crew another chance 10 resume
he should feel il incumbent him 70 return % Liver
pool o. oueens,own An hour or 50 ELAPSED and
beih8 i0uhQ that tbe men were SUN a. ucteThhSl -
ever not to proceed, the steamer was


HEADED BACK


much W The relief anu satisfaction " every soul on
board The Montana arrived Ia the Mersey on Wednes-
day morning bur still at her dock, was compelled
70 keep The pumps going. An examination showed that
the IRON plates which covered tho forward deck were
broken by seas As though they had been simply match
wood.


On arrival IN port the passengers became extremely
ANXIOUS n regard 70 their baggage Il was found
all mixed up smashed and floating around n the hold
IL was only BY the most persistent ashng that any ar
Cles could be recovered.


ON application q the company FOR compensation FOR
the losses sustained the only received was that


they could DO nothing FOR us beyond forwarding US 10
New York ID the Dakota


CAUSES OF DISASTER


During our voyage out here we have had time 10
consider and discuss the the troubles We had
so undergo, and appears 70 be the general opinion
that the vessel driven Al too great speed In the
heavy seaway " order % accomplish quick passage