Year: 1871

Probable snfety of the Fennessee-Opinion of


An old sea Oapfata.


The steamer tennessee Is now out from this
port twenty -slN days, bound Tor San Domingo
aud as nothing has yet been heard ot her arrival
there, some uneasiness appears To be felt as to
her safety But there is little reason for this
fear, considering the character of tue
vessel and the route she would take.
As n rule there could not be place selected
where human lite would be 80 secure "a ON
board such vessel and on sucn u voyage. The
multitu des who cross Fulton Ferry daily are In
far more danger than If on board a ship like the
Tennessee, and "a passage across Broadway even
under the guidance OF policeman Is attended
with far more Ot risk. The Only portion of tue
route where she would he likely to encounter
heavy weather or rough would be from
Sandy Hook until she had crossed the Gut
Stream off Cape Hatteras, a distance of
some three hundred miles, wnich she
would run in less than two days, placing
her ON the 18th of January south of the Cult
Now had there been any bad weather during
those two days, there might be some slight
ground for alarm, but the contrary was the case
The vessels which arrived at this port from the
South on the 18th, 18Th, and 10Th of January,
uniformly reported fine moderate weather.
Then the vessels which have arrived since,
without exception, when they report the
weather at all, report fine weather up
to Hatteras. 1t ia, therefore, almost GER
tainty that the Tennessee has had no storms
since she left, and could not have been lost
through stress OF weather; aud even if such
by any chance encountered, IL would be diff





Withstand its shocks than the Tennessee. She
was only about six years old, was built in the
Brooklyn Navv Yard, Of the very best material,
and was of immense size aud strength. Under
ordinary circumstances she would be eight Or
nine days in making her passage, it
is not at all likely that on such
cruise she would steam up TO her full power, bat
would trust to the aid of her canvas when it
could he made available. IT, then she averaged
eight knots per hour it would be doing very
well, aud at that rate her passage would be over
eight days. AfCer arrival there weeks might
elapse before any vessel would be going to HL-
yaDa, unless one was specially chartered to carry
the intelligence, which 1t is evident was not
done, or her arrival would have been
reported by telegraph from that point;
that is, assuming that the Tennessee
made her passage without accident
or interruption. 1t is extremely probable, how
ever, that some accident may have occurred to
her machinery, which, although not in any way
affecting her safety, would account for her de-
tention. In case of such accident occurring
while crossing the Gulf Stream, the most likely
place for 1t to occur she would probably make
The best of her way to Bermuda, and AS com
munication from there is very uncertain, this
would account for the lack of intelligence from
her. About the only real dangers she
would have TO encounter in this route are from
taking fire or from collision, and the risk of
these dangers is much less on board man-of
war than on an ordinary merchant vessel, on
account of the high state OF discipline on
board, and the extra precaution observed
Where an ordinary steamer would have one,
or at most two men stationed on the ''look-
out" at night, the Tennessee would have
eight or ten, each of whom is obliged TO report
himself awake every half hour If disabled
after getting south of Bermuda, and attempting 2
To reach her port under canvas, her time of
arrival would be very uncertain. From the
latitude Of so to 25 she would have to pass
through belt of Gains the region known as
the Horse latitudes, where sailing vessels
have been known to be detained fifteen or
twenty days, aud the Tennessee under canvas
alone would be more helpless ethan an ordinary
sailing vessel, as she would have sher propeller
t. drag after her. The owners of the steam snip
Tybee, which makes trip once month To San
Domingo, say that il II seldom that they hear
Of their vessel until her return to this port,
Havana Is the nearest telegraph station
to San Domingo city, and that place
is about eight hundred miles off. Sometimes
the captain OF the Tybee can send q
message by the Spanish steamers, which run
between San Domingo City and Havana, hut
they do not run regularly, and it is seldom that
be can connect with them; aud if not, he brings
on his return the news of his arrival ont. Fol
these reasons, therefore, it would appear thai
there is as yet no cause for the alarm Of those
who have friends on board of the Tennessee
N. Y. World to-day.


The World has also the following in it
Washington despatches:-


THE FEELING AT THE WHITE HOUSE.


A representative of the World called at tn
White House and inquired of the President i
lie had heard any thing of the Tennessee. I'll,
replied that he had not.


OOrrtRponQent-Are you not somewhat appfe
bensiNe. Mr.. President?


The President-I was a little nervous yester
day, but since have heard General BabcockI
views do not feel at all alarmed.


3 C-What does General Babcoek think?


E1he pTesident-General Babcock says he ha
made two trips TO San Domingo, and that
owing to missing the connection with tn
steamers that leave there once a month for Ney
York, it may be ten DAYS more before news o
the Tennessee comes back. L hope to hear b.
Sunday OF her safe arrival.


General Babcock was afterwards called on
He expressed the same Op'niOn he had give
the President, and added that he had no apprt
tensions whatever that anything serious ha
resulted. Possibly her engines had got out
order, and she had gone ahead with sail. ii
said, however, that il We did not hear from t
Tennessee by Monday or Tuesday he shoul
grow little anxious himself


AT THE NAVY DEPARTMENT.


Secretary Robeson was accessible for a m,
ment only. He said that he felt no apprehel
siOns as to the safety of the vessel. All ii
rumors of disaster could not be traced To an
foundation, except that the Tennessee WI
out a little over time. When CAPITA
Temple, who commands, left the depar
mept he said that he did not expect to make
quick trip as some expected. That was a
Mr. RobesOn bad to say. IL was learned fro
other bureaus in the department that they
not think there was much cause for alarm.


The Tennessee's engines were inquired abou
Some said they had fair trial in a sail fro
New TCIE 20 Na-AlLss~2 anI, o-Le
cay not, but all agreed th