Year: 1873




Can't. Williams of tho steamship Atlantic
has been found so far culpable that his GER
tificate is suspended for two years by the
Government Commission at Halifax. This s
all the result which has been arrived at Dy
tho inquiry set on foot by the Dominion
Government. 1t is suggested that MS
certificate or license might be taken away
altogether. But some regard to the conducs
of the Captain after the disaster occurreo
seems to have moved the Commission to mercy
The verdict will strike almost everybody az
inadequate. 1t is quito likely that the
manly grief and genuine remorse OF the
defendant had on tho Commission
modifying effect which indignant read
ers. outside the reach of any sucn
personal influence, cannot feel. Still, it must
be borne in mind that this inquiry is only
preliminary. Capt. Williams has yet to lace
the British Board of Trade at Liverpool IL
is likely that that trial will be moro searching
and tho judgment less sympathetic than any
which could be given at Halifax 1t may not
be fair to discuss tho provincial verdict as
conclusive AS far as it goes, however, IL Ii
disappointing.


Two questions seem TO have engaged the
attention of the Commission Was the supply
OF coal shorti Was the navigation OF the
ship defectiyef The weight of the verdict
seems to be thrown on the affirmative answer
to the first inquiry. In fact, so much more
prominent is the matter of the coal supply
made, we are expected to feel that the
wrecking of the ship was, after all,
comparatively venial offense. The Commls-
sion, with considerable show OF relief, magis-
terially justify Capt. Williams In changing
his course for Halifax. We are reminded, In
reading this part of the findings, OF the piti1ul
plea of the Captain: the passengers were
really pleased when they found the veSsel
was going into port for supplies; 1t was 10
be q pleasant episode In their voyage
Briefly, the official conclusion is that the snip
had 067 tons of mixed coal put on board at
Liverpool. OF this amount so tons were con-
sumed before leaving port; thus SS7 tons were
left for the voyage. SupposiDg the coal 10 DO
of the best quality, this amount (Which would
be used at the rate of SIS or 60 tons day.
would, according to the Commission,
have lasted fourteen days. But, being
mixed land used at the rate of 20
tons day), it would last less than thirteen
DAYS. These calculations which seem to be
all made for this special exigency, would bring
the supply of coal TO about the point
reached Oh the eleventh day out Then
the ship was four hundred and sixty
miles from Sandy Hook and had 127
tons of fuel on board Therefore, the
ship went into Halifax The Commission say
Capt Williams was justified in his course.
We will not say that the Commission justify
him in wrecking the ship thereafter but what
N L l. 20 I'M
considered quite secondary matter. Ships
have often put into port for coal; fortunately,
they are not often wrecked thereby.


As for the fatal blunder and ineffciency of
the Captain, though his conduct is dwelt upon
with much and faithful particularly, the con-
clusiOn is the point for which everybody will
look. The Commission recall all the distress
ing facts which we already know. There are
the inattentive watch, the careless navigation,
the strange ignorance of currents, and the
guesses and surmises which took the place
Of exact knowledge. We see the commander
going TRANQUILITY to sleep, and tho easy-going
subordinates lounging on the deck. Once moro
all the horrible neglectful mismanagement in
the Jaws of death comes up before rs in the
rapid summary of the findings of the Com
mission. Then comes the verdict" Worthy of
"severe censure." How much mercy for
the irresponsible officer who wrecked
the ship and her freight of life
How little for the owners of the costly
craft, sent to sea by those who had more
interest in her safety than any other men!
We cannot believe that this is all that can
come OF this inquest. Justice has not been
done to the immediate cause of the disaster.
Co. INN irxy