Year: 1872

Another Holocaust at Seattle Burning


of the Missouri.


The perils of those who Ego down to the
sea in ships are receiving striking illustra-
tion. The burning of the BienUlle, which
has been chronicled so lately, has now it's sis
ter horror in the news which comes to us
from Key West of the destruction by
fire of the Atlantic Mail Company's
steamer Missouri off Abaco, Bahamas, in
gale of wind. We can calculate the extent
of the disaster by the appalling number of
lives sacrificed and the amount of valu-
able property destroyed. Out of eighty
eight souls but twelve are reported
saved, leaving a list of seventy-six
to be added to the dismal cata-
logue of victims Of the flames or the
waves which has had such plentiful additions
of late. This list includes all the officers
The Missouri sailed from New Y9Ek ,. On the
l7th inst, having been, it is stated, over
hauled and certified by the United
States inspectors since the loss of the
Metis, which occurred in August
last. But certificates did not avail
her. Whatever virtues they may possess do
not overcome the faultiness Of construction
which makes vessel at once bonfire when
the torch Of flame is applied. We learn that
the fire was discovered in the pantry at
board the doomed steamer was astir. The
certificate did not provide ready hose and a
plentiful supply Of water, apparently, or else
it did not prevent the pantry from flaming up
like pine knot before water could be Of avail.
We do not know what measures were taken to
save the vessel, so, in mercy to the dead, we
must wait before passing judgment;
but we are told what was attempted
towards the saving of life. There
were six boats. Three of these when lowered
capsized, and two Of them were burned beside
the vessel From the wildness of the sea
which was on at the time this capsizing
was to be expected, for, in addition to the
nervousness which often seizes men in such
moments demanding all their GOODNESS, there
is to be taken into consideration the fact that
the crews Of such vessels are generally unin-
structed in the rapid lowering Of the boats
and their management in heavy sea. It is
apparent, indeed, that but for the cool
ness and intrepidity of a passenger, Mr..
Culmer,. not q living being would have
survived to tell the tale. The sixth boat lay
upon the deck without davits or tackle to lower
her properly. She was lowered, however,
and this heroic man took the painter in his
hand and jumped overheard as soon as
the boat was launched. He then swan
to the boat and having got into
it, pulled her alongside and SO allowed eleven
fellow beings to join him. He knew how to
manage boat in the surf, and so piloted to
the shore the only remnant Of the vessels
living cargo.


When the Australian steamer, the London,
went down in the Bay Of Biscay, with
Brooke, the tragedian, among the great num-
Der lost, it was by the knowledge of just such
man in managing boat that the few sur
vivors weathered out the fearful tempest
that ragged There were ample accommoda-
tions for all in the boats Of the Missouri;
but somehow, the boats seldom save anybody.
They are fixed up, hung on the davits and
might as well be sieves, for all the good they
do in saving life in such moment as came
to the Missouri. The crew know nothing
little or nothing-about their management,
and then when life is lost in scores the COM
panies lay the blame to Providence. As with
the life-preservers Of the Metis, the certificates
only father fraud. It is melancholy in
deed to reflect on these things. We shall
have an inquiry, no doubt; but there
is little to be expected therefrom,
unless in addition to an insistance on compli-
ance with certain mechanical conditions, the
higher machine, man, who superintends, all
should be, in every department. capable Of
doing his duty under the most trying circum-
stances.


Among those lost on the occasion was
Colonel Evans, late agent of the Associated
Press in San Francisco. We can but dimly
guess at the horrors Of the scene which saw the
stormy waters engulf what the flames roared