Immigrant Ships
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Maritime Articles from Ireland
1870

Old Newspaper

Please note that these articles below are not in the exact format as they appear in the newspaper, but have the same content. They are in chronological order.
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The Belfast Weekly Telegraph,
12 April 1873

THE LOSS OF THE ATLANTIC.
LATEST PARTICULARS.
The following are some additional particulars concerning the loss of the
noble but ill-fated vessel, to those published in the Telegraph last week:- Up
to the present the reason of the steamer being so far North and out of her
ordinary course is not ascertained as no reports were to hand of accidents to
her machinery, and she had plenty of coal. The latest New York exchanges
describe the weather as having been something fearful near the American coast.
Within the last fortnight several of the ocean-going steamers with the utmost
difficulty made port in safety. The screw steamer Atlantic, Captain James A.
Williams, was the second ship being by Messrs. Harland & Wolff, of Belfast, for
the White Star Line, the pioneer ship being the Oceanic, so the line has only
been in working a little over two years. The steamers have rapidly acquired a
special reputation. With the exception of an accident to the Oceanic's engines
on her first trip, the White Star Liners in New York and Pacific passenger trade
have been singularly free from accident, for some of them - notably the Republic
and Adriatic - have encountered successfully the most terrific weather known to
have been encountered in the Atlantic Ocean. They had achieved a marked
reputation for speed, even in wintry weather, some of the voyages being among
the quickest on record. Americans of late have shown a special partiality for
the line, as the saloon lists show, and Irish emigrants outward bound also
appear to give it a preference. The Atlantic, like all her sister ships, was a
fourmastered iron steamer of 3,707 tons, 600 horsepower, and was 420 feet long,
41 feet broad, and 31 feet in depth of hold. She was built in the year 1871, and
her engines were supplied by Forrester & Co. of Liverpool. She has made several
remarkably quick voyages, this list disastrous one being her nineteenth. She
sailed from the Mersey on March 20th; having on board thirty-two saloon
passengers, mostly Americans, on their return home; 762 steerage passengers,
including Germans and Alsatians, and a large proportion of Irish; and a crew
consisting of 144 all told. The value of the Atlantic is over 100,000 mostly
covered with marine insurance companies in London and Liverpool, and at Lloyd's.
The total number of the steerage passengers was 448 males and 167 females. Of
these 198 were adult English males, 74 females, 21 male children, 16 female
children, and 12 infants. There were 7 Scotch male and 4 female adults, 43 Irish
male adults, 18 females, and 3 male children; 150 male adult foreigners, 32
females, 14 male and 16 female children, and 7 infants.
A telegram from Halifax, dated Wednesday evening states that three or four of
the cabin passengers on board the Atlantic were saved. One lady was frozen to
death in the rigging. The purser is among the lost. Harrowing details of the
disaster are given by the passengers who have arrived there. There were on board
850 steerage and 30 saloon passengers, the crew numbered 142 men, and there were
fourteen stowaways. Two births occurred during the voyage, 300 persons in all
have been saved, out of 1,038.
A telegram from Cork, forwards on Wednesday says:- Great consternation has
been caused in Cork on account of the intelligence of an appallling disaster to
the steamer Atlantic. The Atlantic called at Queenstown on Friday week on her
voyage from Liverpool to New York, and embarked passengers to the number of two
hundred. The line has been recently very much favoured by the Irish passengers.
It is supposed that a great many of those embarked at Liverpool were also Irish.
STEERAGE PASSENGERS SAVED.
Among the steerage passengers saved from the steamship Atlantic, not
including those saved by the Lady Hennare, were the following:- Cully, Greener,
Bateman, Egan Jones, Carrol, Kelly, Burne, Carol, Dunn, McNamara, Kelly,
Cornwail, Malone, Brennan Sinclair, McAdam, Howlett, Boglan, Anderson, Hannon,
Svieneke, Peterson, Hanson, Anderson, Neilson, Cunnningham, Chanson, Lawson,
Svenson, Thomson, Hansen, Johnston, Gichards, Slanelland, Lucas, Parker,
Giovanni, Schwartz, Schmiat, Johnson, Buck, Stevenson, Fungo, Dunstall, Mills,
Lucas, Graceford, Reilly, Smith, Elly, Raby, Nealson, Thompson, Cornelius,
Jacobs, Worthington, McGrath, Handley, Cunningham, Hay, Harman, Caemody, Booth,
McAlister, Christeaum, Folk, Elficke, Jellapp, Voliske, Jarvis, Wumbuski,
Eustave, Hessel, Waydon, Cosgrove, Wood, Flinn, Doyle, Doherty, Peters, Burkman,
Deer, Ryan, O'Sullivan, T. O'Connor, Moore, Reilly, Pratt, Gumberson, Smidt,
Collins, Wilson, Walsh, Shugmay, Frencher, Kelly, Schwartz, Sehaw, Sulsen,
George, McGrath, Anderson, Brigelson, Hughes, Williamson, Moffatt, Sullivan,
Kparrson, McGrath, Stoolburson, Joneranson, Hanson, Groot, Wakebarn, Carlson,
Eelunsem, Calsen, Gayner, Huff, Bernden, Dishet, Devlin, Coghlin, Glamfield,
Norris, Hawk, Wren, Murphy, Leadon, O'Neall, Surrey, Levert, Sinoner,
McLeancher, Manning, Cameron, Peck, Thomas Connelly, Patrick Connelly, Rogers,
Schwartz, Schultze, Lizzall and son, Wallan, Michael Schultze, Lizzal and son,
Wallan, Michael Schwartz, Burns, Riddly. Crinneroft, McCappen, Brison, Neilson,
Muntz, Metcalf, Driscoll, Mr. Carthy, Norman, Henry, Shlanzer, Kohn, Frum,
Sullivan, Parker, Carter, Valentine, Bier, Sullivan, Moore, Retland, Johnston,
Donnelly, Mander, Hanay, John Donnelly, Larver, McMann, Bradlee, Patterson,
Jones, Coyle, Wadley, Roland, Lowe, Sattery, Farrell, Dozie, Neal, McKay,
Huntley, Walsh, Dalpon, Flanagan, Taylor, Murphy, Roddey, Tapman, Russell,
Kelly, Sullivan, Jackson, Williams, Holland, Pratt, Hammell, Anderson, Shelby,
Finyins, Treverux, Dole, Kalfon, Cunningham, Chaplain, Owen. The saloon
passengers saved are Messrs. Jugla, Levison, Comorths, Vick, Kinane, Brown,
Gardiner, Hirzel, Brandt, Jones, Anson, Richmond, Marchwaldt, Doran. Potter,
Olassheist, Smith, Booth, Keys, Sampson, Hayman, McNabb, Hayman, Ellenger,
Leyer, Thomas, Beering, Smith, Taylor, Smith, Anderson, Kelly, Reynolds and
Sutcliffe. The names of the steerage passengers saved have not yet arrived.
The Daily News New York correspondent gives additional particulars of the
wreck. The vessel struck about three in the morning, and went down ten minutes
afterwards. The female passengers were prevented from coming on deck owing to
the sea dashing over the ship and filling her. Many passengers were drowned in
passing to the rock, and thence to the shore as owing to the intense cold they
could not retain their hold. Several died on the rocks from exhaustion - others
lost their reason. There was great suffering among the emigrants, but the Nova
Scotia Legislature has voted the necessary relief, and the Cunard Company has
furnished clothes and other requisites.
When the captain left the deck at midnight he supposed they were forty-eight
miles south of Sambro, but saw no light. He proposed to run until three o'clock,
then put about and wait until daylight. The first intimation he heard of the
catastrophe was in feeling the shock.
A steerage passenger says when the vessel first struck the hatches were
ordered to be closed, but the passengers burst them open and rushed for the the
deck. It appears, however, that the companion ways were blocked by the crowd.
Cries were heard for little more than two minutes, and were then smothered. Many
bodies were washed out to sea. The women made but little effort to save
themselves.
The Times' Philadelphia correspondent telegraphs the names of those saved and
brought to Halifax by the steamer Lady Hennol. The following are the English
names - Peter Union' Gustave Bearen, Pierce Hargenane, Anderson, W. Neilson, G.
Weston, E. Isascon, S. Ingelson, Wm. Leeper, William Wade, William Diante, James
Baskful, George Blente, Evan Pugh, Rudoplh Lee, Henry Malley, John Peters,
Albert Miley, William Lapham, Martin Penson, James Warden, Neil Parsons, A.
James, Charles Thorn, Charles Wenser, Henry Goodhall, Peter Hanterson, E.
Peterson, James Bonack, James Lepper, J. Coates, Thomas Black, Daniel Tolsard,
George Black, Thos. Rift, Thomas Bedhon, Jas. Meyer, B. Ward, and John Gustade.
Some others who were saved, walked inland from Prospect, and their names are
as yet unascertained. The total loss of life is estimated at 546. Captain
Williams said he thought they were going eleven knots, but the speed must have
been greater.
A telegram received at Lloyds says the Atantic is broken in two near the
foremost. New York underwriters have despatched a wrecker and divers to take
charge of and save the vessel and cargo, and to preserve the bodies. The
Canadian Government has ordered a searching investigation into the loss of the
Atlantic.
The Liverpool Mercury says:- The intense excitement occasioned by the
announcement of the loss of the steamer Atlantic has scarcely yet commenced to
subside. Every telegram is watched with the greatest anxiety, as being likely to
convey intelligence of some friend or relative whose fate it is still in a state
of uncertainty, and as the news was by piecemeal yesterday exhibited in the
Exchange Rooms, or given to the public in special editions of the local papers,
it was read with painful avidity. There was a considerable amount of
contradictions in some of the telegrams, arising, no doubt, from the variety of
sources from which information was obtained, and the difficulty which must
necessarily be experienced in Halifax in getting at the exact state of facts. It
is, however, gratifying to learn that the loss of life, fearful as it
undoubtedly was, was not so terrible as was represented in the first
intelligence, and many who have despaired of again seeing their friends may yet
embrace them - risen, as it was, almost from the dead. Early on Thursday morning
Messrs. Ismay, Imire, & Co. received a telegram from Captain Williams containing
the names of the saloon passengers who were saved and lost. Among the saved - 13
in number - was a Liverpool tradesman, Mr. Jugla, who was going on a trip to New
York. The loss - 20 in number - including three members of one family, father,
mother, and daughter; and the husband, wife, son, and infant of another. At
present nothing is known respecting the losses amongst the steerage passengers,
and the list is looked for with painful interest by the relatives of those who
were on board in that capacity. Messrs. Ismay and Imrie have telegraphed for a
correct list of all the saved and lost; but as the arrangement of such a record
will necessarily take considerable time, it is probable that it may not arrive
for sometime. To telegraph nearly 500 names across the Atlantic, and many of
those the names of foreigners, will be no easy task; and judging from the
inaccuracy of the names already telegraphed, it is feared that the list, when it
does arrive, will almost of necessity be incomplete. In consequence of the
varied statements as to the numbers on board, we have been requested to inform
the public that the official returns sent back from the steamer when she sailed
represented the passengers and crew of 938. There may have been a stowaway or
two on board who were not discovered till the steamer put to sea, but they could
scarcely have numbered fourteen, as was stated in one report. Under no
circumstances could the numbers have increased to nearly 1,100.
The particulars of the disaster to the Atlantic gathered from the lips of the
passengers at Halifax who were rescued, and who have now been sent on to New
York via Portland, serve only to add to the terrible picture which the first
telegrams received had presented to the public mind. The terror of such of the
women as were aroused from the slumbers and made their way upon deck after the
ship first struck the rock is spoken of as having been indescribably painful -
indeed, so painful that it quite unnerved many of the men, and rendered them
powerless either to save themselves or to give assistance to others. In one part
of the vessel children of tender age were seen for a moment clinging, shrieking
with fear, to their mothers, who were vainly calling aloud for assistance; while
clustering around the boats was a great crowd of saloon and steerage passengers
intending to obtain a place in them as soon as they were lowered. As stated in
previous accounts of the wreck, the hopes of these latter came to nought, for
owing to the suddenness with which the steamer went down, but one boat (and she
was afterwards sunk) left the davits, and reached the water. The most striking
feature of the calamity, and the one which appears to have impressed itself with
most distinctness on the memory of the saved passengers, is the fearful rapidity
with which the end came upon the doomed vessel. It is the belief of a saloon
passenger - and his opinion is borne out by the evidence of one of the officers
of the ship - that with scarcely a moment's interval between each shock the
Altantic struck the rock no less than half-a-dozen times, and each time with
increased severity. The violence of the collision may be inferred from the fact
that the mizzen is absolutely broken in half abaft the foremost. The conduct of
Mr. Brady, the third officer, is spoken of in terms of high commendation, he
having never for an instant lost his presence of mind, and having, when the
vessel toppled over, with great exertion and much danger to himself, succeeded
in getting a line to a portion of the rock not submerged, about forty yards
distant, thus establishing connection of a most valuable kind with the rigging
of the Atlantic, into which many of the terrified passengers and crew had
climbed. Subsequently, other hawsers were got ashore, and it was by means of
these that a goodly number were rescued. To add to the horrors of the situation,
at the very instant that the ship heeled over the boilers exploded. The night,
or rather morning, was unhappily so cold that several of those who had managed
to force their way into the rigging were unable to keep their hold, their hands
and legs being numbed with the frost. One after another they were seen to drop
from their places of temporary security into the waves beneath. It now seems
pretty certain that the total number of persons lost is 560 - 350 being women
and children - and that 415, including 60 of the crew, are saved. A storm is
stated by Captain Williams to have been the cause of his adopting the unusual
course of making for Halifax, but it is held by many who have taken the voyage
again and again that the weather should have been bad indeed before the
commander of the Atlantic so materially altered his bearings. One child, of all
the children on board, was snatched at the last moment from the wreck.
A considerable number of the passengers by the ill-fated Atlantic sailed from
Devonshire, and the catastrophe continues to produce painful excitement among
their friends, who are still in suspense as to the fate of the absent ones. Wm.
Granville, a builder, had returned from America to fetch his bride, and on the
10th March married a young woman at Plymouth, named Annie Morrish, whose sister
also married one Henry Hawke; and the whole party, with their parents, went out
in the ship, intending to settle down together in their new home. Jas Winder,
who emigrated some years since, recently returned home to Lifford to accompany
him out. They went out in the Atlantic, and a poor woman with her seven
children, is now waiting in Neswick Street, Plymouth, to hear whether she is
still a wife or has become a widow. Another of the emigrants was James Wakeham
of Tavistock Street, Plymouth, who has left behind a wife and seven children.
Their brother also went out in the vessel; one of them had been to America and
done so well that he came back and persuaded his brother to accompany him across
the ocean. From Dartmouth also there were four young single men on board - their
names, Telscher, Boskell, Rossiter, and Hockins - all of them mechanics. Three
passengers were booked from St. Anstell to go by the Atlantic, but happily for
themselves, arrived in Liverpool too late, and went by the next steamer.
The New York correspondent of the Daily News states that Mr. Thomas, the
Quartermaster, warned the second officer at two o'clock not to stand too close
in shore, as the Atlantic had run her distance to make Sambro light. Meeting
with a rebuff, Mr. Thomas asked the fourth officer if he should go into the main
yards to look out. The answer was it would be of no use. After the vessel
struck, one boat was nearly ready for launching when it was discovered the plugs
were out. The crowd was then so great that they could not be put in. Twenty
people were killed by the fireboom breaking its fastening and swinging round.
Many married passengers could have escaped to the rigging, but they would not
quit their wives. The conduct of the crew during the voyage and after the
catastrophe is unfavourably spoken of. The Philadelphia correspondent of the
Times gives the following addition to the list of names saved: - William Logan,
Robert Thomas, Charles Baylance, James Bateman, Edward Mills, and John Linley,
aged twelve. Telegrams received at Lloyd's say the weather has been so rough
that the divers have been unable to work. All abaft the foremast is sunk in
eight fathoms. The Daily News considers that if Mr. Thomas's testimony is
trustworthy, a fearful weight of responsibility must lie on the officers who had
deliberately neglected the caution he had given them.
THE SATURDAY REVIEW ON THE CATASTROPHE.
There are several questions (says the Saturday Review of last Saturday morning)
in regard to the loss of the Atlantic which will have to be cleared up; but
there is at least no room for doubt as to the immediate cause of the
catastrophe. At midnight, on Monday, when Captain Williams went below, the
steamer was making for Halifax, and the Sambro Light near the mouth of that port
was reckoned to be 35 miles north-west. Three hours afterwards the Atlantic
struck on a rock, known as Meagher's Head, to the west of Sambro, and it was
then of course clear that she had been steered by the wrong light. Whether there
was an error in the captain's original calculation, or whether the first
officer, who was left in charge of the vessel after the captain turned in,
altered the course, will perhaps be ascertained hereafter. It appears that the
captain and nearly all the officers were able to provide for their own safety.
It is stated the weather was dark, but not thick. As some of the crew and
passengers got on shore by the help of ropes, it may be assumed that the
weather, though rough, was not then particularly stormy. It is mentioned that
when the fishermen came to the rescue after daybreak, the sea became too rough
for their boats to live on it, but this perhaps refers to the danger of being
dashed against the wreck. There is no suggestion in any of the reports which we
have to hand of the Atlantic having been driven on the rocks by the gale. It is
evident that she got on the rocks simply because she was steered straight on to
them, and she was steered in this direction because the officer in charge of the
ship mistook one light for another, and had no idea that there were any rocks in
the way. How this error occurred, whether the first officer fell into it by the
captain's calculations, remains to be discovered. The steamer, as soon as she
got upon the ledge struck several times with great violence. The officers and
men rushed on the deck, and it was at once seen that the case was hopeless. The
officers instantly turned their attention to the boats, hacking them clear with
axes, as there was no time to lower them in the ordinary way, but it was already
too late. Only one boat had been launched when the ship fell over on her
beam-ends, carrying down the boat with her. A portion of the rigging remained
above water, and as many as were able took refuge there. Mr. Brady, the third
officer, swam to the rock with a rope, by the help of which others succeeded in
escaping. At daybreak some fishermen arrived with their boats, and altogether
some 400 persons were saved. Most of the other 600 on board the ship were
probably drowned in their sleep. Between the first shock and the heeling over of
the vessel only a few minutes elapsed, and those who had rushed on deck had
alone a chance of escape. According to one account, the first boat had no sooner
been launched than the men rushed in and filled it, but the turning over of the
vessel swamped the boat, and all in it were drowned. It is impossible to read
the narrative without recalling circumstances attending the recent loss of the
Northfleet. Within a few weeks a couple of vessels have been lost, not in a
storm, but in quiet, or at least comparatively quiet, weather, and close to
land. In each case the disaster happened at night, when all were in bed and
asleep, and only a small part of the crew and passengers were saved. In each
case, too, the disaster was due to an error in steering, in the one case on the
part of the ship that ran down the Northfleet, and in the other case on the part
of the Atlantic herself.
LATEST FROM LIVERPOOL.
A correspondent at Liverpool, writing last evening, says:- Up to four o'clock
yesterday afternoon, Messers. Ismay & Co. had not received any further special
telegrams from the American agents. The letter of the managing owners,
dispelling the idea that the steamer was sent out short of coal, has given great
relief in commercial circles in Liverpool, the suspicion of such a course having
been adopted for economy's sake being quite against the reputation of Messrs.
Ismay, not only in their North American trade, but in their long-established
commerce with the South-West Coast of America and the Pacific ports. With the
testimony of the captain supporting the assertions of the owners, every
confidence is felt that the forthcoming inquiry into the loss of the splendid
steamer will establish the fact that her loss was not in any way owing to her
construction or equipment. The testimony of Mr. Balfour, a leading shipowner,
and owner of the Chacabuco, wrecked with a loss of 25 lives on March 21st (this
being the first ship ever lost by him), produced a most satisfactory impression
at the Plimsoll meeting on Thursday night, being received with others. As a
proof in the public confidence of the line being unshaken in spite of the
catastrophe, it may be mentioned that the Adriatic, on Thursday, took out from
Liverpool no fewer than 95 saloon and 834 steerage passengers, and no
withdrawals took place.
RESCUE OF PASSENGERS.
Large rewards were offered to volunteers to go after Mr. Firth, who could be
seen and heard from the shore. "At length, at 2 p.m." says Mr. Firth, "after I
had been in the rigging ten hours the Rev. Mr. Ancient, a Church of England
clergyman, whose noble conduct I can never forget while I live, got a crew of
four men to row him to the wreck. He got into the main rigging, procured a line,
and then advanced as far as he could towards me, and threw it to me. I caught
it, made it fast around my body, and then jumped clear. The sea swept me off the
wreck, but Mr. Ancient held fast to the line, pulled me back, and got me safely
into the boat." All the reasoned persons speak in praise of the kindness of the
fishermen of Cape Prospect, and of the zeal and courage of the ship's officers,
from the captain downwards. The exact number saved is not yet known. It exceeds
the first reports. It will probably be more than four hundred. Some made their
way on foot to Halifax; others were taken off by the steamer and sent to
Portland.
SOME OF THE PASSENGERS.
A correspondent writing from the village of Accrington, says:- The loss of the
Atlantic has caused great consternation in Church and Oswaldtwistle, from whence
five married men and one single man proceeded to go by the now wrecked steamer.
The list of the saved - viz. William Booth, back tenter, and John Smith. Booth
went out to back tent for Robert Westwell, a machine printer, whose name is
absent from the saved. His intention was to send for his wife and child, who
were left here. Smith's real name is Glover, and he was decamping to escape an
affiliation order which had been made upon him. The other missing names are Wm.
Clegg, married, wife and two children; Fish Grime, wife and family; James Lee,
married. Another machine printer should have sailed for America this week.
Another young man had booked, but on the day prior to the vessel sailing his
sister resolved to go with him, and his staying behind probably saved their
lives.
THE OFFICIAL INQUIRY.
Halifax, Saturday. - The inquiry into the loss of the Atlantic has commenced.
Capt. Williams has stated that he considered he should pass five miles east of
the Sambro Light. He is satisfied now that when he went to this cabin he was
mistaken as to the locality of the ship. If the officers on board had been
energetic, had seen something ahead, and reversed the engines, the calamity
would have been averted. In consequence of the shortness of coal, stores, and
provisions, and the ship making only seven knots, with a westerly swell, it was
decided to put into Halifax. He had intended to run the ship till three in the
morning, and then heave to till daylight. The night was cloudy, but clear. He
was asleep when the vessel struck. Captain Williams then detailed the efforts
made to save the passengers and crew.
THE PLUNDERING.
The crew of the Atlantic are considered innocent of plundering, but eight
stowaways on reaching the shore systematically plundered every corpse
. NEW YORK SUNDAY. - Three hundred and five survivors of the Atlantic have
arrived at the Castle Garden, where thousands of persons of all nationalities
had gathered. The excitement was indescribable. The emigrants looked starved and
distracted. The majority speak disparagingly of the captain and the crew. They
state that they were three days at sea short of food.
CREW SAVED.
LIVERPOOL, TUESDAY MORNING. - The following is the latest correct list issued
before midnight by Messers. Ismay, Imrie, & Co., of the crew saved: - Captain
Williams, Mr. Firth (first officer), Mr. Brady (third officer), John Brown
(fourth officer), W. Hannah (the carpenter), McMullan Ryder (boatswain), Purdy
(A.B.), Speakman, Owens, R. Thomas, O. Rozlance, John Amos, P. Clarke, Evans,
Huff, Bulger, Grace, Payne, Wilson, Anderson, Lindsay, Murphy, Nicholson,
Stuart, Thompson, Doyle, Scarton, Smith, McIntyre, May, Atkins, Campbell,
Ewings, Stuttaford, Moffatt, Bailie, Montgomery, Dunne, McNicholl, Wilding,
Gilbert, Monaghan, Browne, Cosgrove, Sheridan, Davies, Sunderland (butcher),
Patrick (butcher's mate), Stone, Leedame, Lower, Hughes, Greener, Howe, Walker,
Saunders, Roberts, Kewley, Connolly, Foxley (chief engineer), Ewing (second
engineer), Hodgson, Pattison, Samuel Davies, McFarlane, Myers, Frederichson,
Devine, Egan, Malone, Kelly, Bryne, McAlister, Tom Kewley, McNamara, Newing,
Scott, Newton, McFarlane, Stevenson and Surgeon Cuppage.
THE INQUIRY.
Brady corroborated the evidence previously given respecting the state of the
weather, the position and speed of the ship, etc. He had been twice to Halifax,
but was unacquainted with the ??. The ship fell over six minutes after striking.
Nothing prevented the steerage passengers from reaching the deck - no orders
were given to keep the passengers below. Witness testified to the exertions of
the captain in saving life. In cross-examination, he stated that no observations
were obtained for two days during the first watch while going North. In spite of
all modern appliances, landing in boats was impossible. The crew were above the
average. The reported robbing of the dead was true.
HALIFAX, MONDAY. - Forty additional bodies have been recovered from the wreck
of the Atlantic.


Contributed by Cathy Joynt Labath


source - The Cork Examiner, 16 January 1878 -
CLEOPATRA'S NEEDLE.
A Lloyd's telegram from Ferrol says that the steamer Anglia,
with the Cleopatra in tow left at 7 o'clock yesterday morning.
Weather calm and fine.

QUEENSTOWN SHIPPING.
----------
Tuesday, January 15.
ARRIVED.
Atrossa, 483, Bedford, Mauritius, sugar.
Errante, 542, Nicolich, New York, wheat.
J. T. Smith, 396, Parsboro', N.S., deals.
SAILED.
Bertha, for London ; David, Rio Janeiro ; Maria, Lowestoft ;
Guiseppe Caperro, Glasgow.

Contributed by Dennis Ahern


source - The Cork Examiner, 21 February 1878 -
LIFEBOAT SERVICE.
GREENCASTLE, COUNTY LONDONDERRY, WEDNESDAY.--(By Telegraph).--
During a fresh gale from S.S.W., with squalls last night, the lifeboat,
the Mary Annette, belonging to the National Lifeboat Institution, was
called out to the assistance of the schooner, Mary Elizabeth, which had
lost her foretop mast and head-gear, during a squall, off Innishowen
Head, and which was at anchor in a dangerous position. The boat was
promptly launched, and after being away about four hours, she returned
with the schooner's crew of five men, whom she landed in safety. Both
boat and crew behaved very well while performing this service. The
vessel was bound from Worthington to Londonderry, with a cargo of iron.

Contributed by Dennis Ahern


source - The Cork Examiner, 29 April 1878 -
INQUEST.--On Saturday Mr. Bryan Gallwey, city coroner, held an
inquest on the body of a young man named Watkin Charles, who had
fallen into the river on the previous night. Alfred Haughton, sailor on
board the steamer Whitley, was the first witness examined, and stated
that on Friday night, about half--past eleven o'clock, he saw the
deceased approaching the steamer for the purpose of getting on board.
Another vessel intervened between the steamer and the jetty. Witness
assisted the deceased, who was under the influence of drink, to get on
board. They passed over the deck of the first vessel, and then got on the
plank leading to the steamer outside. There was a space of about nine
feet between the steamer and the vessel. Deceased was holding witness
by the arm. When they got midway on the plank deceased fell into the
water and never rose to the surface. Ropes and lifebuoys were thrown
out immediately, and every exertion was made to save him, but to no
avail. Witness was perfectly sober at the time. The steamer Whitley was
from North Shields, and had a cargo of grain assigned to Mr. Hull, of
Cork. Leonard Ashley, Custom-house officer, gave corroborative
evidence, and said that every exertion was made to save the man.
Deceased was twenty-five years of age and a native of Newport,
Monmouthshire. He was unmarried. The second officer of the steamer
complained bitterly of the want of grappling irons on the jetties of Cork.
He was two hours looking for them on Friday night, and could not get
any until seven o'clock in the morning. The jury found a verdict of
"Accidental death."

Contributed by Dennis Ahern


source - The Cork Examiner, 21 May 1878 -
POLICE OFFICE--YESTERDAY.
------------
(Before Messrs. JOHN O'SULLIVAN and J. E. STOKER.)
CHARGE OF STABBING
In the case of John Williams, master of the schooner Hollywith, who
was charged by an unfortunate woman named Anne Bell with having
stabbed her with a knife on Friday night. She failing to produce
evidence of the fact, the magistrates dismissed the charge.
Mr. Blake appeared for the defendant.

Contributed by Dennis Ahern


source - The Cork Examiner, 6 June 1878 -
WRECK OF THE LOCH ARD.
Information was received at Lloyd's yesterday afternoon by
telegram from Lloyd's agent at Melbourne that the ship Loch Ard,
belonging to Glasgow, and the Melbourne had been wrecked at
Curdie Inlet, on the south coast of Australia, and that only two
persons had been saved. The telegram leaves it uncertain as to which
vessel the two survivors belonged to. As the crew of the Loch Ard
alone numbered 37 persons, at least 40 lives must have been lost in
the wrecks. The following are the names of the men who composed
the crew of the Loch Ard when she sailed from London on the 2d of
March last for Melbourne :--George Gibb (captain), Thomas
McLauchlan (first mate). George K. Baxter (second mate), Ernest A.,
Atkinson (third mate), James Rancie (carpenter), R. Hunt
(boatswain), Robert Fox (sailmaker), George Claz (steward), Roland
Giles (cook), Thomas Hesdtor, G. M. Neil, J. M. Gemily, Evidel
[sic], A. M. Grangoest, John Johnston, John Egan, Charles Cameron,
George Freeman, Joseph King, William Legg, William Wright,
George Chinn, John Broke, Thomas King, George Smith, James
Wood, Henry Anderson, C. Archer, Magnus Munay (all able
seamen), E. F. Fincham (ordinary seaman), Henry Donohue,
(engine-driver), William Johnson (lamp trimmer or cook's mate),
Charles Spicer (second steward), E. Carmichael (surgeon), Robert
Strasenbergh, Thomas Pearce, W. H. Stevenson (apprentices). The
Loch Ard was a ship of over 1,600 tons, constructed of iron, classed
100 A1, built at Glasgow in 1873, and was the property of the
General Shipping Company.
source - The Cork Examiner, 6 June 1878 -
WRECK OF THE LOCH ARD.
Information was receied at Lloyd's yesterday afternoon by
telegram from Lloyd's agent at Melbourne that the ship Loch Ard,
belonging to Glasgow, and the Melbourne had been wrecked at
Curdie Inlet, on the south coast of Australia, and that only two
persons had been saed. The telegram leaes it uncertain as to which
essel the two suriors belonged to. As the crew of the Loch Ard

I'm informed that of the 54 crew members and passengers on board the Loch
Ard, only two suried: Tom Pearce and a young woman passenger, Ea
Carmichael, who lost all of her family in the tragedy.

Contributed by Dennis Ahern


source - The Cork Examiner, 10 June 1878 -
A SHIP ON FIRE
The brig Colley from Australia, bound to London, which put into
Falmouth on Friday last with her cargo on fire, was yesterday morning
towed into the beach near the town, and further efforts made by
pumping water into her hold to extinguish the fire, but without success,
and it was found necessary to scuttle her, which was done in the
afternoon, and she is now full of water. The cargo was a valuable one
of manure, comprised of smashed carcases' bones, flesh horns' hoops,
and entrails of cattle.

Contributed by Dennis Ahern


source - The Cork Examiner, 28 June 1878 -
QUEENSTOWN SHIPPING.
----------
Thursday, June 17.
ARRIVED.
Guilo Edanno, 533, Gazzola, Odessa, wheat.
SAILED.
Emma, Rouen ; Hildred, Rouen ; Platon, Amsterdam ; Frederick,
Liverpool ; Scotland, London ; Padre Francesco, Leith.
----------
TRANSATLANTIC SHIPPING.
QUEENSTOWN, THURSDAY.--The National Steamship Company's
steamer Helvetia from Liverpool arrived here at noon to-day. Having
embarked passengers she proceeded to New York immediately--all well.
QUEENSTOWN, THURSDAY.--The American United States mail steamer
Illinois from Liverpool arrived at Queenstown to-day at 10.30. Having
embarked passengers she proceeded for Philadelphia immediately--all well.
QUEENSTOWN, THURSDAY.--The Guion United States Mail steamer
Wyoming from New York arrived off the harbour at 11.30 p.m. Having
landed all mails and some passengers she proceeded for Liverpool
immediately--all well.

LOSS OF LIFE IN THE HARBOUR.--As the Italian barque Guilo Ed. Anno was
entering the harbour yesterday, a boy fell from aloft, and coming on the
rail he fell overboard. Lifebuoys and lines were at once thrown to him,
but he was unable to retain hold of one of the lines which he caught and
sank.

SINGULAR OCCURRENCE AT CHARLOTTE-QUAY.--Yesterday morning as a
vessel called the Titbit was being loosed from her moorings at
Charlotte-quay for the purpose of taking advantage of the flood tide,
before the stern chains could be let go, the flood caught her at the bow
and drifted her across the river. She was too long to be righted easily,
and the result was , that the stern got jammed at one side of the river and
the bow at the other. The Titbit lay in this position for some three hours
completely stopping navigation, and it was not until the tide become
half-flood that she was dislodged from the awkward position she had
taken up.

Contributed by Dennis Ahern



source - The Cork Examiner, 17 August 1878 -
ARREST AT QUEENSTOWN.--Detective Constable Humphreys
arrested, on board the Inman steamer City of Richmond, on
her arrival in the harbour yesterday from Liverpool, a Jew
named Ambrose Rubens, on a descriptive telegram which was
received by the police authorities at Leeds, from which place
he was absconding--the nature of his offence is not known.
The arrest was made on a warrant issued at Leeds for his
apprehension, which place he had only left on Thursday morning.


Contributed by Dennis Ahern



source - The Cork Examiner, 1 October 1878 -
A very sharp thing was done at sea last night. The Danish brig
Johanna, laden with palm oil, from the African coast, spoke with
the barque Forest, of St. John's, and the captain of the former
vessel solicited that he should be taken off with his crew, and this
was done. The captain of the Forest as soon as they were
transferred, sent some of his own crew aboard the brig to take
her into port, and they reached Falmouth to-night. The brig's
crew abandoned their vessel because of her having six feet of
water in her hold.


Contributed by Dennis Ahern



source - The Cork Examiner, 5 October 1878 -

OUTWARD MAILS.--The White Star Co.'s royal mail s.s. Britannic
arrived in the harbour yesterday morning, from Liverpool, after a
rapid passage down channel. Immediately on arrival the
Commodore, Captain H. H. Perry, ordered all the boats to be
immediately lowered, which was done in the presence of the
passengers, in a most incredibly short time (less than a minute).
This was for "drill," which gave the passengers much pleasure,
and, as it were, a confidence in the efficiency of the crew if an
occasion on the passage arose. The ship having embarked mails
and the Irish passengers, proceeded for New York--all well.


Contributed by Dennis Ahern



source - The Cork Examiner, 21 October 1878 -

SHIPPING CASUALTY.--On yesterday (Friday) morning the
ship Red Cross, of Glasgow, 900 tons register (Milles,
master), from Liverpool to New York, in ballast, went ashore
during a gale of wind near Ballinaskelligs, on the west coast of
Kerry, quite convenient to the telegraph station. The crew
were saved, but the vessel is likely to become a total wreck.


Contributed by Dennis Ahern



source - The Cork Examiner, 23 December 1878 -
The transatlantic mail steamer Louisianian went ashore at
Hunter's rock, three miles from Larne, on Tuesday morning,
while making for Larne harbour. The passengers and mails
were landed in safety. The steamer still remains on the rock.
The accident occurred during a dense fog.

During the heavy gale on Christmas Eve, the brigantine
Princess Alice, of Hull, went ashore at the harbour's mouth,
close to Camden Fort. Owing to the state of the weather and
the position of the vessel, the steamers sent out to render
assistance were unable to approach the stranded vessel, and
she broke up during the night. The crew have all perished.
The Queenstown lifeboat was ordered out soon after the
vessel went ashore, but through the incompetency of the crew
rendered no assistance.


Contributed by Dennis Ahern



source - The Cork Examiner, 30 December 1878 -
ARRIVAL OF A DERELICT SHIP IN THE HARBOUR
----------
THE British barque Ibis, bound from Benin, on the West Coast
of Africa, to this port for orders, arrived in the harbour on
Saturday with a prize crew on board. She was fallen in with by
the barque Mary Cook, of Montrose, Captain Orkney, bound
to the Channel for orders, from Monte Video, on Dec. 17th, in
lat. 46.38 North, and 14.21 West, abandoned, which vessel
put a prize crew on board. Mr. Gore, the chief mate of the
Mary Cook, who came in charge of the Ibis, states that about
noon on the date and position named they observed a
brigantine [sic] on their port bow, and from her movements
they anticipated that all was not right with the vessel. They
bore down on her, launched a boat and boarded her, when
they found she was abandoned, and all her sails blown to
pieces, but otherwise the vessel appeared intact. They
discovered by the name on the stern that she was called the
Ibis, of Liverpool, and was laden with palm oil. Mr. Gore, by
whom she was boarded, returned to his vessel and reported
the position of affairs to the master, Captain Orkney, at the
same time expressing his willingness to take charged of the
derelict, if any of the crew would volunteer to accompany him,
and endeavour to bring her on to Queenstown. After a
consultation, Captain Orkney decided to let him go, and three
of the crew having volunteered to risk the danger with him,
they bravely undertook the task. Having temporarily repaired
the sails, which were in a wretched condition, with the ship's
awnings, which they found on board, they steered for this port,
where they arrived safely on Saturday. Their own ship also
arrived at Falmouth, all well, last week, and the former crew of
the Ibis were landed at Gravesend some days since by the
Norwegian barque Alert, which took them off some days previous
to the date of her being fallen in with by the Mary Cook.

OUTWARD MAILS.--The Cunard Royal Mail steamer Batavia
arrived in the harbour yesterday from Liverpool. Having
embarked at Liverpool 236 bags of mails, and 147 at
Queenstown, she proceeded for New York, all well. Among
the passengers who embarked at Queenstown were the Hon.
Mrs. Paget and attendants.

THE PRINCESS ROYAL DISASTER.--It was rumoured at
Queenstown yesterday that the body of one of the crew of the
Princess Royal had been washed ashore at Fort Carlisle
yesterday morning. The vessel is now completely broken up.

YACHTING.--The s.s. Yacht "Lady Eliza," the property of Lord
Midleton, put into the harbour for coal. She is bound for the
Mediterranean and will sail hence when the weather moderates.


Contributed by Dennis Ahern



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