Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 January 1893 — THE UMBRIA ARRIVES. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE UMBRIA ARRIVES.

DELAY CAUSED BY A BROKER* SHAFT. , The Overdue Cunarder Reache* New York 1 After an Eventful Voyage~-9he Had Been Disabled by an Accldebt to Her Machinery. All on Board Are Safe. The big Cunard steamer Umbria, sot long the subject of anxious inquiry, to* Bate. So much was ascertained shortly) after midnight Friday, when her lightai were first sighted off Fire Island. The news of her arrival was commn-i nlcatod at once to the New York office, of the company, and Vernon D. Brown,, the local agent, accompanied by a number of newspaper men, boarded the 'company’s harbor tug and set out to intercept the steamer. The ride out occupied an hour, saya a New York dispatch. At 1:20 the tug drew up alongside the gangway and the party filed over tho side. Every passenger on tho steamer old enough to be allowed out at that hour was up and ready to welcome the visitors—the first tangible evidence that they .were approaching the homes so many of them feared In days past they would never reach. After days of anxiety, and when many were ready to believe that the* big Cunarder with all on board had gone to tho bottom of tho Atlantlo, the steamship Manhansctt came into port and reported that when out eleven days from Swansea, and pounding along in a heavy gale, with the wind raising angry st as, she had sighted the Umbria laboring in the trough of the sea and drifting before tho gale. The first mate

was in charge of tho Manhansett at the time and his praotioed eye made out that all was not well. Tho vessel lay to tho north of tho Manhansett .about two miles out of her courso, but lit a moment all hands were ordered on deck. Capt. Duck and Second Matq Bills came on deck Immediately. Tho Manhansett went hurrying over the five-mile oourfte at Its best speed. Soon the Manhansett came near enough to her to see that the Umbria was not badly hurt. The captain and the second mato got out the signal book, and the ships began to talk to each other. “Who are you?” asked tho Manhansett. The Umbria told him, and said he wap out from Liverpool for Now York, and in roply to farther questions stated that the shaft was broken and was undergoing repairs, and would be ready to-morrow. Tho Manjiansett if any assistance was required and the Cunarder replied: “No. Report mo to my owners.” Then the Manhansott bade farewell. At that time tho Cunardor was about 765 miles oast of Sandy Hook, so that she had drifted considerably before the northwest gale that was blowing. Cunard Agent Vernon H. Brown In speaking of the Umbria, said that Capt. McKay had been criticised because of ids refusal to acoopt all proffered aid, but he certainly showed wonderfulsagaclty in doclining all the assistance that was offered te him. “Suppose, for Instance, that he had accepted assistance from either the Galileo, Motavla, or Manhansett; suppose also that either of these vossels, with the Umbria in tow, the gale which has been blowing from the northwest for the last week shifted to the east it would not be anything unusual if the towhawser parted. Her machinery would be disabled. She would be on a loe shore in a gale of wind, and nothing in the world could Bave her from destruction and her passengers from death.

Instead of that, however, Captain McKay refuse* assistance* lies to 900 miles from shore, where ne can drift and drift without getting into danger, and repairs his machinery, so that when he goes near the shore he will have his ship under full control. That is What 1 consider good seamanship. The .Umbria had the whole Atlantic to drift in, and If the storm got too strong for her she could take in her sea-anchors, hoist sail, turn her stern to the wind, and run before the storm. I was thoroughly .convinced that the Umbria was all right, and would come into this port In perfect safety. Capt. McKay has shown himself to be a man of great caution and ability.

THE UMIIRIA.