Mr. Spencer to
Mr. Hanter.
United
States Consulate,
Genoa, January 11,
1872. (Received February 3.)
No. 80.]
Sir: Referring to my dispatch No. 79, I beg
leave to transmit to the Department some additional particulars
relative to the loss of the brig Shamrock, especially in view of the
fact that it was in good part occasioned, in my opinion, by the
culpable negligence, if not absolute Indifference, of some of the
port authorities.
It appears that the Shamrock hove in sight of Genoa about 2 o’clock
p.m. of the 7th instant, and at 4 o’clock, when-within six miles of
the port, ran up her signal for a pilot and tow-boat. There were two
other vessels just ahead with their signals flying, which were
answered by the steam-tugs and towed in. The captain of the
Shamrock, supposing they would return immediately, bore in for the
entrance to the harbor. Afterward, seeing no attention paid to his
signal and night approaching, he tried to “stay ship and wear her,”
but the wind “falling light,” with a strong heavy swell in the
direction of the land, he was obliged to steer “before the sea” for
the harbor. Owing to a defective chart which does not represent the
prolongation of the new mole, he mistook the entrance to the port
and soon found himself drifting helplessly upon the breakwater.
Though he at once let go the port anchor, the brig, owing to the
violence of the surf, was soon thrown broadside upon the rocks. The
captain forthwith lowered a boat in which himself and family, with
the crew, were landed with some difficulty upon the mole. This was
about half past 7 p.m.
On being conducted to the health-office, he requested permission to
see the consul, with the view of procuring a steam-tug and such
other assistance as might be necessary to save the vessel and her
cargo. The health-officers, who were cognizant of all the
circumstances, instead of granting his request, ordered him into an
adjacent room, according to the statement of the captain and mate,
giving him to understand that lie was to remain there until morning,
while the remainder of the crew were permitted to go ashore and take
up lodgings for the night in the city.
Meanwhile the captain of the port, who had been notified of the
affair,-proceeded as soon as practicable with a steam-tug to the
spot, but finding the vessel, to all appearances, abandoned and a
high sea running in, he decided that it was impracticable to attempt
to save the vessel, and after stationing a guard to protect the
property, he returned into port. It appears that the officer of this
guard, at two different times during the night, attempted to
communicate with the captain of the vessel, but was not permitted to
do so.* * * * *
The captain, on being released the next morning, proceeded at once to
the consulate and notified the consul, who accompanied him forthwith
to the office of the captain of the port, and from thence to the
scene of the disaster. It was then about 9 o’clock. The breakers
were dashing clear over the ship, and in about half an hour later
the vessel went to pieces.
There were no lives lost. A small portion of the cargo was saved from
the wreck, The vessel, I understand, was insured to the amount of
about half her value.
I have, &c.,
O. M. SPENCER,
United States
Consul.
