News from 1883 Republic I rescues the surviving crew of Glamorgan

[Mark Baber]

MAB note: Republic's commander was Peter J. Irving, not "Irvine," as stated here.

The New-York Tribune, 25 February 1883
Original article digitized by the Library of Congress
Retrieved from the Library of Congress' Chronicling America web site,
http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/search/pages/

WRECK OF THE GLAMORGAN
---
MADE HELPLESS BY TERRIBLE WAVES
---
SEVEN LIVES LOST; THE REST OF THE CREW AND
PASSENGERS TAKEN OFF BY THE REPUBLIC---THE VESSEL ABANDONED
---
The White Star steamship Republic arrived at this port yesterday with the
crew of the freight steamer Glamorgan, which had been wrecked at sea. The
Glamorgan, which was of 2,550 tons burthen and was chartered by the Warren
Line, left Liverpool on Thursday, February 8, for Boston, Mass. She
generally carried cattle from Boston to Liverpool and a miscellaneous cargo
on the return trip. Almost from the beginning of the voyage she encountered
heavy weather. She was built in 1872 as a screw steamer with a brig rig. The
insurance on the cargo or vessel is not known. She was sighted on February
16 by the Republic, and most of the crew were saved. The story of the voyage
and shipwreck was told last night by Thomas Cantlay, the chief engineer of
the Glamorgan, as follows:

"The Glamorgan left the Mersey on Thursday, February 8. Strong westerly
winds prevailed on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday the wind and sea
increased, and the vessel was hove to. On Monday the weather moderated, and
we made a few miles. On Tuesday the wind and seas steadily grew stronger.
The barometer was 27.90, and a very high sea was running. We were about 450
miles from Queenstown at that time.

"On Wednesday at about 1:20 a. m., a tremendous sea struck our vessel,
carrying away the foremast, all the ventilators, the fore and main winches
and pipes, all rails, the cabin, captain's room, bridges, steward's room,
pantry, bath-room, steward's store-room, boatswain's store-rooms, all the
passengers' rooms, the boatswain's and carpenter's rooms, all the boats and
rails aft, and the deck-house abaft the mainmast; it stove in the front of
the wheel-house, breaking the steering gear and bursting in the main
hatches. The deck was burst open, and the vessel keeled over from the shock.
The water poured in the ship in an immense volume, putting out the fires in
a few minutes, stopping the engines and leaving her laying in the trough of
the sea. All hands were ordered to bail out the water by buckets, but sea
after sea poured in, filling her fore and aft. After daylight we got sails
spread over the hatches and all other openings to try and keep out some of
the water, but there being nothing to support these, they soon gave way. The
remainder of the day was spent by the crew in bailing out the water and
working the pumps.

"The sea was heavy, and despite all exertions the water gained on us; the
sails over the hatches and openings giving way constantly and requiring
frequent fixing. On Thursday the weather moderated a little, and we
succeeded in boarding up the hatches. Our only hope was to keep the vessel
afloat until we fell in with another steamer, as we knew we never could
reach land. We tacked sails over the boarded hatches, keeping up the bailing
steadily. One pump was kept going, the others being broken or choked up and
of no use. That night we had to give up working the pumps, as the sea was
breaking heavily over the vessel, and there was no shelter for the workers.
On Friday the weather again moderated and all hands were called to the
pumps, and the damages to the hatch coverings were repaired as far as
possible. They were the last boards and sails that we had that we tacked on,
and our main hope was to keep them intact."

"About noon a steamer hove in sight, bearing right down on us. It proved to
be the Republic. We still kept on bailing and pumping and flying a signal of
distress. Her captain, P. J. Irvine, stood gallantly by us and sent off a
boat which saved a portion of the crew. In launching it one of the sailors
of the Republic lost his life, being washed overboard. No attempt was made
to launch another boat, as the sea were running too high and there was no
immediate danger of the Glamorgan sinking.

"About 8 p. m. the sea had moderated a great deal and the Republic again
lowered her boats, and all hands were safely taken off our vessel, four
boats making two trips each. When we arrived on board of the Republic we
were provided with warm, dry clothing. For three days our clothing had been
saturated with water and we could not make a change. Every kindness was
shown us by all on board the Republic. The injured were promptly attended to
by Dr. Isdell, under whose care they improved rapidly. For food when we
were water-logged, we had coffee and crackers, the latter, however, being
saturated with salt water.

THE LIST OF THE LOST AND SAVED

"The first sea that struck the vessel on Wednesday morning---the
commencement of the gale---carried away the following: Captain Robert Court,
A. P. Robillard, Second Officer John Barret, Second Steward D. Williams, and
J. Jerrard, Seaman 'Andy' Cullen, a stowaway, and another stowaway whose
name was unknown. Cullen I believe, or at least he so said, left Dublin
because he was connected with the Phoenix Park tragedy. He said that he was
wanted by the British Government to identify some one connected with the
affair. He seemed very nervous and anxious.

"Those saved are, J. May, first officer; W. A. Swarbrick, third officer;
William Palmer, boatswain; J. Gillard, carpenter; J. Whalan, Theodore
Anderson, C. Anderson, E. Anderson, G. Boyle, C. Horn and John Morgan,
seamen; J. Cantlay, chief engineer; R. Affleck [?], second engineer; C.
Clarke, third engineer; William Davey, fourth engineer; J. Ryan, watchman;
F. Lee, J. Breen, W. Clark, J. Doyle, R. Gill, M.Cunningham, P. Riley, J.
Houston, S. Cook, B. Clinton and Thomas Brennan, firemen; W. Ward, chief
steward; R. Wilson, chief cook; Peter Brooks, second cook; J.Fogg, messroom
boy; W. J. Bernheimer, refrigerator man; H. Cook, J. Curran, H. Beach,
Patrick Milligan, C. Holbrook, Henry Malone, Lewis Susan, J. Davenport, G.
Patterson, F. King and J. McGreal, cattle men, and Thomas Dorr, a stowaway.
All of these were British subjects excepting W. J. Bernheimeir, H. Cook, J.
Curran, Patrick Milligan, C. Holbrook, Henry Malone, Lewis Susan, J.
Davenport, G. Patterson, F. King and J. McGreal, who were Americans sent
over to England with cattle.

"When we left the vessel," continued the Chief Engineer, "she was gradually
careening over on her side, the water pouring into the hatchways. She was
low down in the water and could not float for any length of time. The
captain and second officer were on the lookout when the sea struck us, and
we cannot tell how they were lost. The captain was married, and has a family
of nine children in England. The others that were lost were also on deck at
the time the first heavy sea struck us."

A TALK WITH CAPTAIN IRVINE

Captain Irvine, of the Republic, gives the following account of the rescue:
"When we sighted the disabled steamer," he said, "I immediately steered for
her to render any assistance necessary. The sea was running very high, and
it was dangerous to lower the boats. But nearing the ship I ordered our
boats to be sent to the disabled vessel. The first, under command of Chief
Officer Barrett, was knocked against the side of the ship and a hole was
stove in her. The chief officer and a seaman named F. Forrester were thrown
into the water. The officer grabbed a trailing rope and was rescued, but
Forrester floated away, and though every effort was made, it was impossible
to save him."

Stanley Pearson, the purser of the Republic, was seen by a TRIBUNE reporter
last night. He tells the following story: "We sighted the Glamorgan about
noon, on Friday, the 16th. She showed a flag of distress. It was in latitude
50° 31' north, longitude 20° 10' west. We bore right down to her and found
her in a sinking state---in fact, she was a complete wreck. It was blowing
a heavy southwest gale, and the sea ran very high. The first boat, under
control of Chief Officer Barrett, which was lowered after we came close to
the wreck, was knocked against the ship and destroyed. The next boat,
commanded by W. J. Bowman, the second officer, was more successful, and
reaching the wreck, succeeded in rescuing three men. She was disabled in
returning to the Republic, but no lives were lost. Another attempt was then
made to reach the sinking vessel, but it was impossible to do so owing to
the high sea, the trips made having been at the risk of the lives of the
officers and crew. We then laid by until night, when the weather moderated
and we succeeded in saving all that were left on board. We brought them to
this city."

The Glamorgan was 321 feet long with 36 feet breadth of beam and 28 feet
depth of hold. She was built in 1872, at Renfrew, Scotland. She had a
displacement of 2,558 tons. She was owned by Glynn & Sons, of Liverpool,
and was last surveyed in Boston in 1880.

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[Mark Baber]

New-York Tribune, 26 February 1883
Original article digitized by the Library of Congress
Retrieved from the Library of Congress' Chronicling America web site,
http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/search/pages/

THE STOWAWAYS ON THE GLAMORGAN
---
The White Star steamer Republic, which rescued the crew of the Glamorgan,
was visited yesterday by friends and relatives of those on board the wrecked
vessel, anxiously inquiring for particulars. The seven men lost, however,
were all British subjects, and had no relatives in this country. There were
many questions asked also about Cullen and Doss, and their connection with
the Phoenix Park murders. It is believed that Cullen was in some way
connected with the tragedy, and had he lived, on his arrival in this city
the British Consul would have been informed and an investigation held. Last
night, in speaking of Doss, Second Officer W. J. Bowman, of the Republic,
said : "Doss was a stowaway on the Glamorgan. How he secreted himself on
board the vessel I do not know, but after she was out of sight of land he
appeared on deck, and stated that be desired to reach America and was
willing to work his passage. He seemed to be very intimate with Cullen, who,
from his own statements was supposed to be fleeing from England, to escape
appearing as a witness at the investigation in regard to the Phoenix Park
tragedy. When Doss was taken on board of our vessel these facts were told
us by the surviving officers of the Glamorgan. His friend Cullen, who was
also a stowaway, was discovered in the waste-locker and was taken before the
chief-officer, captain and chief engineer of the Glamorgan. He told them
that he was wanted by the British Government as a witness, and that Doss,
the other stowaway, was with him. When we took Doss on board with the
others, we allowed him all privileges, until we arrived at Quarantine. Then
a dispatch was sent to the British Consul, and he was locked in the
hospital. This morning Pierpont Edwards, the Consul, visited the Republic,
in company with R. J. Cortis, the agent of the White Star Line. They were
received by Captain Irvine, and Doss was interrogated. It could not be
proved that he had any connection with the murders in Dublin and he was
discharged from custody. Shortly after his discharge, a lawyer visited our
vessel and stated that he was retained in Doss's interest. He was astonished
to find his client had been discharged.

"Mr. Edwards," continued Officer Bowman, "also investigated the cases of the
British subjects saved from the wreck. He ordered that they should he taken
to the Sailors' Home in Cherry-st. until they could either be placed on a
vessel or returned to England. The twelve American cattlemen left the city
this morning. Warren & Co., the agents of the Glamorgan, telegraphed from
Boston this morning asking if the crew were going on to that city. The
reply was that they had been provided for.

"It was impossible," concluded Officer Bowman, "to save the Glamorgan. When
we left her, her deck was only four feet above the water line, and she must
have foundered within six hours after we rescued those on board. It was
fortunate that we fell in with the wrecked vessel when we did, or otherwise
all would probably have been lost."

Richards Nicklane, the second engineer of the Republic, said that the
passengers were very much excited in watching the saving of the wrecked
crew. "They remained on deck" he added, "and anxiously watched the efforts
to lower the boats, cheering the sailors continually in their task."

When the Republic arrived at her dock on Saturday night Captain Irvine was
presented by the passengers with resolutions congratulating him on his
success in saving the crew of the Glamorgan. They were taken away by a
committee to be engrossed and framed, and will be hung in the cabin of the
Republic. The other officers were also personally congratulated.
----------
THE LOSS OF THE GLAMORGAN.
---
Boston, Feb. 25---The manifest of the steamer Glamorgan shows it to have
been a valuable one, consisting of general merchandise, nearly all consigned
to Boston people. The cargo weighed 1,080 tons. The vessel has made thirty
trips between Liverpool, London and Boston, and was used almost exclusively
for carrying freight by the Warren Line. There were eleven Boston
cattle-men on board the steamer as passengers.

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[Mark Baber]

The New York Times, 2 March 1883

DOWSE'S SUIT FOR DAMAGES
---
THE REPUBLIC SAILS AND NEITHER THE CAPTAIN NOR FIRST OFFICER IS ARRESTED
---
The order of arrest granted by Judge Donohue, in the Supreme Court,
Wednesday afternoon, in the suit of Thomas Dowse, a stowaway on the
steam-ship Glamorgan, against Capt. Paul J. Irving and the First Officer
Thomas Barrett, of the White Star steam-ship Republic for $25,000 damages
for alleged illegal imprisonment, was placed in the hands of Deputy Sheriffs
McCarty [sic] and O'Connor for service. The officers went during the
evening to the New-York Hotel and other places frequented by Capt. Irving
when he is on shore, but they failed to find either the Captain or Barrett.
Early yesterday morning the Sheriff's officers went to the White Star dock,
where the Republic was making preparations to sail. McCarthy [sic] reached
the pier at 7:30 o'clock and O'Connor was on hand soon afterward. They made
as thorough a search of the steamer as landsmen could be expected to make,
but were unsuccessful in finding either of the officers on board. The
Deputy Sheriffs then took up positions at opposite ends of the vessel and
closely scrutinized every person who went on board the steamer. At 10
o'clock the gang-planks were hauled in, and the lines were cast off, and the
Republic headed down the stream. The Sheriff's officers then gave up the
chase. Deputy Sheriff McCarthy [sic] said that he supposed the captain and
first officer were concealed in some part of the vessel which he had failed
to explore, although he made as thorough a search as he could. He though it
possible, however, that Irving and Barrett had gone aboard at Quarantine, or
in the boat which went to take off the pilot. He said he should look for
the officers in the City last evening "with little hope of success."

Mr. R. J. Cortis, the agent of the White Star Line, said yesterday that
Capt. Irving had acted hastily in detaining Dowse, the stowaway, who was
rescued from the wreck of the Glamorgan. Mr. Cortis first heard of the
matter while at breakfast last Sunday morning. He immediately hurried over
to the steam-ship and told Capt. Irving to release the man. At about the
same time Mr. J. Pierrepont Edwards, the British Consul, came on board and
asked to see Dowse, who was then leaving the vessel. The latter voluntarily
answered all the questions which were put to him, and listened to some good
advice from the Consul. Mr. Cortis told Dowse to call at his office and
promised to help him to find employment. The man was not threatened in any
way. Mr. Cortis thought Dowse was a very respectable, honest fellow. On
Monday the stowaway called at the White Star office and said that he wished
to go to work. Mr. Cortis asked him if he was willing to be employed as a
longshoreman. He replied that he was, and was given a letter to the
Superintendent of the White Star dock. This letter, however, was never
presented. Mr. Cortis said that if the Captain and chief officer of the
Republic had been arrested that vessel would have been detained in port
until to-day. The officers would have been bailed, and the only real result
would have been the delay of the passengers and mails for about 24 hours. It
would have taken at least four hours to have bailed the officers, and by
that time the tide would have fallen. Mr. Cortis saw Chief Officer Barrett
on the bridge of the Republic as she moved out into the stream. He did not
know when or where Capt. Irving boarded his vessel, but as she crossed the
bar soon after noon he inferred that he was on board. She would not have
gone to sea without a Captain.

Mr. J. Pierrepont Edwards, the British Consul, said yesterday afternoon that
when he heard of the detention of Dowse last Sunday morning he went down to
the Republic. The man had then been released and was going ashore, together
with some passengers who had been allowed to remain on board all night. At
the request of the Consul, Dowse came back and voluntarily answered the
questions which were put to him. He impressed the Consul as an honest
fellow, and his statement that he had stowed himself away on the Glamorgan
because he could find no work in Liverpool seemed to be a perfectly true
one. Mr. Edwards advised Dowse, among other things, to mind his own
business, and promised to try and find work for him. With this intention he
asked the man to call at the consulate. On Monday the latter called, but
Mr. Edwards was to busy to see him then. Afterwards the Consul ascertained
that a lawyer who represented himself as the counsel of Dowse had been on
board the Republic. Dowse called again at the consulate and stated
positively that he had employed no lawyer whatever. He acknowledged that he
had simply been watched on board the Republic from the time the vessel
reached Quarantine until the following morning and that he was treated with
kindness. Dowse was not threatened in any way. Mr. Edwards was of the
opinion that Dowse was not a free agent in the matter.

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[Mark Baber]

New-York Tribune, 27 March 1883
Original article digitized by the Library of Congress
Retrieved from the Library of Congress' Chronicling America web site,
http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/search/pages/

THE ARREST OF CAPTAIN IRVING
---
Captain P. J. Irving and Chief Officer Barrett, of the White Star steamship
Republic, were arrested at the British Consulate yesterday, on the complaint
of Thomas Dowse, the stowaway who was rescued from the Glamorgan by the
Republic. The two officers were taken to the Sheriff's office, where they
were at once admitted to bail in $5,000 each. Their bondsmen were R .J.
Cortis, the agent of the White Star Line, and J. E. Jenkins. Captain Irving
took his arrest with perfect composure. He said later to a TRIBUNE reporter:
"I have made no attempt whatever to elude arrest. On the contrary I went to
the office of the White Star Line this morning to learn what it was best for
me to do, and thence to the Consulate, with the intention of going from
there to the Sheriff's office. The arrest might have been made with perfect
ease before the Republic last left the city. Instead of moving promptly in
the matter, however, the lawyers seemed to have delayed until the last
moment, so as to annoy me with a late arrest. I was in my office as usual on
the Republic giving directions before we sailed, and the papers might have
been served on me then. I did my duty in detaining Dowse and am ready to
stand trial."

Dowse brings the suit for $25,000 damages for false imprisonment, asserting
that he was unlawfully detained, under suspicion, after the Republic had
reached her pier. It was thought at that time that Dowse might be connected
with the Phoenix Park murders.

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[Mark Baber]

The New-York Times, 28 March 1883

DOWSE SUING THE WHITE STAR LINE
---
Thomas Dowse, the Irishman who was detained for a short time on board the
White Star Line steamer Republic in this port a few weeks ago, has
decided, through his counsel, Messrs. Foley & Costello, to make an
application to the United States District Court for an attachment for libel
against the vessel, and the papers in the case have been prepared and
probably will be presented in court to-day or to-morrow. In his statement
Dowse alleges that Capt. Irving, with officer Barrett and the steward, all
agents of the company, without just provocation assaulted him, and by force
imprisoned him in a small room for 21 hours, and that Irving and Barrett
accused him falsely of being an accomplice of the murderers of Lord
Frederick Cavendish and Mr. Burke. By reason of the treatment which he
received, the libelant considers himself damaged to the extent of $25,000.
The White Star steamer Republic is to sail on Saturday, but will not be
detained on account of the libel, as when the matter comes before the court
the agents of the vessel will give a bond to indemnify Dowse in case he
should get a verdict. Counsel for Dowse disclaim any attempt to delay the
sailing of the vessel or to in any manner cause annoyance to its officer.

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[Mark Baber]

New-York Tribune, 30 March 1883
Original article digitized by the Library of Congress
Retrieved from the Library of Congress' Chronicling America web site,
http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/search/pages/

CAPTAIN IRVING AND STOWAWAY DOWSE
---
THE PROCEEDINGS IN THE SUIT OF THE LATTER
DRAGGING---HONORS PAID TO THE COMMANDER
---
The proceedings in the suit for damages against Captain P. J. Irving and
First Officer Barrett, of the White Star steamer Republic, by Thomas Dowse,
upon a charge of false imprisonment and maltreatment, have dragged along
slowly, to the annoyance and expense of both of the officers and the
company. Dowse was a stowaway on board the British steamship Glamorgan,
which was abandoned in mid-ocean on February 16 in a sinking condition. The
officers and crew or the sinking vessel, forty-four persons in all, were
gallantly rescued by the boats of the Republic, Captain Irving detaining his
vessel near the wreck for ten hours in violent weather. A seaman of the
Republic, Forrester by name, was lost in trying to save those on the
Glamorgan. In consideration of the heroic services rendered the Life Saving
Benevolent Association of this city gave to Captain Irving a gold medal
valued at $250, and also presented to the rescuing crews of the boats $355
in money. The Humane Society of Boston voted to Captain Irving and the
first and second officers of the Republic silver medals, and gave $240 to
the rescuing crews. In addition to this, the Masonic fraternity of
Massachusetts intend to recognize the humanity of Captain Irving and the
others, and the humane societies of England will soon take action. Captain
Irving had already four medals for saving life, including the Albert medal,
the highest award that can be made to an English civilian for saving life.

After the rescue Captain Irving received information that Dowse was an Irish
suspect. Nevertheless Dowse was provided with clothes and other comforts
and was well treated. Two officers of the Glamorgan made affidavits, just
before reaching New-York, to Captain Irving, which led him to place Dowse
under surveillance until he could be legally advised upon the subject. As
soon as the vessel reached her pier the facts were reported by Captain
Irving to the British Consul, and being advised to give Dowse his freedom,
he at once returned to the vessel and did so. Dowse expressed his
gratefulness and went away. The next information that Captain Irving
received was on the day the vessel sailed for Liverpool, when he learned
that there were warrants out for his arrest, and also for the arrest of Mr.
Barrett. They made no effort to secrete themselves from the Sheriff's
officers, and the vessel sailed without any arrests having been made. When
the vessel arrived last Sunday Captain Irving learned that he was to be
arrested. He went to the New-York Hotel, and about 9 a.m. on Monday went
down to the company's office and then to the British Consul's where he was
arrested. He furnished bail in $5,000, and has since awaited further
proceedings. It is stated that Dowse's counsel have made a proposition to
compromise, and if this fails they threaten to libel the vessel. He and his
counsel have conducted the case throughout in the way to cause the greatest
possible annoyance and delay.

Captain Irving has stated in regard to Dowse that he never questioned the
stowaway about the Phoenix Park assassinations while he was on board the
Republic, nor was any investigation into this matter made. He had given
Dowse a suit of his own clothes and seen to it that the man was treated
well with the other shipwrecked people. When the captain came into port with
his vessel he could not ignore the depositions of the officers of the
Glamorgan, and considered Dowse a prisoner on that vessel. He feared that if
the stowaway was allowed to go free without legal advice, he would not be
doing his duty to the Glamorgan.

Following is the letter to Captain Irving from the Massachusetts Humane
Society:

NO. 11 PEMBERTON SQUARE
BOSTON, March 23, 1883

CAPTAIN P. J.. IRVING, Steamer Republic

MY DEAR SIR: It is my agreeable duty to inform you that the trustees of the
Humane Society of Massachusetts have voted to you and to Messrs. Barrett and
W-----, your first and second officers, each a silver medal for gallantry
and bravery in rescuing the crew and passengers of the steamship Glamorgan,
on the 16th of February, 1883, and to Boatswain ----- and seamen of the
Republic, each a bronze medal. We have included in the list -----
Forrester, who was lost, believing he may have left some family or relatives
to whom the medal may be of value. I also send you a check for $240 for
distribution among the crews of your boats, according to your judgment of
their deserts, wishing Forrester's family, if any, to be included.

By our laws we can only give rewards in the case of a citizen of
Massachusetts being either saviour or saved. We thought it right to
consider the cattlemen saved as, within the meaning of our laws, citizens of
the State.

The trustees considered your management most brave and able, and the
management of the boats as very gallant. Speaking to two of my friends
here, who had happened to make a voyage with you, they both expressed great
regard for your ability and for your personality, one saying you "were the
best sailor afloat," and the other that you were "the best captain on the
Atlantic ocean." They were Mr. Jacob C. Rogers and Mr. Caleb Curtis.
Believe me, with great regard, yours very truly,

B. W. CROWNINSHIELD,
Chairman of the Standing Committee Humane Society of Massachusetts.

P.S.--I have the names of the officers and men of the boats' crews,
undoubtedly correctly given, by your company. I shall send the medal's
through the company's office in this city. Yours, etc., B. E. C.

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[Mark Baber]

New-York Tribune, 30 March 1883
Original article digitized by the Library of Congress
Retrieved from the Library of Congress' Chronicling America web site,
http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/search/pages/

DOWSE'S IMPUDENCE
---
No one who understands the facts will feel any sympathy with Dowse, the
Irish stowaway, in his efforts to annoy Captain Irving, of the steamship
Republic. Dowse owes his life to Captain Irving, and is now doing his best
to injure the man who saved him. He was a stowaway and a prisoner on the
Glamorgan, from which he was rescued. He was well treated on the Republic,
and when the vessel reached port he was not detained a moment longer than
seemed absolutely necessary. For a sneaking stowaway he is now holding his
head very high while he prates about the attack on his rights. He has been
abetted and encouraged by the pestilent fellows who make up the Rossa
"dynamite gang."

Captain Irving, with loss of time, danger to property, and at the risk of
life, rescued the drowning passengers of the Glamorgan. It was a humane,
brave deed, for which he has received medals, notes of thanks and the
appreciation of the civilized world. But the thanks he gets from this
stowaway, whom he saved among the rest, are, first an arrest for alleged
detention, next a proceeding against the ship on which he was rescued from
drowning and brought safe to shore, and now another threat of an attempt to
annoy Captain Irving on some fresh trumped-up charge.

There is something too much of this. If Dowse ever had any claim to the
respect of decent men he has forfeited it by his conduct of this case. His
attempt to secure to the arrest of Captain Irving just before he sailed to
England was made at the time when the greatest difficulty and embarrassment
to the company would be caused. He appears now to be waiting until the
scheduled day for sailing before serving his libel upon the ship, and
probably hopes to delay her departure. It is a serious matter to interfere
with the sailing of a steamship carrying the United States mail as well as a
large number of passengers and a cargo of great value. Such a step should
never be possible merely to gratify the spite of a stowaway. We think that
Dowse and any magistrate who may aid him in the attempt to inflict so much
injury out of revengeful motives will find that they have entered on
dangerous ground. If the man wants to show his gratitude by further efforts
at legal persecution of his benefactors, let him go ahead. He cannot make
his character and conduct more despicable than they now appear. But he
should act at once. If he delays for the obvious purpose of harassing
Captain Irving and the White Star Company at the hour for the ship's
sailing, he will find his proceedings too closely approaching blackmail for
safety; and any magistrate who lends himself to the business will have found
a short and sure road to lasting disgrace. Dowse is welcome to his
rights---just that and no more. It will be wise for him not to attempt too
much.

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[Mark Baber]

New-York Tribune, 31 March 1883
Original article digitized by the Library of Congress
Retrieved from the Library of Congress' Chronicling America web site,
http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/search/pages/

THE REPUBLIC LIBELLED BY DOWSE
---
A complaint was filed yesterday in the United States District Court in an
Admiralty suit begun by Thomas Dowse against the White Star steamship
Republic and Captain P. J. Irving. The complaint alleges that Dowse was
deprived of his liberty and forcibly imprisoned on board of the steamer on a
voyage to this country from England. The damages asked for are $25,000. The
steamship is libelled to that amount. As the Republic is to sail for Europe
to-day, it will be necessary for the owners to furnish bonds as security to
await the trial of the case.

Captain Irving said to a TRIBUNE reporter last night that he had not been
informed that the steamer had been seized under the libel. The lawyers of
the company had received assurances from the Marshal and Judges that they
would not lend themselves to any scheme for the annoying detention of the
vessel as it was on the point of sailing. The captain said that such
arrangements had been made that he did not fear any detention on account of
the libel suit. What he feared, however, was that some effort would be made
to have him arrested and taken before a police magistrate just as the
steamer was on the point of sailing. He called attention to the fact that
he had been in port for several days, and yet action against him had
apparently been delayed until the time when it would be most troublesome.

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[Mark Baber]

MAB note: After this article Mr. Dowse's name never appears again, as far
as I can tell, in either the Tribune or The New York Times, nor is there any
reported court decision in either his state court case against Capt. Irving
or this federal court case against White Star. This suggests to me that the
two cases were quietly settled in some fashion.

New-York Tribune, 1 April 1883
Original article digitized by the Library of Congress
Retrieved from the Library of Congress' Chronicling America web site,
http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/search/pages/

THE LIBEL OF THE REPUBLIC
---
The owners of the White Star line steamer Republic deposited $25,000 with
United States Marshal Erhardt at a late hour on Friday evening, when the
vessel was seized under an attachment issued in the libel suit instituted by
Thomas Dowse for alleged injuries inflicted by the captain, who rescued him
from the wrecked steamer Glamorgan. The deposit of the money was accepted
as equivalent to the giving of a bond, and the vessel was allowed to sail
yesterday.

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[Mark Baber]

MAB note: This concludes the reporting of the rescue of the Glamorgan's
survivors by Republic I.

New-York Tribune, 15 April 1883
Original article digitized by the Library of Congress
Retrieved from the Library of Congress' Chronicling America web site,
http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/search/pages/

THE LOSS OF THE GLAMORGAN
---
LONDON, April 14---The committee of the Board of Trade, which has been
making an investigation into the cause of the loss of the steamer Glamorgan
while on a voyage from Liverpool to Boston, has submitted its report. The
committee finds that the Glamorgann was seaworthy, and that her loss was due
to heavy weather and could not have been prevented. Praise is given to the
men of the White Star steamer Republic for brave work in rescuing the
survivors of the wreck.


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