Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1869-09-08
THE WRECK OF THE GEBMANIA.
Particulars Of the Casualty-HF hat thS
Boston Passengers say cfthe AnffF'
From the Boston Post, Aug. 81


The fine steamer Germania, Captain
Kier. from New York, Aug. 3, for Hamburg,
before reported wrecked, had on board, as
already stated, several well-known Boston
parties as passengers. Letters from them
received in this city yesterday (Thursday,
Aug. 26) state that the steamer had
pleasant run from New York until Satur-
day, 81 o. m, Aug z, when she ran ashore
during a thick fog, in Fresh Water cove,
about six OF seven miles distant from Cape
Race. She went on at the foot of a bluff OF
rocks, supposed to be from $50 to 2OO
feet high, and apparently (as seen
from the wrecked steamer), almost
perpendicular The rock-bound shore
was seen a few minutes before
the steamer struck, and the engines were
Immediately reversed, but her Roadway
could not be stopped IN season to prevent
the disaster She did not strike very heav-
ily at first, however, which fact is proved
by another, viz: That many OF the passen-
gers Gacluding ladies) were not aroused
from their morning slumbers. Those who
were ND and dressed rushed below and
spread the unwelcome intelligence, SO that
all on board were soon on deck quite num-
Der in their night habiliments; but excel
lent order prevailed. The steamer was
soon backed of, but while this was being
ACCOMPLISHED, she seemed to swing around
to her port side, upon u sharp rock, and
when the sea lifted her, she came down
with heavy crash, terrifying, of course,
all unaccustomed to such scenes. A large
hole was stove in the steamers bottom,
when she commenced to sink quite rapidly.
The officers remained perfectly cool, and,
fully realizing the situation, attempted to
run her i'll shore again. but did not succeed
in getting in so near the bluffs as when she
first struck The boats were got ont with
out delay,-as the steamer struck about
5 1-2 O'Clock, and at about some Of the
passengers were leaving III the boats, one
of which, containing the Boston passen-
gers, and others, % in number, was steer
ed for time In westerly direction, COM
pass having been saved, together with a
bottle or two Of water and n small quantity
of bread. It was proposed by one to
g steer for New York p The absurdity of
this idea was apparent to tho majority,
who ruled. There sufieringg were great for
hours, as they were exposed, half-clad, to
heavy fogs and rain, from a. IN. until 9
p. M, when they succeeded in
effecting a landing through the Breakers
which were heard distinctly roaring all the
time, and found themselves in Biscay bay,
some nine miles from whore the steamer
sunk, The lady passengers were very sea-
sick Oh board the little life-boat, and were
naturally very weak on getting ashore.
fire was built upon the beach, all expect
ing to remain there through the tedious
hours of the coming night, but fortune
smiled upon them, and two small houses
were soon discovered, whose inmates
kindly rendered what assistance they
could IN getting the sufferers food and dry
clothing. On Tuesday morning the party
walked over very rough road or path a
distance of about four miles, to Trepassy
bay where they were welcomed on board o
French frigate, and arrived at st. Johns,
Newfoundland, the same evening, at eight
o'clock. They lost all their baggage. The
steamer Cambria has since taken all hands
to Europe, as before stated The rescued
passengers seem to think the terrors of a
lee shore hard to describe, particularly
when the fog is dense, and the rocky cliffs
are almost directly overhead. Those who
are not gifted with fertile imagination, sell
dom if ever do justice to situation like
that alluded to.