Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1875-05-20
STEAMSHIP DISASTER.
OVER TWC HUNDRED LIVES
PROBABLY LOST.

OVER TWO HUNDRED LIVES
PROBABLY LOST.
/ LONDON, May S.-The Eagle line
steamship Schiller, Captain Thomas,
| which sailed from New York, April 2S,
for Hamburg, by way Of Plymouth and
Cherbourg, has been wrecked off Scilly
| Isle. 1t is reportei that two hundred
| persons have perished.
New YORK, May "a Herald Ca
BILE special, from London 9th says: All
day long details of the Schiller disaster
have been coming to the London office
from the Herald's correspondents at
Penzance, the courteous American Con-
suiar Agent at the Scilly Islands, Mr..
Buxton, and ordinary London sources.
Inc Herald's correspondent succeeded
in interviewing Mr.. Palmer, the second
officer of the Schiller, Henry Stern and
MIR. F'rahm, first class passengeis, and
from their narrative we gather that the
voyage was moderately good until
May 4th. The last three days it was
impossible to take observations. The
ship WAS within half mile al the time
Of the catastrophe. Captain Thomas
was on deck night and day for four en-
tire days. AT Z O'Clock on the evening
of the 7th, there was dense fog and the
sails We're taxed in, the engines put on
half speed and the fog bells used.
Bishops light was unseen, though only
"A hulf mile distant. At ten O'Clock we
struck on reef and after four bumps
the steamer settled down. There was
violent sea and the tide was rising
and hn IL ri, inf Most nf
the male passengers were awake and
there was the usual rush for boats, but
nearly all the boats were slowed. One
boat with few sailors left the ship,
cowardly refusing aid. Two boats were
saved. The captain endeavOred to
compel obedience by firing revolver
over their heads, during the hours six
cannon shots were fired when distress
signals, rockets and blue lights were
unanswered. At midnight the fog
lifted, revealing the lighthouse. The
waves were sweeping the decks end
carrying d way victims every minute.
AT two O'clock the deck-hOuse in which
were the women and children was
swept away. The cries were heart
rending; then followed a ghostly silence
aft, the smoke stack fell; two of the
oOdto hSiC Sin Inv 49,
mainder followed the captain to the
forward bridge. Each succeeding move
took fresh victims. Some persons
sought refuge on the main mast and
some on the fore mast. At three
O'Clock the captain and two other Off
GERS were On the bridge. Tho captain
descended for moment to render some
assistance, aud was swept away. At
IN IL ahntt ton QIInO-
ing to the rigging of the main mast,
and about thirty to that of the fore
mast. The ship had careened her
yards, touching the water, and the tide
was rising; at five o clock the fog lifted.
The survivors shouted, hut their cries
were unavaiiing. At seven O'Clock the
main mast and at quarter to eight
the foremast, both of iron, fell. Then
two of the ST. Agnes boats came and
rescued the few who had managed to
keep afioat. 1t was reported yesterday
that there were 103 women on board.
The survivors were taken to-day from
PenzInce to Plymouth, whence they
will be sent forward to Hamburg,
where the greatest excitement prevails.
1t is asserted that life-saving belts
were Issued TO the women, and it is
found none. An order was given that
the first boat should take the women
and children. This boat was capsized.
Seven boats were launched and only
tWo 0 lived. The others were STAYED and
swamped Immediately. The cries for
help lasted until O'Clock. The last
voice heard was that OF little child in
the cabin. 1t is rot possible that the
boats could have lived, even if they
had been successfully filed. Thewhole
number save.l is forty-four. Thirty
bodies have been recovered.
The EUening Post has gathered the
following additional particulars con-
cerning the wrecked steamship Schill-
er. The crew numbered about 120.
The passengers numbered 254 in all, of
whom 120 were steerage. The Schiller
took a cargo of general merchandise,
which was valued, exclusive of the
specie on board, at $3.50, ,000-most of
it was probably insured by the ship
pers. $500, 900 in gold coin, shipped to
Eugene S. BALM K Co., brokers, of
this city, by E. S. Ballin & Co., their
correspondents in Paris, was packed in
six kegs, and was insured for its full
value in three London companies.
The agents here of the Eagle Line
say Captain Thomas, of the ill-fatted
Schiller, was the oldest commander in
the line; was for years in the service of
the Peninsular and Oriental Company;
occupied high place among the Brit
ish sailors; and was, with difficulty, in
duced to leave the British service to
enter into that of the Eagle Line.
The Schiller was one of the newest
and best boats in the ans-Continental
service-large, strong, and constructed
on the latest pattern.
The dimensions of the Schiller were:
Length, 375 feet; depth of hold, 80 feet;
5000 tons burden, and 1900 tons indi-
Gated horse power. She was full brig
rugged, had eight large life boats, and
three iron decks. Her engines could
run the vessel fourteen to fifteen miles
an hour. She is said to have been built
according to the requirements of the
Lloyd Marine Insurance, and to have
possessed every known appliance for
safety. She was valued at 100000,
and was insured for her fnll value.
The foundation of the oldest church
in Norway was laid il A. D., 996.
Over 100, 900 acres of Indian Reserve