The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1875-05-15
THE RAPACIOUS SEA.

country Is W tINIHSo va
another appalling disaster at sea. A noble
vessel, the Schiller, Of the Eagle line, plying
between New York and Hamburg, Of 5000
tons burden, 375 feet long and 40 feet beam,
with a 5000 horse power engine to propel
her; built with all the modern improve.
mcnts" and appliances to give her strength
and safety, costing $780, 00-Clydc built and
new-struck upon rock near the entrance
of the British Channel, and went to pieces as
| IL built Of glass. 1t was about 10 O'Clock on
Friday night the 7th inst, n dark, mooness,
cloudy night, the darkness being intensified
by dense fog, so that even calcium light
half mile distant was invisible. The sun.
less, foggy weather had prevailed for several
days, so that no observations could be taken
to determine the precise course or position
of the vessel, and she was cropping her way
with sails rcefed and but half her steam on
IN what was known TO be dangerous water.
Her officers knew she was near the Scilly is
lands group oflittle more than naked rocks
lying about thirty miles southwest Of Ply
mouth or Lands End--the south west eX.
tremity of England There were 303 souls
on board, of whom 124 composed the officers
and crew, 149 were cabin and l20 Storage
passengers. OF all 1913 were women and about
20 helpless children. AT the time ofthc catas.
trophc the ship was half mile ont of her
retired for the night, but the male passengers
generally were listlessly talking or loung-
ing about the cabin, when, just at 10 O'Clock,
there was fearful shock, succeeded by three
or four more in rapid succession. The mean
ing of it was plain cnough--,hc vessel had
struck upon the rocks Immediately every.
thing living on board was seized with the
wildes. CONSERVATION. There was the usua.
crazy rush for the boats, but of the dozen
life boats on board, half we're STAYED by the
conclusion. One was seized by dozen sail.
ors who ia the most cowardly manner left
the ship. Two other boats werc also rapidly
filled with men, and Captain Thomas fired
his revolver at them to drive them out, but
without effect. But all in these boats per
ished. There was a life-bclt in each cabin,
and these were fastened TO the women, and
yet, on account Of the roughness of the sea,
but one was saved; the rest were drowned
though floating. Three boats only were sue
cessfully lowered and got away, but of these
one was so badly injured that the II passen.
gers in her were rescued and and taken in the
other boats. The deck, which was crowded
with people, was swept away at 9 o'clock A.
NJ. The captain gathered some Of the survi-
vors on the bridge. All were gradually swept
away by the food tide which took the doc
tor and captain last, The rigging which re-
manned above water was crowded with the
and the crew all night-At7 NJ
the mainmast, to which dozens were cling.
ing fell, and being Of iron, sank with all who
chung to il. The foremost gave way in like
manner soon afterwards. Nothing now to
cling to but wreck stuff, drifting miles away
Two boats from st. Agnes arrived after the
masts fell and picked up few stragglers
The deck house, into which the women and
children were placed, had been swept away
long before daylight. OF that whole com
psnv Of 800 on board the vessel few hours
before, but Is passengers were saved, incud
ing one woman, and 90 Of the officers and
crew, including the second officer. Up to the |
latest reports about 81 bodies had been recov.
cred and taken TO Plymouth to be buried or
await the claim Of friends. Among the lost, |
we notice mention Is made Of six from Chi. |
cago, three from Davenport, several from
&c. Most of the passengers were
welto-do Germans, who, on the i'll fated yes
sci, had started full of buoyant hopes of the
enjoyment of holiday trip to Vaterland.
And thus another is added to the long list
Of horrors that prove, in spite Of all mans
Vauntcd ingenuity and skill, that old ocean
Is king and over asserts his domain. But
as 3 contemporary remarks in this connec,
lion, few will be detained from voyaging on
that account and why should they Death
will find us somewhere, and the great ocean
Is noble sepulchre.
I'm oceans caves still safe shall be
The germ Of Immortality"