Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1875-05-18
FRRRIB6E pIsAsTER AT SEA.
Loss Of the sohilier.

Loss Of the Schiller.
Detailed accounts were published last week
in the daily papers of the awful disaster to the
steamship Schiller, of the New York and
Hamburg line, which left New York on the
18th of April. with two hundred and sixty
six passengers on board. The disaster oc>
CURED about one O'Clock Friday night, the 7th
inst, during fog. on one of the lodges which
project from the Scilly Islands, on the south
west cost of England. Two boats we're
launched by. the panic.stricken men and im-
mediately baamPed. The ship soon turned
broadside upon the rocks, the heavy sea sweep
ing over her, and men, women and children
were drowned. Captain Thomas stood by his
vessel to the last and persisted. Only one fe-
male was saved. The Scilly Islands consist
of about one hundred and forty islets and
rocks. They rise abruptly from the sea, thirty
miles west southwest of Lands End, and form
acompact group thirty miles in circumference.
There are several dangerous lodges, and many
ship wrecks have occurred upon them.
Mr.. Paleman, the second officer of the
Schiller, Henry Stern and Mr.. Frahm, first
class passengers, state that the voyage was
moderately good until May 4th. The last
three days it was impossible to take observa-
tons. The ship was out of her course half
mile at the time of the catastrophe. Captain
Thomas was on deck night and day for four
entire days. AT seven o'clock in the evening
of the 7th there was dense fog. The sails
were taken in, the engine put on half speed
and the fog bell used. Bishops light was I'M
seen, thong only half mile distant. At
o'clock the steamer struck on the reef, and af-
ter four bumps settled down. There was
violent sea and the tide was rising. The
darkness was intense. Most of the male pas
sengers were awake, and there was the usual
rush for boats, but nearly all the boats were
STAYED. One boat, with few sailors, left the
ship, cowardly refusing others. Two boats
were saved. The captain cndeavorcd to COM
pei obedience by firing revolver over their
heads During two hours six cannon shots
were fired, when the powder dampened. Dis
tress signals, rockets and blue lights were un-
answered. At midnight the fog lifted min
ute, revealing the lighthouse, the waves sweep.
ing the decks and carrying away the victims.
At 2 o'clock the deck house, in which were
the women and children, was swept away
The cries and shrieks of the victims were
heartrendering. Then followed ghastly ST.
lence. The smoke stack fell, crushing some
of the boats, and two others were carried
away. The remainder followed the Captain
to the forward bridge. Each succeeding wave
took fresh victims. Some persons sought
refuge on the mainmast and some on the fore
mast. At three o'clock the Captain aud two
other officers were on the bridge. The
Captain descended for moment to rem
der assistance and was swept away. At this
time about ten persons were clinging to the
rigging of the mainmast and thirty to that of
the foremost. The ship had careened, her
yards touching the water, and the tide was
rising. At S o'clock the fog lifted The
servivors shouted, but their cries were una
vaiing. AT o'clock the mainmast, and at
quarter to the foremost, both of iron, fell
Then two of the St. Agnes boats came aud
rescued the few who had managed to keep
afoat. 1t is asserted that life saving belts
were issued to the women. It is certain that
most Of the passengers found none. An
order was given that the first boat sould take
the women and children. This boat capsized
POLICEMAN says seven boats were launched and
only two lived. The others were slowed and
swampcd Immediately. The cries for help
lasted until three o'clock. The last voice
heard was that of little child in the cabin
1t is not probable the boats could have lived
even if they had been successfully filed The
whole number saved is forty four. The total
number of passengers of all ages was, cabin
143, steerage 123 The officers and crew
numbered l24. Total number of persons on
board 400