Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1875-05-13
A Steamship Wrecked on
the Rocks Off the
English Coast.
Out of 400 Only 43 Reported
Rescued.
A Thrilling and Interesting
Description of the Wreck.
Six Well-KnOWn Citizens of
Milwaukee Among
the Lost.
The Scene of the Disaster-RecoVery
of Bodies-The Vessel and
Her Cargo.
FIRST REPORT.

LONDON, May o. go IL tgls Line
steamship Schiller, Capt. Thomas,
which sailed from New York, April
20, for Hamburg, by way of Ply
mouth and Cherbourg, has been
wrecked off the Scilly lsl9s. 1t is
reported that 200 have persisted.
PARTICULARS OF THE DISASTER
NEW YORK, May 9.-The following
particulars of the disaster are receiv-
ed: A heavy fog had prevented OBJ
servations on board the Schiller since
Tuesday. In consequence of the fog
the engines we're put at half speed,
and the sail was reduced at 8 o'clock,
Friday night. At 10 O'Clock the
same night the ship struck the ledge.
Capt. Thomas is highly praised for
his conduct during the terrible scenes
which followed.
FILLING THE BOATS.
Two boats were filled with men,
who refused to como out. The Cap
tain fired a revolver over their heads
to drive them out, and then fired at
them. but without effect Afterwards
the ship was washed with her broad
sides to the sea, and all on board
these boats persisted.
The tackle at the stern was rcleas-
ed coo soon, leaving the boats sus-
pended by the bows. Three boats
then got away. One, a life boat, was
so badly injured that she sunk and
eleven of the people on board were
rescued by the other boats.
The fog lifted an hour after the
steamer struck, and lights were plain
steamer was crushed by the falling
of the funnel.
FIRING SIGNALS.
Rockets and guns were fired from
the steamer IN il the powder became
wet.
The deck, which was crowded, was
swept away at 2 a. ~. The Captain
then gathered some Of the survivors
on The bridge, but all were gradually
swept away by the flood tide which
took the doctor and captain last.
The rigging which remained above
the water was crowded with the
passengers and crew all night. The
main mast fell at 1880 q. m, and be-
ing of iron sunk with all who,
CLINGING TO FRAGMENTS,
had taken refuge on it.
The foremost gave way soon after
wards. Life-boats and wreck-stuff
saved the lives of some who had drift
ed miles away. One man was secured
after being in the water ten hours.
Two boats from st. Agnes arrived a
short time before the masts fell
They were unable to approach the
steamer on account of the shoals but
picked up stragglers in the water.
THE CAPTAINS DEATH.
The passengers say Capt. Thomas
left the bridge at 3 a. m. to assist
those on deck and when he reached
the deck was swept away by heavy
sea. All concur in saying be exer-
cised the greatest care and was not
abed for five nights previous TO the
disaster.
The sea began to break over the
vessel half an hour after she struck,
and the tide rose twenty-five feet be-
fore day break. Only one woman
was saved. The survivors who land.
ed at Tresco escaped in the Schillers
iron boats.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF LIVES LOST
is 311.
The Herald correspondent succeed
ed in interviewing Mr.. Polemann, the
second officer Of the Schiller and
Henry Stern, and Mr.. Frahm, first
class passengers. From their nara
tive we gather that the voyage was
moderately good until May The
last three days it was impossible to
take observations.
The ship was out of her course
half a mile at the time Of the catas-
trophe. Capt. Thomas was on deck
night and day for four entire days.
At Z o'clock in the evening Of the 7th
there was dence fog. Tho sails
were taken in, the engines put on
half speed, and the fog bells used
Bishops Light was unseen. though
only half mile distant. At 10 o'clock
WE STRUCK ON THE REEF,
and after four bumps the steamer
settled down. There was a violent
sea and the tide was raising. The
darkness was intense. Most of the
male passengers were awake, and
there was the usual rush for the
boats, but nearly all the boats were
slowed. One boat with few sailors
left the ship, they cowardly refusing
to aid. Two boats were saved. The
captain endeavored to combe obedi-
ence by
FREEING A REVOLVER
over their heads. During two hours
six cannon shots were fired, when
the powder dampened. Distress sig
mails, rockets of blue light, were un-
answered.
Some sought refuge on the main
mast and some on the foremost. At
8 O'Clock the Captain and two officers
were on the bridge. The Captain
descended for q moment to render
assistance and was swept away.
At midnight the fog lifted in
minute revealing the lighthouse.
The waves were sweeping the decks
and carrying away the victims. At2
o'clock the deck house in which were
the women and onil1ren ives swept
away. The cries and shrieks of the
victims were heart-rending. Then
followed CHASTITY silence, and the