The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1875-05-22
LOST AT SEA.
Wreck of the Ocean Steamship
Schiller.
Over Three Hundred Lives
Lost.

Cable dispatches of the 9Th inst. give
particulars of the loss of the Eagle
Line steamship Schiller, which left
New York on the 29th ult, for Ham
burg. The Schiller had 379 persons on
board. The following from the dis
patches received give full particu-
lars of the terrible disaster The
steamer left New York on April
2S, and heavy fogs had prevailed
for some days, preventing observa-
tions. The vessel neared the Sicily
Islands on Friday night, the 18th
inst. These islands are oft the south
west coast of England, County OF
Cornwall, thirty miles from Land's
End. They consist of some 40 small
islands and rocks, the largest of which
are st. Mary's, Tresco, st. Martin s,
Breechar, st. Agnes, and Sampson, and
contain In the aggregate an area of only
about $40 acres, with population not
far from 5000. The islands rise
abruptly from the deep sea, and are
about thirty miles in circumference.
Although they contain several good
harbors, they are dangerous to vessels,
and numerous fatal shipwrecks have oc-
CURED upon them, among which were
three line of battle ships, which were
totally lost SO long ago as i707.
In conses uence of the fog the engines
We're put at half speed. and the sail was
reduced at g o'clock, Friday night. AT
10 O'Clock the same night the ship struck
the ledge. Great panic prevailed.
Capt. Thomas is highly praised for his
conduct during the terrible scenes
which followed.
Two boats were filled with men, who
refused to come out. The Captain fred
a revolver over their heads TO drive them
out, and then fired at them, but without
effect. Afterwards the ship was washed
with her broadsides to the sea, and all
on board these boats persisted.
The tackle at the stern was released
too soon, leaving the boats suspended
by the bows. Three boats then got
away. One, 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 steam.
er struck, and lights were plainly visi
bic. Two of the boats on the steamer
were crushed by the falling of the fun
mel.
Rockets and guns were fred from the
steamer until the powder became wet
The deck, which was crowded, was
swept away at 2 A. NJ. The captain then
gathered some of the survivors on the
bridge, but all We're gradually swept
away by the flood tide which took the
captain and doctor last.
The rigging which remained above
the water was crowded with the passen
gers and crew all night. The mainmast
fell at 7 30 A. NJ, and being 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 drifteC
miles away, One man was secured aftel
being III the water ten hours. Tive
boats from st. Agnes arrived shor
time before the masts fell. They wer,
unable to approach the steamer on &C
count Of the shoals, but picked up strag
glers III the water.
The passengers say Captain Thoma.
left the bridge ab \. NJ. TO assist those
on the deck, and when he reached til,
deck, was swept away by a heavy sea
All concur in saying that he exercised
the greatest care, and was not abed fol
five nights previous to the disaster.
The sea began to break over the yes
sci half an hour after she struck, ant
the tide rose twenty-five feet befor,
daybreak. Only one woman was saved
The survivors who landed at Tresct
escaped III the Schiller's iron boats
The following is list of passenger
and crew of the Inflated steamer
Commander-John G.. Thomas.
Chief Officer-H Fl. Hillens.
Second Officer-E. Paleman.
Third Officer-G Freeze.
Fourth Of1icer-R. Hentze.
Chief Engineer-L. Fahrig.
Second Engineer-F. Conrad.
Third Eugineer-H Roonne.
Fourth Engineer. Kuudel.
Physician-Dr. A. Ball.
Purser E. Schmttan
Chief Steward-C. RutfOrken
Second Steward-A. Felsknow.
The crew consisted of about 100 men
The passengers in all numbered
Cabin. l49: Storage, 100 adults, 1t
children and infants.
PASSENGERS.
Tho following &c tbe full liCt Of 90 III,