The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1875-05-19

IoxDoN Nav 9-The following
additional particulars Of he disastei
have been received: A heavy FOE
prevented observations on board the
Schiller since Tuesday. Ia conse-
ouence Of the fog the engines were
nat AT half speed aud sail was re-
5nced at 9 o'clock Friday night At
G0 o'clock the same night the ship
strnek the ledge. A great panic pre-
vailed Captain Thomas is highly
PRAISED for his conduct during the
terrible scenes which followed. Two
boats were flled with men, who eel
fused 10 come out. The Captain fired
his revolver over their heads 20 drive
them cut. and then fred at them.
lut without effect. Afterwards the
shin was washed, with the broadside
TO the sea, and all on board these
boats persisted
The tackle at the stern "a releas-
ed TOO soon, leaving tie boats sus-
pended by the bows. Three boats
then got away. One Of them, a lie
boat. was so badly injured that she
sank, and eleven Of the people on
board were rescued by the other
boats. The fog lifted az hour after
the steamer struck, and the lights
were plainly visible.
Two Of the boats on the steamer
were crashed by the falling Of the
funnel. Rockets and guns were
fred from the steamer until the pow
der became wet. The deck-house,
crowded with people, was swept
away at , s. NJ. The Captain gath
cred some Of he survivors on The
bridge; all were gradually swept
away by the hoodtide, which took
the Doctor and Captain last. The
rigging which remained above water
was crowded with passengers and
crew all night. The mainmast fell
a. 1880 A. NJ, and, being Of iron,
sunk with ali who had taken refuge
on it. The foremost gave way soon
a~fterward. Lifc-belts and wreck
stuff saved the lives Of some, who
drifted miles away. One man was
rescued 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 strugglars in the sea.
Passengers say Captain Thomas
left the bridge 20 8 A. II. to assist
these on the deck, and when be
reached the deck was swept away by
@ heavy sea. All concur in saving
that be exercised the greatest care,
and was not abed for five nights pre-
yicus to the disaster. The sea be-
gan to break over the vessel half an
hour after she struck, and the tide
rose twenty-five feet before daybreak.
Only one woman was saved. The
survivors landed at Trescow escaped
in the Schiller's own boat.
All day long details Of the Schiller
disaster have been coming il. IN
fortunately no nor persons are re-
ported to be saved. Bodies are con-
stantly being picked up. Among the
recovered are those of George Leon
hardt, Carl schmidt, Mrs. Reiderer
and child, Mrs. Becker, Mrs. Ridg-
way, Mrs. Herman West, and Eve
men, five women and two children
Altogether t%wenty-four bodies have
been found. The total number Of
lives lost is 81.
MI. Paleman, the second officer OF
the Schiller, Henry Stern and Mr..
Frahm, frst-cIass passengers, have
been interviewed. From their nara
lives we gather that the voyage was
moderately good until May 4th. The
last three days il was impossible to
take observations. The ship was
out Of her course half a mile az 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 18th there was a
dense fog. The sails were taken in,
the engines put on half speed and
the fog-bell used. Bishops light was
unseen, though only hall a mile dis
tant. Alto O'Clock we struck on
the reef, and after four pumps the
steamer settled down. There was q
violent sea and the tide was rising.
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 STAYED.
One boat, with a few sailors, left the
ship, cowardiy refusing others. Two.
boats were saved. The Captain en-
deavored to compel obedience by
firing a revolver over their heads.
During two hours six cannon shots
were fred, when the powder damp
ened. Distress signals, rockets and
blue lights were unanswered. At.
midnight the fog lifted in a minute,
revealing the lighthouse, the waves
sweeping the decks and carrying
away the victims. At . O'Clock the
deck house, in which were the women
and children, was swept away. The
cries and shrieks Of the victims were
h~ear.reading. Then followed a
easily silence. The smokc-stack fell,
crushing some Of the boats, and two.
others were carried away. The re-
remainder followed the Captain TO
the forward bridge. Each succeed
ing wave took fresh victims. Some
persons sought refuge on the main
mast and some on the foremost At
three O'Clock the Captain and two
other officers were on the bridge.
The Captain descended for a moment
10 render assistance aud was swept
away. Thus persisted a brave man.
Mr.. Stern.
At this time about ten persons
were clinging to the rigging of the
mainmast and thirty the foremast.
The ship had careeued, her wards
touching the water, and the TIDE was
rising. At 5 o'clock the fog lifted.
The survivors shouted, but their
cries were unarailing. At O'Clock
the mainmast, and at quarter TO s.
the foremost, both Of iron, fell. Then
two Of the ST. Agnes boats came and
rescued the few who had managed to
keep aaoat. 1t was reported YES
teruay that there were 100 women
on board The survivors were taken
to-day frcm Penzance to Plymouth.