Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-05-20
The Loss Of the Steamer Schiller.

The Loss Of the Steamer Schiller.
NEW YORK, May S.
THE Eagle line steamship Schiller,
Capt. Thomas, which sailed from New
York April % fer Hamburg, by way of
Plymouth and Cherbourg, has been
wrecked off the Scilly Isles. The steam
er sailed from here with 149 cabin pas
sengers.
The Sicily Islands, group Of about
40 islets and rocks, lie off the south
west coast of England, about thirty
miles from Lands End, and in lat
itude so north, longitude west of
Greenwich. The larger of the group
are St. Mary's, Tresco, St. Martins,
Brechar, ST. Agnes and Sampson. The
aggregate area is 5, no acres. The islands
rise abruptly from deep sea, in q linn
tied circumference Of thirty miles, and
consist for the most part of solid, unin-
babitable granite. In few places the
soil is sufficiently fertile to enable the
few people who attempt existence there
to raise small crops of rye, oats, barley,
etc. The chief means of subsistence,
however, are fishing and the manufacture
of kelp.
The location has always been danger
Gus one for shipping, and many horrible
wrecks have taken place in the vicinity.
A large lighthouse rests on the little
Island st. Agnes, but has often proved
an inefficient protection. One of the
noted disasters which have been caused
by these islands was the sinking Of three
line-of-battle ships, under Sir Cloudesley
Shovel on the 22d of October, 1907.
LONDON, May 9.
The following additional particulars
Of the disaster have been received:
A heavy fog prevented observations on
board the Schiller since Tuesday. In
consequence of the fog the engines were
put at half speed and sail reduced at
nine o'clock Friday night At ten 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 filed with men, who refused
to come out. The Captain fired his re-
vOlver over their heads to drive them
out, and then fired at them, but without
effect. Afterward the ship was washed
with her broadside to the sea, and all on
board these boats persisted. The tackle
at the stern was released too soon, leav-
ing the boats suspended 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 other boats.
The fog lifted an hour after the steam
er struck, and the lights were plainly
visible Two of the boats on the steamer
were crushed by the falling of the fun
mel Rockets and guns were fired from
the steamer until the powder became
wet.
The deck, which was crowded with
people, was swept away at two a. M
The Captain gathered some of the sur
vivors on the bridge. All were gradu-
ally swept away by the flood tide, which
took the doctor and Captain last.
The rigging which remained above
WATERWAYS crowded with passengers and
crew all night. The mainmast fell at
$50 a. m, and, being of iron, sunk with
all who had taken refuge on it. The
foremost gave way soon afterward.
The lifeboats and wreck stuff saved
the lives of some who drifted miles AWAY.
One man was rescued after being in the
var ten hours.
Two boats rom ST Agnes arrived
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 passengers say Capt. Thomas left
the bridge at three a. m. to assist those
on deck, and when he reached the deck
was swept away by heavy sea. All
concur in saying that he exercised the