Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-05-10
ANDRIA, VIRGINIA.
-. MONDAY, MAY 10.
The Loss ofthe Schiller.

telegraph, of the awful disaster to the steam
shin Schiller, of the New York and Hamburg
line. which left New York on the 18th OF
April, with two hundred and sixty-six passen-
gers on board The disaster occurred about
one o'clock Friday night, during toy, on one
of the lodges which project from the Scllly Is
lands, on the southwest coast of England. Two
boats were launched by the pauic-strlcken men
and Immediately swamped. The ship soon
,urued broadside upon the rocks, the heavy sea
sweeping over her, and men, women and child
rem were drowned. Captain Thomas stood by
his vessel to the last and persisted. Ii Is
difficult to determine from the dispatches the
number of persons saved from the wreck Que
dispatch states that forty three have arrived at
Pepz ,nce, on the Cornish coast. To these must
be added two boat loads of survivors who were
landed On the islands, But even if the saved
amount to one hundred, there would be over
three hundred of the passengers and crew still
uqaccouuted for. |, is reported that only one
female was saved. The ScilIy Islands consist
of about one hundred aud forty sle,s and rocks
They rise abruptly from the sea, thirty miles
west southwest of Lands Eud aud form q
compact group thirty miles in circumference.
There are several dangerous lodges and many
ship wrecks have occurred upon them.
MIR. Palemau, the second officer of the Schll-
Ter, Henry Stern aud Mr.. Frahm. trst-claSS
passengers, state that the voyage was mode
rately good until May 4th. The last three days
it was impossible to take observations. The
ship was out of her course half mile at the
time of the catastrophe. Captain Thomas was
ou deck night aud day for four entire days. At
seven o'clock 10 the evening Of the It'll there
was dense fog. The sails were taken in, the
engine put on half speed and tho fog bell used.
Bishops light was unseen, though only halt
mile distant. At 10 O clock the steamer struck
% the reef, and after four bumps settled down.
There was violent sea and the tide was rising.
The darkness was intense. Most OF the male
passengers were awake, aud there was the
usual rush for boats, but nearly all the boats
we're STAYED. One boat, with few sailors, lett
the ship cowardly refusing others Two boats
we're saved. THO captain endeavured to com
pei obedience by 6riug revolver over their
heads. During TWO hours six cannon shots
we're fred, when the powder daDpened. Dis
tress signals, rockets aud blue lights we're un-
answered At midnight the fog lifted MIN
ute, revealing the ligh. houSe, the waves sweep
ing the decks AUD carrying away the victims.
AT O clock the deck house, 10 which were the
women and children, was swept away. The cries
and shrieks of the victims were heartrendlng
Then followed CHASTITY silence. The smoke
stack fell, crushing some Of the boats, and two
others were carried away. The remainder fol-
lowed the Captain to the forward bridge. Each
succeeding wave took fresh victims. Some
persons sought refuge on the malnmast aud
some on the foremost. At three o'clock the
Captain aud two other officers were on the
bridge. The Captain descended for moment
to render assistance and was swept away AT
this time about ten persons we're cnglDg to
the riging of the uainuast and thirty to that
of the foremost The ship had careened, her
yards touching the water, and the tide was
rising AT o'clock the fog lifted. The survi-
vors shouted, but their cries we're uoavalllng.
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 maDagsd to keep ahoat. 1t was re-
ported yesterday that there l03 women on
board. The survivors were taken from Pen
zauce to Plymouth, whence they will be sent
forward to Hamburg, where the greatest ex-
element prevails. 1t is asserted that lite saw
log belts were issued to the women. 1t is GER
tain that most of the passengers found Done.
An order was given that the first boat should
t,ke the women and children. This boat cap.
zed. POLICEMAN says seven boats were launch
ed and Only TWO lived The others wee stow
ed aod swamped Immediately. The cries for
help lasted until three clock. The last voice
heard was that of little child in the cabio. 1t
is not probable the boats could have lived even
IF thew had been successfully filled The whole
number saved is forty four.