Connecticut western news., 1878-06-06

Clad KoeniR Wilhelm sinks the Grosser
 hurfuerst. ~r~ e'@ s~~'47-
 A dreadful disaster occurred in the English channel, resulting in the sink ing of the German man-ofwar Grosser Kurfuerst and the loss of many lives. The German iron clads Koenig Wilhelm, Rear Admiral Batsch, the Preussen and the Grosser Kurfuerst, Captain Batoch, sailed from Wilhelmshaven. These ships were the pioneers of the German fleet intended for the Eastern Mediterra- mean, and were to have touched at Ports mouth, e,a route to Gibraltar, where they were to wait final orders.
 These vessels were sighted from Do- yer cliffs steaming slowly down the Eng l fish channel. They were all magnificent specimens of naval architecture. The stately majesty of the flagship, Koenig Wilhelm, broadside frigate, pierced for twenty-six heavy guns, contrasted with the Grosser Kurfuerst and the Preussen, both low-lying double turret, full rigged ships. The latter were fine samples of the modern iron-clad. The vessels came within five miles of the shore.
 At about half past ten o'clock bark, which was sailing up the channel, on an of-shore tack, made it necessary for the Grosser Kurfuerst to starboard her helm in order to keep out of the vessels way. The rule of the road at sea commands that all steamers shall yield the right of way to sailing craft. Owing to a mis- take in the order, or some inattention on the part of the flagship, the Koenig Will helm almost the next moment went crash ing into the Kurfuerst, striking her just back of the foremast.
 The Dresser Kurfuerst turned over on her side and sank almost immediately. Eye witnesses of the disaster say that the Preussen did not lower any boats, and that nobody WAS visible in the water half an hour after the Grosser Kurfuerst foundered However this may be the disaster was seen from the shore and from the Boulogne mail packet and many boats hastened to render aid. Other re- ports assert Cwhat is most natural and credible) that boats were lowered both from the Koenig Wilhelm and the Preus- sen, and made every effort within the power of man to save the men strug- gling in the water. Boats were sent out from the Folkestone Life Saving Station but arrived too late to be of service, and several steamers ran down from Dover. The most detailed account of the disas- ter was furnished by the captain of one of the fishing boats that hurried to the scene of the accident. His statement is as follows:
 My boat, with other fishing vessels, was returning to Folkestone when we noticed three iron-clads coming down A bark was fetching off shore. The Grosser Kurfurst starboarded her helm to clear the bark. The Konig Wilhelm went hard aport and struck the Grosse1 Kurfurst forward of her mizzenmast. The Kurfurst went over on her broadside anC sank in five minutes. She went dow1 in fifteen fathoms. All hands jumped overheard. ~
 Our boats reached the spot directly
 afterward and rescued twenty-seven men including three officers. The other boats
 rescued many of the crew, all of whom
 were transferred to the Konig Wilhelm
 Captain Batoch, of the Grosser Kurfurst
 went down with his ship. The boilers
 did not explode, but the escaping stean must have scalded many persons in the
 water. The Konig Wilhelm had hel
 bows stove, but the leak was stopped with hammocks. The collision was un
 doubtedly caused by the Konig Wilhelm
 porting her helm too suddenly.
 Eye witnesses state that the Grossel . Kurfurst had starboarded her helm, in r tending to cross the bows of a merchant man, and the Kenig Wilhelm ported apparently to pass the stern of the same vessel The Grosser Kurfurst having somewhat lost speed in turning, the. thus met. The Admiral states that thu Grosser Kurfurst sank quicker than thu officers of the vessel deemed possible. I An interesting statement is made b,
 Dr. Ruppaner, of New York. Dr. Rup 7 paner witnessed the accident between the two non-clads as he was crossing th
 Channel on board the mail steamer Al : bert Edward, bound from Folkestone t. : Boulogne. He says that when he sa7 F the iron-clads together the sea wa smooth, 8 light breeze blowing. The da;
 was clear and entirely free from mist The sun was shining brightly at the tim and sails could be seen miles away. At twenty minutes past ten, while al : the passengers on the Albert Edwar were watching the three magnificent iro ? vessels from the deck, one of the vessel { tilted over, and 1n minute or two dis : appeared into the sea, sending into tn air tremendous waterspout, whic l gradually subsided.