New-York tribune., 1878-11-27
DETAILS OF THE DISASTER.
Tue PoMMERANIA SUNK IN ABOUT TWENTY MIN
UTgs-THE GLENGARRY FORTUNATELY AT HAM

TIE PoMMERANIA SUNK IN ABOUT TWENTY MIN
UTEs-THE GLENGARBY FORTUNATELY AT HAND
HEROIC CONDUCT OF THE CAPTAIN.
LONDON, Tuesday, Nov. 90, 1878.
The Hamburg American Line steamer Pommera-
MIA Captain Schwensen, winch sailed from New
York on the 14th inst. for Hamburg, and arrived at
Plymouth at midnight on the oath inst, came IN
collision last night about midnight, during iog
about eight miles southwest of Folkestone, with
the Welsh bark Noel Eilian of Carnarvon, from
Rotterdam for Cardiff in ballast The Pommeranla
at that time was on herw way from Plymouth to Ham,
burg. The steamship foundered in about twenty
minutes.
One hundred and seventy-two of her passengers
and crew were saved by the iron screw steamer
Glengarry, of MiddlesbOrough, which came to her
rescue, and were landed at Dover. 1t Is estimated
that 90 persons were lost.
Late particulars of the disaster show that at the
time of the collision tho Pommerania was near
Dungeness Point, about three miles from shore.
She was struck on the starboard side, abaft the
funnel causing large aperture, and sank In less
than twenty minutes. Distress signals were given,
and responded to by the steamer Glengarry pro-
ceeding down the Channel, which made all speed
toward the scene of disaster. There were elght
boats on the Pommerania, two OF when were
crushed in the collision. Five were got of together;
but one, being overcrowded with passengers, was
sunk. Ali the boats pulled away from the doomed
ship, leaving the captain who refused to quit the
shin until the last moment. The last boat to leave
was under the chief officer. who did all in his power
to persuade the captain to leave the ship.
After pulling for half an hour the survivors were
picked up by the Glcngarry. One gentleman was
taken from the water in an drowning state and
restored to consciousness. The Glengarry stayed
near the scene til daybrcak, when the Pommeranla
was seen with her masts above water. Ibe Olen-
garry then proceeded to Dover with those saved,
and landed them at o'clock, when they were
taken to the Sailors Home, treated with every kind
ness and breakfasted.
The story told by the Survivors tends to show that
the greatest possible order under the circumstances
was maintained by tho officers and male portion of
tho crew. The various accounts of the survivors
concur In praising Captain Schwensen and his
officers; but represent that the crew only added to
the confusion by the unintelligible Low German
which they spoke and their determination to save
themselves. Captain Schwensen. to quell the ex-
citement, told the passengers the vessel was
aground.
The agents of the Hamburg American Steamship
Company, at London, say that forty-seven passen-
gers of the Pommerania were to have landed at
Plymouth and Cherbourg, leaving 104 on board.
Four second and one third class passengers en-
barked at Plymouth, making the total number of
passengers on beard when the disaster occurred
100. provided forty-seven had landed as intended
Only five of the frst-class passengers saved are
at Dover. These are Miss Mary Cymer and Miss
Rose n Clymer of Philadelphia, Alfred Faber, of
New-York, Mrs. S. Ohrnstiel, of New-York, and
Mrs. c. P0ppenhusen OF Hamburg. Ihese are at
the Lord Warden Hotel.
A telegram from Dover says the following are the
first-cass passengers who were landed ut Cher
bourg and are safe: T.. A. Ward and family Mrs.
Rufus King T.. Arnstein and family, l.. r. Schwartz,
Mrs Clementine S. dc Friere and family
Tho London, Chatham and Dover Railway
brought free TO London this afternoon lO9 OF the
Pommeranias survivors. sixty.fiye being seamen
and the others second and third-class passengers.
There were no tirst-cass passengers and no women
among them. They will be forwarded to Germany.
The Central News Association says IL is believed
that Captain Schwensen and his wife perished.
eral other Young children.