The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-27
TOILERs OF THE SEA.

A TALE OF SUFFERING TOLD BY THE CREW OF
THE SWEDISH BARK svEA-CoMPELLED TO
ABANDON HER-oTHER DISASTERS REPORTED.
Old sailors say they have never known such q
series of marine disasters that OF the present
month and what most astopishes them is the fact
that nearly all the wrecks and mshaps Of late have
been in open sea, far from any reef shore. and
that the serious injuries have been inflicted by
the mere force Of wind and waves. The passengers
on the American line steamer Switzerland. which
arrived on Tuesday. report the toughest kind of
weather since they left Liverpool. Night and day
her decks were swept by the sea. and 1t was
only by good management tho trip was made with
out accident. Tho State line steamer State Of Ala
bama arrived yesterday morning. bringing seven
shipwrecked sailors. picked up at sea the 22d
inst They were poorly clad and presented every
appearance OF having had hard time. A HERALD
reporter learned their story from Captain j. p.
Johansen.
"My vessel the bark Svea. of Gutenberg.
Sweden. he said. ''She is owned by Mr.. q. Hhasso.
of that city, and was sent to this country . short
time ago in the trading business. On November Is
sailed from Boston for Antwerp with cargo OF
palm oil, worth $4,000. had crew of seven men.
including the mate We started from Boston in
fair weather. with the wind in our favor and
encountered regular squat. and the
became very ugly. The weather from that
time forward of the worst Sort Some
times it would grow quite calm for 3 few
hours, aud then, without the slightest warning,
squall would strike the Svea and almost keel her
ovor. In such times constant watching wears the
men out, and the Goth inst the condition Of the
sea rendered the vessel almost unmanaeea0le. The
wind was blowing from the southwest. and the
water was breaking over us in torrents. We kept
the Svea's head to the wind aud could do nothing
but hold on to the buwarks to keep from being
washed overheard. But Notwithstanding all
caution NJ Larson. one Of tho sailors. swept
into tho sea. 1t impossible to help him, for had
we attempted to turn the side Of the ship to the
wind We would have capsized in an instant.
BowsPRIr GONE AND MAST BROKEN.
GAIL that morning we Kept strict lookout but the
fury of the gale increased, and toward noon the
wind began to veer from southeast to northeast
The sea became OF foam and the Svea
lurchod heavily. AL at once mountain of water
struck us, and when recovered from the shock
the bowsprit and jibboom gone and portion
of the forecastle had been carried away The urch-
Ing OF the vessel the force of the waves seemed
to lie slowly tearing the timbers Of the svea apart
The foremost began to shake and reel. On examine
ton it proved to be broken; and knew itwoud not
to cut it down. but the men were not able to get
near the mast on account of the sea. Several times
which they saved themselves. Finally, after hard
struggle for footing. the mast cut away
and, becoming entangied with the rigging.
weighed the vessel down one side. while the
wind and sea beat against the other. The galley
and forecase carried away and portions Of the
decks were gone. ordered the men to begin work
homes again. You ought to have them ut work!
In short time the Svea was clear. but there was
several feet Of water in the hold. The pumps were
rugged and worked in relays. That night some of
us had little sleep In the cabin. In the morning it
was discovered that the provisions were washed
overheard except some bread aud few pounds Of
butter. the bread being soaking wet. found that
during the evening both my hands and arms were
strange to saw. did not know they were broken.
and my excitement and anxiety were great that
the pain did not deter me from working with the
men.
SLOWLY SINKING.
''The vessel slowly sinking, and the pumps
were worked almost franticalIy. The was just
as heavy the day before and there was not the
slightest circumstance to build hope upon. But
we rugged small jurymast to keep our head to the
wind. In the expectation that some passing vessel
would pick up. AS night came on and 1t grow
dark the men gave up an nope ana t 70 quit
and encouraged them as much as possible. although
my heart began to sink. We did not sleep much.
although were all in fainting condition. The
rushed in rapidly Toward daybreak think must
fire, and have recollection Of yelling to my men
in order to territy them into keeping at the pumps
came very weak and could hardly stand. The
also began to grow crazy. Their eyes stared wildly
manfuiiy and worked away to keep tine water from
gaining hesdway in the hold.
Eat eleven O'Clock the morning of the 22d inst.
Just Is was about tell the to prepare for the
water, u vessel sighted This seemed TO give US
strength. for never felt better In my life. As
as it came close enough could see the vessel q
steamer. She stored around US several times and
seemed to be afraid OF approaching. as the was
very ugly. then hoisted flag, with the namo Of
the ship that they could report us. II they did not
pick us up. Finally the steamer, which proved to
be the State of Alabama put out lifebost. It was
unable to get close to the svea aud jumped over
board and were picked up one by one. As soon rs
we got board the steamer they went to haul the
boat on board but it was shattered in fragments and
sunk with all effects. lost two gold watches.
the ships papers and all the clothes had. When
could not talk nationally for time. We all
kindly treated board the steamer and the passen
gers raised small subscription to provide US with
clothing, as We had lost everything"
BOTTOM UPWARD.
The officers of the State Of Alabama state that tho
crew wero picked up in latitude Al deg. ~ min..
rugged ship. floating bottom upward in latitude Al
deg 0s min, longitude 60 deg. 80 min. The name
could not be discovered nor any other indication Of
the vessels identity. About an hour afterward o
which q number of petroleum oil barrels. bear
ing the trade mark of the Standard Oil Company.
This wreck is floating in the direct track Of ocean
as 1t is almost on level with the surface of the
water.
mail steamer Bellona has boon driven ashore
Lake st. Peter. The Bellona n voyage from
Montreal to Quebec when tho accident happened.
The steamer Albert. from Pictou. N. s.. is reported
as having been wrecked tho Magdalen Islands
during n hurricane. Tho passengers and crew
safe.
night of the oath inst of College Point. Long Island
is said to be tho Maggie Mcdonald. No traces have
been found OF the vessel which she sunk
MIR. Flack the chief officer OF the Norwegian bark
Maria. received cable message from Southampton
from Captain Olsen. who ATTEMPTED take