Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-07-21
THE STRANDED VIRGINIA
Statements of Survivors.

| DOArU Oh DtT, dllu TIE uItulSu' luS
Glendon reached the island at p ".
Yesterday, and in five hours had all on
board and started for Halifax. The yes
sci was much crowded, but the passen-
gers took it good naturedly, and were
| glad to reach the main land tonight
The wreck had not gone to pieces when
the Glendon left. Captain Moody and
his crew remained on the island to en-
deavor TO save property. The vessel Is
filled with water, but ii the fine weather
continues some OF the cargo may be
saved in damaged condition.
HALIFAX, July 20.-The following is
the substance of the statements OF the
passengers and crew: Lett New York
on the 10th at 10 A. NJ; all went well
until $50 p. NJ. Saturday, when the ship
was felt'to strike something; the engines
at once stopped and reversed at full
speed leads were dropped over the side
to find the depth OF the water, boat
was lowered and sounded all around
| the ship, and kedge run out astern TO
assist the engines, but of NJ use. The
passengers remained quiet, but refused
| TO 90 below. There was no hurry or
confusion of any kind. The crew start
ed to getting boats out and anchors
ready. They run out stream anchor on
| the starboard bow, and then got out the
| lower anchor and about twenty-five
| fathoms of chain. All being ready for
heaving, the stream anchor was started
pulling the cable over the side. Throw
ING the cargo overheard begun and con-
tinued until high water, when they tried
to heave the vessel off, but ii was no
use. They then got the boats ready TO
land the passengers, surf boat from
the shore having already landed one boat
load and returned for another. The
surf boat again started with load, two
more boats following it, the intention
being TO allow the surf boat TO land all
the loads, the ships boats being un-
suitable for such q shore. Proceeding
in towards the shore the men appeared
to hang back considerably before enter
ing the surf, waiting for smooth wave,
when they could be seen from
the ships boat following 10 give
wav on their oars TO land.
They no sooner began to pull than a
large roller rose just behind them and
all that could br seen from another
boat was an oar. The boat had turned
over in the space of few seconds
People could be seen struggling III the
water and one or two making an at
tempt to get on top Of the boat, which
was now bottom up. Several Of the
gentlemen passengers, looking from the
boats following, having wives and
children on the surf boats, began crying
and wringing their hands, and the
accident thus caused great excitement
and suspense on the other boats ana
some of the passengers wanted the ships
boats to pull in amongst the surf, but
were prevented. The other boats then
pulled back to the ship. All the boats
were then provisiOned and started to 90
round the island TO land on the northern
side. On proceeding the fog settled down
again and signal was given to return to
the ship, which thcydid. Everyone then
lay down to pass the night as best they
could, all more or less worn out, having
been at work since Saturday night
Monday morning the boats again left,
although the fog continue d. The west
end OF the island was safely rounded
and the boats landed, when man ar
rived and instructed them to proceed to
Middle Station, about seven miles away.
They embarked again and got to Mid
die Station safely and landed, every at
tention being paid the passengers and
crew by the Governor of the Island and
his family. Monday night at $50 num-
ber two life boat proceeded with the
purser, third officer and nine men TO
make for the main land,
Capt. Moody says that he took all the
usual precautions to avoid danger. The
steamer was running at about twelve
knots when she struck. The crew and
passengers behaved splendidly, and but
for the sad disaster TO the one surf boat
all would have been well. The passen-
gers are all well quartered at various
hotels in this city.
Lieutenant Barker, OF the United
States navy, gives an interesting account
OF the wreck, in which he says: The
first surf boat took off eleven persons,
principally women and children, and
succeeded in landing them safely. They
returned and took load, with whom
they started for the shore, but were
caught in the surf and the boat thrown
swimming to the boat and were washed
ashore, but four women and five child
rem were drowned.
Lieut.. Barker also said: On Saturday
evening We supposed we were about
% miles off Sable Island, but had not
taken any observations since Friday.
The fog was very dense, and We could
not see any light nor hear any sound
To indicate that land was near. At
eight O'Clock We meant 10 stop and take
soundings, but at 1855 We struck.
| The steamer passed right over the first
| ledge so gently that the shock was hard
| " felt, and then struck second, in
which the bow became firmly embed
ded. The engines were reversed, but
| this only served TO swing the vessels
side on TO the ledge. The working Of
| the engines were continued, however,
until the rudder post broke, after which
they were stopped. The first officer was
| in charge Of the deck when We struck.
He would have been relieved five min
utes later. After the engines were
stopped, we could hear the breakers on
! the beach, though we had not heard
| them previously. The fog Cantinued
very thick, and we could not see the
land, which was afterwards found 10 be
| about mile OFF. An anchor was got ont
TO try and warp the vessel off, but this
proved TO be of no use. Then the cat
tie, OF whom we had l07 head, were
! thrown overheard 10 tighten the
vessel so that il might have better
changed off, but We were still unable TO
DO it. Minute guns were fired and the
Governor OF the Island, with a surf
| boat and crew came 10 the beach. One
| Of our boats went towards the shore 10
let them know what had occurred, and
what chance there was 10 land, but
were unable 20 effect a landing, the surf
was so heavy. Then the people from
the shore came out To US.
When We left the steamer was fast
sinking in the sand and there is no pos
sibiity Of her getting OFF She will
break up in the first yale. Beyond the
cattle thrown overheard, some OF whom
were washed ashore, and a little flour
and cheese, the cargo remains ON board.
1t can never be saved in boats. ] DO
| not see that any blame can he attached