The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-10
THE LOST STEAMSHIP.
Six Survivors of the Inflated Champion
Brought to This City.
TALES FROM TIE WRECK.
Reused from Sleep TO Plunge Into the
Cold. Dark Waters

It was reported in yesterdays HERALD that the
English bark Petit Codiac. Captain Sleeves was
making its way to this city with four the passen
gers and two OF the Of the Inflated steamship
Champion. At O'Clock yesterday morning the
bark arrived of Sandy Hook. and toward noon was
lying along side the ship Karoon In Gowanus Bay.
Owing to Low water and the presence OF bank Of
mud underneath the bark she could not
get alongside of the dock and. instead
of landing the Champions passengers in
South Brooklyn. they were brought to this city in
the tug that towed the bark to Gowspus. The six
survivors from the sunken vessel looked down.
hearted and dsshatias as they jumped ashore
ut Coenties slip from the steamtug Hudson. Their
names and addresses Martin Broad. fruit
agent of No. Sol West Forty-eighth street; Joseph
Mitchell. reporter. OF No. 1919 Washington street:
Charles E. Garner. advertising agent of No. 10 East
Twelfth street.; his servant, J. B. Foster; and John
Thompson and Charles Ehler seamen. AL these
made haste to their respective homes.
THE CAPTAINS STORY.
Captain Sleeves, OF the bark Petit Zodiac.
found during the afternoon board Of his vessel in
Gowanus Bay. When asked rs to how he came to
take on board the passengers from tho sunken yes
sci he said:--"My vessel left the Delaware Break
water two hours after tho Lady Octavia.
When she ran into tho Champion 1 was
the wind changing time previous to the
accident threw my bark two miles to the leeward OF
the Lady Octavia's After eleven o'clock
the sky remarkably clear and we made Roadway
very fast. About seven o'clock in the morning OF
Friday, the Petit Zodiac standing of the Five
Fathom lightship. with her head bearing out to
when the watch deserted ship to the leeward of
flying dag of distress. We Immediately made for
the signal and got under the distressed vessels
Captain Kames Johnston explained that the
Champion had been down and said
he thought she IN sinking condition.
wouldn't I take some Of the sunken steamers pas
sengersr he asked. I Immediately volunteered to
take six or eight, or. if they would crowd in our
vessel. we could furnish accommodations for ten
people. They sent six Of the steamers people on
board. and we made every effort for their accommo-
dation. brought them to port. and they are now
on the way to their homes.
SERVANTS LUCKY ESCAPE.
Mr.. Charles E. Garner. Of No. 10 East Twelfth
He was going down to Charleston to establish
branch Office accompanied by his colored servant,
H S xs the TO sssa %
is entirely different negro from the por-
ter Of the Champion who carried nnda- cap,
coat. This colored servant. Foster, the only
passenger on deck at the timo Of the collision He
gave hs version OF the immediate circumstances at
tending the sinking Of the ship. It differs some.
what from Captain Lockwoods. Foster said, Il
didn't like to take my quarters in the storage.
owing TO the thineas Of the and the lack
OF air. I went down into the officers mess
Ssies stood as ths head of the table,
took It to the hurricane deck, and was seated
ter after one put the chair back and aftsrward lay
| down on the deck around the smoke stack. slept
Of s ia
sleep. but simply dozing; and was not 1t all ex-
cited for it not till afterwsrd that learned the
~ fbad and tha and
heard the cries Of persons in the steerage.
II also heard the meanings of man who was
| now that it was Paul Hand. the seaman. who was
loosening the sails. Az soon as tho vessel struck.
thing was the matter. he had the engine
stopped. But heard no bells ring. After
tavia yelled out. Back your confounded
| steamer. back her. sayf It was not until then
they were rung by the pilot. ran to the entrance
OF the cabin passengers staterooms to try to arouse
Mr.. Garner l raped on his .. door. at the same anne
underway; not to mind his shoes or anything.
did not believe it was serious. When Mr.. Garner
going down began to rattle Off the words
Good Lordr but couldn't get further. when MIR.
able OF his vaiises. / brought It on board and he
aud jumped into the water together. had in one
hand q new hat which had purchased before sail
ing aud the valise in the other. But couldn't
both. so dropped the vslise. foated around and
got hold or the WINDOW sasn upon when tne SLEW
side and there stayed until was picked up by tn.
boats crew of the Lady octavia was transferred
| to the Petit Zodiac with Mr.. Garner.
MIR. GARNERs STATEMENT
Mr.. Garner said he had made the acquaintance of
and they had proposed to him that he should join
them at cards These Mr.. Broad and Mr.. Mitch
| ell. Mr.. Marvin and sick gentleman we're also
in the ROOM al had retired about half twelve.
| said Mr.. Garner when he had concluded the stating
was Awakened about half.psst two by the shock Of
the collision: Igot up ana CROPPED around In the dark
il. and q woman running along the passageway.
Some shouted down the stairs to get out AS soon
possible. without putting ON any clothes ran on
| deck Just as was. and In the passagoway met my
| coiored servant Foster. We both went on deck
together. and some one endcavoring to get tho
boats loose. No to be found. wish you
would put extra this point of not having
axos to clear away tho tackng from the lifeboats
l jumped overheard with Foster. and carried
away from him by the suction. had taken q chair
In my hands when l first went In tho water,
but caught S,sss ans shySh %tass
| II was large enough for three. Some one grsspcd
my shoulder several times but shook OF his hold.
We hoated around tho boats crow from the Lady
Octsvia passing quite twice. and yelled at
the top of voices for them to take us board.
but they did not do 80 TIL they came third tme.
must say her officers worked nobly axter they found
that the Champion was likely to sink"
Mr.. Garner is the William Seka who IL mentioned
in the reports and he said to be lost. tdings
having been beard from Mr.. Siska whom the sur
vivors were counted.
Mr. MrrcHKLr's STRUGGLES IN THE WATER
Mr.. Joseph Mitchell. of this city. one of tho cabin
passengers of the Champion. was on his way to Co
lumba. y. O.. TO attend the State fair. He arrived
here yesterday morning. and relates his experiences
follows:'I went to bed tho night before the dis
xster ut nine O'clock and feeling uneasy. could not
sleep. About three half-past three heard .
sudden thud. but did not pay any attention to it
until heard great deal OF confusion in
tho saloon. People were running to and fro
and shouting aud screaming. As l opened
my statcroom door heard the stcwardess exciaim.
ooh, we are sinkingi' hastily dressed myself and
ran up deck aud there 10 my surprise found the
steamer all but under water. climbed up and
graspe the railing surrounding the stern OF the vcs
| SELL but just then a wave broke my hold. the vessel
sank and tho suction dragged me with IL. ON COM
| ing mp to the service seized by some Que
struggling in the water and was dragged underneath
q second time When came up again wave throw
me up against window sash TO wiich c,uhs. AZ
though bruised all over and worry nigh exhausted
While In this perous position another pas
senger, who clinging to butter tuo, was
wafted mn against the sash to which he laid hold.
For haf nm nour we we're dashed hithcr and thither