Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-11-09
SAVED FROM > WATERY
GRAVE.
The Crew of a scotch Schooner
Calamity kescued In Mid
NsM York Herald. 9Th.


The North German Lloyd steamship |
.Rhein, Captain Neynaber, command
ing, arrived at Quarantine last even
ing, after a stormy passage from Bre-
men. She had on board FIVE weather
worn Scotch sailors who were picked
up at sea, after having experienced an
extraordinary series Of misfortunes.
These men were Captain Stevens and
the crew Of the Scotch schooner Lo
tus, hailing from Arbroath and bound
from Runkorn via Falmouth for st.
johns, N. f., with q cargo Of salt,
Captain Stevens was seen by Herald
reporter last evening on board the
Rhein, and willingly gave the parlicu
lars Of his disastrous voyage.
A DISASTROUS VOYAGE.
The Lotus, be said, left Runkorn
ION the Mersey) July p, and had
much bad weather up to September l,
when the famous hurricane Of that
date overlook her, and damaged her
so badly that il was necessary to return
TO Falmouth for repairs, She was re-
paired and furnished with a new set
OF sails, and sailed from that port on
the 9th Of October. All went well up
to the 18th, when heavy westerly
gale was encountered, which lasted As
hours, and made life precarious thing
for those on board. On the 18th 3
terrible southeast gale sprang up.
Captain Stevens tried again and again
to heave to, but the schooner refused
to obey her helm and at length he was
forced to resort to the desperate ex-
pedient Of running before the gale
He declared he never went so fast in
his lite before, though it seemed at
times as if the little craft, which only
measured 100 tons, would break in
pieces as it was forced through the
boiling waters At the emo Of this
time he felt it was necessary to make
another attempt 10 come about. This
time he succeeded, but after facing
the wind for two hours the backstay
of the foremost was carried away. All
through night which had a separate
terror for every minute, the little ven
turesome craft bore up before wind
which was steadily increasing in fury.
INA PERILoUs POSITION.
The next morning it was blowing a
hurricane, and the little schooner was
tossed to and fro like chip by the
great seas. The strain Of this pitch
ing was too much for the masts tC
stand, and at length the foremost was
broken off three feet below the deck
carrying a large piece Of the deck
with it. Ten minutes later the main
mast followed suit, and the FIVE mel
on board felt that their last chance O
life had gone with it. They were nov
on craft little better than laTg,
cask, with scarcely thread Of hop,
to sustain them. To add to thei
suferings the cooks gallery, with al
their provisions, was swept away, ant
, they had the greatest difficulty in get
ting a morsel to eat or a draught o
! fresh water.
Q A GALLANT RESCUE,
For four days without intermissio
= the storm continued with scarcel
\ any abatement Of the fury. Waite
5 was gaining in the hold. There wa
e not spar on board to use in case Q
: lighter weather, and the men were a
] nearly hopeless as men could b.
7 Suddenly a steamer was deserted "a
J to the eastward, and the crew expert
enced the usual mingling Of hope an
fear lest their signals should not b
u seen, or if seen not answered. Luckil
for them they fell in with
captain whose humanity and hos
pitality are proverbial. As soon a
IS Captain Neynaber learned Of thei
, discovery he ordered the steamer
= bear down to the distressed vessel.
II was too rough to order men to row
is boat, but the FIRST officer Of the Rheil
'r Mr.. IL. Winter, with a crew O. volur
d teers, went TO their rescue in q Iii
ls boat. The crew Of the Lotus wei
u transferred to the Rhein with niue
difficulty and danger, the passenge
on board the steamer watching Il
operation and cheering on the bol
rescuers in their good work. Con
Portable quarters, dry clothing, al
ID hot meats and drink we're furnisht
the rescued men, who were utter
worn out.
d. Captain Stevens spoke in the warn
t: est terms OF the kindness extended
rs his men by the Captain and officers
m the Rhein, and the passengers e.
~ pressed their feelings in an enthus
OF astic testimonial, which was signed
he all in the cabin, and which common
~ ed the gallant conduct of 0ihcerWi
he ter and his volunteers.
r The Lotus was built in 1872. 81
he was owned by MesSrs Siberwright
ne Sons, of Arbroath. Her value is u
eT known by the Captain, who states tn
r. the weasel and cargo were partially
IN sured. She was pretty small cri
k. to face the November gales Of t
be North Atlantic.