The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-03-12
oRTLAND, MONDAY MORNING. MARCH 1a. 1883
IN DISTRESS.
Steamer City of Chester Breaks
Her Shaft,
Failure Of an Attempt to Tow Her Into
Halifax.

NEW YORK, March 10.-Capt. Franzen, of
the steamer Suevia, which arrived at quaran-
tine last evening, reports: "On Tuesday,
March 9th, at 2.30 a. M, we saw rockets fred
IN southwest direction about six miles dis
tant. We Immediately steered in that direc-
tion, answered the signals with blue lights,
and got our boats ready. The weather was
squally, the wind was from the west-north-
west, and it was showing at times. The steam
er proved to be the City of Chester, of the In
man Line, which had her shaft broken in the
stern box. We were asked if we would tow
her to Halifax, but believing that with favor
able wind and weather we might be able to
tow her to New York, the City of Chester con-
sented to our proposal A steel hawser was
brought to us, and we gave the City of Ches-
ter ours, which, however her boat did not
succeeding in hauling clear for some time. At
$50 a. m. the signal to go ahead came from
the City of Chester and we then proceeded on
our course. As the weather moderated we
asked II she had passengers on board, and Of
fered to transfer them to the Suevia, which
was declined with thanks. We had hoped to
be able to run eight or ten knots with the dis
aDled steamer in tow, but found that after
getting up full steam we were making only six
and one-quarter knots. For this reason we
signaled at $40 p m. Halifax and after we
received reply to our signal changed our
course for Halifax. AT sunset the wind mod
Grated and changed to southeast and then in
creased, causing the sea to run heavily The
Clty OF Cnester now Ste6red SO badly that we
could see her broadsde at times. On Wednes-
day, the 7th inst, about a. M, it was blow
ing gale, accompanied by rain, and the sea
was running very high. AT 6.35 a. M, both
hawse,s broke and the City of Chester hove to
in estimated latitude 42.S north, longitude
61.2S west We then ran as close to her as
possible, and informed her that we had to pro-
ceed on our voyage, not having sufficient coal
on board TO remain by her for an uncertain
time, possibly until favorable weather set in.
We therefore proceeded at Z 35 a. M, after
having been detained altogether twenty.nine
hours in assisting the disabled vessel.
The following passengers are on board the
City of Chester: Capt VIM. Anderson, Mr.
Alfred Armitage, Mrs. A. Arthur, Mr.. j. B.
Best, Miss Nelly Bourne, Rev. Brother Bene-
dict, Miss Kate Foster, Mr.. John T. Fry,
Mrs. Gordon, Mr. j. Heron, Mr.. A. G. E. S.
Hill, Mr.. III. Holderness, Mr.. NJ. McHugh,
Mr.. Ambrose Lee, Mrs. Lee and maid, Master
Brosie Lee, Master Alfred Lee, Mr.. s. Trice
Martin, Mr.. c. e. Mawdsley, Very Rev.
Canon Moynihan, Mr.. Frederick Nelson Mr..
james L. Oliver, Capt. A. H. Renton Mr.
]. M. Stuart Mr.. r. Meg. Thompson, DR..
John e. Usher, Mr.. Fl. Walker.
HALIFAX, March 11.-Steamers Sarmatian
from Liverpool and the Newfoundland from
st. Johns, N. F., have arrived. They report
having seen nothing of the disabled steamer
City of Chester. Thea Newfoundland passed
through large quantity of ice, breaking off
the ends of her propeller blades.