The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-08-04
THE LYDIAN MONARCH.
Drifting Helplessly Because of Alleged Enor-
nous Charges Demanded for Assistance.

QUEENSTOWN, Aug 8 The steamer Austrsl
which arrived here to-day from New York. re-
ports that she spoke the Monarch line steamer
Lydian Monarch, Captain Higget which left
London July 10 for New York, on Thursday last.
in latitude 4S9 north, longitude 33o in disa-
bled condition She refused assistance
Mr. Secord, os Galesburg Ill, a passenger on
the Lydian Monarch, and who boarded thu
steamship Austral, says: After leaving
London, the Lydian Monarch experienced soma
rather severe weather Everything went along
very well, however, until 6 o'clock on the even
ing OF July 25. At that time, when tha
saloon passengers were at dinner, sharp
many passengers and shaking the steamer Vie
lently, as though she had struck a rock The
chief engineer rushed to the engine room Tho
passengers hastily following There was CON
siderable excitement until it was discovered
the damage was confined altogether to tha
bursting of cylinder An efforts to
repair the damage failed as well as an attenpt
70 work 1I the low pressure engine. Notwithstand-
ing all the available canvas was set, the steamer
made very little Roadway, owing to the long
prevalence of northwest winds, and for
SIX days the Lydian Monarch drift
ed helplessly in the trough or the sea
On Thursday, the 3Ist of July the British
steamer Iowa, from Liverpool July % for Bos-
ton. was sighted; signals of distress were dis
played, and the Iowa within hailing dis
11IASS' Z uS captain OF Lu6 disabled steamer
boarded the Iowa to arrange for having that
steamer tow the Lydian Monarch into port To
the great disappointment of the Lydian
Monarchs passengers, the captain informed
Them when he returned, that the sum demand
ed by the Iowa for performing the service re-
CURED was fabulous and the Lydian Monarch
was unable even to dream of consentinp to such
towage rates. AT noon, on the same day. the
Austral hove in sight and was spoken The
captain of the Lydian Monarch and Mr.. Seacord
both boarded that vessel, but again no arrange
ment for towing the Monarch was effected Mr.
SeacOrd AYERS that he is unaware of the reasons
why no arrangement was made He decided to
remain on board the Austral When last seen
the Lydian Monarch was drifting south
Mr. Seacord expresses fear that her supply
OF provisions will not be sufficient to hold ont
until she meets with another vessel as she is far
out OF the regular track of Atlantic vessels All
attempts to disconnect the propeller failed
Mr.. Seaeord added: 1.-The captain of the
Lydian Monarch appeared averse to my coming
on visit to the Austral pointing out that the
heaVy sea then running was dangerous, but
replied that would take the risks had doubts
about the sincerity of the captains desire to be
taken in tow, so clambered over the side into a
life-boat, and, notwithstanding heavy gale was
blowing, we reached the Austral in safety
LATER. 1T is now learned that the captain Of
the Lydlan Monarch refused the assistance of
the Austral because he expected to meet his
own comEany's boats. After the explosion the
passengers arranged concerts to pass the time
MIR Seacords partner is on board the IIydian
Monarch with ten Normandy horses valued at
$z0000 1t IS feared they viii perish for lack Of
fodder.