The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-04-07
INCIDENTS OF THE DISASTER.
The Wearisome Vigil of Captain SchOon-
hOven and His Communion.

HALIFAX, April 6-The three surviving pas
sengers of the Daniel Steinmann are now in
the city, and state that the vessel struck but
slightly at first. The captain then summoned
all on deck, and directed them to prepare to en-
ter the boats if such course should be neces-
sary. One boat was launched and all made a
rush for it, though good discipline was main
tanned among the ships crew. The boat was
we'll filed and attached to the steamer by a rope
When some of those on board were about
cutting the line, the steamer suddenly sank,
dragging the boat down with it. The
boat turned over and over, and every person in
it was thrown out and drowned. When the
stern of the vessel sank the cries and screams of
the women and children were heart-rending for
a few minutes Capt. Schoonhoven made his
way up the fore-rigging Two men caught the
rigging of the mainmast and endeavorod to
climb along the stay between the heads of the
two masts. In this perilous passage one lost his
grasp and was washed away; the other
John Neidermann, succeeued in reaching
the fore-rigging by a desperate effort
in the course of which his legs were seized by
some one drowning. Above him, on the mast
one of the wire Uplifts of the foretop gallant
yard was broken, and this gave play to the yard,
which worked back and forth and threatened to
tear out the mast The mast quivered and
cracked alarmingly. The captain, fearing he
would be obliged to abandon his dangerous posi-
ton and betake himself to the water pulled off
his boots The two unfortunates from time to
time, cried out together for help, but
the roar of the wind and waters
drowned their feeble voices, so that even
if assistance had been at hand, it is doubtful if
they could have been heard. They were doomed
to painfully watch the passing minutes and
hours throughout the night till daybreak Dur
ing this dismal watch they could feel the vessel
drifting nearer and nearer to Sambro island.
To add to the horror of the situation, they saw
blue lights burning on shore and signals to guide
boats to safety, while conscious that they were
beyond assistance or relief Soon after daylight
a boat put out from cove, manned by five men,
who approached them. The captain was by
that time so benumbed thathis companion had to
use force to disengage him from the spar and
assist him into the boat. He then followed.
Among the curious incidents connected with
the escape of the seven persons landed in the
boat during the night one of the most thrilling
was that of an Italian He having grasped
the boat just after she left the
him in, because number of drowing
persons had seized his legs and body, and it was
certain the boat could not take them without
swamping, as she was all ready half full of
shook off those holding him. He soon reappeared
at the surface and again caught the boat He
was then taken ON board but was so exhausted
that for time he was helpless.
Another singular escape was that of Nickolai,
lad of nineteen years. He jumped from the
bridge falling into the boat on his head. He
sustained no injury, except having one leg
bruised.
The yougest person on board, so far as known,
was an infant three months old. Among those
drowned was young couple, married just be-
fore the Steinmann sailed, and who had expe-
rienced only eighteen days of welded life. Sew
eral large families perished altogether One
was a Swiss family, father, mother and eight
children. Another was family from Holland,
about the same size.
The water was comparatively smooth to-day,
and the work of recovering bodies was begun.
Eleven have been recovered so far.