St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1884-05-15

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fusing to bulge an inch Those who
chung to the bottom of the capsized
boat all night suffered terribly from
the icy cold water. though the sea was
calm. Nevertheless they did not lose
heart. One of their number, Il man
named Donaldson, WAS underneath the
capsized boat until they were picked
up by one of the other boats in the
morning. When the boat capsiZed lie
kept his hold and went over with her.
managing to secure a position above
the bars, where he remained talking tn
himself aud moaning until he swooned.
HIS companions on the outside were
unable to assist him. In the morning
when they were picked up the bottom
of the boat had to be broken through
to get him out, when he presented Il
horrible appearance from his long ex-
posnre to the waves and lack of fresh
air. A few days afterward, however,
he got all right again. During the 30
hours the survivors were atioat they
had not drop of water to drink and
were beginning to feel all the horrors
of extreme thirst when they were res
cned by the bark Theresa, of the kind
ness of whose officers and crew, as well
as that of the officers and crews Of the
Louise of Cardiff, and the Titania they
all spoke in the highest terms.
WHAT THE SURVIVORS SAY.
The first person seen after the arri-
val of the Titania at Montreal was
James ID. Bennett, of London, Ont.
lie said the collision happened at about
Ills p. III. AT the time of the acci-
dent he was III the surgeons cabin and
had very narrow escape from being
crushed to death when the Ponema
dashed into the State of Florida, amid
ships with an awful crash. The Pom
ema went down at once with all Oh
board, except the captain and three
men, one of whom became mad from
exposure and want of water, and died
In the boat before the party were res
cued. After the State of Florida had
been struck the captain awakened the
passengers and told them they must
take to the boats instantly, but it ap-
pears that he made no effort to devise
IL plan by which the passengers could
get into the boats. At the time of the
collision the captain was in the cabin
lie rushed on the deck in his night
dress and assumed command, the deck
having been up to that moment under
the charge of the first officer Many
OF the passengers came on deck in
their night clothes, too bewildered and !
dazed to make any attempt to save
themselves. Walter King of Toronto |
occupied cabin with Mr.. Bennett. |
and when the ship was about going |
down came to him and said 'For
Gods sake, Bennett, stav 10y me. | |
can't swim" Bennett and King then |
got into one of the boats, the lashings |
Of which were cut at one end, throw
ing all the occupants into the sea |
Thirty might have been saved but for
this mishap. Only seven were picked |
up. Mr.. Bennett clung with Others to
the boat all night. All night long they
cOuld hear people groaning and strug-
Cling underneath the boat. Toward |
the noise ceased, and they |
came to the conclusion that their com
paniOns had succumbed. When they
were rescued they broke through the |
bottom of the boat with oars, and
horrible sight met their eyes. Eight |
bodies were floating there, while
man named Donaldson was still alive,
UNCONSCIOUS from the effects |
of the long imprisonment Mr.. Ben
nett was of the opinion that. though
the boat was hanging by one davit,
they might have succeeded in launch
ing it safely had it not been for the
captains orders to the third officer to
go ahead, which had the effect of draw
ing the boat under. The night was
very clear and the ocean smooth. He
cannot account for the collision. After
drifting 30 hours they were picked up
by the Louisa of Cardiff.
james Patience, an American sea-
man, said that he was in his bunk
when he heard the signals to stop and
reverse the steamers engines. He
rushed on deck and saw q red light
bearing down on their starbOard. He
heard one of the officers shout, "Col-
ision." This was followed by ter
rife crash and shortly afterward seeing
HE third officer going to the side with
4 globe lamp to ascertain the damage,
ne followed him and looking over saw
1 hole about six feet square, through
which the water was pouring in vol
nmes.