The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-04-07
The Statement of survivors.

AAC StAtcAAhCns "a SuEfAVVEHs
HALIFAX, April g. The three surviving pas
sengers of tho sunken steamer Daniel Steinmann,
are now in this city. They state that the vessel
struck lightly twice and that the captain then sum-
moned everybody on deck, directing them to pre-
pare to enter the life boats it should become nee
essary to do SO. One boat was launched and all
made rush for it, though good discipline was
maintained among the ships crew. The boat was
well filed and attached to the steamer by a rope,
and when those on board the steamer were about
bs Peat 1 and s with her The
boat 1t was nodded turned over and over and every
person in 1t was thrown out and drowned when the
stern Of the vessel sank The cries and screams of
the women and children were heartrending for a
few minutes. Capt. Schoonhoven made his way up
the msinsaast and endsasorsd 10 climb along the
stay between the heads OF the masts
and in this perilous undertaking one
lost his grip and was washed away but the other
John Niederman-succeeded by deperate effort.
in the of which his legs were seized by some
one then drowning, In reaching the lore llgging,
q comparatively safe position above him on the
mast, One of the main uplifts of the fore-top-gal
liant yard was broken and this gave play to the
ward which worked back and forth with the action
of the waves and threatened to tear out the mast,
each motion making the mast culver and crash
alarmlngly. The captain, fearing that he would be
obliged to abandon his dangerous refuge and take
to the water, pulled off his boots. The two I'M
fortunates from time to time cried out together for
their feeble voices so that If ass istance had
been at hand it Is doubtful they could Lave been
heard and they were doomed to painfully watch the
passing minutes and hours until the light of day
broke upon their despairing eyes.
In this dismal watch they could feel that the
vessel was drifting nearer and nearer TO Sambro
Island To add to the horror Of their situation they
saw blue lights burning on the shore and signals OF
safety while conscious that they were beyond as
sistance or relief. AT last daylight appeared and
the lookout on the island noticed one man in the
rigging and then the head of another appeared
from behind the mast. Soon after boat put on
from the cove manned by five men, who approached
them. The captain was by this time SO benumbed
that his companion, Niedermann, had to use force
to disengage him from the spar and assist him into
the boat. He then followed and both were landed
in an exhausted condition and taken into the
lighthouse where their wants were promptly at
tended Of.
Thrilling Experiences of Survivors.
Among the incidents connected with the escape of
the seven persons landed in the boat during the
night, one of the most thrilling was the experience
of an Italian he having grasped the boat just after
she left the steamer. The occupants refused to
take him in because numbered drowning persons
had seized his legs and body, and it was certain
that the boat could not take them all without
swapping as she already half full OF water The
italian at once dove and thus eludcd those holding
him, but he soon reappeared at the surface and
again caught the boat and was taken in SO exhaust
ed that for time he was helpless. The boat was
in danger OF laundering OWING to the water tnat
was constantly coming in, and those in her took oil
their boots to bail her out The italian at first
fused to assist in this work. but being threatened
with being thrown overheard unless he assisted to
keep the boat free, he made an effort to do so.
Another singular escape was that OF Nicolal, LAD
of 10. Just the boat left the steamer he jumped
from the BRIDGE falling into the boat on his head
He sustained no injury beyond having one leg
bruised.
Among those drowned were young couple who
had been married before the steamer sailed, expert
encing only eighteen days of married lite. Several
large families persisted all together. One OF these
was Swiss family consisting of father, mother and
eight children, and another Dutch family Oh
about the same size.
Latest News from the Wreck-Eleveu
Bodies Thus Far Recovered.
HALIFAX Anril ss---panorss f-e-. 4l.~ -s~A~t of
the Daniel Stenmann received mp to this evening
states that the wreck remains in about the same
position. The water was comparatively smooth
today and a large number of boats were about the
wreck working with graphing irons. Only three
bodies were secured today, making eleven alto
gether SO far recovered. None of the cargo has
arrived in town this evening The first body recoy-
cred this morning was that OF little girl six years
of age who was evidently the child of well TODD
parents. Another girl, apparently few years
older, is the only other female recovered,
1n the morgue.
Beside the younger girl in the dead house is the
body of boy about 16 years old. supposed to be
her brother. A man picked up had the letter EMP
in India ink on the left wrist with two crosses
each side; the right wrist were the letters A. w.
and below them Immediately over the thumb are an
anchor, heart and two crosses. The body was
that of a man % years DID, of medium size and
build Near him was the body os a heavily built
man about 40 years of age, with black moustache
The next was the body of a little boy about IL
years old, whose black hair was thickly matted
with blood; the body was clad in brown suit, Of
good material. Then comes the body of man
about 30 years DID, with brown curly hair and clean
shaven face. The remains of Mr.. Lamper, chief
mate of the Steinmann, was recovered Saturday.
His body lay next. Then came the corpse of small
man bald headed dressed in moleskin pants and
vest and he wy cloth overcoat, apparently be
found the only valuables on any of the bodies af-
ter being brought to the island. In his pocket was
siver watch, 81 francs in gold and package of
papers, among the latter his ticket for passge
the steamer to New York, bearing the name of Au-
gust Richter Dusseldorf The body of man about
30 years old laid out next. The eleventh
and last corpse so far recovered is that of the
steamers lamplghter. whose name is not known
The Corpses Terribly Mutilated.
All the bodies recovered were terribly mutilated
the features in some cases being so completely de-
stroyed as to be unrecognized. Some had their
faces smashed in and Others had their eyes torn
out and were otherwise dishgured.
An OmciaI Investigation TO be Commenced
Today.
Three schooners with diving crew will go to the
wreck tomorrow If the weather is favorable, and
an official investigation into the loss of the vessel
will be begun Tuesday under Captain Scott, of the
Marine and Fisheries Department.