Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-08-11
SHIPWRECK AND PILLAGE
THE "AMSTERDAspsY People
OUTRAGED ON SABLE ISLANn

some OF the Islanders Steal That, 1rr.,.
ana threaten Them with Death For
complaining to the Governor-RTanv ,r
the Crew Add to the Dissracse,1
Scenes by Getting Drunk.
Inc improper treatment bv Canadian
government officials of the unfortunate
passengers cast on Sable Island last weel-
by the wreck of the steamer Amsterdam.
bound for New York, which was alluded
to in the previous report of the disasrar
says Herald Halifax special of Ang'
:, is described by some of them noS1
here to be of the most outrageous char.
acter. Instead of being received with
open arms by those stationed on the lone
ly isle of the Atlantic, they were rather
looked upon as intruders and almost
wholly neglected. Only three men of the
island officials took any trouble to cheer
the shlpwrecked people, and the others
on one occasion went so far as the utter
ahce Oh threats. When the government
steamer Newfield arrived with relief she
was hailed with cheers, so great was tbe
JOY OF the unhappy foreigners.
AN INEFFICIESr SERVICE.
In conversation with one of tho cabi,,
passengers he stated that it had been AL
mltted by the lighthouse people that the
Amsterdam's signals of distress had been
observed from the shore about noon on fba
day following the stranding. 1T was then
necessary to send a messenger from the
lighthouse to the lifeboat station. with the
news OF the disaster, which would occupy
nVe hours, and it would take twice tbat
time before any boat could be Ianncbe5
for assistance. There being no telegrapbic
or telephone connection between the
lighthouse and the life-saying station
there was but one way to notify the
latter. Besides this inafficient state
of affairs, the number of men on
the Island, said the passenger. is too
limited. Had any kind of STERN been
raging When the steamer struck, he did
not believe that one of all the passenoers
and crew on board would have been saved
A certain number of men are absolutely
necessary to handle lifebOat, and there
Is not slngleaAtra soul on the island for
service IN - Of emergency, so that
should eyeR0ne of the regular crew be-
come sick or disabled it would be impos-
slble to launch her. Then, if it took such
a length OF time to get the lifebOat on the
wafer, now much worse, the passenger
said, would it be in a gale for peOnle in
distress than during the comparatively
calm weather prevailing when the Am
sterdam struck.
AT THE MERCY OF A DRUNKEN CREW.
''When we landed,' continued the gen.
tlen1an interviewed, ''the acting Governor.
assisted by two others, Mr.. Desbrissy and
Mr.. Allan, did all he could for us. But
the addition of 250 men, women and chill
dren to the population soon created n
great scarcity of provisions at the varlous
stations. There was plenty of food at the
main station, but the passengers billeted
at the minor stations were in want. When
we realized the situation and after the
Captain and the remainder of the crew
were brought ashore, arrangements were
made for landing provisions from - shin
on the island. A lifebOat anG one
of the ships boats went off
to the wreck for provisions. The crew
OF the lifeboat came back drunk. The
ships boat had not returned before we
lett. The crew of that lIfebOat were still
drunk when we were taken off the island
by the Newfield. While Capt. Lucas was
off to the ship attempting to save some of
the small luggage we prepared supper for
him. party Of island officials, led by
one Nell MchlnnOn came and stole the
fOod-all of the food we had. Complaint
was made of this to the Governor next
day. Two days afterward two young
of the island lifeb0at crew
came to me and asked if | had com.
planned, and threatened that they would
kill the man who had made complaint,
They swore that he would never leave the
island alive and were perfectly sober
when they said it,"
LIQUOR AND JEWELRY
STOLEN.
A portion of the Amsterdam's crew
united with the island officials in stealing
the provisions and liquor landed. The
of some of the steerage passen-
gers was made known for the first time
here in the interview with this gentleman.
who stated that when some of the last to
leave the steamer reached the shore they
were found possessed of jewelry and
clothing left in the trunks of cabin pas
Sengers. They and some of the crew :
acted very ugly, but it was seen that to
complain or demand stolen property
would create trouble, and probably
a riot or mutinv, SO
everything had to be given uD for lost.
The Captain performed his duty to the
utmost, but he was only one against $50.
Under these circumstances it can be inn
lgined how heartily the arrival of the
Newfield was cheered. Capt. Lucas
and some of his men are stiII on the
island, but how they will fare among the
islanders God only knows.
Lighthouse Inspector Hutchins has left
Halifax for Sable Island and will inquire
into the disgraceful reports that are being
circulated. The immigrants brought up
by the Newfeld are still here, but it is
expected that they will leave for New
Or[ bV steam or to-TnOrrnvv