Daily Kennebec journal., 1884-04-07

across the shoal and sunk between 800 and
400 yards from shore. My brother. Stewart
and then got in boat and attempted to
pull 10 the steamer. but the boat was too
small and we were forced to turn back. We
then went and burned lights on the rocks and
lit bonfires along the shore to warn anv boats
that might be sdoat against the dangerous
coasts. We waved blue lights in the direc-
ion OF the cove as a signal TO keep within safe
distance from the island and also q guide to
enable boats to keep comparatively from dan
ger SO that they could land without risk. In
the course of an hour boat came in sight,
which proved to be one of the boats of the
steamer. containing seven men. We sue
ceeded in guiding them into a place where
they might land. We kept the light burning
along the shore all night, but saw nothing
pothing till day break when we observed
Two Men Clinging to the Risging.
Stewart and three others lowered a boat and
pulling out to the wreck rescued and safely
landed the captain and one passenger.
Throughout the day the Jog continued too
thick to signal and the sea too heavy to per-
NIT landing on the main land. We did all posi-
BILE to make the saved comfortable.
The captain make the following statement ::
On the third of OF April. after a voyage of l34
L L
was one-half south by the compass 25 miles.
Owing to the fog and heavy rain l steamed
slow, steering west quarter south and sound
ing every hour. AT SIS | saw through the
mist light about two points on the starboard
bow, disappearing at times out of sight for
four or five minutes, and taking it for Che
bucto l stood for it. Twenty minutes later
l saw it was the fixed light of Sambro,
and at the same time seeing faint show of
what took TO be Chebucto Light about four
points on the starboard bow. sounded &c
fathoms and put the helm hard-a port, but too
late and just after she struck on the rocks.
| at no time heard fog whistle. The
first shock was light. the second heavy, car
rying away the steering gear. After this
couldn't get the engines to work, but drifted
over the rocks and anchored, the ship lying
quiet there being little sea. l ordered the
chief and second mates to lower the boats
and get in the children and women first.
While this was going on, one boat being in
the water and the crew working with a will,
saw the ship coming nearer to the breakers.
| ran forward to see if the chain cable had
broken. Before getting there the sea swept
over the poop washing every passenger who
stood on deck. This was followed by an aw-
full crash and
stem first carrying everyone who were on
deck and those who were below. / ran up
the fore rigging but was washed off before |
got half way up. l succeeded in catching to
the topsail yard which stood above water. A
moment after a passenger was able to join
me. The night was foggy and rainy and we
saw nothing more. The next morning we were
gallantly rescued by three men from Sambro
Tal in nytr hoip thSr q
life boat or rocket apparatus on the island.
Some of the crew had succeeded in reaching
the island through the surf The number of
passengers drowned was 80 and crew 80.
Three passengers and six of the crew were
saved We had full general cargo of 400
tons. The steamer drew 20 feet six inches
aft and 10 feet forward The ship is now
broken with rocks through the bottom.
HALIFAX, April 6.
The three surviving passengers of the
sunken steamer Daniel Steinmsnn are now
in this city. They state that the vessel struck
lightly twice and the captain then summoned
everybody, directing them to prepare to enter
the life boats if it should be necessary One
boat was launched and all made a rush for it,
though discipline was maintained among the
crew of the steamer. The boat was well
Oiled and attached to the steamer by a rope.
w
rope
The Vessel Went Down
with boats and occupants. 1t was noticed
that the boat turned over and over. and every
person in it was thrown out and drowned.
When the steamer sank the cries and screams
of the women and children were heartrend-
ing for few minutes. Captain Schoonhoven
made his way up the rigging. Two men
we're caught in the rigging of the mainmast
and tried to climb along the stay between the
heads of the masts, and in this periloes un-
dertaking one lost his grip and was washed
away. The other, John Niedermann, sue
ceeded, in the course OF which his legs were
seized by some one then drowning, and
pulled him into safe position above him on
the mast. The wire uplifts of the fore top
gallant yard was broken and gave play to
the yard, which worked back and forth with
the action of the waves, threatening to tear
out the mast, and making the mast quiver
and crash alarmingly. The capain, fearing
he would be obliged to abandon the danger
Gus refuge and take to the water. pulled off
his boots. The two men from time to time
cried out together for help, but the roar of
the wind and water drowned their voices, so
that even if assistance had been at hand it is
doubtful if they would have been heard. At
last daylight appeared and the lookout
noticed one man in the rigging and then
heard of another that had appeared from be-
hind the mast. A boat soon put off from the
Cove manned by FIVE men who approached
The captain was by this time
So Benumbed
that his companion, Neidemann. had to use
force to disengage him and assist him into
the boat They both landed in an exhau. tive
condition and were taken to the light house.
Among the incidents connected with the es-
cape of the seven persons that landed in the
boat during the night was the experience of
the Italian, he having grasped the boat just
after she left the steamer. The occupants
refused to take because him because q num-
ber of the drowing had seized his legs and it
was certain the boat could not take all with
out swamping, as she was already half full
of water. The Italian at once dove and thus
eluded those holding him. He reappeared at
the surface and again caught the boat. He
taken in, but was so exhausted for a time be
was helpless The boat was in danger of
founding, owing to the water that was COM
ing in. and those in her took of their boots
to bail her out The Italian at first refused
to assist, Tut on being threatened with be-
ing thrown overheard unless he assisted he
made an effort to do so.
Reports from the wreck received up to this
stofs ,v in, 81.