Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-02-15
pERIlS OF THE DEEP.
WREcxgD IN mD,ocBAN.
re Crew ssAe seswenrewss wssaes ssss
in1srse.

terday from the Tyne, having on board
twcnty-eicht survivors OF the steamship
Benwel Tower. which was abandoned
IN sinking condition in "mid-ocean on
JAmuxry Goth. Twoof her crew were
lost overheard, and two others were
seriously injured the day before the
wreck was abandoned.
uhe Penwtll Tower belonged TO the
Tcwer-line Of London, and was a pew
vessel. She was completed at Sunder-
lard, England, and came out TO Baltl-
more in ballast. She took ON at Baiti-
more her first cargo, which consisted
Of grain, cotton, etc, which was con-
signed to Liverpool. She carried no
passengers. although she had cabin ac-
commcdations for limited number.
The steamship left Baltimore under the
command Of Captain Tddy on January
18th, and soon after leaving il was DISCO
yercd that a portion Of the cotton was
on fire. The flames were finally
smothered, and the Bcnwcll Tower put
into Locust Point, where 10 babes OF
cotton which had been partially burned
were removed. The steamship sailed
again on January Goth, and soon after
ward two stowaways we're found on
board. Although il was rough during
the first few days cut, the ship made
good progress and no mishsp occurred.
On Monday, January Goth, il began to
blow heavily from the westward, and
Oh Tuesday morning the wind increased
in fury until il blew hurricane.
The ship ran before the storm during
the day, although she tossed ebout
heavily and shipped a number of'huge
seas. During Tuesday night she rolled
in dangerous manner, although still
speeding swiftly before the pursuing
storm. The seas which boarded the
vessel began TO cause damage. A life
boat was struck and smashed to pieces.
Portions Of the upper works were also
injured. shortly before daylight on
Tuesday morning the Benwell Tower
shipped heavy sea from staTboard
which smashed in her bulwarks, shat
tered two life-boats, and caused
other damage. All the soamen,
including the two stowaways, were
now on deck, and as the broken boat APP
peared about 20 smash in the skylight.
which would have allowed great guam
titles of water TO pour down in the en-
gine-room. Chief-O Officer Thompson and
several men attempted TO lash the debTtS
Of the boat. Among those who under
took this dangerous work were Second
Officer John Pindar and Seaman ODER
Miller. The ships rudder had been
straining heavily for some time, and as
the men seized the planks of thebroken
life-boat furious sea struck the ship
asteni. The steering-gear gave way
and the vessel swung around into the
trough Of the sea.
As she did so an enormous wave
boarded her amidships and broke over
the broken boat and the men who had
seized it. Officer Pindar and Seaman
Miller were carried from their feet and
swept over the side into the ocean.
Chief-Oifioer Thompson was Knocked
under the boat, and one of his lcsswas
broken. while the other one was Sc
riously injured. A sailor who was
standing by Mr.. Thompson had
his hand crushed, The forms of
Pindar and Miller were seen struggling
in the water to starboard, and cries
couiS be family heard amid the roar of
the tempest. The Benwell Tower now
rolled helplessly in the trough of the
sea, with her steering gear gone and no
means Of guiding her. The strain on
the hull was so intense that dangerous
leak was sprung. The steam pumps
were manned. but these were unequal
to the task of keeping the hold free from
water.
The rudderless steamship tore along
before the wind all day Wednesday and
during the following night. Every one
of her life-boats were smashed to pieces.
Her bridge and chart-room were carried
away. Hatci.es were broken in and
water poured down into the engine
room and stoke-hole. The cabin was
full of water and the decks were inn
passable. The sails were in shreds, so
that it was impossible to steady the YES
sci by means Of her square canvas. In
addition to this the leak gained steadily
and the ship settled down lower and
lower into the water.
During Wednesday night Captain
Tiddy was convinced that his vessel
could not remain long afeat. He had
no boats in which to abandon her. and
his only hope lay in some vessels COM
ing to his assistance. At daybrenk on
the morning of Thursday, January
Goth, il was still storBing furiously.
The anxious sailors saw steamship
tossing about far to northward.
She, however, became DO plain
or, and the men gave up all
hopes Of her coming TO their aid. The
spars and smokestack of another steam
ship were seen in the edge of the hori-
zon, but to the dismay Of the sailors
soon disappeared. The outlook now
seemed extremely gloomy. The men
found the ship sinking steadily beneath
them. There were six feet Of water in
the hold. The water in few hours
would reach the furnaces and put out
the fires.
At 8 o'clock cry of joy was echoed
from stem, to stern of the wreck. A
steamship was in sight to the eastward,
and from the position of her spsrs it
was evident that she was heading di-
rsctly. towardthe Benwell Tower. Sig
mails OF distress were set, and by
o'clock the stranger, which proved to
be the, Glsdiolus, was within short
distance Of the disabled vessel. The
iatter's engines were then stopped, and
both ships were hove to. The weather
had just begun to moderate. The
Gladiolus lowered life-boat, which,
under ihe command of her chief
officer, made three trips between the
vessels before the last Of the survivors
was rescued. They saved only the
clothing which they. wore at the time.
The injured chief officer was lowered
into the boxt by a tackle which was at
taehed TO <lsYit. The hull lasted until
l o'clock n the afternoon, when the
rescue was completed. Another heavy
kgsie then set IN. The abandoned wreck
probably went down within a, few hours