Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-07-15
HELPLESS AT SEA.
The Steamship Galiia's Alarming Accident
In Mid-Oeean.
From q Private Letter Written on the

L.ssSs VN. - -
Monday morning you will be look
ing in the paper for our arrival at
Queenstown, where we should be to-
morrow Sunday, but you will be dis
appointed, and, am afraid, you will
have to look for q week or more for
the report and perhaps even longer.
For here we are, not half way over,
with broken shaft, helpless hulk,
except for cockle-shell about the
size of the Lady Of the Lake." tow
ing us at the rate Of four miles an hour.
That is speed, however, compared to
drifting about with no means Of pro-
pulsion and at the mercy Of the wind
and waves, as we have had il the last
two days.
We started from New York prompt
ly at 1890 last Saturday with 3SS pas
sepgers--at least 100 more than we
should have. Every hole in which
passenger could be slowed is filed and
the tables are crowded twice at every
meal. But everything went well and
the passengers were feeling in the best
Of spirits, because we went out in a
smooth sea and with beautiful weather,
until Tuesday morning at 9:35. We
had finished breakfast and were sit
ting on deck reading and enjoying
the beautiful sail and the pure air,
when, as by clap Of thunder, every
one was startled and look of terror
came over all. Any one who has been in
a railroad train when an axle has
broken and the car been thrown from
the track, feeling first the thud Of the
front wheels going off on the ties, then
the humping along until every one is
jumping from tie to tie, each half-se-
cond seeming minute, until the car
finally stops wreck, can but poorly
appreciate the sensation which we ex-
perienced. The engine, relieved Of the
load Of the propeller, ran like light
ming, tearing and crashing with the
broken end of the shaft everything in
its way. 1t was fully quarter of a
minute before the engine was stopped,
having made 25 or 80 revolutions after
the break. The ship trembled yiO-
lently all the time. and not only trem-
bled, but seemed like a strong man in
a death-struggle; and this was con-
tinued long after the engine was brought
to stand-still. Then came the still
more fearful suspense, and 4" What is
it >" seemed to come from every one.
| said to and -, "The shaft
is broken,' and dared not say 1T may
have knocked hole in her," The Off
GERS rushed below, the passengers were
dazed, and an unspeakable terror was
over all. went to the ships side to
see if there was any evidence of sink
ing. The water was calm all around
and the ship lying quiet. The pump
was started at once, but there was no
evidence Of leakage. Then came the
sigh of relief and thanks that we were
not to 90 to the bottom at once.
The captain soon came up and said
the shaft was broken in the tunnel and
could not be repaired. Well, what was
to be done, every one asked Of himself
and of his neighbor, and every one
knew Just what should be done, or
thought he did. We were about 1000
miles from New York and 500 from
Halifax. go to Halifax was the
first impression. "Yes, that would be
well but how can we get there?" a
southwest wind and no way to get
there except with favorable breeze.
We were afloat but helpless and drift
ing whichever way the wind sent us.
The captain decided he would try to
keep on his course to the eastward, as
we'll as he could, and hope to fall in
with some ship that would help us
along. There was a pleasant prospect
1000 miles away from our port that
we were to try to reach by using what
little sail we could and trusting to
chance for help. But we were so
thankful that it was no worse that we
were still ahoat, that there was three
quarters of an inch Of iron between US
and eternity still without fracture and
every seam tight that we had not
struck an iceberg and had plenty Of
provisions, that we were comparatively
recOnciled to our situation. But the
thought Of all the dear ones at home,
who would be watching for word
from us, this troubled US more than our
own situation. for we felt that we were
safe, that we might roll and tumble
about over the ocean for one or two
months, the ship would hold together
and finally land us in safety some
where.
Now, the fifth day since the break,
we have run about 300 miles by the aid
of the wind and the little craft which
has been pulling US very slowly, but
still pulling us, for two days. We hope
that some of the vessels we have spoken
two barks and two steamers) will re-
port us afoat but crippled before you
have become very anxious, and that
YOU will not suffer suspense very long.
The little boat which has become our
friend, and which we shall ever remem-
Der, is the " River Avon," of Glasgow.
She is little trump. We spoke her
Thursday morning. The captain sent
a boat with the first officer out to her
with letters to be mailed on arrival at
any port. The boat was gone quite
awhile and the Avon drifted off to the
north about two miles. She then
turned, having the boat in tow, which
she dropped when she came as near as
she dared. The first officer when he
came alongside called out, " She wants
to take u.s. The captain rather made
light of the idea of that little cockle-shell
trying to tow these 5000 tons, but
consented, the officer having made ar
rangements for it while on the Avon,
subject to the captains approval. So
our signal Of "all right" was set, aud
in about two hours we had our wire
cable out and the little steamer was
pulling away manfully. 1t was a long
time before any impression could
be made on the great job she
had undertaken, but she stuck to
it, and after awhile the Gallia surren-
dered to the little Avon, and gradually
drew around into line, gladly following
where she would lead. We have been
| ,oo;o, th;o ~av Cor naarIv FORTY aivht