The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-14
FURIOUS WEATHER ON THE OCEAN.
Experiences on Board the AIaska--A Great
Fire on the Iron Deck.

Fire on the Iron Deck.
New York Sun.
The Alaska brought over seventy. three first
cabin, fifty nine second-cabin and 15S steerage
passengers Among the passengers were Henry
George, the Comte = de Gontant Bir0n, the
Marquis Manuel de Peralta, Sydney Rosenfeld
and Dr. B. Newton. DR.. Newton said he had
made thirty trips across the Atlantic, and this
was the most eventful one of all. He said:
THE rudder broke at o'clock. Tuesday
morning, Feb. 3, as the westerly gale that had
been ragnS since Jan. 81 moderated. A few
minutes after the rudder broke the vessel swung
into the trough of the sea, and rolled terribly.
We were told that something had happened to
the storage gear, but were kept in ignorance OF
the exact nature of the accident until that even
ing. The vessel lay over on her beam ends, so
that it was difficult to walk on the decks. At
tcmpts were made to improvise steering gear,
but they failed. Many of the passengers appre-
ciated the danger we were in, and became thor
oughly alarmed. They stayed up all night so as
to De ready for any emergency. The steerage
passengers were not allowed on deck. Few of
the cabin passengers cared to 60 there, IS the
weather was extremely cold. and pieces OF ice
kept falling from the shrouds. At times the
waves broke over the deck.
Matters were not improved on Wednesday,
The vessel was still on her beam ends and if a
storm had come up nothing could have saved her.
1t was fortunate that the rudder broke just as
the storm was moderating. Ten sailors were
severely injured by various accidents
During Wednesday the passengers became
more and more alarmed. All attempts at steer
ing were abandoned; the engines were stopped.
and Captain Murray determined to wait until
help should arrive. That day the vessel dlifted
back fiftyeight miles. The gentlemen in the
smoking room played poker as if death was not
imminent.
about 8 o'clock that evening the lights of the
steamer Lake Winnipeg were sighted. Captain
Murray ordered rocket to be sent up. These
rockets carried bombs, which burst with ire
| mendous explosion, but the Winnipeg gave TO
| sign that she had seen or heard them. We
| all felt anxious and rather down hearted when
we saw this. The captain then ordered fire to
! be lighted on the deck at the stern. The deck
was of iron, and when the fire was built, of rags
soaked in oil. it made a tremendous blaze,
and extended the width of the deck. II
was very impressive sight-indeed one
of the strangest sights I have ever
seen. The Lake Winnipeg saw it, and, think
ing we were on fire. bore down upon US. When
she same within hailing distance there was an
aHectlng scene among the passengers The la
dies were entirely overcome, and members of
families embraced each other and wept Captain
Murray and Purcer Thorpe went off to the Win
nlpeg In a boat. and made arrangements to have
her help u.s. Ropes were carried to her from the
Alaska, and two heavy chain cables were drawn
over the stern of the Alaska to tho bow of the
winnipeg. This was accomplished by o'clock
the next morning, and the Alaska then started
anead. She did little more that night than keep
off in good shape. The Winnipeg was directed
by flag signals from the bridge of the Alaska
how to steer If the Alaska wished to go to
starboard the Lake Winnepeg signaled to
starboard her helm and go to port the effect be-
ing the same as if the Alaska had put her own
helm to port
1.-The motion of tho Alaska was entirely
changed. There were terrible jerks and strains
on the cables and it was marvel that they
held The Winnipeg, though large vessel.
danced around like cork on the great waves
which swept over her repeatedly.
Last Thursday night the sea was so heavy
that all progress was stopped. The passengers
part at any moment. AT o'clock Friday morn
ing the storm moderated. and we went ahead un-
til 5:4O o'clock, that afternoon. when a strong
northeast gale made US stop again. At midnight
the cables parted, with snap One broke near the
Winnipeg and one near the Alaska Soon after
ward a favorable wind sprang up, and we were
able to go ahead under sail-steering by the
Sails. We signaled to the Winnipeg not to leave
U.S. and she sgnaled back, We shall not aban-
don you We made twelve or thirteen knots an
hour, and we soon left the Winnipeg far in the
rear When the wind stopped the two vessels
were hitched together again. and we went ahead
without difficulty. On Sunday the passengers
had three meetings, at which Mr.. Pinckney F.
Green presided. Resolutions were passed prais-
ing the Alaska, and her officers and men. and
ESQ was raised testimonial to the officers
and crew. to be divided: EGO to Captain G. S.
Murray, G42 to the officers, and f48 to the sea-
men.
Captain Murray did not take his clothes off
for six days: he had no sleep, and he worked as
hard as an ordinary seaman. He fell and injured
his knee severely but kept at work First Of
fcer Arnold and Purser Arnold did equally well.
All along our meals were served with regular
ity"