The Portland daily press., 1886-10-12
THE ANcHoRIA SAFE.
The Disabled TesseI Arrives at St.
Johns, N. r.
The Ship Drifted at the Mercy of the
Waves Number of Days.
Two Persons Die During the Long
and EventfuI Voyage.

ST. JOHNS, N. F., Oct 1.-THE followin,
report represents all the prominent incidents
in connection with the Anchoria disaster;
Steamer Anchoria, Capt Small, left Glas
gov on the 18th of September bound for New
York. She had 700 lives on board including
passengers and crew. On Wednesday, Sept
22d, four days after the ship had cleared
from Glasgow a strong gale sprung up ant
during this gale heavy sea struck the
ship, and in the lurch which she made the
shaft of the propeller broke suddenly. The
ship at the time of the accident was in lati'
tude 5019 north and longitude 80 west. She
was reckoned to be about 1900 miles west OF
Ireland. The shock occasioned by the
breaking of the shaft threw the ship ON her
side and strewed glass ware and other artl-
cles ON the floor below the deck. Many OF
the passengers were frightened, but upon
the officers assuring them that there was no
danger of sinking panic was averted. Or-
der was thereby restored in short time and
preparations were made to hoist sails on the
ship; when sails were set the ship became
somewhat steadier, but the rudder gear hav-
ing been rendered useless she drifted about
at the mercy of the waves. From the 22d OF
September to Wednesday, Oct 9Th, the ship
drifted helplessly about, efforts in the mean
while being made daily to repair the broken
shaft. On the 9th of October the engineers
effected temporary repairs and the ship was
once more got under control. The sea was
now comparatively smooth and the snip
moved slowly in a westerly direction; She
made fairly good time till midnight on
Thursday, the 7th, when the engines sudden
ly stopped. Fears were entertained by the
passengers that the shaft had again broken,
but they were assured by the officers that
such was not the case, and that the engines
would be started in the morning. AT 10
o'clock Friday the engines were again start
ed and when hundreds OF anxious. hearts ON
board heard the propeller moving hopes
were entertained that the tedious voyage
would soon be over by reaching land, but
these hopes were not soon to be reallzed, Ior
after fifteen revolutions the shaft broke
again. This time beyond all prospects of
being repaired. A consultation was now
held by the officers and the exact position OF
the ship ascertained. 1t was found she was
so miles off the coast of Newfoundland. AS
provisions were running short, all on board
in fact for some days previously having been
put on allowance of two meals day. First
Officer McFarlane land seven others volun-
teered to launch a boat and sail Tor the
coast. Those who went in the boat were
Hay, DR.. Tuttle, DR.. Lock-. Mr.. Faraquehar
and Mr.. Green and two Others The boats
crew manfully took their places and were
lowered away. The took on board quantl-
to of biscuit in tins and two casks Of water.
As the boat put from the ships side many
were affected to tears and amidst Silent
prayers they pulled from the ship with no
land in sight, and with a probability of
never reaching it. At first no word was
spoken, but the pent up feelings OF those
on board found expression in loud, long
cheers and heartfelt cries of God speed ye
safe as the boat disappeared from view. The
first officer was instructed by the captain to
secure the services of steamer II the
boat reached st. Johns. On Friday the ship
made but little headway and the expected
steamer did not come to her assistance ON
that day nor during the following night:
Saturday at noon, however, glad cry OF
land ran through the ship, and another
volunteer crew were quickly enlisted con-
sisting this time, wholly of passengers who
pulled toward the shore. 1t subsequently
transpired that the first boat landed in st.
Johns at o'clock yesterday afternoon and
the second boat reached Pouch Cove settle
ment, near Cape st. Francis, 20 miles north
of st. Johns at o'clock, two, hours
later, than the other had reached here.
On arrival here the first officer communl-
Gated with Sir Ambrose Shea. agent OF the
Allan Line at this port, who Immediately
negotiated with Messrs. Harvey d Co. and
the steamer Miranda of the Red Cross line,
of which Messrs Harvey & Co. are local
agents, was despatched in search of the
steamer Anchoria at 6 O'Clock p. IN. The
steam tug Favorite left about 10 o'clock p. M,
and though four hours behind the Miranda
succeeded in coming up with the disabled
steamer about midnight. The Anchoria was
taken in tow and arrived here as stated
above.
The ship is waiting orders from her own
ers before any repairs will be effected. There
were two deaths and two births during the
voyage One of those who died was a Pol
ish Jew and the other was Scotchman.
They were buried at sea. The newly born
infants and their mothers are doing we'll.
The passengers, who landed at Pouch Cove,
arrived here this morning at 1.30, and were
heartily welcomed by their friends on board
the steamer when they met. The steamer
Anchoria belongs to the Anchor line, and is
of 2732 tons burthen.