The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-13
THE LOST HYLTON CASTLE.
Ten of the Crew Ofthe FOundered Steamer
Reach Hunters Point in Safety,
distributing Heard of the Twelve
Other Persons on Board.

HUNTERS POINT, L. L, Jan. 12-The ten
shipwrecked sailors from the steamer Hylton
Castle arrived here this afternoon. The names
of the saved are John Marshall, of Shields,
chief mate; FL. Belluci, of Malta, boatswain;
Frank Morris, secoud engineer; Fred Beesa.
third engineer, Walter Howard, steward; Ed
ward Kure. cook David L. Davis, Geo. Nefaut,
JAMS Anderson seamen.
The men had nothing but the clothing
they wore. Chief mate John Marshall, who was
interviewed by an Associated Press reporter,
told the following story of the wreck and suffer
ing of the officers and crew. Before telling his
story, however, Marshall aud his companions
eagerly inquired whether any news had been re-
ceived of Captain Colvin and those who were
with him in the other boat, and upon being told
that nothing had yet been seen or heard of them,
expressed regret and said he was afraid if they
had not reached land last night they must have
been frozen to death. the chief mate said:
I'VE left New York on Friday morning, on
board the Hylton Castle which is tramp
steamer, loaded with corn, for Rouen.. There
were twenty-five persons on board, including the
ca plain. About P. M, when we were about
fifty miles east of Sandy Hook, we encountered
terrible snow-storm. The wind blew hurri-
cane. and the big waves washed over the steam
er's decks and tossed her about like raft For
several hours we did not know where we were,
and the vessel was staggering badly. The
STORM grew worse. and the vessel
becameo unmarageable. refusing to answer
her rudder. and every moment we expected to
be engulfed by the sea. The captain remained
on the bridge, but he and the wheelman had to
be tied to their posts. When the storm at
its height the steamer sprung leak and water
began to pour into the hold. The pumps were
set to work, but failed to keep the water from
rising, and Captain Colvin, as best he could,
headed his ship towards New York. The men
were half frozen; the rigging was covered with
ice, and every movable thing on deck was
washed away; the tarpauins two of the
matches had been carried off, and the water was
steadily gaining in the hold. All day Sunday
the pumps were kept working while
the vessel headed for New York.
AS night drew on, the water reached the en-
ginerooni, and by o'clock the fires were ex-
tinguished Those on board gave up all hope Of
ever seeing another day. At 6 o'clock on Mon
day morning. Fire Island light was sighted AS
near as could be guessed, the vessel was twelve
or fifteen miles southeast of the light At 9
o'clock, seeing there was no hope of saving the
steamer, Captain Colvin piped all hands, and or
dered the life-b boat and launch to be lowered
Half an hour later, and my companion took TO
the launch. and were Immediately followed by
the rest of the officers and crew. who took the
life boat We rowed away from the steamer
and about 10 o'clock, when we had gone about
two miles toward the shore, we saw her
go down, bow first, and in few seconds not a
spar or top mast could be seen We kept com
pany with the Captains boat for several hours,
until about six or seven miles from land, when
it took more easterly course, and we soon lost
sight of it. Myself and men were greatly ex-
hausted, and many of us had our hands and ears
frozen. We made but slow progress. About
o'clock IN the afternoon, when we were about
mile off shore, boat from the life-saving sta
ton came to our assistance. We were landed and
provided with dry, warm clothing and plenty of
food which we greatly needed, having had moth
ing to eat for nearly eighteen hours. We are
now on orr way to the British consulate. We
were told by man on the train that boat had
been picked up with one man in it."
All the men praised the conduct of Captain
Coivin, who stuck to the sinking vessel to the
last. All the crews of the life-saving stations
on Fire island are on the lookout for the missing
boat
Dispatches received here from Brook Haven,
Patchego and Babylon, state that no news Of
the missing Captain Colvln and the remainder
of the crew Of the Hylton Castle has been re-
ceived at any of these points. although the men
may have landed on the beach. Communication
between the lifesaving station and the main
land is now impossible. The great South bay is
frozen over A party of wreckers and wrecking
agents started from here for Fire Island on an
ice-boat this morning. They expected to return
this evening, with full particulars.