, 1888-08-17

New YORK, Aug. I9.-The steamer
Wieland of the Hamburg American
Steamship line has just brought the news
of a collision off Sable island between the
Geyser and Thingvalla of the Thingvalla
line, which occurred at 4 o'clock on the
morning of Aug. IA. The Geyser sank
in five minutes after the collision and 105
persons were drowned. The Thingvalla
was so disabled that she had to put into
Halifax after transferring all her passen-
gers to the Wieland. The Geyser bad
eighty-six passengers aboard, seventy-two
of whom were
DROWNED OR KILLED
in the collision and fourteen were taken
first on the Thingvalla and her on the
Wieland. The Geyser's crew numbered
fifty. Seventeen were saved and thirty
three were drowned. Capt. Moller of the
Geyser was among those saved. The
passengers of the Thingvalla transferred
To the Wieland numbered 455.
The Geyscr left this port Aug. H.,
bound for Stettin. The Thingyalla was
on her way to this city and was advertised
to leave here Aug. %. q very heavy sea
aud Il dense fog were experienced through
the night and early in the morning of the
l4ih,the Thingvalla struck the Geyser the
starboard side amidshIps. The boats then
parted and within five minutes
Il GEYsER SANK.
The crew of the Thingvalla did all they
could to save the Geyser's crew and pass
cngcrs while still in doubt MS to whether
the rhingvalla was not dangerously dis
abled, but owing to the heavy sea only
thirty one
WERE SAVED.
No othtr vessel was near at the time.
The Wleland was on her way to this port
and was 100 miles away. At II :3O o'clock
the morning of the Nth, the Wieland
was sighted. Signals of distress were
made by the Thingvalla and the transfer
of the passengers began. The sea was
very heavy but no mlshaps occurred in
the transfer Of passengers.
Cause OF the Collision.
The collision so far as known was caus
ed by log and the chief officer of each
vessel was on deck at the time of the col
lision. Third officer Peters told much the
same story of the occurrence. He said
the fog was very dense and through the
night rain had fallen at intervals, and the
first we knew of the Geyser's approach
was when she appeared on tie starboard
side
RIGHT UPON US.
Both vessels attempted to sheer off,
being head on. The Geyser was struck
opposite the engine rooms, a%midships,
and the Geyser being heavily loaded was
low in the water so that the Thingvalla
carried away her W compartments. The
upper part of her bow ran over the decks
of the Geyser. The Geyser's deck
houses were carried away and the state
rooms were smashed in and occupants
killed. lie heard the bell ring in the
Geyser's engine room, but could not tell
what the order was.
Officer Peters ran on the deck at the
time. He heard the bell ringing again
this time to back and the steamer had
lust commenced to reverse when the
Thingvalla struck her. The Geyser's
whistle was blowing at the time.
Second Officer Figenseu jumped for the
Thingvalla
WHEN THEY STRUCK
and was hauled on the Thingvalla's deck
by ssme OF the latter crew.
One OF the Geyser's passengers was
picked up with a broken leg.
AS soon as the Wieland arrived in the
lower bay Capt. Moller of the Geyser left
the steamer on the revenue cutter. lie
went directly to the Office of the agents of
the company with whom he was closeted a
lew moments. He only left word that the
accident was due to the weather and left
without stating his destination. The
rest of the crew OF the Geyser were taken
70 the Hotel Denmark on the arrival OF
the Wiciand.