Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1888-08-23
STEAMSHIP COLLISION.
GEIsER oFTHETHINGVALLALINE
GOES DOWN. ...
Seventy p Passengers and ThIrty-Three
ofthe Crew Reported as Lost.


left New York last Saturday, August IL
was run into off Cape Race Tuesday By
the steamship Thingvalla Of the same
line. Her side was slowed and she sank
rapidly. The panic stricken people
were got into boats as rapidly as posi-.
BILE, the Thingvalla's boats being also
used in the work ofrescue. The Geisei
sank so fast, however, that before the
boats returned from the Thingvalla
after their first trip, the disabled steam-
er had gone down, leaving scores OF
people struggling In the water. Many
of these were picked up, but when the
roll was called on board the Thingvalla,
1t was found that seventy-two passen-
gers and thirty-three of the crew of the
Geiser were missing.
The hamburg line steamship VIE
land, which was in the vicinity, came
up in time to assist in the work of
rescue, and she divided the rescued
party with the Thingvalla, the latter
proceeding in damaged condition for
Halifax while the Wieland proceeded
to New York arriving ut quarantine
late yesterday afternoon. It is report
ed that fourteen passengers and seven
teen of the crew were saved, including
Captain Muller.
The collision between the Thing
valla and Geiser occurred off Sable
Island. The Geiser sank in five min
utes. The Thingvalla passengers, 155
in number, were transferred to the
Wieland and brought here with the
fourteen passengers and eleven of the
crew of the Geiser. All the others on
the Geiser.
Seventy-two passengers and thirty
three of the crew were drowned. The
Thingvalla is trying to reach Halifax.
The exact extent of her injuries is un-
known. The Thingvalla left July 20,
and Copenhagen August 4 for New
York. She is commanded by Captain
Laub. She was ,841 tons register
The Geiser was 1,87l tons.
The collision occurred about 4 o'clock
Tuesday morning. First Mate Henry
Brown had been in charge, the captain
having retired at II p. M, the night
being perfectly clear and no danger ap-
pretended. About 4 o'clock Captain
Muller was awakened by call from
the chief officers on the bridge who
said there was danger ofa collision. A
moment later there was shrill blow
Ing of. whistles which awakened the
passengers, but before they could get on
deck or seize life preservers, there was
terrible shock and the vessels side
was crushed in. Some of the water
tight compartments were broken into
and the ship began at once to sink
Those on board were thrown into con-
fusion and panic and a rush was made
for the boats.
Captain Muller had rushed to the
bridge clothed only in his uight dress.
He says he heard two whistles, mean
ing that his steamer would keep on her
course. He recognized the Thingvalla
approaching amidship on the starboard
side. The Geiser's engines were re-
versed and she was backing water
The same was being done by the Thing
valla, but both steamers were under
too great a headway to avoid a catas-
trophe, Captain Muller continued. The
passengers had now been awakened and
were scrambling over each other in
wild confusion in an effort to reach the
upper decks. They forgot the first rule
on board q ship in case of accident, to
seize life preservers. I called to them
to do so, but they paid no heed. Igave
orders to man the boats, and the small
boat was lowered, but the settling of
the steamer aft at this moment sunk
the boat. In less than two minutes
from the time / reached the bridge we
were struck, and within the same length
of time thereafter the ship was partly
under water. had hardly given
orders to man the boats and small
boats when I was swept from the bridge,
the panic stricken passengers made a
jump for the few boats that were
launched, and the boats were immedi-
ately capsized. AS soon as I came to
the surface 1 began to swim. I saw
nothing in the darkness but the masts
of the ship, but heard the awful cries
of those who were struggling in the
water or sinking to death. l suppose
had been in the water five minutes
when came near row boat from the
Thingvalla and was picked up. The
officers and crew of the Thingvalla did
every thing that human beings could
do to save the lives of those who went
down with the Gaiser. Other accounts
corroborate the captains statement as
to the panic of the passengers and the
swamping of the boats.
The passengers were mostly farmers
from the northwest, who had by years
of industry and economy, accumulated
q competence, and were going on q
visit to their native land. Many were
especially attracted thither at this time
by the great exposition at Copenhagen
Those that were saved lost all theil
effects, and even all their clothing ex.
cept their night wear.
Anders Wellz of Minneapolis one o.
those who were saved said that being
used to early rising he was awake wheT
the crash came about 4 o'oclock. He
heard the cries of the officers and crew
and the orders for all to come on deck
He rushed up and tried to cut loose one
of the life boats, but could not do so.
ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY LIVES LOST
| NEW YORK, August 1.-THE officia
report of the Geiser disaster shows tha
there were SO passengers on board, o
whom seven were second cabin and the
remainder steerage. The crew mum
bered 20 men, including officers. None
of the cabin passengers were saved anC
seventeen of the crew were saved in
elusive of the officers. OF the steeragt
passengers IA were saved. The loss o.
life is therefore 1872.
THE REVISED OFFICIAL LIST OF TIL
LOST. is
New YORK, August 1.-THE revised