The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1888-08-22
GREAT OCEAN DISASTER.
Eighty Passengers. Thirtythree Sea
men and six OFFICERS Lost.

stettin. was run into off Cape Race. Tues
day. by the steamship Thingvalla, of the
sane line. Her side was stove in and She
sank rapidly. The panic stricken people
were got into boats as rapidly as possible,
the Thingyalla boats being also used in the
work of rescue. The Geiser SAM 50 fast,
however, thai before the boats retarned from
the Thingvalla on their first trip, the disa-
bled steamer 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 T~hingvalla it was tound
that ~ passengers and So of the crew ofthe
Geiser were missing.
II wrELASD TO TIE RESCUE.
The Hamburg line steamship Wieland.
which was in the vicinity, came up in time
TO assist in the work of rescue, and she di-
vided the:rescued party with the Thingvalla,
the latter proceeding in a damaged condition
for Halifax, while the Wieland proceeded to
New York, arriving at Quarantine late this
afternoon. 1t is reported that IA passengers
and IL of the crew were saved, including
Captain Moller.
ONLY THIRTy-oNE SAVED.
The collision. between the Thingvalla and
Geiser occurred off Sable Island. The Gel
ser sank in five minutes. The Thingvalla
passengers, ass in number, were transferred
10 the Wieland and brought mere with the
ii passengers and IL of the crew of the Gel
ser. All the Others on the Geiser, Y pas
sengers and 80 crew, were drowned The
Thingvalla is trying to reach Halifax. The
exact extent OF her injuries is unknown. The
Thingvalla left Stettin July % aud Copen-
hagen August 4 for New York. She is COM
manded BY Captain Laub. She is ISL Q
register. The Geiser was of 81 tons.
HOW roocURRED.
The collision occurred about 4 O'Clock
Tuesday morning. First Mate Henry Brown
had been in charge, the captain having re-
tired at II P. NJ. the night being perfectly
clear and no danger apprehended. About 4
O'Clock Captain Moller was awakened by a
call from the chief officer on the bridge, who
said there was danger of a collision. \ mo-
ment later there was a shrili blowing Of
whistles, which awakened the passengers,
but before they could get on deck or seize
life preservers there was a 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 confusion
and panic. A rush was made for the boats.
THE OFFICIAL REPORT.
The official report of the Geiser disaster
shows that there were 10 passengers on board
of whom seven were second cabin and the
remainder steerage. The crew numbered ~
men. including officers. None of the cabin
passengers were saved, and1 of the crew
were saved, inclusive of the officers. Of "a
steerage passengers IA were saved. The loss
Of life is therefore 1872.
The CAPTAIN COZ
Captain Moller had rushed 10 the bridge,
clothed only in his night dress. He says Inc
heard two whistles, meaning that his steam
er would keep on her course. He recognized
the Thiugvalla approaching amidships on
the starboard side. The Geiser's engines
were reversed and she was backing water.
The same was being done by the Thingvalla-
but both steamer were under too heavy a
Roadway to avert the catastrophe. Captain
Moller continues; The passengers had now
been awakened, and were r rambling over
each other in wild confusion in an effort
to reach the upper decks. They forgot the
first rule on board ship in case OF accident,
to seize life preserves. | called TO them TO
do so, but they paid no heed. | gave orders
TO mar the boats and the small boat eastern
was lowered, but the settling of the steamer
AT at this moment sank the boat. In less
than two minute from the time ! reached the
the bridge we We're struck, and within the
same length of time thereafter the vessel
was partly under water. | had hardly given
orders to man the life and small boats when
l was swept from the bridge.
P-AssExGERs PASIcSrRIcxES.
"The panic stricken passengers made a
Jump for the few boats hat were launched,
and the boats were Immediately capsized.
As soon as ] came to the surface began To
swim. l saw nothing in the darkness but
the mast of the ship, but heard the awful
cries of those who were struggling in the
water or sinking to death. suppose | had
been in the water FIVE minutes when / came
near a rowboat from the Thingvalla and was
picked up The officers and crew Of the
Thingvalla did everything that human
beings could do to save the lives Of those
who went down with the Geiser."
PRINCIPALLY
Other accounts c~orroborate the Captain
statement as to the panic of the passengers
and the swapping of the boats. The pas
sengers were mostly farmers from the North
west, who bad by years Of industry and
economy accumulated a competence, and
were going on a visit 10 their native land.
Many were especially attracted thitIier at
this time by the great exposition at Copen-
hagen. Those that were saved lost all their
effects. and even all their clothing except
their nightwear.
THE PASSENGERS STORIES.
Anders Wise, OF Minneapolis, one OF those
saved. says that being used to early rising he
was awake when the crash came, about 4
o'clock. 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 lifeboats, bnt could not do so. The
steamer sank with terrible rapidity. He was
taken down in the whirlpool.
When he came up he was under an over