Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-04-24
THE DANMARK'S MYSTERY.
Purser Hemphil1 and Surgeon Yesperson
Tell Their Stories of the Disaster.

surgeon. Purser Hemphill, in telling the
story of the disaster. said
There was not an incident of the trip until
$50 o'clock on the afternoon Of April 4. We
were then somewhere near latitude AZ north
and longitude 81 west. As quick as a fash of
lightning the shaft snapped in two somewhere
in the stern pipe in the last bulkhead II went
with a crack, and the next instant there was a
thrashing and rumbling sound, and then the
steamer trembled violently and the engines
stopped You see. the broken end of the pro-
Peller shaft had thrashed around and pounded a
hole night through the bottom before il was
stopped That was what made all the trouble
A broken propeller shaft alone is not at all
serious. Scores of steamers have got safely to
port with broken shafts. But of course the
water began to pour in through the hole and
We couldn't keep it out with the bulkheads and
pumps. Nobody knows what made the shaft
break. 1t was well made and had been care
fully inspected"
HOW ENGINEER KAAsE DIED.
He then told the story of the rescue by the
Missouri, and added:
THE only fatal accident that happened
throughout was on the evening of April ). 1t
Happened In singular way. The water
so deep in the engine room that the cranks of
the engine dipped into it at every revolution of
the pumps. That kept steady stream flying
through the engine ROOM which after a while
put out the lantern and left the place in dark
ness. About o'clock Chief Engineer kaase
came into the engine room to look at the con-
denser. which is very important part of the
machinery. In the darkness he probably
stumbled and fell against the crank. which
struck him on the head and killed him in
stantly. His body was found lying on the foor."
THE DOCTORS STORY.
DR.. Yesperson gave the following graphic de-
scription of the scenes after the broken shaft
had torn the ships sides so that she began to
leak:
The passengers behaved very WELL indeed
never at any time becoming panic-stricken. al
though they were terribly frightened at the
noise and the shaky motion OF the ship when
the accident occurred. They brave lot.
though. and tried to smother their fears
The night after the accident. however. was one
of terror. The ship was almost entirely helpless.
and the big waves knocked her about as if bent
on accomplishing her destruction. No one
knew but that the ship might go down at any
moment. She was making water faster than
the pumps could work TO keep her free. We
didn't even know how badly she was damaged,
and she might. for all knew. suddenly fill
and go down with plunge. L never saw a
night so dark as the one after the accident The
weather was thick and the wind howled through
the rigging as if a thousand furieS were
riding on the gale. shriekng in our ears that
We were doomed. Standing on deck as the
vessel rolled and pitched about in the sea. all
that met the vision on either side black
wall OF water. Now and then the white crest
of a wave would loom up far above the ship
and the next instant. with the force of a trip
hammer mighty weight of water would dash
itself into foam on our decks. The passengers
huddled together forward were afraid to go be-
low lest the ship should suddenly go down and
bury them with her in the sea. There was hope
on deck. but none below Even if it had been
seen that the ship must 20 down within an hour
we could not have left her. for a small boat
could not have lived moment in the angry sea
that seethed around the ship. Most Of the men
nut st. vRg1I
ocean with keen eyes for the. light that would
mean life fox them and their families
1t was with the greatest Slee that the people
received the announcement that a vessel was in
sight just before noon April ). No language
could adequately describe the goodness of
Capt. Murrell, of the Missouri tie was an
angel of deliverance. and he will be remem-
bered with everlasting gratitude by every soul
on board the poor old Danmark."
HE SAW TWO FIRES
The Philadelphia Iag,tirer SAYS: John Han
son. a sea-faring man who lives in Chicago and
cruises on the great lakes. was one of the
passengers OF the Danmark His story Of the
accident. which he related last evening. differed
from that of all the others in some important
particulars. Hanson positively declared that
two fires broke out on board the ship. but were
extinguished III their incipicacv. The others
all declare that there were no fires Here is
his story:
Our first fright was about midnight on the
4th. A fire broke on: i'll the coal boxes but 1t
WAS not long before we put it out. Three hours
later another fire broke ont and then every
body was thoroughly scared Women cried
aad screamed. and everything was in confusion
Nothing but prompt action on the part of the
ohcCrs avertEd panic. j am positive there
were two fires. When the news spread that
the engineer had been found dead some said
he had killed himself. and others said that il
was an accident. His face was all blown of
and there was nothing left of his right arm Ii
was a horrible sight. We passed a terrible
night. but all suferings were forgotten
when We saw the Missouri. / will not weary
yOu with details for the purser has told you of
them Ii took us four DAYS after We deserted
the Danmark to reach the Azores We were
damned altogether sleeping under the decks
IN salls and Oh bales. At the Azores we secured
hunks. We never wanted badly for food, and
have certainly been treated spienGidly.
Honors to Captain MurreI1.
After the reception to Capt. Murrell at the
Philadelphia MARITIME exchange yesterday
afternoon the captain was escorted to the
mayor: Office, where mayor Filter in a fitting
speech welcomed him to the city. At the
1l7th annual banquet of the Sons OF st. George
In Philadelphia last night Capt MUrrell was
the guest of honor and nearly all the speakers
sounded his praises throughout the evening
AT the banquet he was presented with beauti-
fui gold watch by prominent firm of jewelers.
and was also handed Il copy of the subscription
list which had been started during the day and
was but partially completed. "a a token OF the
esteem IN which he and his men were held bv
Pkiiadelphians. The list is headed with the
names Of Mayor Filter and George ". Childs.
A. J. Drexel. Peter Wright & sons Harrison
Frazier Co.. and other prominent men were
subscribers TO the substantial recognition of
the services of the MissOuri's crew. When
want to express my gratitude" said the cap
tam, Il hardly know what to say ship was
slnklng and the passengers were in distress
and we took them ashore. If anv other En-
gish captain were there he would have done
the same thing" kilograms of regret were re-
eeived from Sir Julian Pauncefote. GOV
Beaver, Mayor Filter and many Others
Capt Murrells time. before leaving philadel-
phia ON Thursday is completely filled by all
sorts OF social engagements with people who
are eager To shower honOrs on him.
All OF the Danmark's passengers have been
sent 10 their destination except five detained
Tor inquiry as 20 their ability 10 support them
selves, and the parents Of child that died of
pneumonia Monday night soon after the land
ing was made. This the only victim of
the accident 70 the Danmark, the child's sick
ness being attributed TO exposure. One OF the
nVe detained persons is Christina Iinue. tine
mother of Atlanta Missouri the child horn on
the Missouri after the rescue
hing Christian has intinated that he will
confer decoration upon Captain Murren.
captain hnudseu, of the wrecked stea,rar