The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-04-23
SAFE In PORT.
The Passengers and Crew Of the
Abandoned Steamship Dsnmark
Rescued by the Missouri.
Some OF the Saved Left at the Azores
and the Rest Brought to
this Country.
Much Inconvenience and some Rough
Weather. but Not a single Life Lost
Story OF Capt. Murreu.

hha ~ - Pr ~ ettesa
ship Missouri, with S65 people from the
wrecked steamer Danmark, arrived ct the
American line company's dock this even
ing. All OF the DAnmark's passengers look
hearty and bright and show no signs OF the
hardship which they must have necessarily
endured. The general passenger agent Of
the Thiugvalla line said all would be for
warded TO their destination from this city,
II satisfactory arrangements could be made.
Nearly all the emigrants are bound for
points In the west
Capt Hamilton Murrell, the commander
OF the Missouri. furnishes the following
statement: We left London with
q general cargo Tor the first
trip TO Philadelphia, March *.
April 8 we sighted the steamer Danmark
flying signal OF distress. We bore down
on the steamer and found her disabled.
Capt. Knudsen, her commander, reported
the tail end Of his shaft was broken and he
wished me 10 take the passengers 10 New
York. Owing 10 the state Of the weather
and because Of the fact that was not pre-
pared 10 accommodate such q number Of
people, declined to accede to his request,
but offered instead to tow his vessel
to the nearest port This offer Capt Knud.
sen accepted. The vessel proceeded slow
ly, heading north west for st. Johns, N. r.,
which considered the best port TO make
under the circumstances. The wind blew
with tremendous force all night, and this
made our progress most difficult. April y,
at $50 q. m., nnding we could make no
headway In q westerly direction, and seeing
Ice TO the windward, decided to abandon
my hope OF reaching 81 Johns and de-
termined TO make for the Azorer islands. i
signaled my determination TO the captain
OF the Danmark, and he agreed this was
the best course 70 pursue. AT a. IN. the
DAnmnrk signaled, I'VE are leaking consid-
errbly; there 10 now three feet OF water In
the att hold and gaining rapidly"
i asked what / should do and the signal
came: keep on towing" Two hours
later the Danmark again signalled us that
"the Dnnmark Is sinking; we must aban-
don the ship. VIII you take the passen-
gers P'
Without o moments hesitation l sig.
nailed back: "fes; will take all on board
and do the best i can"
/ then cut the tow-line and We dropped
down TO the Danmark. Chief Officer Glen,
OF that vessel, came on board the Missouri
and informed me OF the condition OF his
ship. lie said Capt knudson had decided
that for the best interests OF those on the
ship II would be better 70 abandon her and
get all the people on board the Mis-
souri, while there was plenty OF time.
A heavy swell was running during all OF
this terrible day, making the work of re-
moving the people from the sinking ship
one OF great difficulty, and IL was only by
the hardest kind Of work that we were able
10 avoid accidents, both 10 the people and
the boats. The women and children were
removed first, and after them the male pas
seDgers and crew.
Al 2p. IN. we finished the work OF trans
ferring the passengers, having consumed
five hours and gotten everybody, with the
exception OF the officers, safely ON the Mis-
souri,, without q single accident OF any
kind. An hour later the barometer began
falling, and | sent word 10 Captain Knud-
sen and his officers TO leave the ship and
come on board the Missouri, and after
getting some provisions from the Danmark,
which had now settled very perceptibly In
the water, that vessel was finally aban-
d0ned, Capt Knudsen being the last 10
leave the ship. then counted heads and
found We had In addition " our own crew
OF forty-hve men and four passengers. 500
cabin and steerage passengers, and sixty
nine OF the officers and crew OF the III
fated steamer. Our last view Of the Dan
mark showed the vessel TO be rapidly going
down, her stern being almost even with the
sea and the water breaking over her. We
threw overheard most OF our cargo on the
decks, consisting principally Of bales of
rags, In order TO make room FOR the accom-
mediation OF the large additions TO our
passenger list. On looking over our pro-
visions we found, after careful estimate
OF the number Of mouths 10 feed, we only
had enough food on board 10 last three
days, and decided To make all possible
haste 10 reach the port Of ST. Michaels,
which was 720 miles away.
April at 20 a. m, about ten hours
after the transfer was made, Mrs. Linney,
aged rs years, q Danish woman who was
on her way TO America TO meet her hus-
band, gave birth to girl In my cabin. The
little stranger was christened Atlanta Mis-.