New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-11-17
TALES OF THE SURVIVORS.
TWO SAILORS TELL OF THE AWFUL WRECK
OF THE SERPENT.
MOST OF THE VICTIMS KILLED BY BEING DASHED
AGAINST THE RoCKs-THE LIGHT OF THE

MOST OF THE VICTIMS KILLED BY BEING DASHED
AGAINST THE RoCKs-THE LIGHT OF THE
LIGHTHOUSE DIM AND FAINT.
Corunna Nov 16.-The British gunboat Lap
wing brought the Serpents survivors to Coruhha
to-day An Associated Press correspondent boarded
the Lapwing on her arrival and had an interview
with one of the survivors, named Burton VIM
said that the Serpent struck covered rock about
1890 o'clock Monday night. the weatner
at the time being dirty but not
forgy. All hands were below except the
officers and six watchmen. Immediately ai'er
the shock all who were below rushed to the deck
The crew obeyed the orders of the officers, ana
there was no panic. large boat was soon
lowered but it was smashed TO pieces, ana the
occupants perished. 1t then became evident thac
it would be useless to- lower o,hei
boats An attempt to throw cao@
ashore also failed. Meanwhile men were
being constantly washed overheard. burton
saw one wave wash twelve men into the sea.
About an hour after the Serpent struck the
captain gave the men leave TO save themselves
as they thought best. Burton jumped overheard,
having lfebelt around his waist, as had all
the men on watch Nobody followed him. Aftcr
swimming for two or three hours battling with
immense waves all the time, he reached calm wafer
and landed in exhausted condition, aithoush
his only injury slight abrasion OF hne leg
The night was pitch dark. After resting a wmie
he met Luzon. another survivor, and together
they walked to coast village two miles from
the scene of the wreck whence some
of the villagers conveyed them to Camarinas.
Burton feels quite well now. While at Cainarinas
he identified many bodies that had been washed
ashore. -
of
to he ON deck. and was found below. lie sat up in
bed and chatted 2ayly with the correspondents
re confirmed Burtons story. Luzon was washed
overheard half an hour after the shock OF the
shin striking the rock lie was without hfe-
preServer belt lilo tried with NH hi5 strength u
avoid spot where he heard the sea beating on
some rocks. After being in the water an hour
and half he reached calm wafer. Wheh
he had landed on the sand he discovered
that piece of flesh had been torn out OF his leg
lie did not know how he had sustained the injury,
as he had not felt any pain before landing. Wheh
he walked every step seemed more painful than
the one before it. Luzon remained conscious how
ever and is now improving. ,
Both Burton and Luzon say they believe that the
Serpent deyiated from her course owing to the the
Cape villano light was sighted the Serpeht
struck. The light was faint. Burton says y. ne
thinks that the Serpent sank soon aiter ne ei.; e
disaster forty-eight bodies Of victims had been
buried, many without being recognized. The
majority of the victims were not drowned but
were killed by being dashed against the rocks.
Gould, the third survivor, is i'll, suffering from
high fever. and could not. be seem,
The testimony of the survivors of the wrecked
cruiser Serpent goes to show that the light of the
Villano lighthouse had not been seen BY the look
out on the Serpent although the light is usually
visible for fourteen miles. 1t is believed that tle
Serpent's compass was affected by the iron in
the reef and that astronomical observations were
impossible owing to the bad state of the weather.
A Spanish gunboat which yesterday passed the
scene of the disaster found no trace OF the
Serpent. body washed ashore to-day is sup
no,ed to be that of the commander of the Serpent