The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-11-17
SINKING OF THE SERPENT.
The Light of the Village Lighthouse
Not Seen by the Cruiser.


CoRUNNA, Nov. 16.-Evidence of the
survivors of the wrecked cruiser Serpent
goes to show that the lights Of the village
lighthouse had not been seen by the lookout
on the Serpent, although the light is usually
visible for fourteen miles. 1t is believed
that the 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 gun
boat which yesterday passed the scene Of
the disaster found no trace of the Serpent
body washed ashore to-day is supposed
to be that of the commander Of the Ser
pent.
STORY OF SURVIVOR.
CoRUNNA, Nov. 16.-The British gunboat
Lapwlng brought the Serpent's survivors to
Corunna to-day. An Associated Press re-
porter boarded the Lapwing on her arrival,
and had an interview with one of the sur
ylVors named Burton, who said that the
Serpent struck a covered rock about 0:30
O'Clock Monday night. The weather at the
time was dirty, but not foggy. All
hands were below, except the officers
and six watchmen. Immediately after
the shock all who were below rushed to the
deck. The crew o5eyed the orders of the
officers and there was no panic. A large
"NS oOCA tOWNicus Oub was SLHaohOd "
pieces and the occupants perished. 1t then
became evident that it would be useless to
lower the Others. An attempt to throw q
cable ashore also failed.
MEN SWEPT INTO THE SEA.
Meanwhile men were being washed over
board. 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 a
life belt around his waist, as had all the men
on watch. Nobody followed him. After
swimming two or three hours, battling with
immense waves all the time, be reached
calm water and landed in an exhausted con-
dition, although his only injury was a
slight abrasion of the leg. After resting
awhile he met another survivor, and to-
gether they walked to a 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 Csmarinas he identified many
corpses that had been washed ashore.
ANOTHER SURVIVORS, EXPERIENCE.
Luzon, another of the survivors, was too
i'll to be on deck and was found below. He
sat up in bed and chatted gayly with the
correspondent. He confirmed Burton's
story. Luzon was washed overheard half
an HOur dlCer Cne SHOCK OF Gne snip SCrlKlng
the rock. He was without a life-preserver
belt. He tried with all his strength to
avoid the spot where the heavy sea was
beating on some rocks. After being in the
water an hour and half be
reached calm water After he
had landed on the sand he discovered
that piece of flesh had been torn out of
his leg. He did not know how he sustained
the injury, as he had not felt any pain be-
fore landing. When he walked, every
step seemed more painful than the one be-
fore it. Luzen remained conscious, how.
ever, and is now improving.
OUT OF HER COURSE.
Both Burton and Luzon say they believe
that the Serpent deviated from her course,
owing to the weather. They state that the
moment Cape Villano light was sighted the
Serpent struck. The light was very faint.
Burton says he thinks that the Serpent
sank soon after he left.
When the Lapwing left the vicinity OF
the disaster forty-eight bodies Of victims
had been buried, many without being
recognized. A majority of the victims were
not drowned but were killed by being
dashed against the rocks.
Gould, the third survivor, is very ill, suf-
fering from high fever and could not be
interVieWed