The Wilmington daily Republican., 1891-12-23
.ABLAzEON THE DEEP.
Destruction Of the -Guion Line
Steamer Abyssinia.
PASSENGERS AND GREW RESCUED.
The Lost Steamer Carried Fifty-five
Passengers and a Crew Of Eighty.
The Loss on Vessel and Cargo Es-
timated at a Million Dollars.

1hbSth2tEd uho u SECN VS.
The Loss on Vessel and Cargo Es-
timated at Million Dollars.
LONDON, Dec. 23. - The steamship
Abyssinia of the Guion line, which
sailed from New York on Dec. 10 for
Liverpool, has been burned at sea. All
hands were saved.
The news was brought by the North
German Lloyd steamer Spree, Captain
willigerod, which left New York Dec.
10 for Bremen. When she passed the
Scilly islands yesterday she signaled
that the Abyssinia had been burned in
latitude 40 degs. north, longitude 30 degs.
west.
Passengers Behaved Well.
At midnight the Spree landed the pas
sengers and crew of the Abyssinia. They
were all in fair condition, having re-
covered from the shock which their
rough experience had given many OF
them, and especially the women pas
eengers. Captain Murray, of the Abys-
sinia, spoke highly of the humanity and
courage shown by the officers of the
Spree in their prompt assistance to the
Abyssinia when made aware OF the
vessels danger.
The Abyssinias voyage was without
special incident from the date of start
ing, Dec. 10, until last Friday, Dec. 10.
1t was about noon when the signs of
fire were discovered by the crew. Care
was taken not TO alarm the passengers,
and Captain Murray bent every effort
to smother the fire. This had evidently
been smoldering in the cargo for some,
time, and when an attempt was made to
ascertain its extent, a volume of smoke
thick and suffocating, drove back the ex-
plorers. It soon became evident that
the vessel was beyond saving, and the
passengers were quietly told to make
preparations to leave, the crew laboring
meanwhile to retard the advance of the
flames, which threatened to burst from
the hold.
The Spree TO the Rescue.
The passengers behaved well, even the
women showing wonderful courage
under the circumstances. All eyes were
strained for a sail, while the growing
heat Of the deck told of increasing dan
ger. The flag of distress was hoisted,
and the horizon anxiously scanned. AT
length the Spree came in sight, and the
speed with which she directed her course
toward the burning vessel carried JOY to
the crew aud passengers of the Abyssinia.
SdPtdAh NAlllROAShs VI php 1lhSSi ANsN
no time in questions. He asked Captain
Murray the condition of his ship, and on
receiving a reply instantly caused his
boats to be lowered, and the German
sailors quickly manned them and made
for the burning vessel. The sea was not
running high, and transhipment was
accomplished without extraordinary
danger. The first let down into the
boats were the women, no distinction
being made of saloon or steerage. There
ssere six or seven of these, and two
children. A sturdy sailor carried down
each of the children, their mother fol
lowing. Then came the male passen
gers, and the>crew last of all, Captain
Murray going in the last boat.
After the Abyssinia had been aban
doned the fire gained rapid 'headway, as
could be seen from the Spree, and the
vessel must have gone down soon after
The cause Of the fire is unknown. bu
Captain Murray expressed the opinion
that it originated spontaneously in thu
cotton, of which there was over q thou
sand bales, destined for Liverpool.
The crew of the Abyssiria did not all
behave courageously in the hour of dan
ger. When the fire was discovered, tw'
of them rushed to the side of the vesse
in panic and jumped overheard. On
Of them was drowned, and the othe
RNzci1ed