Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-12-31


LONDON, Dec 23.-The passengers of the
steamer Abyssinia say that the scene on
the steamer after the fire broke out was
fearful in the extreme, yet everything was
in perfect control. The passengers and
crew lost everything that belonged to
them. The Spree's passengers subscribed
800 marks for the benefit Of the Abys-
sinia's crew.
The North German Lloyd steamer Spree,
Captain Willigerod, from New York, hav-
ing ON board the passengers and crew Of
the burned Giiion Line steamer Abyssinis,
did not arrive at Southampton until
O'Clock last night, and it was not until after
midnight that the people from the Abyssi-
mia were all ashore. Efforts were made to
gather the details of the fire from the Off
GERS and crew Of the Abyssinia, but none
OF them, with the exception of the third
officer, was inclined to say anything re-
garding the loss of the steamer.
THE THIRD OFFICERS STORY.
The third officer says that after the
Abyssinia left New York OIL December
18th everything proceeded as usunl until
o'clock that day smoke was noticed issu-
ing from beneath the matches Of the third
hold, in which the cotton was slowed
An investigation revealed the fact that
the cotton was on fire, and the flames had
gained such headway that all the efforts
made to subdue them, or even to hold
them in check, were of no avail. The fire
was fought us long as a single hope of
saving the steamer remained but finally
Captain Murray decided that if the passen-
gers and crew were to escape with their
lives they would have to leave the steamer
to her fate. He therefore ordered the life
boats to be made ready. Water and pro-
visions were placed in them and every
thing was made ready to leave the burning
steamer. The passengers then entered the
boats assigned to them. and the small
craft, with their human freight, were low
cred away from the davits and the falls
were cast off.
CAPTAIN MURRAY's GOODNESS.
Captain Murray thought the burning
steamer might be sighted by some passing
vessel and he therefore gave orders to the
captains of the lifeboats to lie in the
vicinity, so that if vessel bore down to
see what was burning they might all be
picked up. This was Wise precaution
for they had not been drifting long before
the Spree hove in sight headed for the
spot where the ADyssinia was burning.
and in short time all the hands in the
boats reached the decks Of the Spree in
safety
Captain Murray preserved his calm de-
meanor throughout the whole exciting
scene and he soon restored the panic
stricken members of his crew TO u state of
discipline.
During the excitement the Spree was
seen in the distance and her presence and
the fact that she was heading for the Abys-
sinia tended greatly to calm the excite
ment. When the Spree neared the Abys-
sinia she sent two of her boats to help take
off the people of the burning steamer.
Some of the latter's boats were utilized in
a. Tall H.. u
crew, were transferred to the German
steamer All the passengers luggage and
every bit OF the cargo was lost.
A PASSENGERS STORY.
1t was o'clock this morning when the
first of the Abyssinia's people, comprising
,34l passengers and So of her crew, reached
Waterloo station by rail from Southamp-
ton. The party was conducted by Purser
Brandt, and they looked depressed in the
dense fog which filled the station. They
were met at tie railway station by the
agent of the Guion Line, who sent the
party Immediately to Liverpool.
A passenger on the Abyssinia narrates a
story that does not agree in some of its
minor details with the foregoing. The
passenger says that the flames spread with
such rapidity that every one knew that
the steamer was doomed. When it became
known that there was no possible hope of
saving the vessel the most intense excite.
meiit prevailed. A number of the crew
became panicstricken and rushed hither
and thither, with no idea of what they
were doing. Two of them were so filed
with fear that they jumped into the sea.
There were some cool heads aboard, how
ever, and no time was lost in attempting
to save the two men who had thrown
themselves overheard. One man was
rescued but the other one was drowned.
WHAT PURsER BRANDT SAYS.
Prior to their departure an interview was
had with Purser Brandt. He said that the
Abyssinia had fair passage until l
O'Clock i'll the afternoon of December 18th,
At that time he was told that the ship was
on fire. He looked and saw smoke coming
from the hold.
Purser Brandt added 1--WE got the hose
stretched and the donkey engines started
We worked US hard as we possibly could
to get at the fire, but almost Immediately
the flames burst through where we were
working and drove ls OF. At the same
time the watch reported that the Spree
was standing up in the otfing. We signaled
to her and she bore down to us and sent
OFF boats to our assistance Before two
hours and half had elapsed the Abyssinia
was seething mass of flames"
GREAT EXCITEMENT PREVAILED.
The purser further said that when the
fire was first discovered great excitement
prevailed for time. This speedily sub
sided, however, and the passengers and
crew afterward behaved admirably. When
the order was given to abandon the vessel
everybody left as coolly us though they
were going aboard the tender at Liverpool.
Mr.. Brandt spoke very highly OF the
treatment aceorde the Abyssinia's people
on board the Spree. Captain Willigerod
and his officers and crew did everything
for their comfort and treated them in the
kindliest manner possible
The first report that the Spree fell in
with the Abyssnia in lat. 40 north, long.
% west, was erroneous. II was ascertained
by an examination of the log book of the
Spree that she took off the Abyssinia's
passengers and crew in lat. AZ north, long.
IL west, which makes the scene of the
burning Of the ship 20 miles further south
and long distance further west than at
first reported.