Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-14
A MISSING STEAMER
Now Being Searched for in the
Storm Throughout the
English Channel.
THE CHIEF OFFICER LANDS
BY Means of 4 LifrbOat TO Secure
Aid for the lmperiled Vessel.
RAVAGES UPON THE LAND AND SEA
The Effects of the Blizzard Very Disastrous
All Over Europe.
THE CHIEF OFFICER LANDS
UPON THELAND AND SEA
PECULIAR LETTER OF EX-kING MILAN

LONDON, March 13. The Hamburg
American line steamship Suevia, from New
York February %, for Hamburg, which was
reported yesterday as being in disabled
condition 60 miles off the Lizlrd, is, as this
dispatch Is sent, sull breasting the chan
mel seas without anything definite being
known as to her exact condition. Particu-
lars have however been received as to the
nature OF the accident which has happened
to her by the chief officer, who landed at
plymouth under considerable difficulty.
From the chief officers report it appears
that the low pressure conducting wheel was
found to b. broken when the Suevia was of
Prawle Point near Start Point, the south
ernmost point of Devonshire on Monday
last. At the time this accident occurred a
strong east wind was blowing and a heavy
sea was running. The Suevia consequently
drfted down the channel and experienced
dreadful weather during the whole Of Mon
day night and Tuesday, then towards the
afternoon. her signals of distress were re-
suonded to. and small London steamer, the
Acme. which was proceeding down the
channel, went to the big steamships assist
ance.
Unable to Tow the Big One.
After steaming up alongside the Suevia
and putting his vessels head to the wind,
the Acme's Captain and the Commander of
the Suevia exchanged views upon the situa-
ton. The Suevia's Commander wanted the
Acme TO at least try to tow the Hamburg
American vessel TO Plymouth or Dartmouth,
but the Captain of the London steamer de-
c.3ed that his vessel was too small to even
attempt to tow such large steamship as the
Sueyia against the gale which was blowing,
as il might result in disaster to the smaller
steamer.
Finally the chief officer of the Suevia was
put OF from that ship in i lifeboat and was
put on board pilot boat which had been
Drawing the storm in search of vessels bound
NJ channel. The pilot boats Commander
readily consented 10 make an attempt to
land the Sueyia's chief officer at Plymouth.
and eventually succeeded IN so doing, reach
ing that place on Wednesday night, after
receiving 4 terrific pounding from the sea.
The chief officer Immediately upon land
ing placed himself in communication with
the Hamburg-A merican line agents. with
the result that i powerful channel tug, the
lmcaton, was sent out OF Plymouth in search
OF the disabled. The Imcaton experienced
very bad weather while searching the chan
ne! for the missing ocean liner, being re-
peatedly swept tore and aft by the waves.
The eventual result was that the tug was
compelled TO put into Falmouth yesterday,
having failed to find any trace of the Suevia.
Another Search to BE Made.
The NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. lines agents,
however, DO not intend to give up the
search. They no sooner heard of the return
OF the Imcaton and that her mission had not
been successful than they made arrange
mcnts TO senG another and more powerful
channel tug out from southampton. The
morning. aud after calling at Plymouth for
the chief officer Of the Suevia, put TO sea in
the hope OF falling in with the disabled
steamer
ANY number of disasters are reported on
both land and sea. While throughout the
LgndCn district 4 thaw has set in, there are
no irEs OF a moderation in the severity of
the weather in the Southwest of England.
a heavy snow storm prevailed last night in
Devoashire and Cornwall, considerably
adding to the Sufferings of the farmers OF
those counties, and still further impeding
the resumption Of traffic on the railroads in
the southwest. As for the country roads,
they are utterly impossible, huge snow
drifts completely preventing any communi-
cation between the different towns and vii
lagos.
TlIs state of affairs is naturally very
severe upon the villages which depend
almost entirely upon the towns in their
TaighbOrhood for supplies of food and fuel.
In tact, in the cases of number of these
suall villages their isolation is already
causing considerable anxiety, as actual
starvation stares them in the face should the
weather not moderate shortly sufficiently to
allow them TO be revictualed.
Live stock Frozen TO Death.
In addition to the enormous losses suf-
ierei by the farmers IN sheep and cattle
which have either been frozen to death in
the fields or which have been smothered be-
meath the mountainous snowdrifts to be
found on all sides, large numbers of horses
have perished in a like manner. In the
ma iority OF villages and the smaller showed
NJ towns, all the shops and schools are
closed, for 1t is impossible for the school
children 10 venture out Of doors. aud shop
pers now nave more serious matters to con-
slider than the purchase Of goods be they
ever SO attractive.
One OF the curious incidents of the storm
WAS the showing un, near Exeter, of one of
those old-fashiOned fOur-horse coaches, which
still do duty in many parts of England in
de e:ault Of more modern methods of transit
The unfortunate passengers of this particu-
lar coach were compelled to camp bv the
roadside near the Snowbound coach. They
l. Co-4 -4ol,l
possible, built large ire. improvised rude
huT, made OF branches torn from trees bor-
daring on the highway, and kept up their
spirits as best they could. In spite of their
efforts to make the best of bad job, the al
most entire lack of food among the party
soon reduced them to q state of semi-starva-
ton. When rescued, the entire party was
badly frozen and in state of complete ex-
hau>uon.
Again a mail train was showed up near
Douslani, in Devonshire. and SO remained
for TWO entire daYs. When ii became evil
dent that there was no means OF moving the
tram on 10 Dousland, or of returning the
way 1t had come. the railroad porters and
the conductors after a conference with the
passengers, decided TO try to push into Dous-
land on loot, in order to at least obtain sup
plies OF provisions for the passengers. and, if
10 bring them some kind of sleighs
or other convevances winch would enable
them to reach places of shelter.
Passengers in a Bad way,
Thereupon the railroad men started on
their long, cold journey, and, after terrible
managed to reach Dousland in |
sa ely. But upon arrival there they were |
unable to return, and in addition. SO terri |
blv was the storm raging they were unahle |
to persuade Others to form rescue party.
During this time the hali-frozen passengers,
vino included a lumber Of ladies among |