, 1891-05-02
SHIPWRECK OF A STEAMER IN
THE CARIBBEAN SEA.

Greytown, having on board eighteen persons,
comprising the crew and passengers, includ-
ing the Warner Miller part !, of the "Aguan',
which ran aground on Roncador (SnorcrJ
Banks, March rs. All are in good health and
overJoyed at their deliverance.
RoDcador Banks lie in the Caribbean Sea,
200 miles from the main land, IN latitude 13 5
north and longitude sos West. 1t is an unin-
habited barren strip of sand, never rising more
than twenty feet out of water. At some points
there is deep water close to the island, while
at others shoals extend for many miles and
then terminate SO abruptly that 900 fathoms
of water Can be found within a few feet of a
shoal barely covered at low tide.
The "8guan" was a steel ship, built at Glas-
Cow in 1887, and rated first class. She was
one of the Honduras and Central American
Steamship Company's vessels. Her Captain
was W. X. Baltic, of twenty-six years expert
ence. Her owner, James Rankine, of No. -
Whitehall Street, was aboard with his wife.
This is Mr.. RANKINGS second shipwreck, as he
was on the CITY of Paris" when her engines
broke down off the coast of Ireland about a
year ago.
The carly morning Of March 26 was clear
and calm. The moon was full and the surface
of the sea shone brightly all around the
"Aguan". Objects as large as a small
boat could be distinguished q quarter OF
a mile away. The "AGuan" should have
passed far to the eastward of Roncador. n
81 knot current sets towards the island
from the eastward, and it is customary to
allow for this in laying a ships course. Cap
tain Baltic says he allowed twenty-five miles
for this current. He verified his course at
noon, March 25, AMI found it correct. At mid
night, thinking Roncldor was safely passed,
he turned in.
At 3.15 o'clock in the morning of the Goth
the "Aguan'' bumped on the Bhoal and stuck
fast in spite Of all the ctforts to free her. She
was drawing fifteen feet six inches Of water Tor
Ward and seventeen feet six inches astcrn when
she struck, and ran up Sd high that the nine
foot mark forward and the fiftcca-foot mark
astern were both out of water. Except the
night crew all the n;nety-threo persons on the
"Aguan" were found asleep whca The crash
came, throwing them h9adlong from their
berths and hammocks. There was a panic at first,
but the officers of the ship turned out heavily
armed, and order was restored, when it was
found that the ship was shelved so safely that
she could not sink. When the LIFE boats were
launched they began to fill with water. They
had not been afloat for two years, and the sun
had warped them and opened their seams.
They were kept alongside and all hands waited
for the morning. when the sun rose IL snow
cd Roncador Island eight miles to the west
ward. First Officer Lapsley, with four sea
men, took one of the lifcboats and sailed of
to reconnoitre. If the island of Roncador were
inhabitablo they were to pass on to Providence
Island, seventy-fve miles further to the west,
and try to find a vessel there to send to the
relief Of their shipwrecked companions. But
if Roncador wei uninhabitable they werc to
4nrn hack and take some of the passengers,
and oil the boats would proceed together.
All ewes watched the lifoboat, and o sigh of
relief went up when she rounded Roncador
and passed on. That meant that the island
was inhabited.
The sun was still low on the horizon at this
time and a startling vision crossed its surface.
It was a large steamer heading towards the
reef. The passengers and crew of the "Aguan"
beheld her coming with much rejoicing. Sud
denly she disappeared and was seen no more
and the shipwrecked people knew that they
had been the sport of a mirage.
Coffee was served on deck soon after this de-
pressing incident and then the people hled
into the boats. It was soon discovered that
the ships officers knew nothing about sailing,
80 Charles Watrous took charge of the 6rst
boat that followed the reconnoitring party.
James Rankine assumed command OF the Sc
cond boat and Lieut.. Howard of the third. All
the passengers landed before noon with q very
scant supply Of water and provisions. WHICH