Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-12-08
ADRlFT ON THE SEA
Terrible Experience Of Passen-
gers on the Steamer
Spree.


states that a large three-masted
steamer passed that point at II:20
o'clock this morning. having in tow
large three-masted German steamer.
The vessels were twenty miles off
shore ami the signals displayed were
indistinct, 1t is presumed that
the vessel in tow is the North
German Lloyd steamer Spree, which
sailed from Bremen Nov. % via South
ampton for New York and which has
been reported by cable as being over
due at her port Of destination The
weather is fine and the wind moderate.
later dispatch from Kinsale says
that the vessel which passed there in
tow this morning was the Spree. The
vessel towing her was the British
steamer Lake Huron, Capt. Carey,
from Montreal Nov. 10 Tor Liverpool
The signals displayed read Shaft
broken" Two Queenstown tugs have
gone to assist the Spree.
Later.
1t has been found that the Spree's
main shaft broke early on the morning
of November 20. Before the engines
could be stopped, the broken shaft
pounded out a portion Of the stern and
a part of the machinery went through
the bottom under the second cabin
which Immediately filled with water.
The passengers thought the vessel
was going to the bottom and rushed Oh
deck.
For a time vertable panic prevailed
and the officers We're helpless to calm
the terrorized passengers
The water could be heard rushing
through the hole in the bottom and in
The widest confusion ensued, but when
it was discovered that the vessel was
not Immediately going to the bottom
Semblance of order was restored. Never
theleSS, the passengers We're anxious
and kept life preserverS close at hand.
The boat crews piped to stations and
everything was placed in readiness for
the Abandonment of the vessel. 1t was
soon found, however, that though the
water was pouring into the cOmpart-
mentS beneath the second cabin, very
little was reaching other parts of the
vessel.
1t was soon found however, that al
second cabin very little was reaching
other parts Of the vessel.
When the accident occurred the
Spree was about 1000 miles from
Queenstown. Two anxious days passed
and the Lake Huron took the disabled
vessel in tow on the 2Sth
There were 2S3 passengers on board,
and among them were Gen. Howard,
U. S. army; Mrs, Adelaide Howard,
and family; Dwight L. Moody, evan
geliSt; Mrs. Louis Brach and family,
Milwaukee; DR.. Sidney Guam, of Chi
cagO, and others.
A second class passenger named
Paul Kelson, was so badly frightened
after the accident that he jumped over
board and drowned. The other passen-
gers are all we'll. Some passengers
and portion of the Spree's mail will
be forwarded by the Eh1nia tomorrow,
and others by the Havel, which leaves
Bremen tomorrow for Queenstown to
embark them.
Captain Milligerode in an interview
says that he never before saw such IN
eyentful voyage. The weather was
favorable and splendid progress was
made until the accident occurred.
Immediately after the crash the cap
tain and crew took strong measures to
In npfo 10
damaged compartments. After strenu-
Gus efforts their measures were crowned
with success and at 10 o'clock in the
afternoon seven hours after the acct
dent, the captain was able to announce
to the passengers that the water was
under control and would be undOubted-
~ confined to the damaged compart-
ment
Grave fears still existed of serious con-
sequences should bad weather be eE-
perienced. Throughout Saturday and
Sunday the crew worked energetically
and secured bulk heads in such man
ner that the vessel was considered
safe. TIE vessel drifted southwark and
then the wind changed and it took a
back track. The steamers flares were
kept burning at night and signals fly
ing during the day.
The widest scene of joy and emotion
were enacted when the Lake Huron was
sighted at 80 Monday morning
A heavy sea was running and it was
necessary to wait for daylight before
the line could be passed between the
vessels. 1t was successfully accomplish
ed then amid rousing cheers from the
passengers.
The two ships got under way at 8
o'clock for Queenstown, 729 miles dis
tant That port was reached without
further incident.
Dwight Moody presided at a prayer
meeting Sunday and all the passengers
petitioned the Almighty to preserve
them.
Thanksgiving service was held aboard
the Spree after it's arrival here. a
meeting Of passengers was also held at
which an address Of thanks and felicita-
ton to the captain was unanimously ap-
proved. A collection was also taken
for the crew.