The record-union., 1892-12-05
AN EVEN1FUL VOYAGE.
STEAMERS NARROW ESCAPE
FROM SINKING.
Spree-Passengers Panic-Stricken
One Life Lost.
Special to the RECoRD-rx1oS.


LIVERPOOL, Dec. 1.-THE North Ger
man Lloyd steamer Spree arrived yester-
day afternoon ia tow of the British
steamer Lake Huron, after very thrill
ing experience. The main shaft of the
Spree was broken early the morning OF
November 26th. Before the engines
could be stopped the broken shaft
pounded out portion Of the stern and
part of the machinery went through the
bottom under the second cabin, which
Immediately filed with water
The passengers thought the vessel was
going to the bottom and rushed on deck.
For a tune veritable panic prevailed,
and the officers were powerless to calm
the terrorized passengers. Water could
be heard rushing through the hole in the
bottom, and in a short time the vessel
began to settle. The widest confusion
ensued, but when it was discovered that
the vessel was not Immediately going to
the bottom a semblance of order was re-
stored. Nevertheless the passengers were
anxious, and kept life-preservers close
at hand.
The crews were piped to their stations
and everything was placed in readiness
for the abandonment of the vessel 1t
was soon found, however, that the water
tight bulkheads were answering the pur-
pose for which they were constructed, and
though the water was pouring into the
compartments beneath the second cabin
very little was reaching the other parts OF
the vessel.
When the accident occurred the Spree
was about 1000 miles from Queenstown
Two anxious days were passed, and the
Lake Huron took the disabled vessel into
tow on November 18th.
There were 2S3 passengers on board.
Among them were General O. 0. Howard
of the United States Army, Mrs. Adelaide
Howard and childs Dwight l.. Moody. the
evangelist, and Mrs. Lewis Brach and
family of Milwaukee.
A secOnd-class passenger named Paul
kelson w;ts so badly frightened after the
accident that he jumped overheard and
WAS drowned. The other passcngers are
all well. some Of the passengers and a
portion OF the Spree's mail will be for
warded by the Etruria tomorrow. and
the others by the North German Lloyd
steamer flaVel, which will leave Bremen
tomorrow for Queenstown to embark
them.
Captain NIilligerode in an interview
saws he never before had such an eventfuI
voyage. The weather was favorable and
splendid progress was made until the ac-
cident occurred. Immediately after the
crash the Captain and crew took strong
measures TO prevent the water from enter
ing other than the damaged compArt-
ments. Alter strenuous efforts they sue
cecded and at l O'Clock in the afternoon.
seven hours after the accident. the Cap
tain was able to announce TO the passen-
gers thai the water was under control aud
would undoubtedly be confined 10 the
damaged compartments.
Grave fears still existed, however. of
serious consequence should bad weather
he experienced. Throughout Saturday
and Sunday the crew worked energeti-
cally and secured the buIllheads in such
manner that the vessel was considered
safe. She drifted southwark and then the
wind changed and started her on the
back track. The steamers flares were
kept burning at night and signals were
flying during the Gay.
The widest scenes of 10y and emotion
were witnessed when the Lake Huron
was sighted at 1:30 o'clock Monday morn
ing. 4 heavy sea was running and it was
necessary TO wait for daylight till line
could be passed between the vessels
This was successfully accomplished amid
rousing cheers from the passengers. The
TWO ships got under way at 9 o'clock for
| Queenstown, 72S miles distant. The port
was reached without further incident.
The Spree now lies at her moorings in
lh5 OOltI Hdl Dpis i7llO bldNS tniAIN AteI
of water ait and eighteen feet forward.
| The pumps are kept continually work
ing. The bulkhead of the third compart-
ment is badly strained, but it is well Sc
cured. Until the divers report the condi-
tion of the vessels hull it cannot be
stated what course will be taken. 1t is
believed an effort will be made to pump
the water out OF the two flooded compart-
ments. A number of sacks of mail are
still aboard the Spree. They cOuld not he
recovered in time TO meet the Etruria.