The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-12-04
ADRIFT In MID-OCEAN.
Steamer Spree Breaks Her Main
Shaft and Nearly Fills.
A GREAT HOLE IN HER BOTTOM.
Panic Among tho ued
After Two Days Of Waiting and
lowed Into Port.

LONDON, Dec. 2-The North German Lloyd's
steamer Spree. in tow Of the British steamer
Lake Huron, from Montreal, arrived at Queens
town this morning. The spree sailed from Bre-
men tor New York On November ~ The main
shalt OF the vessel was broken early on the
morning OF November 20. and before the engines
could De stopped the broken shaft pounded cut
portion OF the stern and part of the machin-
cry went through the bottom com partment, I'm
Der the second cabin, which immediately filled
with water. The passengers thought the ves-
sci was going to the bottom and rushed
on deck. For time veritable
panic prevailed and the officers were helpless
10 CAIN the terrorized passengers. The water
could be heard rushing through the hole in the
bottom and in short time the vessel began to
settle. The widest confusion ensued, but when
II was discovered that the vessel was not inme-
olately going to the bottom, sefnblancc of
order was restored. Nevertheless the psssen-
gers were anxious and kept life preservers close
at hand. The boat crews were pipcd TO the sta.
tons aud everything placed IN readiness for the
abandonment OF the vessel. 1t was soon found,
however. that the after light bulkheads were
answering the purpose for which they were con-
structed, aud though the water Was pouring
into the compartments beneath the second
cabin, little was reaching the other parts OF the
vessel
When the accident occurred the Spree was
about 1000 miles from Queenstown. Two anx.
ious days passed. ana the Lake Huron took the
disabled vessel in tow on the 18th. There were
2oS passengers on board, among them Gen. How
ard,of the United States army: Mrs Adelaide
Howard and child. Dwight l. Moody, the evan
geiist; Mrs. Lewis Brach and family, of Mil
waukee; Dr.. Sidney Quinn, of Chicago, and
others. second class passenger named Paul
kelso became so badly frightened after the
accident that he jumped overheard and was
Tha fhnr all all
Some OF the passengers and . portion Of the
Spree's mail will be forwarded by the Etruria
tomorrow aud Others by the North German
Lloyd steamer Have. which leaves Bremen to-
morrow for Queenstown TO embark them.
Capt. Milligercde, in AL interview, says he
never before had such an eventful voy-
age. The weather was favorable, and
splendid progress was made until the &C.
cident occurred. Immediately after the
crash, the captain and crew took strong meas
ures to prevent water from entering other than
the damaged compartments. After strenuous
efforts their measures were crowned with
success, and at 1 o'clock in the after
noon, seven hours after the acct
dent, the captain announced to the passengers
that the water was under control and undoubt-
eddy would be confined to the damaged COM
partments. Grave fears still existed of the con-
sequences should bad weather be experienced.
throughout Saturday and Sunday the crew
worked hard anu secured the bulkneads in such
a manner that tho vessel was considered safe.
The vessel driited southwark and then the
wind changed and it took a back track. The
steamers flares were kept burning at night
and signals flying during the day. There were
the widest scenes of joy and emotion when the
Lake Huron was sighted at l:s0 on Monday
morning. A heavy sea was running and it was
necessary to wait Tor daylight before a line
could be passed between the vessels.
1t was successfully accomplished then
amid rousing cheers from the passen-
gers The two ships got under way at
o'clock for Queenstown, 523 miles distant.
Port was reached without further incident.
Dwight L. Moody presided at the prayer meet
ings On Sunday, and all the passengers petit
toned the Almighty to preserve them.
Thanksgiving services were held aboard the
Spree after arrival here. A meeting of passen-
gers was also held. at which an address OF
thanks to the captain was unanimously ap-
proved. collection was also taken up for the
crew.