Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-07-30

The Thrilling Experience OF the Crew Of the
Steamship Pctunia.

The Thrilling Experience OF the Crew Of the
Steamship Pctunia.
The British steamship Petunia, Capt. Owen,
has just arrived at Philadelphia from Pilley's
Island, Newfoundland, with q cargo of pyfites
ore. after perilous voyage, having been i'm
prisoned in the ice in the northern regions Of
the Bay of Notro Dame. From the description
given by Capt. Owen Of the ice blockade it may
well be predicted that the relief steamer Kite,
which has gone to the rescue Of Lieut.. Peary
and party, will have rough time working her
way northward through the ice, and her crew
may have to endure many hardships.
The Petunia, under time charter, left Phila-
delphia about month ago for Pilley's Island,
which is small settlement in the nor :heastern
part of Newfoundland, in Badger bay. She
reached that point in safety after nine days
steaming and Immediately began loading the
ore for the return voyage. This work occupied
period of eight days, when the Petunia sailed
for Philadelphia.
Hardly had the ship left the quaint settle
ment when the difficulties presented themselves
The Petunia had steamed out Of Badger bay
and entered the Bay Of Notre Dame, which was
completely shut in by icebergs that had worked
their way south from the arctic regions. They
were OF all shapes and sizes and the scene pre-
sented as they shone in all their prismatic
splendor under the powerful rays of the sum-
was magnificent to behold. Many of the pre-
ponderous formations shot skyward hundreds
OF feet and were seen to crumbe like chalk as
they ground one against the other, sending
forth reports like the explosion Of cannons
Capt.Owen' was at his wits end to know how
to get clear of the distractions, and as no way
presented itself gloom was cast over the en-
tire ships company. All the time the 'bercs
seemed to be closing il, nearer and nearer to
the steamship and her destruction seemed in
evitable. The sight, although beautiful was
weird, and all on board the Pe.unia were much
frightened. Capt. Owen decided to renew his
efforts to get out of the bay and after many
hours OF trying and tedious work the ship was
gotten out into clear water once more.
Capt. Ovens description of piIIeya Island
and the customs of its few inhabitants is inter
esting, and he enjoys talking about his VOYAGE
to that remote spot. The people of Newfound-
land. according to Capt. Owen s statements, are
determined upon rendering practicable the use
of icebergs to the consumers Of ice and already
at Pilley's Island machinery is being perfected
for the cutting and handling of this ice, which
is purer and much harder than that now in USE
While Capt. Owen was in Pilley's Island the
frat cargo of this kind was brought into port
in small steamboat built for the purpose
Like many others, Capt. Owen held the opinion
that the ice would taste brackish, but was as
tonished to find it pure as any he had ever
used.
This undertaking, if found practicable, will
prove valuable source Of revenue to the New
foundlanders, and all the Petunias crew are Of
the opinion that, with the proper machinery,
hundreds Of thousands of tons Of pure ice NAV
be gotten and shipped south with little waste.