The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-02-03
THE ELDER ABANDONED.
She II Hammering on the Rocks-Ex-
perience of the Crew.

LONDON, Feb. 1.-The gales last night caused
q heavy sea to run in the channel, which added
10 the dangerous position OF the steamer Elder
on Atherheld ledge, place exposed to the full
force of the wind and sea, and one of the most
perilous points In the channel The wind con-
tinued to freshen throughout the night and the
position of the Elder grew worse and worse.
She pounded quite hard upon the rocks. The
crew stayed by her all night. I he stern sunk
further. lifting the bow higher. Captain
Heinreke signaIed that the leak gaining
rapidly on the pumps and the Atherheld life
boat crew made preparations 10 go TO the assist
snce OF the crew. At a. M. the tide rising
food Of water poured into the steamer. After
the hold was full II pulled the stern down,
leaving the forehold perfectly dry. The sea
washed over the quarter deck, and IL looked as
though she would slide OF at any moment
The pumps oil the Elder were kept working at
their full capacity all night, but the sea kept
slowly gaining, the water pouring through the
hole IN her side where the rocks had torn off the
iron plates. At daylight signals were run up
asking for help, and ifeboats were Immediately
sent out.
A dispatch from Atherheld at 2 this evening
stated that the iifeboats, after an exceedingly
erllous voyage, succeeded In bringing every
body from the ship TO the shore IN safety. As
the tide went down the storm increased in vio-
lence The North Germau Lloyd steamer Hsyel,
70 which the agents of the company at south
ampton intended TO transfer all the passengers
OF the Elder bound for Bremen, was signaled of
the scily islands this afternoon.
The Elder has showed through the terrible
pounding she received that there was nothing
IA alty In her construction. Hour after hour to-
day she stood battering from The sea and rocks
that in the case OF a weaker vessel would long
before have torn her TO pieces At the time tbs
liieboats set out this afternoon 10 rescue the re-
mainder of the crew remaining on the steamer
had violence
nfeboat crew al Atheraeid had a tremendous
struggle to get their craft beyond the breakers
that were piling high upon the shore, aud
even when they had got past the breakers
they had difficulty Their course was directly
in the eve OF wind, which was blowing burri-
cane. slowly but surely, however. the boat
forged ahead. Sometimes she would appear
upon the crest of high and then disappear
in the trough, aud thus it continued until she
got under the lee OF the Elder. A line was taken
from the steamer, ana dropping alongside she
took on board Is many Of the crew as she could
safely carry ana headed for shore The boats
from Brightstone and Lewis had similar expert
snces
The eaptsin OF the Elder was the last person
10 leave the vessel. The voyage was Captain
Heinlekes first one on the Elder from New
YORK In aa interview one OF the officers Of the
ship says the passage was a good one. They did
not see land until they sighted the Lizard, and
twas difficult to recognize points in the fog.
The Elder steamed slowly along the English
channel sunday with "a sharp lookout for pilots
but none were seen, neither were the
Needles nor Southampton lights seen. The cap
tain had DE arsenal charge OF the ship at the time
Of the accident the sound being taken every
i've minutes and the vessel going at slow speed
"For n time after we struck, he said, none Of
US realized the real state of affairs but presently
the fog lifted somewhat revealing the amps
position close to the ellis and firmly Graded in
the rock. We s;ill expected, however, to float
uninjured with the tide.