Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-12-04
FROM END TO END
While at High Speed the Main
Shaft Of the Spree
BROKE wITHATEaRIsLEcRAsH
Hyssssieal Women and Dispsising Aasn
Prsy Win Evsngslss Moody
lne Safety.

- oes~sXe
LONDON, Dec. 3.-Ths North German
Lloyd steamship Spree. which left
southampton on November 23 for New
York, and vas due in New York on
November 80. was towed into Queens
town in disabled condition today BY
the Brstish steamer Lake Huron. The
first news OF the vessel. which Was
thought 70 BE- lost, vas when she wss
sighted Oh Kirslow Head early this
morning. Tho greatest anxiety has
been felt in America, Bremen and this
county regarding the fate of the
Spree, and every one in tho chipping
inteYest here Was glad to hear that she
had not gone to the bottom and that
her passengers were safe. Asitis. they
we're tossed about in rough gales and
suffered great hsrdsh ips from cold and
exposure. The shaft on the vessel was
broken and she Was almost at the mer-
cy of the waves until picked up by the
Lake Huron, which sailed from Mon
treal on November 25 for Liverpool.
"A Forlern steamer.
The Spree had l34 saloon passenger
on board, 22l in the second cabin and
$50 In the steerage, besides . crew of
247 and large mail. The big steamer
presented . f0rlorn appearance on en-
tering Queenstown harbor; the stern
Was so deep IN the water that the
steamer could be boarded from . row
boat. The passengers were 0verjoyed
at their deliverance aud loudly cheered
tho Lake Huron for having rescued
them. AZ soon az tho Spree reached
anchorage the correspondent for the
United Press had an interview with
Gen. o. o. Howard of New York, Gen.
Rufus King of Albany, and Evangelist
Moody. They told an interesting story
of their experiences. They left Suuth-
ampton on their way to New York
November % at o'clock D. N. For
two days the steaming was fair. At 8
O'Clock on the morning of November
26 while the vessel was making high
speed through heavy sea the main
shaft broke and there was . terrible
crash.
Good Discipline Preserved.
The steamer trembled from stem to
stern. The engines stopped instantly,
and the passengers hastened to ascer-
tain the nature of the dissster. There
was nothing like . panic. Perfect dis
cipline Was maintained. The officers
assured tho passengers that there vas
no danger, and the passengers had en-
tire confidence in the officers. All the
boats, however, were made ready for
instant use in case of necessity, and
supplied with = good store of provis-
ions. An examination showeu that
that the shaft had been broken ten
| feet from the end. Tho weight of the
screw caused . strain, and suddenly
water flooded the stern aud drove all
the second cabin passengers and the
stewards from their cabins and
:he dining saloons. The second
cabin passengers were obliged to
leave their, clothes and baggage
in the haoded cabins in order to escape.
The flood continued and the officers
| fearing the woret ordered oil movable
artices to be removed and the bulk
heads closed and secured with heavy
beams. The second cabin passengers
took refuge with the first cabin and
were received with all the hospitality
possible under the circumstances. The
weather grew more threatening and
the steamer, without sails TO steady or
to guide, tossed helpless IN the trough
of the eea. The water IN the stern
roared and numbered with every roll
of the vessel. sounding like knell of
| judgement 10 the more terrified among
the passengers.
The Captain's Assurance.
The pumps were working laboriously
to keep the water down. The passen-
gers in alarm huddled in the saloon
and anxiously waited for the verdict
| of their fate from the lips of the offic.
| ers. At l o'clock in the afternoon
Captain Willigerod entered the saloon.
+, II am able to tell you" he said calmly,
''that our work 10 rewarded. We have
the water about under control. There
10 now no danger" This rtterance
conveyed . deep sense of relief 70 all
who heard it, except 70 some women
who seemed hysterically deaf 70 any
and all words OF reinsurance. The
buikheads were further strengthened
aud all began TO look hopefully for the
arrival Of some rescuing vessel. The
steamer continued TO Be tossed by the
easterly gale and the passengers passed
= miserable night. The ship sunk 90
low. and the water ia the etern roared
90 loudly and omiuousiy that nobody ,
| could sleep, even IL 90 inclined. The
vessel Was drifting in = southefly di.
rection and on the evening Of the 10Th
she was IN latitude s.. Longitude %.
The wind shifted 10 the south and
mountainous seas broke continuously
over the deck. The officers spared NO
efforts to relieve the periis of the stu.
alton. Bags If oil were placed Oh the
aide OF the steamer and had IN i'm.
mediate effect In sotteumg sne fury Of
the waves. An immense fire OF pitch
tar VAS exposed from the fore deck IN
| order TO attract the attention OF yes
scis. Sunday morning found every.
body melancholy ani sosBe Telapeins
into despair because no ship had beer
sighted.
Meid Prayer Meeting.
The passengers felt that they wer'
| drifting out OF the track OF steamer
aud were despou6ent on that account
Evangelist Moody, who from the ira
bad displayed cool courage sud . spir
itaAi confidenos that helped 10 susiair
others. held an eloquent service ol
prayer In The ssleon. which vas st
tended by every body on board. inelud
lne Two sAioon passengers, Who hss
s,eea noted for thstf Ievlty during tAs
lifst two days from seathasn pton
| these teo sesmeu 10 be ~ thofough hiy
converts & ss Mark fwaaa and hla coas,
rades IA he saas sios m ard responded
"a ca. rvanxeflafss pfassfS with ferVnn