The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-02-02
The Steamer Goes Ashore. in a
Dense Fog, Off the Isle
Of Wight.
Fortunately Tho Panic Was Ar.
rested and No Lives Were
Lost.
Military Discipline Maintained In a TRY.
Ing Tims-frecantloast to Save Large
Amounts Of spscle.


tremity Of the Isle o. Wight, stating that
the North Germax Lloyd steamer Eidar
from New York, Jan. 20. for Bremen. ~
stranded ness that point last night. The
North Gsrman Lloyd's agent at Southamp.
ton dif,1atohsd three tugs from that plaos
TO trks of the Elders passengers. The
government tuRs were also sent by the ad-
miralty from Portsmouth and they will
endeavor to get the steamer of. Ths
agents Of the company here state tho Elder
is lying in an easy position and no damage
is reported. They say there is no cause
for alarm, either for the safety Of ths pass
engers 81 the vessel. Fifty-seven bales of
cotton, jettisoned from the Elder in an at
tempt to float her, have been saved. On
shore the rocket apparatus WAS nnade rsady
for nae in the event Of its becoming neces-
sary to take off the passengers and crew by
means of the breechss buoy.
dispatch from 81. Catherins's point to-
night ztatss that it was finally decided to
be the safer plan to land the passengers
and that the boats had landed all the pas
senRers and mails. Among the frst pas
sengers landed were Mrs. Rickard, Of KAN
sas; Mrs. Martin, Mrs. Grand and two chill
dren and Miss Grant. of New York; Mrs.
Wallseyer and three children, Of Brooklyn,
and Mrs. Bendig, Mr.. and Mrs. Abraham,
]. M. Kellnsr, Mr.. and Mrs. Ashsnden and
Mr.. Rankin. Mr.. Ashendsn said that at
the time the Elder struck the weather was
very fogRy and i was only possible to see
objects short distance away. The pas
ssnaers were startled at first, but were soon
reassured by the news that there was no
danger. So confident were the passengers
in the assurances Of the captain of the
Elder that they were reluctant to quit the
vessel in tho lifebost whom the lifssavsrs
h1st reached the steamer and offered TO
transfer passengers to the shore. So the
lifeboat returned. When the Briehtstone
iifeboat came along later on the captain
again refused offers OF help, and the boat
started TO return. The crew had only
Ashenden decided that az the steamer still
renamed fast on the ledge and there seemed
but little likelihood Of her getting afloat
1T would be the safest plan to 90
ashore and he thersupon shouted for the
n1esavers 70 come back. He entered the
two more llfeboats began landing passsn-
gers as quickly as possible. These took
Tefuge temporarily at a hotel, while those
lanalng at Brightstone proceeded to Lon
uoh. me passenRers concur in tho state
Ihent ~ tnat .nere ls no apparent damage to
the ves.cl.
mother story is that the captain of the
Elder declined tho services of lifsboats
0ntil noon, expecting to hold out until the
arrival of the tugs. A strong southwest
wind arising, accompanied by rain storms,
he signalled the shore for help. The vessel
listed slightly to port rs the tide rscoded.
Although she appeared close to shore it
was found impossible to roach her BY
double rockets. As tho tide ebbed tho wind
fell. BY nightfall six tugs had arrived and
are awaiting the attempt to tow the vessel
off. which will be made in the morning
The landing Of passengers beoa me some-
what risky after eight o'clook in tho even
ing when the wind, which was blowing dead
ashore, freshened considerably and threat
ered to increase to gale. Much relief wns
felt when the last load was safely landed.
The captain of the Elder took precautions
to save a large amount of money on the
steamer. He gave orders to have it oar
ried to the deck. A large number of bags
containing all told 100000 in specie were
soon piled on tho side facing the shore.
The big sum of money was SO arranged
that should necessity arise it could be sunk
in place of safety among the rocks
Captain Addison, one of the passengers,
highly praises the conduct of the captain
and crew when the accident happened. He
saws there was not the slightest confusion
OF exclLemenV VlslOle among eltner ofhcers
or men during all the trying time. Instead,
military calmness and discipline prevailed
and every order was correctly given and AS
correctly carried out. This had very
calming effect on the passengers. The men
in charge of st. GATHERINGS lights say the
fog siren was in full operation ut tho tins
of the stranding of the Ship and blowing
during the hours the fog lasted. and the
electric light was burning at its fullest
power. The weather was SO intens sey heavy,
however. that although tho Elder was only
tllee miles distant neither the sound of the
siren nor the rays of light penetrated the
fog to give those on the steamer any in
timation of danger.