The record-union., 1892-02-02
STEAMER STRANDED
ASHORE ON THE SOUTHERN COAST
OF THE ISLE OF WIGHT.
All the Passengers and Mails Safely
Landed-Belief that the Ves-
sci Can be Saved.
Special to the RrcoRp-uS1ox.


LONDON, Feb. IA dispatch received
this morning from the signal station at
st. GATHERINGS Point, the southern ex-
tremity of the Isle Of Wight, states that
the North German Lloyd steamer Elder,
from New York, January 23d, for
Bremen, stranded near thrt point last
night. The North German Lloyd's agent
at southampton dispatched three tugs
from that place to take off the Elders
passengers. Government tugs have also
been sent by the Admiralty from Ports
mouth and they will endeavor to get the
steamer off. Agents of the company
here state that the Elder is lying in an
easy position and no danger is reported.
They state there is no cause for alarm for
the safety of the passengers on the vessel.
tltty-Seven bales of cotton, iettisoned
from the Elder in attempts to float her
have been saved.
A dispatch from st. GATHERINGS Point
tonight states that it was finally decided
to be the safer plan to land the passengers,
and accordingly the boats had landed ali
passengers and mail.
Mr.. Ashender, one of the passengers.
said at the time the Elder struck the
weather was very foggy, and it was only
possible to see objects q short distance
away. The passengers We're somewhat
startled at first, but were soon treasured
by the news that there was no danger. So
confident were the passengers in the as
surances of the Captain of the Elder that
they were reluctant to quit the vessel in a
lifeboat when the life-Savers first reached
the steamer and offered to transfer the
passengers to shore. So the lifeboat re-
turned. When the Brightstone lifeboat
came along later on the Captain again re-
fIyG nff Of hnlT Il
started to return.
The crew had only rowed q short dis
tance, however, when Mr.. Ashender de-
cided that as the steamer still remained
fast on the ledge, and there seemed but
little likelihood of her getting afioat. it
would be the safest plan TO go ashore, and
he thereupon shouted for the life-sayers
to come back. He entered the boat with
twelve others.
Soon afterward two more lifeboats be-
gan landing passengers as quickly as pos
sible. These took refuge temporarily at
the hotel, while those landing at Bright
stone proceeded to London. The pasSen
gers concur in the statement that there is
no apparent damage to the vessel.
Another report shows that the Captain
of the Elder declined the services of the
lifeboats until noon, expecting to hold
out until the arrival of tugs. A strong
southwest wind arising, he signaled to
the shore for help.
The vessel listed slightly to port as the
tide receded. Although she appeared
close to shore, it was impossible TO reach
her by double rockets. AS the tide ebbed
the wind fell. By nightfall six tugs had
arrived, and are awaiting an attempt to
tow the vessel off, which viii be made in
the morning.
The landing of the passengers became
somewhat risky after o'clock in the
evening, when the wind which was
blowing dead ashore, freshened consid-
erably and threatened to increase to a
gale. Much relief was felt when the last
load was landed.
The Captain OF the Elder took precau-
tions to secure the large amount Of money
on the steamer. he gave orders to have
it carried to the deck, and large number
of bags containing, all told, S30000O in
specie, were soon on the side facing the
shore. The big sum of money was so
arranged, should necessity arise, to be
sunk in place of safety among the rocks.
captain Addison, one OF the passen-
gers, highly praises the conduct OF the
Captain and crew when the accident hap
pened. lie says there was not the slightest
confusion or excitement visible among
either the officers or men during all the
trying time. Instead, a military calm
ness and discipline prevailed, and every
order was correctly given and as correctly
SaAl ieu ou1' 1HlS hdu very canning Ell
feet on the passengers.
The men in charge of the ST. GATHERINGS
light say the fog siren was in full blast at
the time of the stranding of the ship. and
blowing during the hours the fog lasted
and the electric light was burning at the
fullest power. The weather was SO in
tensely heavy, however, that although the
Elder was only three miles distant.
neither the sound of the siren nor the rays
OF light penetrated the fog to give those
on the steamer any intimation of danger