The morning call., 1892-12-04
WRECK OF THE SPREE.
Breaking Down a Thousand Miles
From Shore.
But One Passenger Lost and He Be-
came Stricken With Panic and
Threw Himself Overheard.
Special to THE MORNING CALL.

LONDON. Dec. 3.-The German LLOYD
steamer Spree, reported overdue yesterday.
arrived at Queenstown to-day in tow of the
British steamer Lake Huron.
The main shaft of the Spree was broken
early on the morning of November 26 and
before the engines could be stopped the
broken shaft had pounded out portion of
the stern OF the steamer, and part of the
machinery went through the bottom under
the second cabin. which immediately filed
with water. The passengers thought the
vessel was going to the bottom and rushed
on deck. For time q veritabie panic pre-
vailed. and the officers were helpless to
calm the terrerized passengers. The water
could be heard rushing through the hold in
the bottom, and In short time the vessel
began to settle. The widest confusion en-
sued. but when 1t was discovered that the
vessel was not Immediately going to the bot
tom semblance OF order was resumed.
Nevertheless the passengers were anxious,
and kept their life e-preservers close at hand.
The boat crews were piped to their sta
tlons aud everything was placed In readi-
ness for the abandonment of the vessel. 1t
was soon found, however. that the water
tight bulkheads were answering the pur-
pose for which they had been constructed,
compartments beneath the second cabin
very little was reaching the other parts OF
the vessel.
When the accident occurred the Spree
was about 1000 miles from Queenstown.
Two anxious days passed and then the
Lake Huron took the disabled vessel in
tow. There were 2S3 passengers on board,
among them being General Howard,
U. S. a.; Mrs. Adelaide Howard and
child. Dwight L. Moody. the evangelist;
Mrs. Lewis Braeh and family of Milwau-
kee, DR.. Sidney Gum Of Chicago and many
others.
seeond-class passenger named Paul
Ke!son was so badly frightened after the
accident that he jumped overheard and was
drowned. The other passengers are all
well. Some of the passengers and por-
uon of the Spree's mail will be forwarded
by the Etruria tomorrow and the others by
the North German Lloyd steamer Havel,
which leaves Bremen tomorrow for
Queenstown to embark them.
Captain Milligerode. in an interview, SAYS
he never before had such an eyeu,ful
voyage. The weather was favorable and
splendid progress was made until the acei-
dent occurred. Immediately after the crash
the captain and crew took strong measures
to prevent the water entering other than
the damaged compartments.
After strenuous efforts these measures
were crowned with success, and at o'clock
In the afternoon, seven hours after the
accident, the captain was able TO announce
10 his passengers that the water was under
control and would undoubtedly be confined
TO the damaged compartment.
Grave fears still existed of serious conss-
Gueuees should bad weather be experienced.
Throughout Saturday and Sunday the
crew worked energetically and secured the
bulkheads in such manner that the ves-
sci was considered safe. The vessel drlfted
southwark. and then the wind changed and
she took the back track. Tie steamers
flares were kept burning at night and signals
flying during the day.
There were the widest scenes OF Joy and
emotion when the Lake Huron was sighted
at 80 Monday morning.
a heavy sea was running and 1t was
necessary to wait for daylight before line
could be passed between the vessels. This
was successfully accomplished, and then,
amid rousing cheers from the passengers.
the two ships got under way at o'clock for
Queenstown, 72S miles distant. The port
was reached without further incident.
Dwight Moody presided at prayer meet
meeting on Sunday, and all the passenger
petitioned the Almighty to preserve them.
Thanksgiving service were held aboard
the Spree after her arrival here. Ameeting
of passengers was also held, at which an
address OF thanks and felicitation to the
captain was unanimously approved. A col
lection was taken for the crew,