The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-02-02
ASHORE IN THE FOG.
The Steamer Elder Strikes the
Isle of Wight.
PASSENGERS LAND IN LIFEBoATs
~hree Hundred Thousand Dollars I'm
Gold Piled on the Deck to Be Sunk
In Case the Vessel Breaks Up.

roypoS, Feb. 1.-The North German
f1ovd steamer Elder, from New York JAM
rsrr % for Bremen, went ashore at St.
cstberine's point, the southern extremity
- the Isle of Wight, last night. To-Day it
~.s decided that the safer plan would be
- land the passengers, and accordingly
,mall boats landed all passengers and
mails.
Mr.. Ashenden, passenger, said that at
sbs time the Elder struck the weather was
very foggy, and it was only possible to see
oh;ects a short distance away. The
passengers were somewhat startled at
srst but were soon treasured by news that
there was no danger. So confident were
the Messengers in the assurances of the
e.utain of the Elder that they were re-
luctant to quit the vessel in the lifeboat
vhen the life-savers first reached the
steamer and offered to transfer the pas
sengers to shore. so the lifeboat returned.
When the Brightstone lifeboat came
aDong later on the captain again refused
oFers Of help, and the boat started to re-
turn. The crew had only rowed a short
distance, however, when Mr.. Ashenden
decided that as the steamer still
RD1a.neQ IASb on the ieOge ana
there seemed but little likelihood of her
getting aaoat, that it would be the safest
plan to go ashore, and he thereupon
shouted for the lifesavers to come back.
He entered the boat with twelve Others.
Soon sfterward two more lifeboats began
hnding passengers az quickly as possible.
These took refuge temporarily at an hotel,
While those landed at Brightstone pro-
ceeded to London. The passengers con-
cur In the statement that there is no ap-
parent 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. strong south
vest wind arising, accompanied by rain
Storms. he signaled the shore for help.
The vessel listed slightly TO port as the
tide receded. Although she appeared
close to shore. it was found impossible to
reach her by double rockets. As the tide
ebbed the wind fell. By nightfall six
tngs had arrived and were awaiting
On attempt to tow the vessel off, which
viii be made in the morning. The land.
ing Of passengers became somewhat risky
after o'clock in the evening, when the
wind, which was blowing dead ashore.
freshened considerably and threatened to
increase to a gale. Much relief was felt
when the last load was safely landed.
The captain of the Elder took precau-
tons to save the large amount of money
on the steamer. He gave orders to have it
carried to the deck. A large number of
bags. containing. all told, 5000, 900 in
specie, was soon piled on the side facing
the shore. The big sum of money was so ar
ranged 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 acct
dent happened. he says, there was not
tie slightest confusion or excitement
visible among either officers or men dur
ing all the trying time. Instead. military
eslmness and discipline prevailed, and
every order was correctly given, and as
correctly carried out. This had very calm
Ing effect upon the passengers. The men
in charge of st. GATHERINGS light say the
log siren was in full operation at the time
Of the stranding of the ship, and was
blowing during the hours the fog lasted
and the electric light burning at the fullest
power. The weather was so intensely
heavy however, that, although the Elder
vas only three miles distant, neither the
sound Of the siren nor the rays Of light
penetrated the fog to give those on the
seamer any intimation of danger.