The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1892-02-09
FINALLY GIVEN UP TO THE OCEAN.
Al Effort, to Draw the Vessel From the
Rocks Rendered Fruitiess By Fierce
Gale-SIiiors ami Officers Taken
or BY the Life Boats-Thc
Great Ship Sure to Go to
rieces on the Rocks.

added very materially to the dangerous
position Of the North German Lloyd
steamer Elder, from New York for Bre-
men. which ran on Atherheld ledge
of the Isle of Wright, while try
ing TO make Southampton Sunday
night. The place where the steamer lies
is exposed 10 the full fOrce of the wind
and sea and is one of the most perilous
points for naviSators in the channel.
She pounded hard. as the seas would lift
her, and then as they rolled shore
ward she would drop upon the rocks.
At daylight signals were shown from
the vessel which, when translated. told
that tho steamer wanted help. y life boat
was Immediately launched through the
heavy surf In the meantime portion of
the crew had entered the lifeboats along
side the stranded steamer and started for
shore. The sea was running very high
and tremendous surf was rolling Up the
beach, but all we're finally landed.
When il became sufficiently light this
morning to allo;- Of the steamer being
seeL clearly |, was found that her stern
mad sunk further into the deep water of
the ledge, thus lifting her bogs higher up.
This is an extremely dangerous pos ton,
for should the steamer slide OF the ledge
she would surely go TO the bottom. Tho
force Of the sea striking the vessel during
the night may be judged from the fact that
her propeller has been washed away.
Shortly after 30 the sky in the west
grew blacker and biacker and in short
time the storm clouds. hurrying before an
ever increasing wind, covered the whole
sky. A furious rain poured down and TO
add to the discomfort of those whose duty
called them TO the shore it was accom-
panied by pelting hail stones. The sea was
dashed to increasing fury by the freshen-
ing gale and as the huge rollers would
sweep in from the channel they would
sweep almost entirely over the Elder.
At $50 p. m. a dispatch was received
from Atherfield stating that the boats had
been again launched. The storm at that
time had become terrific, but after many
struggles the boat reached the vessel, and
by : o'clock had succeeded in bringing
everybody from the ship TO the shore in
safety.
Tho transfer of the crew from the Elder
was performed in a systematic manner,
the lowest grade of men being landed first,
the others following in the relative order
Of their position. The captain was the
last person TO leave the vessel 1t was
with evident reluctance that he was finally
induced to quit the steamer, and he only
did so when he saw that it was useless to
remain on board any longer and that each
moment added to the danger Of the torn
and battered vessel suddenly going to
pieces.
The crew had evidently suffered terribly
from exposure to the cold air and the
waves which dashed against the stranded
vessel and flung huge volumes OF spray
over them. The meu were benumbed
with cold and thoroughly saturated with
water when they were brought TO the
shore, as they had no overcoats and wore
only their light working suits.
On Monday the engineers on the
Elder had TO run for their lives when the
action Of the huge seas caused the vessel
to slide astern. She sprang leak at .
O'Clock yesterday evening, up to which
time the men working in tue engine rooms
were able TO keep the fires going and sup
DIV steam TO the boilers. But when this
breach was made in the vessel the water
rushed through the openings made by the
sharp rocks in tremendous volumes
and quickly extinguished all the fires and
and thus shut of the supply OF
steam. AL hands worked steadily
at the pumps throughout the night, yet IL
spite of every effort the water gained
rapidly until finally the lower decks and
then the after deck promenade was gradu-
ally submerged. The water continued To-
creep upward, and at last, after many
weary hours Of fatiguing work IL was de-
cided that it was useless to continue the
fight against the encroaching sea and or
ders were given to the men to cease pump
ing.
In an interview one OF the officers OF the
ship said the passage was good one.
Tney d ID not see land until they sighted
the LiEaid, and it was difficult TO recog-
nize points in the fog. The engine steamed
slowly along the English channel on Sun
day with a sharp lookout for pilots.
but none were seen. Neither was
the Needles or the Southampton
lige:s seen. The passengers had every
confidence in the captain. They spent
pleasant sYening, the band playing below
deck. The captain had personal charge CT
the ship. At the time of the accident
sounding was being taken every 1--WE mirs-
utes and the vessel was at her lowest
speed. The oficer added:
81 was on the bridge when she first came
in contact with the rocks. The vessel
tremble5 throughout and three slight
bumps followed The members Of the
band suddenly ceased playing and ran on
deck with the crew TO ascertain the cause
Of the shock, but quietly returned on the
, captain assuring them there was no dan
ger and the concert was resumed. For
a short time none OF Us realized
the real state Of affairs, but pres0Dly the
fog lifted somewhat, revealing ~ ships
position close to some cliffs - firmly
Graded on rocks. We still expected, how
ever, 10 float uuiniured with the tide.
When the life boat came alongside II ap-
peared more dangerous to venture into
that than to remain aboard"