New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-12-05
THE PANIC ON THE SPREE.
A PASSENGER DESCRIBES THE SCENE.
THE TERRIFYING INRUsH OF whTER-THE
VESSEL DRIFTS FOR MANY HOURS IN

THE TERRIFYING INRUsH OF whTER-THE
VESSEL DRIFTS FOR MANY HOURS IN
HEAVY sEAs-ExTENT OF HER INJURIES.
Queenstown, Dec. 4.-Mr Woodham, of South
ampton, saloon passenger the Spree. in de-
scrlbing the thrilling experience the disabled
steamship, slid:
The shock was tremendous. The vessel shook
from stem to stern. Several of the electric lights
went out. / thought it was a collision. and
rushed on deck, half-clad l found several ladies
and gentlemen there. They in their night
robes, rushing distractedly about and asking what
had happened. While the captain was endeavOr-
ing ia calm them, an officer rushed from below
and announced that the bottom Of the vessel had
been stove in and that the vessel filing with
water. The captain Immediately had the bulk
heads secured. The decks were by this time
til ed with scared passengers. and when they were
told that the aftcrhold was rapidly filling with
water, they became panic-stricken. Women paced
the deck sobbing. Two ladies lost their reason
and it became necessary to place them under re-
straint The captain ordered the lifeboats pre-
pared and provisioned.
just then number of second-cabin passengers
rushed from below with life-bcts on. and de-
clared that the water had risen three feet above
the cabin deck, and that the staterooms were
HOOdeu. Inc punlpS"Were nOt sulnClcnt tO CoPo
with the thrush Of water. The aftcrhod filled TO
a level with the third deck, and water penetrated
a compartment containing the French and Italian
mails, which were badly damaged. The stern of
the vessel was greatly sunk. SO far as possible,
every thing was removed but quantity OF the
luggage was submerged and could not be removed.
Sails were set, and the vessel drifted about
hfty-three miles, until Saturday evening, when
a strong wind took her northward again
Throughout the night there was an enormous
swell, and the steamer rolled violently Several
of the passengers were knocked down and IN
iured. One lady's arm was broken. Rockets
were fired after dark every half-hour, in add. Gc
tion to the burning Of ,o1oG torches, sddn dMe
The weather became verse on SUNDAY.
There were tremendous seas, and the YES
sci lurched that il began TO look serious.
Mr Moodys PRAYER meeting was the most solemn mn
prayed for succOr. From then the storm abated;
The night was beautiful and clear. tar barrel
was burned on the promenade deck during the
night. and ii lit the skies as far as the eye
could reach 1t then that we We're sighted
by the Lake Huron. Her officers thought that
the Spree afre
other passengers of the disabled Spree, together
with the mails. which were badly saturated with
water, sailed to-day from here on the Etrura.
The other passengers; including Saturday. list
ship llavel on Tuesday. II Spree will he placed
in the Admiralty dock and will be examined by
divers tomorrow.
The Spree lies AZ her moorings in the outer
harbor. She draws thirty fc,t of water aft and
eighteen feet forward The pumps are kept con-
stantly working. The hulkhcad Of the third com
rartmcnt is badly strained but il is well secured
Until the divers report on the condition of the
vcseels hull, il cannot be decided what course will
he taken. 1t is believed that an effort will be
made TO pump the water ont "r sr me ~ 1v9 n1odSa
still aboard the Spree. They could not he re-
covered in time TO meet the Etruria