Huntsville gazette., 1892-02-06

about miles west of the Needles, and
as he had not sighted the Needles or
st. Catharine's lights he kept the lead
line going continuously, the last report
a moment or so before the Elder ran
ashore, showing IS fathoms of water
The quartermaster engaged in heaving
the lead had just gathered up the line
for another cast, when the Elder
grounded.
Mr.. Meyers continuing, said that
though there was naturally much alarm
among the passengers when they were
aroused by the shock to the fact that
the Elder was ashore, the most perfect
discipline was maintaine on board the
German steamship, both officers and
crew attending to their duty in a highly
commenda BILE manner.
Lieut.. Addison, an officer belonging
to a West Indian regiment, who vas
another of the passengers brought
ashore yesterday afternoon, agreed in
what Mr.. Meyers said as to the leads
man having called out eighteen fathoms
the Elder was brought up ashore.
Lieut.. Addison said that the Elder
struck on what is known as the Blue
Slipper rock, and that she had no
sooner done so that she turned round
twice or three times with her forefoot
upon the rock, as if turning upon
pivot. The Elder, the lieutenant said,
turned in this pivot-like manner five
times before midnight. Continuing,
I +Lo& fNr hao
to clear about forty-five minutes after
the Elder struck, and she has sincesbeen
driven by wind and wave, about 500
yards to the westward of the point
where she first grounded.
Engineer Douglas, who was in charge
of st. Catherine lights last night when
the Elder ran ashore, being questioned
as to the state of the weather at the
time said that the fog which had pre-
vailed was one of the most den Sc he
can remember. The siren tsteam fog
horn) he adds, was kept sounding all
the evening and both the dynamos of
st. GATHERINGS lights were working
their combined powers giving light
equal to 100000 candle power. The
fog was so dense, however, that the Of
fcers of the Elder did not see this
light, probably the most powerful in
the world, though within miles of it,
and, of course, the presence of the
Elder was not noticed until the coast
I ustr-Jismen heard her whistles shortly
before she ran ashore.
Throughout the day the shore of the
Isle Of Wight, near the place where the
Elder grounded, was lined with crowds
of people, who greeted with loud cheers
every trip made by the life-boats en-
gagged in the rescue of the steamships
passengers.
After being landed and warmed up,
the rescued passengers were speedily
driven in carriages to Ventnor, about
or 10 miles distant, by road, from
which place they were forwarded by
rail to Ryde. on the northern shore of
the Isle of Wight At Ryde the Elders s
| passengers were transferred to steam
| boats and were taken to Southampton,
where the North German Steamship
Co. will house and otherwise provide
| for the steerage passengers and crew
until after the fate of the Elder is de-
cided This will be at about midnight,
at high water, when last and grand
attempt will be made by the govern
ment tugs and by the tugs employed
by the steamship company to pull off
| the stranded steamship. All the neces-
| sary hawsers were run on board Of
her or else were run out from her dur
ing the afternoon, ard at midnight, al
signal agreed upon the rescuing fleet
will put on full steam and thus make
one last effort to float the Elder.
Even should the tugs succeed in drag
ging the steamer off the shore, it is not
certain that she will remain long af1oat
and every prec aution has been taken IL
view Of the possibility of her sinking
Thus, 75O, 1000 pounds in silver coin and
several cases Of gold, which formed
part of the Elders cargo, have been
taken up on deck and have been care
fully wrapped up in canvas, etc, on
the shore side of the deck, ready to be
| whipped overheard in the event of the
Elder commencing to founder, SO al
to facilitate the work of the divers
who will be sent to recover the bullion
as soon as the weather permits of such
operations.
Opinions as to whether the Elder vii
or will not be foated differ considera
bly, this evening, as they differ still
more as to whether she will or will no1
remain afoat if the tugs are successful
in the midnight effort to pull her of
shore. Some people say that the
| Elders bottom must be so badly dam
aged by the stay she has made on shore
that she cannot possibly remain afcat
while others have it that she is no
nearly so badly hurt as was at frs
reported In any case, the situation ],
one of great interest to mariners ant
others who make their living out OF
ships and shipping.
An Unknown Vessel Sunk
IT. L..