Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-02-02
THE STEAMER Elder
Runs AfOul Of a Ledge of Rocks Near
the Isle of Wight.
MANY PRECIOUS LIVES IN PERIL
For a Time, but All are Landed Safely by the
English Life Saving Service in the Vicinity
The Vessel in Danger Of Sinking-Iugst TO
the Rescue 10 Pull Her OF the Rocks

was received this morning from the
signal station at st. GATHERINGS Point.
the southern extremity Of the Isle of
Wight, stating that the North German
Lloyd steamer Elder Capt. Heinecke,
from New York January %, stranded
near that point at 10 o'clock last night.
A heavy fog prevailed at the time the
steamer struck. but it is not yet known
how she came TO be so far of her course
or how she took bottom before the. OIL
GERS found she was Swallowing water.
A later dispatch from st. GATHERINGS
Point says that the Elder is lying on
Atherfeld ledge. To Judge from her
position she was evidently carried by a
roller about half way over the ledge,
and was then dropped on the rocks. She
lies with her bows in deep water and
her midships resting on the ledge. Tugs
have been dispatched TO get her OIL II
possible on the tide.
The Elder was built by John Elder Il
Co., of Glasgow, In 1888. She Is a four
masted, iron screw steamer OF 5000
gross.tons, and has compound engines
OF 200 horse power. She is 429 feet
inches long, ~ feet beam, "a feet 5
inches deep, and has seven collision
bulkheads.
Atherfield ledge is out OF the line OF
direct telegraph communication, and IL
requires some time TO learn the details.
1t Ia believed the Elder had no pilot on
board, and that Capt. Heinecke lost his
reckoning by not seeing the Needles
light, which was obscured by the fog.
~
whistle Of big steamship blowing dur
ing the night, but as there are so many
vessels passing up and down the Chan
mel no danger was anticipated, until
suddenly rockets were seen to flare up
ward through the night mist and fog,
and then steamships whistle was
heard blowing the long uninterrupted
notes Of distress. L he entire coast guard
was immediately summoned, and neigh
boring stations were promptly notified
to send reinforcements TO the spot. The
lifeboat OF the coast guard station near
Atherfield Rocks Was then manned and
run through the surf
By this time rocket after rocket was
being sent up by the steamship IN dis
tress, thus guiding the coast guard life
boat to the spot where she was ashore.
A tremendous sea was running as the
life-boat put to sea, and, in addition TO
il being bitterly cold, the wind freezing
the water On the life saver@' boat, oars
and oilskins.
The spot where the Elder sentashore
is not far from where, in the autumn Of
1878, on a calm Sunday afternoon, ii.
NJ. 5. Eurydice, British Government
training ship. while returning from a
cruise in the Pacific and West Indies,
capsized in sudden squall and drowned
400 men. The Eurydice, when the
sauail struck her, had her portfolios
open, on account of the fine weather.
and was so close TO land, 10 use sea-
mans phrase, that one "could chuck
biscuit ashore;" yet nearly every soul
on board the ship was drowned.
A dispatch, timed 1890 y. m. has been
received from ST. GATHERINGS Point, say
ing that the tugs sent TO take of the
passengers OF the Elder and to tho re-
lief OF the vessel had not been sighted.
Twelve passengers have been landed
by the Atherfeld lifeboat. Two other
lifeboats have reached the stranded
steamer, and are giving all the aid pos
sibe. On the shore the rocket appara-
tus has been made ready for use In the
event OF II becoming necessary TO take
off the passengers and crew by means OF
the breeches buoy. The passengers
who have already reached the shore In
the lifeboat from Athertield, report that
the Elder has sustained no damage. A
strong southwest wind is blowing.
This afternoon IL was learned that
when the steamship ran on the rocks at
10 o'clock last night the passengers
were panic-strlcken and rushed on deck
in their night clothes. They were pre-
vailed upon 10 return to their cabins
and make preparations to abandon the
ship. should such course be found
necessary. The AtheTheld lifeboat
managed to reach the side OF the
steamer, although a heavy sea was
rolling and gale had sprung up, fore
ing the steamer more and moro upon
the rocks and considerably lessen
ing the chances Of getting of.
When the life savers reached the
Elder they offered 70 take of the
passengers, but Capt. Henecke declined
TO allow them to leave the ship, ex-
pressing himself confident OF providing
for their safety. Finally the passeD-
gers became so alarmed and pleaded 30
earnestly with Capt. Henecke 20 be
allowed TO go ashore that the Captain
allowed some Of them 10 DO SO, and
twelve OF the passengers were safely
landed at Atherfield In the lifeboat,
after passing through an experience
among the waves of shore that they
are not likely 70 forget for the remain
der Of their lives. The drencbed and
half-drowned passengers and iife-sayers
were heartily cheered upon landing. and
received every assistance from those
gathered 10 welcome them.
Three more lifeboats, by the dime the
twelve passengers were landed, had
made for the Elder, and several tugs
were also steaming up 70 her, but the
latter were unable 10 approach near
enough 70 her 10 be OF any assistance,
owing TO the fact that the steamship
was Graded in spot surrounded On al
sides by dangerous rocks which were so
close together that even the light
draughf lI!eboats experienced the Ut
most difficulty In getting near enough
10 the distressed vessel TO permit pas
sengers aud mail bags 70 be swung of
into them. AS il was, only twelve mall
bags were got oil, at she time this mes
sage was sent.
The Elder soon after sigDalled that
the water was rising fast in her hold
and appealed for more help. Every
thing possible Is being done for her. and
II Is feared that the steamer Will go TO
pieces and that there viii be serious loss
Of life among her passengers and crew
unless the gale soon abates.
Upon the Elders decks are gathered