Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-01

or other life boats that the Elders commander
consented 10 allow some Of them 10 do 80. and
thirteen of the passengers were safely landed
nj Atherihed in the life boat after passing
through an experience among the waves c&
shore that they are not likely 20 forget for the
remainder OF their lives. The life boat vaa
tossed about liko a cork. Her passengers and
crew were repeatedly halt drowned beneath
the eresis OF towering breakers and were re-
peatoCly lost 20 view from the ship and FROM
the shore, but the life boat was so skillfully
handled that the thirteen passengers and the
crew Of the life boat were all landed near the
coast guard station, where there were crowds
OF people gathered. attracted by the rapidly
spread news Of the wreck. The drenched and
hali-erowned Passengers and life savers we're
heartily chCered upon landing and received
every assistance from those gathered TO well
come them.
Three more life boats by the time tho thir-
teen Passengers were landed had made Tor tho
Elder and several tugs we're also steaming up
10 her. but the latter were unable Co approach
near enough TO her TO be Of any assistance,
owing TO the fact that the steamship was crsr
died IN aspot surrounded on all sides by danger
Gus rocks which were so close together that
even the light-draft life boats experienced the
utmost difficulty in getting near enough 10 the
distressed vessel TO permit of passengers and
mail bags being swung Of into them. As it
was only twelve mall bags were got of at the
time this message was sent the previous iufor-
nation cabled 20 the effect that ali the nais
were saved having been based on erroneous in
formation
An APPEAL FOR HTIP
The Elder soon after signaled that the water
was rising fast in her hold and appealed for
more help. Everything possible is being done
for her. More tugs aud life boats are strug-
CLING to reach her. but the cruel rocks about
her. combined with the heavy sea and terrible
wind. prevent these craft from reaching her,
af,l ~ H.. "a.
TO destruction and that there viii be serious
loss OF life among her Passengers and crew
unless the gale soon abates.
The scene of Atherfield is grandly terrible.
On q reef OF rocks. surrounded by numbers Of
OF other rocks. lies the steamship Elder her
signals FOR assistance uttering the gale as sea
alter sea breaks over her with fearfuly pound
ing regularity, and shaking her frame that
het bottom must be slowly but surely grinding
70 pieces. Upon her decks are gathered
her terrified Passengers and the crew who. with
the oihcers are doing their utmost to maintain
order among the steerage passengers. of whom
there are about 200 on board. The cabin pas
sengers are few IN number, according to report
Indeed. il Is said that there are not more than
500 people all told on board.
The Elders cargo consists of A large consirn-
ment OF cotton for English and German manu-
iacturers
As the day wears on the news from the Elder
becomes more and more serious. She is now
uflne minute guns OF distress.
On shore the coast guardsmen have repeat-
edly shot the rocket line ball. chain and line
IN tne direction Of the steamship. but each time
the line has fallen short of the mark
This failure TO throw the line over the
steamer is due not only TO the distance she hes
on shore, but TO the strength of the wind " hich
is blowing dead IN the teeth of the life savers.
ASKING FOR HELP.
Assistance has been telegraphed for TO all
neighboring points and the North German
Lloyd agents at Southampton are exerting
themselves to the utmost in their efforts TO
save the lives of the passengers and crew.
and, II possible, 20 save the ship and her
cargo. Several powerful tugs have been dis
patched from Southampton TO the scene of the
wreck and two of the most powerful govern
ment ocean tugs have been sent from Ports
mouth by order of the admiralty authorities
and have now reached the rocks an the midst of
winch the Elder Is being slowly ground to ,.e-
struction.
The life boats throughout the morning con-
tlnueu their gallant efforts 10 battle successfuly
With the wlnd waves and rocks and at leart
one more boat Is now known 10 have managed to
get ALONGSIDE the imperlled steamer The life
boats are taking the greatest risks in their de-
termination 10 approach the Eider and are in
constant danger Of being stove in by the sharp
pointed rocks, or II they escape tins danger OF
being crushed 70 pieces alongside the vessel they
are trying TO assist The attempt to PASS the rocky
barriers alone is a most hazardous uudertak-
ing, as the sea has not up to this hour abated
IN the slightest degree in violence.