New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-03-12
THE WELLS CITY ASHORE.
SIRANDING OF BRISTOL LINER NEAR
SEABRIGHT, n J.

PASSENGERS LANDED WITH THE DREECHES
BroY by THE LIFE-sAvERs-sHE CARRIED
SO PEOPLE. INCLUDING THE CREW
Seabrieht. y. J., March 1l.--After weathering
severe hurricanes and cyclones which have been
sweeping the Atlantic, the English steamship
Wells City which sailed from Bristol England,
for Ncw-York February 81 and Swansea Feb
ruary % lost herself in the fog tonight missed
Sandy Hook, and went ashore on the dangerous
beach of Seabright, y. j., at 6 40 o'clock
The Wells City is one Of the Bristol City Line
and the Ncw-Yorl, agents are James Arkell a
Co., with their office at No. - Whiteha-st. She
is loaded with tin and besides her officers and a
full complement Of men, she carries lew pas
scngers thirty eight people in all
The Wells City came ashore midway between
life-savinu stations Nos 3 and 4, at Mon
mouth Beach and Seabright and went hard
and fast in the sand. bow on. Her position was
recognized at once by her captain to be dam
rerous one and signals of distress were sent up
The beach patrol had sighted the steamer a
few minutes before the rockets were sent out, and
when the signals were given the patrols of both
stations and g. had given the alarm TO their
respective stations.
Tho apnaratus Of both stations was hurriedly
trnndled along the beach until opposite 'he
stranded steamer. and preparations were MADE a.
once TO s~nd relief to the imperilled crew ana
passengers aboard the steamer.
The shore anchor was quickly made fast tho
linz nut aboard and the brecches buoy rugged.
BY = 80 o'clock p. m. the work Of bringing the
passengers ashore was begun.
At0:45 the life-saving crew had brought twelve
porsons ASHORE in the brooches buoy. The first
ten taken ashore were tho passengers. and at
o.45 two Of the crew had been taken of and the
buoy had beer sent back for another passenger
The rough sea rendered the work of the brooches
buoy slow. and it will he we'll on TO o'clock this
morning before all Of the crew are brought
ashore
An attempt was made by some Of the sturdiest
mon in the life-savinc crows to reach the steamer
in lifcboat. but after vainly attempting to
launch the boat several times they gave it up, as
il was almost certain death 10 venture out
The position of the steamer renders tho work
Of the crew difficult, as she lice so far ont that
tho entire lifeline has 10 be used in reaching
her.
The lfc-saving crews were commanded by Cap
tain James NIulliean. of No. 1. and Captain Alb
ncr H. West. Of No. 3. The crew Of No.
manipulated the mortar in throwing the life
line. and succeelcd IN the frst attempt
While the work of preparing :he anchor and
shooting tho line to the ship was under
way the steamer, under the action Of the wind
and waves. worked around until she lay broad
side on. Her stern fell away to the southwark
and grounded. so that Sic row lies with her en-
tire keel resting upon the SANDS, ner DOW PolhV
ing to the northwest.
A. the nicht advanced the sea became more
uolv and about the time the work Of bringing
tbe passengers and crew ashore was begun the
waves began to dash over the steamer. captain
Savage. of the Wells City. sent word ashore py
the first of the passengers who maze the u'P
along the line that his vessel was not making
woter and so far as he could ascertain, her nun
was intact. .;
Tho lifcsaying crews were hampered in their
worL bv the fact that the Wells City continually
rolled nj one moment drawing the hhe 'au''
and thc next allowing il to sag until IL "oui'
almost touch the waves. In this way ALMOST
cvorv one who made the trip was for moment
or two under water All, however, arrived on
the beach safely although much exhausted. AZ
fast as the rescued ones were proueh' "c"o'
,hoy wore hurried to Life Saving Station No.
and suppIed with dry clothes, ana were maue
a. comfortable as possible ip the station
yord wos telepraphed Immediately after the
steamer came ashore TO the office Of the MERRITT
Wrecl,ino Company, and one of their big wrecking
steamers with all the necessary lines aooaru ironi
stanlcton. S l., summoned to the relief OF the
.tranded sscamer The wrecker should )reach
Tho sc.oe Of the disaster before daylight. ana
,,orL vii, NJ once be begun to pull the "ellS
C,, of or at least to put out guy-anchors TO hold
her in POSITION ;s ,,,
All day yesterday strong steady w'na pew
~, the northeast, a dense and heavy log en-
vclop.d the lower bay and the coasts OF Long
y.,ord and New-Jersey. The wind kicked up
nasty. choppy sea. which beat on the beach along
,ho Jersey coast and threatened disaster to coast
,;so v"s craft The vigilance o! the fe-savng crew
vas doubled, as the experienced eyes OF the pe'cn
,roi m"T recognized at once that yesterday was ny
P"r tho most dangerous day for craft caught on a
Loo hore that has visited this part OF the Atlantic
~ several months With the exception Oh tne
snhooner Roger Rury, which went ashore INSIDE OF
Sandy Hook Point, no disaster was reported until
-" niSht when the stranding OF the Weiis City
was reported 49,, .,,,, ;s .sbore ia a
dangerous one The beach, which is composed o,
y .bick heavy sand. drops away gradually, ana
What is apparently clear stretch OF deep "a'e'
,s in reality but few inches deep.
IN The Wells CITY il n comparatively small steamer
y, ! az tons and was built In England IN loVo.
The screw steamer Wells City WAS built IN IoSo' Ut
pr.tol England. by her owners. c. Hill sons. Sne
has a registry OF l13s tons. She is 26l feet long
her beam Is 30 feet and she has depth OF ~ Ieet
Shs is schooner ricred Her master Is Captain
Savage.