The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-02-13


Worst Weather Known for Many
Years.
LONDON, Feb. 1.-THE Allen line
steamship Pomeranian, from Glasgow,
January 81, for New York, has returned
to Greenock in distress, after having
met with ono OF the most fatal accidents
that has occurred TO transatlantic
steamer for many years-an accident
that resulted in the loss OF twelve lives.
She then proceeded to Glasgow. The
following il the list Of the dead
w, Dalziol, master OF the vessel, both
legs broken and internal injuries, re.
sulting in death; John Cook, second
officer, swept overheard; John Hamil-
ton, fourth officer, swept overheard;
John Stewart, of Glasgow, first cabin
passenger, both legs broken and inter
nal injuries, resulting in death in few
hours; James Gibson, OF Dalkeith, first
cabin passenger, swept overheard; Lii
liam Gibson, OF Dalkeith, first cabin
passenger, swept overheard; Jane CAT
frey, OF Londonderry, first cabin passen-
ger, swept overheard; David Forbes, OF
Dundee, second cabin passenger, washed
overheard; James Pritchard, steward,
swept overheard; Fred Westbury,
steward, swept overooard; Peter Nc
Lean, seaman, swept overheard; val
liam Uquart, seaman, swept overheard
MYSTERIOUS WEATHER FROM THE START.
The disaster occurred when the
steamer was about /, $50 miles out. The
Pomeranian encountered boisterous
weather Immediately after leaving port.
1t was thought the wind would soon
blow itself out, aud with everything
ship-shape, no fears for the safety OF
the steamer we're entertained. Instead
of abating, however, the gale increased
until tho day OF the disaster,
February 4 dawned with Grightful
gale raging and tremendously high
SEA running. Every precaution dictated
by good seamanship had been taken to
prevent water getting below. Several
seas had been shipped, but they did no
damage. Suddenly tremendous sea
reared its crest short distance ahead
OF the steamer MS she plunged down q
wave. Before she could rise the sea
came over the starboard bow and tons
OF green water rushed aft Almost Mt
the same time falling wave astern
popped tho steamer. The result almost
deies description.
TERRIBLE SCENE OF CONFUSION.
Tho deCk.saloon, charthouso, the
bridge and tho boats were smashed to
pieces and partly washed overheard.
Tho deck was covered with an almost
inextricable mass OF wreckage, and the
utmost confession reigned.
At first the full extent OF the disaster
was not known. Tho steamer began to
ray off before the wind and sea, and it
was at once seen that the quartermas-
ters had been carried away. Two
sailors sprang to the wheel and soon
put the steamer on her course. Then
1t was found that Captain Dalziel, the
master OF the steamer, was missing
He had been last seen standing on the
lee side OF the steamer at aft OF the sa-
loon, in conversation with a saloon
passenger. They had both been caught
by the sea that came over tho stern and
dashed against the deckhouse. They
were then carried with terrific force and
damned beneath the after steam
winches. Captain Dalziel's legs were
broken and he had sustained internal
injuries. He died the next morning.
Mr.. Stewart, his companion, also died
in lew hours. At the time OF the &C.
cident the second officer, John Cook.
had the watch. He was on the bridge
with John Hamilton, the fourth officer,
and both OF them were carried over
board and drowned.
TIE REMAINDER OF THE VICTIMS.
In the saloon deckhouse, when the
sea broke over tho steamer, were James
Gibson and Lillian Gibson, of Dalkeith,
and James Gallery, Of Londonderry, all
first cabin PASSENGERS. They wore car
ried over the side and were not after
ward seen. David Forbes, OF Dundee, u
second cabin passenger, aud James
Pritchard and Fred Westbury, stew
ards,were also lost in the same manner.
1t is supposed that Pritchard and Vest
bury were attcndinSto the wants OF the
passengers in tho saloon dockhouse
when the structure was washed away.
This made tho number OF those carried
overheard ten, with two others fatally
injured.
When the sea boarded tho steamer
every man about the deck who saw ii
coming seized hold Of the stanchions or
anything cise convenient, and it was
due to this that tho loss OF life was not
much larger. The disaster occurred so
suddenly and the sea did it's fatal work
with such rapidity that tho survivors
did not ct fret realize tho full extent Of
the misfortune. Amid tho bowling of
the wind and tho kissing and roaring Of
the sea the cries OF those who were car.
ried overheard could not have been
heard, even mad they had timo to utter
thom. Not person on tho steamer
know what had happened to him until
some little time after tho accident.
With Captain Dalzicl fatally injured
and unconscious, tho command OF tho
steamer devolvcd upon the first officer,
Tho steamer was about In mid-ocean,
and tho question arose in his mind
what course TO pursnO-whother TO head
the steamer on her course or to put
about and mako for Greonock. When
tho chart room was carried away tho
charts, sextants and quadrants--in
fact, everything absolutely essential to
the navigation OF tho shipment with
It, Had II not been that The after com.
pass remained, II Is doubtful Il tho
steamer would have reached port for
many days yet
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III BLOWS GREAT GUNS.