The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1893-09-06
THE CITY OF SAVANNAH LOST.
Wrecked of the Coast Of South Carolina


Steamship Company, two days over
due, arrived at Savannah at z p. M,
bringing portion Of the passengers
and crew of the steamship City Of Sa-
vannah, wrecked Monday morning on
the shoals six miles from St. Helena
lighthouse, S. c., at 5 o'clock.
The City Of Savannah left Boston
Thursday afternoon. She met one
storm after another, there being three
storms in all. Sundays storm was
the worst. The steamer beat about
all day Sunday, when the steam whis-
tie was knocked off and the water be-
gan pouring into her hold and threat
ened to stop her engines. Seeing that
the ship could last but few hours
longer, Capt. Savage headed her for
shoal water. The strokers were piled
with stimulants and food, and every
effort was made to reach shoal water
before the vessel sank. All night
long the vessel ran in the storm, the
passengers expecting death every
minute.
Early Monday morning the steamer
was heard humping and scraping
against the bottom, and the passen-
gers knew they had reached shoal wa
ter. The vessel was run as far
aground as possible. She could not
be gotten into an easy place, however.
The huge waves broke over her with
increasing force, and beat the boat to
pieces. The cabins we're smashed in
and carried away, first on one side and
then on the other.
Capt. Savage and the officers and
crew used every effort to prevent loss
of life among the passengers, and,
wonderful as it may appear, they were
successful. Not life was lost from
aboard the ship. The passengers were
moved about from one side to the 9TH
er, to whatever portion Of the ship
the waves seemed to beat with less
force.
No signs Of. rescue appearing, and
the boat being undoubtedly doomed,
Capt. Savage took steps to save his
passengers. n Monday afternoon, a
small boat, with three sailors, who
volunteered from the crew, was sent
out to find place on the shore where
the boats could land. They did not
return, and it is not known whether
they reached the shore or not.
Tuesday morning the two lifeboats,
the only two left, were manned, the
first officer beily in command of one
and the second officer Of the other.
Four of the strongest sailors of the
crew were picked for each boat. The
boats were filled with the women and
children, about fifteen in all, including
the stewardess and female employees
| of the Savannah. DR.. G.. W. Lamar
and another passenger, being young
and able-bodied men, were called upou
to go into the boats, which they did.
DR.. Lamar's wife and two little chill
dren were in his boat. The boats set
sail for the shore and sailed out Of
sight of those on board. They have
been heard from. They arrived at
Coffin Point, St. Helena Island, where
they are at present. They are we'll
cared for by a gentleman, who has a
residence at that place. It is Senator
Don Cameron's place. Those who re-
maine he Savannah were rescued
by the City Of Birmingham. The
story of the rescue is as follows:
The City of Birmingham left New
York Saturday, August rs. The voy-
age was pleasant until Cape Hatteras
was reached. The cape was rounded
Sunday between 10 and IL o'clock
midnight. About 2 a. m. the wind
and sea had increased fearfully, and at
daylight one Of the grandest but most
| fearful of sights met the eyes Of such
of the passengers as were able to raise
their heads from their pillows. AS far
as the eye could reach could be seen
the enormous seas which seemed to
lash each other in their madness,
while the wind howled and, with what
seemed to us terrible voice, urged
on the giant mountains Of water to do
their worst. From Z to IL it was
scene fearful to behold, such an one
as to make strong men fear, and the
ship, which had long since been head
ed for deep water, seemed to be but a
mite in the hands of the elements, to
be dashed about at their mercy. But
a strong and steady hand, cool and de-
termined, was at the helm; the cap
tain was there to guide and protect
the ship and the living that were in
his keeping.
At 2 o'clock p. m. the storm began
to abate, and in the afternoon late,
just before dark, the ship was again
headed towards her course. at day
light on Tuesday parts of vessels, such
as chairs, portion Of decks, pieces of
lumber and paraphernalia Of every de.
scription pertaining to vessel and
cargo, were to be seen in every direc-
tion. At o'clock We came upon the
schooner Joseph Southern, with Capt.
Harvey Hudson and crew of six men.
The vessel was watcrlogged and the
sea breaking over her. The captain
and crew were rescued from their per-
ilous position. A few moments later,
a vessel was passed. bottom upwards,
and her position told to us the fate Of
those who were alive on her a few
hours previous.
As we proceeded, other vessels were
seen, with their masts and rigging
| partly gone, and one with hardly a
mast or sail left was spoken and an
offer of assistance made, but, with the
air of a prince the captain raised his
cap, and, with thanks declined to leave
his ship, doubtless hoping to be able
to reach port.
Tuesday at 6 p. M, a ship was
sighted ashore in the breakers about
six miles south of St. Helena Light
House. Her captain saw the Birming.
ham, and signalled with light, and
as Capt. Berg of the Birmingham re-
cognized the signal he exclaimed !:
"Good God that must be the City of
Savannah p A boat was lowered, and
First Officer johnson was sent to her,
and brought back the message that it
was the City Of Savannah, ashore in
the breakers, three miles from shore,
going to pieces, with her passengers
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