The Portland daily press., 1893-03-24
Baffled in Her Attempt to Cross the
Atlantic,
PUTS INTO HALIFAX WITH A BROK.
EN- PISTON.
Other Damages Sustained Which Will De-
lay Her for weeks-The Particulars of
a Perilous Trip-Churlish Conduct of
a Captain Who Saw Her Distress.

Especial to the Press.]
HALIFAX, N. S., March 23.-The steam
er 'Pomeranian has arrived here in dis
tfess, and will have to remain some
weeks. 1t was on February 4th, eight
days after leaving Glasgow, that she met
with the fearful Greenock catastrophe.
She left February 18th, after completing
repairs, and encountered another rough
voyage, arriving at New York, March 7th
She left there March ID, week ago yes
terday, on her return trip to Glasgow,
and had good weather until Saturday last
when about 300 miles off Halifax, where
she met the same gale which the Sardin-
ian, Sarnia, and other steamers have re-
ported.
It was terribly severe, the wind blow
ing with great violence, and the vessel
was washed by huge seas, and came to
sudden stop in consequence OF the piston
of the low pressure cylinder being brok-
en-, She was tossed about in the gale,
and after the experience which they had
on the outward voyage, it was with feel
ings of pleasure during the day that they
saw the weather moderate. Temporary
repairs were effected and the vessel pro-
ceeded.
Sunday night they decided to beat up
for Halifax. They were using only the
high pressure cylinder, but on Monday
morning the auxiliary pumps gave way,
and they came to another stop. Once
more the engineers went to work, and at
1 D. m. they were enabled to start again,
but another break at II p. m. once moro
made the vessel helpless.
The strain on the men was very great
after previous experiences and all were
anxious for fine weather to tide them
over their difficulty. Monday night was
beautifully clear, and about 8 a. m. they
sighted passing steamer when they
signalled her, but she paid not the least
attention to them though the vessel came
within II miles and for two hours they
threw up rockets and bombs and burned
blue lights, but she passed by without
taking the SLIGHTEST heed.
The Red Star line steamer Belgerland
observed their signals and came along
side and told them they would take Off
GERS and crew if they wished to abandon
the ship The captain Of the Belgerland
told them that was the best lie could do
as they were under orders not to tow,
and after wishing them success passed
away. The glass indicated a big storm
when the Beforehand sailed away and as
the seas commenced to assume noun
famous heights those on board Ielt as
though they were in a critical position.
During Tuesday another and successful
effort was made to patch up the machin-
ery, and at a. m. she was under way
and came along at 5 knots, arriving at
Halifax at o'clock this morning. They
were fortunate in having such fine wea-
ther, but for which they would have been
unable to reach Halifax in the time they
did, as any extra strain on the machinery
might have led to complete mishap. :.
The action of the steamer which took
no notice of the signals will be investi-
gated. The officers of the Pomeranian
say that it was impossible for those on
board of her not to have seen her signals,
and but for what they knew she might
have been in a sinking condition. The
vessel is supposed to have been bound
for Boston or New York.
MANY persons visited the whaI4So have
a glimpse at the vessel which met with
such disaster as she did last February.
Capt. McCulloch, who was the first Off
Ger, is now in command. The purser,
speaking of that disaster, says that they
had many times worse weather than they
had Just at the time the disaster
occurred. It all happened in an instant.
1t was an avalanche of waves which came
aboard without any warning, dashing
completely over the ship in few seconds
with the result which is SO well known.
It is a curious coincidence that all recent
mishaps to the Pomeranian have hap.
pened on Saturday. February 4th, date on
which 12 lives was lost was Saturday. On
her voyage from Greenock, worst gale of
the round trip, was met with on Satur-
day, and present mishaps occurred on
Saturday. She has 25o head OF cattle on
The Sarnia sailed this morning for
Portland. When trying her engine she
carried with her some twenty feet of the
end of the wharf.