The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-01-28
Startling Experience Of the City 0
Stockholm With Broken Shaft
FEAT OF ENGINEER TOMLENsOA
THE UMBRIA OUTD0NE.
A Steamer of the Furness Line Adrift n
sea-Twenty-Seyon Days Between Lon-
don and Haiifax-The Story of Hnz-
artEous Trim,


HALIFAX, N. S., January 27.-Th
Furness line steamer Stockholm City,
Captain Thompson, has arrived from
London, twenty-seven days out after a
most eventful passage, and one which re-
fleets the greatest credit on the captain
and engineers, the ship having broken
her crank shaft in mid ocean. The re-
pairs were made at sea and the vessel
brought to this port without the slight
est assistance. The great feat of Engi-
neer Tomlinson of the steamer Umbria,
under whose directions the break in the
shaft of that steamer YVES repaired, may
be said to have been fairly eclipsed by
Chief Engineer Edwards, as the former
had all the advantages of having the men
as well as a great many appliances such
as would not be found on an ordinary
steamer. Besides Engineer Tomlinson
divided his men into relays of five men
each. who worked six hours off and six
hours on, while the Stockholm City had
but three men who were compelled to
keep steadily at work. Captain Thomp-
son speaks highly of the work of the en-
gineers, who worked for 6S hours on
stretch, not even taking time. to sleep.
Capt. Thompson says in his nine years as
commander of the ship he has never
gone through such passage.
They left London for Boston on New
Years day ,and Jan. the crank shaft had
broken short off, close to the cheek. 1t
was a great dilemma, and Captain
Thompson had to do considerable think
ing as to what was best to be- done but
Chief Engineer Edwards agreed with
him that repairs could be made, that the
broken section of the shaft could be re-
moved and that the second section
which was counterpart of the first, be
moved so as to take the place of the
other, and one engine could be used.
Chief Engineer Edwards is "a years of
age, his assistants, Clarke and Cash, but
| 20 and p respectively, the latter making
his first trip to sea, but though young
they were equal to the emergency. But
extraordinary efforts were required, and
| it was eight days before the vessel again
made a start. The broken section had
to be removed, and was taksn an
| placed on the bilges, and then the bi
shaft, weighing five or six tons. had
be lowered. This was terrible tasl
All hands were called to assist, and th
| work was of the hardest description.
To make matters worse, the sea,
which had been quite calm,
now began to rise, and soon the
seas were sweeping over her decks, caus-
ing the ship to pitch violently. Every
moment itswas feared the shaft would
get loose and make a hole in the vessel.
One time a wave almost took the steamer
II 1@s.,
for lost. The anxious moments spent
by those on board can partly be imag-
ined, and it was with feelings of pleasure
that they saw the seas moderate the next
morning. The second section of the
shaft, however, was got in position and
the engineers continued their work to
have the vessel ready to sail. AS already
stated, they had worked 68 hours on
stretch, and worked with the greatest
good will.
On one casion the captain was
thinking of turning about land
proceeding to London under sail. On
the 18th they were ready to proceed with
favorable breeze and all sail set, and
they went very quietly. But two hours
later wheel became loose, and again
Once more she started and made good
progress under her one engine, which
was now doing the work Of two, and all
steam was kept on and the vessel was
making from five to six knots towards
Halifax; but three days later she came, to
stop of her own accord. Her propeller
got so far down in the water that she
could not get over the centre. She was,
however, got going again and by
means OF the sails was brought to Hall
fax.