The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-09-05
ENDED IN. DISASTER.
DR.. F.A.CoOk's Arctic Excursion
Terminated by a Wreck.
The Ship Miranda Struck on a
Hidden Reef.
ALL BAGGAGE LOST.
Prof. Dyche of State University
Lost Valuable Specimens.
The Party Was Saved by the
Schooner Rigel.
ALL BAGGAGE LOST.



NORTH SIDNEY. B. c., Sept o. The
schooner Rigel of Gloucester. Mass,
Capt. @. w. Dixon, arrived here today.
having on board the crew and passengers
of the steamer Miranda, which left New
York July 7, with DR.. F. A. Cooks arctic
excursion. All the party are we'll. On
August the Miranda struck rock near
Sukkertoppen, West Greenland, and was
abandoned in a sinking condition August
23 in Davis strait, latitude about 81 de-
grees 10 minutes. longitude $40.
The particulars of the expedition and
it's disastrous termination are as fol-
lows: After repairing the damage
sustained by the iceberg collision
on July II, the Miranda left St Johns
n. F. on July 20, and proceeded direct
~ to Greenland. Much ice and fog were
Unexpectedly encountered off Cape Fare
we'll at one time the vessel came near
being nipped in the foes, the rising of
fog disclosing ice all around.
Considerable apprehension was felt by
the officers, and visions of the fate of the
jeanette and Proteus expeditions arose
before the passengers, as the Miranda
was totally unfit to cope with the terrors
of arctic navigation. But fortunately
thin place in the foes was found and the
ship driven through. The southwest
coast Of Greenland was so blocked with
ice that no landing could be made until
August z, when the expedition reached
Sukkertoppen, in lat 65.25.
Struck ON Reef.
Leaving this port on the morning of
the 9Th, the vessel had proceeded about
seven miles at full speed when she
struck with tremendous force on hid
den reef. Everything loose went flying
forward. The stewart. John Farrell,
was struck by trunk and eighty in
iured The party at breakfast found
themselves piled up with dishes and
viands at the end of the cabin.
Three times high waves lifted the ship
and let her down with crash that shook
her from end to end When she hoated
off great excitement prevailed the
vessel was soon seen to be settling. The
boats were swung off and everything
made ready to abandon the steamer. 1t
was found however that the main injury
was beneath the ballast tank, which
filed so rapidly that the pumps could
not control the inflow.
But the watertight bulkhead protected
the other compartments and Eskimo
pilots having at length come off in their
kayaks, the steamer was go. safely into
harbor where it was considered unsafe to
proceed further with the damaged YES
sell The situation of so large body of
excursiOniSts on this 1nhOs pltable coast
was not encouraging and especially when
it was found that the Danish steamer
which regularly visits the settlement had
been stove in by ice and would not ar
rive this year.
Short Rations SerN ed.
1t began to look as if the expedition
might have to winter IN Greenland and
short rations were served in anticipation
of such a catastrophe. 1t was learned
however, through the Danish governor
that several American fishing schooners
were on the halibut banks near Holster
borg, 12O miles north 10 secure
one of these vessels, DR.. Cook. with
N essrs. Rogers, Porter and Dunning
and four Eskimos started for the banks in
an open boat After a stormy voyage
lasting ten days they found the Rigal
and brought her to the assistance of the
people on the disabled steamship and the
passengers were transferred to the RigeL
The Miranda then took the Rigel in
tow and left Sukkertoppen on August 21
intending to proceed directly to St
Johns. N F. All went we'll for two days
but heavy sea the second night weak
ened the top of the ballast plank on
which an enormous pressure was exerted
and it gave way at 1890 a. N, August ID
Three blasts of the whistle gave warning
to the Rigel to stand by. The night was
cold, dark and foggy and the vessels
bounded like balls on the billoWs-
Cut Lose the Life Boat.
On board the Miranda all wac confu-
sion. The hremen, leaving the boiler
room without orders cut lose the best life
boat which was Immediately dashed TO
pieces against the ships side and they
were only kept in submission at the
point Of the captains revolver The car
penters tried IN vain to stop the leak
with blankets and N actresses and at day
light. as the water was invading the coal
bunker and a storm was threatening. the
SHY was abandoned
fhn q r0 ho
schooner. 1t was fortunate that the pas
sengers were already on the Rigel as a
transfer could hardly have been effected
under lhe trying conditions without loss
Of life. Nothing except the sailors bags
were saved from the Miranda The pas
sengers lost all their baggage except the
clothing worn when they went on board
the Rigel at 6ukkertoppen. Many of
them lost expensive scientific instru-
ments and hunting equipment