The record-union., 1894-09-06
Disastrous Termination of an Ex-
petition to the North.
A STEAMER STRIKES ON A HIDDEN
REEF-PASSENGERS RESCUED.
Panic Among Japanese Residents in
China on Account of the Surrender
TO the Chinese Govorment by Amer
lean Consuls OF Two of Their Coun-
trymen Who Had Been Arrested as
Srnin
snecial to the Rrconn=unrnx-

Special to the RECoRD-UNION.
NORTH SYDNEY &C. b., Sept. 5.-The
schooner Rigel of Gloucester, Mass, Cap
tain @. W. Dixon, arrived here to-day,
having on board the crew and passengers
of the steamer Miranda, which left New
York July 9TH with Dr. Cooks Arctic
excursion. All parties are well. August
9th the Miranda struck a rock near Suk-
kertoppep, west of Greenland, and was
abandoned in sinking condition August
I'D III Davis Strait, latitude about Go Is
and longitude $50 40'.
The particulars of the expedition and
its disastrous termination are as follows:
After repairing the damage sustained
by the iceberg collision on July 18th, the
Miranda left ST. Johns, Y. f., on July
29th, and proceeded directly to Green
land. Much ice and fog were unex-
pectedly encountered off Cape Farewell.
At one time the vessel camo near being
nipped in the foes, the rising of the fog
disclosing the ice all around. Consider
able apprehension was felt by the officers,
and visions Of the fate of the jeanette and
Proteus expeditions rose among the pas
sengers. The Miranda was totally unfit
to cope with the terrors of Arctic navioa-
ton. But fortunately a thin place in the
hoes was found, and the ship was driven
through.
The southwest coast of Greenland was
so block ed with ice that no landing could
be made until August lSt, when the expe-
dition reached Sukkertoppen. in latitude
5J0 Is. Leaving this port on the norning
Of the 9Th for Disco, the vessel had pro-
cnRdpd ahOlIE IoiIpG "a filil GDppd
when she struck with tremendous force
on hidden reef. Everything loose went
dying forward a party at breakfast
found themselves piled up with dishes
and vlands at the end of the cabin. Three
times the high waves lifted the ship and
let her down with crash that shook her
from end to end. When she floated off
great excitement prevailed, as the vessel
was seen TO be settling. The boats were
swung off, and everything made ready to
abandon the steamer. 1t was found, how
ever, that the main injury was beneath
the ballast tank, which filled 80 rapidly
that the pumps could not control the in
flow. But the water-tight bulkhead pro-
tected the other compartments.
The situation Of so large body of ex-
curSlOniSts on this inhospitable coast was
not encouraging, especially when it was
found that the Danish steamer which
regularly visits the settlement had been
SlON0 III ny lCGr anu HOulu uOJ arrive LtllS
year. 1t began to look as If the expedi-
tion might have to winter in Greenland,
and short rations were served in antici-
patton of such a catastrophe. 1t was
learned, however, through the Danish
Governor, that several American fishing
schooners were on the halibut banks. I2O
miles north. To secure one of these ves-
sells DIR. Cook, with Messrs. Rogers, Por-
ter and Dunning. and four Eskimos.
started for the bank In an open boat. Af-
ter stormy voyage lasting ten days they
found the Rigel, and brought her to the
assistance of the people on the disabled
steamer, and the passengers were trans
ferred to thes sRigel.
The Miranda then took the Rgel in
tow and left Sukkertoppen in August. in
tending TO proceed directly to st. Johns,
n. +. All went well for two days, but a
heavy sea the second night weakened the
top of the ballast tank on which an enor-
nous pressure was eXerted, and it gave
way August 23d. 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 pillows.
On board the Miranda all was con-
fusion. The tiremen, leaving the boiler
room without permission, cut loose the
lifeboat, which was Immediately dashed
to pieces against the ships side. and thew
point of the Captains revolver. The
carpenters tried in vain to stop the leak
with blankets and mattresses and at
daylight, as water was invading the coal
bunker and a storm was threatened, the
ship was abandoned. The crew was
taken aboard the schooner. 1t was fortu-
nate that the passengers were already on
the Rigel, as a transfer could hardly have
been effected under the trying conditions
without loss Of life.
Nothing but the sailors bags were
saved from the Miranda. The passen-
gers lost all their baggage except the
clothing worn when they went on board
the Rigel at Sukkertoppen. Many of
them lost expensive scientific instru-
ments and hunting equipments. Ali the
botanical and geological collections and
the photographs, probably the finest ever
taken in Greenland, went down with the
Miranda. Professor Diesch lost fine
lot OF Labrador and Greenland birds.
The journey homeward was without
incident, other than the adverse winds
and insufficient provisions, only ten days
supplies for forty men having been placed
on the Rigel and the addition of the Mi
randa's crew made ninety-one persons on
board this little craft. The passengers
slept in the hold on top of the salt and
fish. Gulls and other sea birds consti-
tuted the only fresh meat OF the party for
the last ten days.
Too great credit cannot be given to Cap
tain Dixon and the crew of the Rigel for
their efforts in behalf of those whom
they rescued. The party will have ban
quet at South sydney before leaving, at
which time handsome testimonial will
be presented to Captain Dixon.
The lost ship Miranda was built in 1884
for the st. Johns and New York trade.
She is famous as the vessel which lost the
celebrated Leary timber raft of Long Is
land Sound. She is said to have been in
sured for 500 900.