The herald., 1895-01-31

latter struck her just about the engine
room, going through her plates as
though they we're pastsboard and stick
ing her nose almost completely through
..he hull et the Elhe. Ec- sine che
Crathis held the Elbs on her n ose, but
then her engines were reversed and she
backed out OF tina aperture che had
made. As she did so the water rushe
into the Elbe In torrent and she began
Immediately to nettle. The officer in
charge OF the ship at once saw abe was
doomed and gave hurried orders to clear
away tbs lifsbosts for launching. Three
Of tho bosts were cleared and lowered,
but one OF them shortly after il got
clear OF tbs steamer capsizsd, and il ia
thought all the occupants were drswhd.
The frat boat1 contained the third
officer. ehisl engineer, purser and about
20 Of the passengers. These are the
persons who were picked up by the fish-
ing smack and taken to Lowestoft.
From one of the survivors it is learned
that as soon as the Orsthis backed
away the inrushing water flooded the
oft of the engine room SO quickly that
melody below deck in thss part of the
ship had an opportunity TO escape. The
shock of the collision was comparatively
slight in view OF the damage done. but
his is explained by the fact thar it was
Q direct cutting blow.
DROWNED IN THE CABIN.
Nearly all the passengers were aslesp
ut the time. but many of them were
awakened by the shook, slight as it
was. They could lear the rush Of the
rapid infowing water, and with cries
OF terror sought to make their way to
the upper deck. The steamer being
loaded BY the stern, water naturally
rushed aft, and this allowsd many Of
the passengers forward to rsach the
deck. In the cass of the saloon pas
ssngsrs, however, the result was fatal.
As they rushed from their state rooms
into the saloon, they were met by the
torrent against which it was i'm posi- BILE
for them to naake hssdwsy. They were
caught up snd swspt aft toward the
cockpit, where they were probably
drowned before the ship ioundsred.
Altogether about 30 OF the passengers
reached the deck, where tho widest
confusion excited. Wild ruahes were
made for the boats, but the terrible
excitement probably imped sd the Of
forts of those who were trying
to clear them away. Many heart.
Yending scenes were witnessed
between pareuts and children In the few
minutes preceding the sinking Of the yes
eel. There is some Engagement among
the survivors es to the number of boats
that were launched. Ons survivor, Carl
7 fmsn, declares only two boats were
lsanchsd. One of these was swamped
10 iantly and one OF its occupants, a girl
ned Anna Blocker, who was bound
I'd Southampton, was rescued. She
ng to piece of wreckags which she
grssped so tightly that it was only
difficulty that she was dragged into
y second boat. She was just return
iH from the deathbed CT her father aud
"a ther.
THE VESSEL SINKS.
Leanwhils the cry was raised on tho
med vessel for the women and chill
steamer ava n the port side, in
which waa g. ziasi gaping hole caused
T. the Gral9. The half faintins
'fo' ~ ana terror dls zen children hur-
r- = s9a at9l5-ata side, but they had
.l5iy yseehe the boats when the
.. H. vessel Led her bow high in the
si' as thsn slowly and silently sank
sss,n lost beneath the waves, TAX
il1 w.t. her her human freight.
Barely 20 minutes elapsed between the
Allision and the sinking of the steamer.
A heavy sea was running and the wind,
which was from east southeast was Bit
tsrly cold. The small boat containing
the survivors tossed about until II
O'Clock in the morning. Several vessels
we're sighted in the meantime. but they
made no replies to the signals that were
sent for them. The survivors were
nearly frozen, having little clothing,
and their sufferings were intense.
Eventually this fishing smack Wild
flower saw the signals and bore down on
the boat. In short time the survivors
were taken aboard OF her. where every
thing possible was done for their COM
fort.
STORY OF SURVIVOR.
Carl Hoffman, husband of Mrs. Anna
Hoffman, is among the survivors. He
10 In q condition Of terrible distress
from the loss OF his wife and son. He
pathetically exhibited to the reporter q
gold watch his wife had slipped in to his
hand as she parted with him to go to
the starbosrd side of the steamer when
the order to that effect was given. He
said:
We lsft Bremerhaven on Tuesday
afternoon at o'clock. Our csbin was
OF this second class and was within six
feet OF where she received the full fore,
OF the shock. My wife, child and
were asleep when / was awakened at
b:2O O'Clock by what sssmed to be the
ringing Of the gong that is used to call
tne passengers TO meals. Finding that
II was still dark / jumped out of my
berth but heard nothing TO alarm me.
L went back to my berth again and i'm
media.ely heard the rushing OF feet and
shouting. concluded something
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