The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-01
Steamship Crathie. Now at Rotter-
dam, Identified as the Vessel That
Collided with the Elbe.
sEMI-OFFICIAL STATEMENT
GERMAN VICE CONsUL,S ACCOUNT OF,
THE MARINE DISASTER.
How the Survivors Were Rescued In
Story--Americans Who Perished.

LONDON, Jan. 31.-The surviving officers
of the ill-fated steamship Elbe arrived in
this city tonight. but refused to discuss
the accident, having been advised to say
nothing until the court Of inquiry calls on
them for evidence. The sailors and passen-
gers who were rescued are still at loves
loft. It Is now almost certain that only
twenty persons escaped. and that the sec-
end life boat which was launched from the
sinking steamer met the fate Of the first.
Fifteen fishing smacks which sailed over
the scene of the disaster have returned to
Lowesloft, and report that they saw moth
ing to indicate that a steamer had been
lost There was no sign of the missing life
boat.
The identity of the steamer that sunk tina
Elbe was established to-day. A dispatch
from Rotterdam says: Interviews which
were held here this afternoon with Captains
Gordon, of the steamer Crathie and with
the second officer of that vessel. now leava
no room for doubt that she was the steam-
ship which ran into and sank the Elbe.
Captain Gordan said that the Crathie, at
$50 a. m. yesterday, was about thirty
five miles from Waterway. The wind was
north by west. half west. 1t was very
dark and the wind was strong Continu-
ing, he said: IT stood at the bottom OF the
cabin staircase and was going on deck when
there was heavy shock. crack and the
water began to pour over and into the
deck ran on deck and saw a large
strange ship across the bows of the Crathie.
After the collision we returned to the spot
where it occurred, or as near as we could
make out; but we. were unable to see any
signs of the steamer, which we thought
had proceeded on her voyage. We followed
after her for some time, but lost all sight
of her. We waited for two hours ana then
proceeded to Maaslouis. We reached there
yesterday and came here to-day for re-
pairs, which will take five weeks
The second officer of the Crathie said
that about half-past o'clock. yesterday
thirty miles from Niuewater Weig. we
colIided with large steamer. There was
on deck and suddenly saw ahead of us
three lights and | made out steamer
painted lightecolor with two smokestacks,
also painted light coming toward us. It
was impossible tosescape collision although
ten or a dozen yards more would probably
impossible for some time to distinguish
the two ships, and our gear had to be cut.
We heard no cries and there was COM
motion on board the steamer so far as we
knew. Immediately after the collision the
ether vessel showed blue and red lights.
We returned the same signals, understand
ing that neither of us needed assistance.
Our captain was below at the time first
sighted the steamer. A stoker who had
been asleep had his right ear torn off by
an iron plate which was driven, through
hospital hos don't Believe the that the eW shin II ,Ne Me
collided with was the Elbe; but ] did not
see her name. The Crathie's bow was COM
plete1y stove in, and we returned because
the Crathie was not fit to proceed in a high
Mr.. Keller, the London manager Of the
North German Lloyd company, in an inter
view to-day said II have examined the
struck right on the bukhsad partition SO
that both water-tight compartments which
it divided were instantly filed,
Eibe will Ill go to southampton tomorrow and
there embark for New York on board the
next steamer The crew could go to London
tomorrow after having made their state
ments to the German vice consul. They will
then be shipped to Bremen
Steamship Company announces that the fol-
lowing persons whose names were on the
moment to go from Bremen to Southampton
direct and were not OH board the Elbe when
Louis e. BoRNEFELD.
DOMINGO FURRER.
THEODORE GEISENHAAIER.
RUDOLPH NEUMANN.
LIEB MIS6ELEwITZ.
TWO ADULTS and TWO CHILDREN.
SCHTEFER DORMAN.
ANTON FISCHER.
On behalf of the Board Of Trade pre-
lninary inquiry. was held here into the
of that ship were questioned by the chief
officer of the custom house. They said in
substance: The Elbe was proceeding a
south southwest course down the channel,
steamjng about fifteen knots. When about
fortv+five miles off Terschellng lightship,
a vessel was seen approaching two and ene-
half points off the port bow The vessels
course was apparently west northwest. Ac-
cording to the rule of the road at sea. the
vessel should have ported her helm. ana
passed under the Elbe's stern. Both vessels
however. kept their course and struck. The
shock OF the concussion was very slight"
VICE CONsUL,s STATEMENT.