Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-02-12
SAFE AT LAST.
Long Overdue La Gascogne
Arrives at Sandy Hook.
She was Delayed by the Breaking of
Massive Piston Rod,
Which Persisted in Breaking Three Times
Mere Before Reaching Port.

Quarantine ] l., Feb II la Gas
eogne, eight days over due, dropped an
Choir at the bar here, just after midnight
All were well ON board and sigh of re-
lief goes up from two continents. Her
delay was due TO broken piston rod and
the terrific gales that have swept the north
Atlantic for the past week or more and
brought disaster to many staunch craft
Capt. Baudclon aud the officers and crew
Of La Gascogne brought the ship and pas
sengers through the gales and made port
without help.
The United Press tug Fred b. Daizell,
with representatives Of the Times, Tribune
and Recorder on board, was the first tug
to reach La GascogIe. The disabled
steamer had left Fire Island % miles
astern and wis eight miles to the cast
ward of Sandy Hook llehtshlp.
1t was o 20 F. NJ The big liner was
limping into port at half speed, with two
big red lights, signals Of distress, at the
foremost. The tug lay alongside half au
hour. and the following story Of the trip
wns obtained:
The steamer left Hayrc Jan. 90 On
the first day out 40 miles were logged /.
on the second day 100 miles; on the third
day, after travelling $50 miles, the piston
rod broke and is hours were spent in
making repairs. When they were com
pleted the ship steamed al nine miles an
hopr, making in all 80 miles on the Goth
On the 30th. 3ist and Feb. j 2l5, 255 and
$50 miles day We're made. respectively.
On Feb. the piston rod broke again.
The break was more serious this time
Sea anchors were put out, and for 81
hours the ship was hove TO, making re-
pairs on the ith. the first severe weather
was experienced and the ship was blown
100 miles out OF her course.
On the 9th the repairs having been
completed. 1903 miles were made. The
ship was then clear To the northward OF
the track Of trans. Atlantic steamers and
was therefore not seen by the many
steamer which passed ever the regular
track. On Feb. 9Th, 1863 miles were
made
On the eth the machinery broke down
for the third time. The heavy cyclone
struck her on that day, and the ship lay
hove to with sea anchors out all day. No
Roadway was made and owing to the
motion of the ship, repairs were difficult.
On the next day the chief engineer, who
had been Mt his post day and night, COM
pleted the repairs and the ship proceeded
I3i miles.
On the 9th, for the fourth time, the
machinery broke down and only "A miles
were made On the 10th, $50 miles were
made. and yesterday, to the great rcjoic-
ing. of all on board, Fire Island was sighted
and the ship crept up to her anchorage off
the bar.
One Of the passengers of La Gascogne
shouted to those on the United Press tug
-: Did they feel any alarm ashore:
Did they give us up?"
When told that it was thought the ship
was making for the Azores. he replied
"We We're going to the North Pole, in
stead.
"Did you have enough to eat!'
Yes" came the answer from the
Gascogne, I'VE had plenty all the time
and they gave us an especially fine dinner
today"
The passengers all united in saying
that they We're not alarmed and had a
good time aboard.
The ship was out Is days in all, and
both coal and provisions held out to the
end.