The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-02-12
LA GASCOGNE is SAFE
The Gallant French Liner Arrives at
New York.
ALL ON BOARD ARE WELL
The Long Delay Was Caused BY
the Breaking of the steering
Apparatus-Soenes at the
steamship Offices.
ILL ON BOARD ARE WELL
The Long Delay Was Caused BY

New YORK, Feb. 11.-Not since the UNI
bria was reported wo years ago, after a
perilous voyage across tho Atlantic, with
n broken shaft, has there been such great
excitement in this city as this evening.
Hundreds of anxious people have, Tor
week, been hoping against hope for the
safe arrival of friends and relatives who
embarked OIL The gallant French steamer
for their homeward trip. As the days
have passed. the number of visitors at the
steamship Office has lessened, as, one by
one, the watchers abandoned hope and
gave UP the thought of over again seel ng
their loved ones. There were few stout
hearts, however, who refused to believe
that the brave steamer had been worsted
in her battle with the waves, and these
few continued their visits to the Office OF
the steamship company, confident that
each day would bring the lonxed for news
that La Goscogne had been sighted by the
watchers at Fire island.
When, this afternoon, the first hopeful
message was flashed over the wires from
the outer harbor, it seemed too good to be
true. There was not much in the few lines
that came to the watchers, but there was
enough to kindle anew the hopes which
burned in the breast of each. The first
message stated that n vessel had been
sighted. which resembled La Gascogne,
but she was too far out for absolute iden-
tification.
Breathlessly the anxious throng awaited
further news. Hoping. yet fearing, they
crowded around the telegraph office. The
crowd rapidly increased in size as the
good news spread through the city. 1t
was a period of awful suspense. Then, as
their raised hopes were falling, the look
out at Fire Island station sent the watch-
ers the hoped for news. 1t was La Gas
cogne. She was proceeding slowly and
was carrying signals which cauld not yet
| be deciphered.
That was enough. The awful suspense
was over. 1t mattered not what the sig
| nails were, La Gascogno had arrived and
the terrible fears of the waiting ones had
not been realized. Cheer followed cheer,
as the relief of the watchers found express
sion. When clasped each others hands
| and women wept. 1t was scene never
| to be forgotten.
! Then. as the gallant French liner
steamed slowly in toward land, the sig
nails we're read and translated to the eager
crowd at the shipping office. The steer
ing gear was disabled, but everybody on
board was all right. The news was too
GOOD to be true. The crowd was beside
itself with JOY.
Bulletins all over the city announced
the glad event. In every hotel, in every
club, in almost every home in the city the
sole topic of conversation was the arrival
of the ship, the hope of whose rescue from
the terrific storms which have caused such
terrible disasters in the maritime world
had almost deserted the hearts of the
| most sangune. Hundreds of persons be-
! sieged the pier of the company as tho ugh
they expected La Gascogne would, in an
hour or two, be moored at her dock.
This crowd was reinforced every mo-
ment. Friends of the passengers made
query after query of the superintendent
of the line. The information vouchsafed
by him was that the ship was safe.
Over 100 people crowded up on the
dock to wait until La Gascogne arrived.
and it was only when a conspicuous an
nouncement was posted on the outside oi
the company's pier that she would not
leave quarantine until tomorrow morn
ing, that the anxious watchers slowly
went to their homes.
But the awful suspense was ended and
Joy has taken the place of mourning in
many New York home tonight. The
whole city is rejoicing and the steamship
Company is receiving congratulations from
all sides.
Immediately upon receipt of the assur
ance that the steamer was really Ii
Gascogne. the company dispatched tugs
from the French line pier and these boats
returned late this evening with the newi
that everybody on board the steamer i:
all right. At no time was the vessel in
danger, although terrific gales we're en-
countered.
The SHIP had been disabled for 13 days
When the first break was repaired. sh'
proceeded, but reduced speed. Off the
banks of Newfoundland she ran into Q
hurricane and when off Sable island, Feb
5, tho machinery broke down again anC
she hove TO for Al hours without moving ;
wheel. She proceeded slowly again afte
the second repairs,