Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-02-01
wv Ellis de GOVERTgY
THE PEOPLES POPULAR CLOTHIERS,
33l. 1886 and 3SS River Street,
Il. IL, II and ~ Fourth Street,
lope that the vessel might be saved.

|
1t was soon apparent, however, that
the Elbe was settling steadily. The Off
GERS were convinced that she was about
to founder, and gave orders to lower the
boats. Carl Hoffman of Grand Island,
Nebraska, says: 81 had my wife and
boy of with me on the Elbe. / am ut
terly wretched. for l became separated
from them and hardly dare hope that
they have saved. am abroad to visit
relatives in Germany, and during the last
four months was accompanied by my
wife and boy. We left Bremen for home
on Tuesnay. | was asleep in my state
room when noise like gunshOt awOke
me. jumped out of bed and spoke to
my wife, who had been aroused as sud
denly. l asked her what she thought
the trouble was. but she seemed to pay
little attention to it. | was not greatly
alarmed, although heard scuffling feet
and hOarse shouts on deck.
81 hurried into few of my clothes,
however, { nj went to the upper deck.
saw only too clearly what had happen
ed. l rushed below and helped my wife
and boy throw on a few clothes, and we
went on deck together. The excitement
and confusion cannot be described. |
never saw anything like it; everybody
seemed to have lost his head. The scene
was distressing beyond anything else
ever saw. Men, women and children
were running about madly, the women
screaming with terror, and every man
getting in the others way. The dark
ness increased the confusion and fright.
suddenly heard shrill, despairing
cries from the women: There are no
more boats | then saw the men at the
davits. | noticed that the ropes were
frozen so hard or were so tangled, or
something of the sort, that the sailors
had to chop them frantically to get the
boats clear. The sailors were doing
their best, however, and worked with
might and main. They finally got out
the aft quarter boat on the port side. |
could see that it was full of people, but
the sailors could not lower it.
Meantime the steamer was settling
perceptibly. | took my boy in my arms
and got into the second boat. My wife
was close behind when somebody shout
ed: All women and children go to the
east side of the ship ] believe the cap
tain gave the order. My wife started to
run across the deck, and that is the last
saw of her. clung to my boy, but
some men seized us and dragged us out
of the boat, and my place was taken by
one of the crew. This boat got clear of
the steamer. Before the men at the oars
could get full command of her, big
wave almost dashed her against the
steamers big foremast, which had gone
by the board at the time of the collision.
1t was almost miraculous that the boat
was not swamped. Another boat was
got out took my boy into it and sup
posed that he had remained by my side,
but just as the boat was lowered, found
that he had dii appeared. He had been
torn away in the rush and scramble for
places. L tried to get back, but the boat
went down with jump, and the mo-
ment we reached the water the sailors
pushed Off"
1t is many years since the transatlan-
tic steamship service has suffered such a
terrible disaster. The Elbe was a large
versel, swift one and stanch one.
From the circumstances of the accident
it is very likely true that it was unavoid-
able. Collision in thick weather remains
just as it was 40 years ago-the greatest
peril of transatlantic vOyaging.
The New Jersey Legislature has ds
vet neglected to choose the successor to
: Id H.. - Il