The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-01-31
HOW SOME ESCAPED.
Additional Stories of SurvivOrs-A Big
Sen Running.


Sea Running.
LONDON, Jan. 30,-The account of the dis
aster that will be published tomorrow by
the Daily Graphic says that the officers of
the Elbe were unable to calm the excited
steerage passengers after the collision. 1t is
known three boats We're launched One of
them was swamped before anybody entered
it. The other two boats got away, each con-
tanning about twenty persons Anna Boeck-
er, passenger for Southampton lay in the
bottom of the boat which rescued her, partly
immersed in water, for five hours. Not a
complaint was made by her. Mr.. Hoffman
hurt his leg badly while entering the boat.
In interview Mr. Hoffman said there was
a terrible scene of confusion on deck follow
ing the collision. Suddenly there was heard
shrill despairing cry of There are no
more boats. He men at the davits fran
tioally chopping at the frozen tackle Of a
boat. This boat was full of people but it
could not be lowered. He believes that Capt
Won Goessel gave the order for the women
and children to go to the starboard side.
Some one seized Mr.. Hoffman's son and
dragged him forcibly out of the boat and his
place taken by one of the crew. This
boat was nearly swamped by being dashed
against the Elbe's foremost, which had gone
by the board at the time of the collision
Annie Blocker was unframed beyond be-
ing greatly exhausted. She says that when
she arrived on deck she found that two
lifeboats were being lowered. She was
put into which soon capsized on the
partly submerged side of the steamer All
the occupants of the boat were thrown into
the water, but managed to get back again
on board the Elbe. She, however chung
to the capsiZed boat until she was picked
up by the other lifeboat. She lost all her
oil h1Itc her fcb
which was fastened in a pouch around her
waist
A passenger named Bothen, who was GO
ing to Southampton and thence to France
says that only two boats were lowered.
Mr.. Vevera of Cleveland, O., Was re-
turning home from visit to a sick broth
er. He was accompanied by his niece,
whom he fears was drowned. He says
that he looked at his watch at half-past 8,
and everything was going along as usual.
About ten minutes later he heard a terrible
crash. He went on the deck where he
found the mali man, who calmly told him
that nothing had happened. Mr.. vevera
disbeleved this statement and went in
search of his niece. He could not reach her
cabin, owing to the shattered woodwork.
tie then went to his own capin got a
lie Deit, after winch he returned to the
upper deck and tound the boats beng
lowered away. He asked PERMISSION TO
enter one and was tod mat the women
ana chliaren must go t1rst. 1hereupon he
quietly looked on BY this time the men
on deck were getting alarmed. Mr.. vevera
adoed: Some OF them tired TO tear my
life belts from me. / managed, however,
to repulse them. In the meantime the boats
were inning with men. l rea4ized that with
me it was now or never and jumped on the
rail and as the boat sheered and rose on the
sea l jumped aboard of her. A man tried
to expei me, but [ chung to him saying 10
myseif:, If | go. you go. too Then he
desisted. We. saw the Elbe.. sink, after
Flower rescued u.s." Mr.. Vevera's leg was
badly bruised, but otherwise he is no worse
for his terrible experience.
Chief Stoker Puerst says that the thrush
of water quenched the fires quickly. All be-
low knew from the torrent pouring in that
nothing would prevent the vessel from
laundering. He saw the captain on the
bridge when he went on deck, but did not
see the pilots
tending passengers from Hamburg or Bre-
men do not wait for the departure of the
come to England and take passage aboard
of them at Southampton. 1t may be that
some of those who intended to travel by the
Elbe did this. If they did they, of course,
escaped the disaster. Every effort is being
made to ascertain whether this course was
followed by any of the persons who pro-
posed going to New York on the Elbe
The Standard in its report of the disaster
will tomorrow say: There was tremen-
| dous sea running at the time and the morn
| ing was unusually dark. AS lights were
seen in various directions. showing the prox-
| cts were repeatedly sent up from the Elbe
| in order to warn them. About 6 O'clock the
man on the lookout saw steamer approach
| ing and in order to attract her attention
more rockets We're fired at shorter Intervals
No attention was paid to these signals and
| the steamer still came on, and before any
| thing could be done the vessels colided
| On account of the intense cod and rough
ness of the few of the passengers were
astir, but the shock aroused evry body
| The passengers crowded up half dressed and
| terror-stricken. The officers tried to calm
fhnr1 hut fanip
| When ii was found that the vessel was
| settling. orders We're instantly given to
| lower the boats. In very short time three
were got alongside. The sea was running
with great force and one of the small, boats
was swamped before anybody got into H.
| f,t.r, nm