New-York tribune., 1896-01-26

Navigation Company hard and fast
aground, but where?
That was the question which echoed from
bridge to promenade deck. for many OF the pas
seneers were up and about even at that un-
canny hour OF the morning. Some OF them
were possibly there to admire the sight OF d
diving storm at sea. Others were living In nope
OF a speedy sight Of the Highland Lights ana
nearer glimpse OF home land within the oenu
OF Sandy Hook They did not know, nor per-
hans did any OF the officers at first, that they
had run bow on against the sandy shores OF
the State of New-Jersey. How could they
The night was as dark as Erebus, the stanch
steamer had Just weathered Of the severest
gales the Atlantic has known In months OF
voyaging and was working her way through
the fag end OF 1t in the midst of fog and dark
ness that could be felt. Whatever else was
known. Il was certain that she had shoaled on
q sandy shore.
WHAT AN EYEWITNESS SAW.
This Is the beginning OF the most exciting
narrative that has attracted the attention OF
sea-faring folk for a long period. An eye
witness OF the catastrophe almost was James
F. Bradley. OF the Grand View House. at the
foot OF Sea vlew-ave., East Long Branch he
said:
hotel. and 1t must have been about 13o o'clock
that heard the long boom OF steamer whistle.
II was 50 close to me that the windows seemed
70 rattle. I started UP broad awake. and then
before had fully decided to get up heard two
blows I'm succession. Hesitating no longer,
snrang out Of bed and got into my clothes as
quickly as could, which was not long. rushed
ont on the porch Of the hotel. which looks d.
rectly down on the beach, and out over the
water through the fog. which was very thick'
could Just discern the lights OF Dig steamer
She was III up fore and aft as far as could note
but I could not make out her shape near enough
TO know what she was At first thought 1t was
ono of the savannah Line boats which had been
blown in shore yet the object seemed larger
II ran down to the beach and there met one
OF the members OF life-saving crew NO. D.
who was patroling the beach. asked hlni' ana
he said he could not make her out. Messages
,yare hustled right and left, and | should judge
it must have been nearly o'clock "heh the
ufe-saving crews arrived. the first on the
ground being No. 4. Of Monmouth Beach. cap
tain Muligan Others followed in rapid success
s,on The life-sayers at once rgged their gun
ard a line was shot across the vessels deck. and
In n very little while the breeches buoy was
rigged and Captain Mulligan sent message on
board The answer came back to telegraph NO
6 Bowling Green. New-York that the steamer
was the st. Paul. of the international Navigation
Company. We will not come ashore, but VIII
remain on board till daylight. Tell them to SEND
assistance Your apparatus worked immensely
This was signed 'Jamison."
THE FIRST VIEW OF THE BIG LINER.
This WAS the story told to The Tribune re-
porter almost as soon as he reached the scene at
East Long Branch shortly after noon yesterday
At that time the big liner lying with her
nose pointing southwark and almost broadside
on to the surf which was pounding her side and
throwing great Jets Of spray high into the air
from around the sharp contour Of her bow and
over the bend OF her rudder, which was half out
Of the water while fully four feet of her red
water-line mark was showing.
She was listed slightly toward the port or
seaward side. apparently bowling to meet the
majestic rollers which came chasing one an
other in toward the breakwater In inspiring
fashion, and breaking against the piled wall
threw sky-scrapng showers OF spray. showering
hundreds of spectators in salt drench. and
elcitng screams Of mingled delight and terror
from women and children who had ventured
too near the domain Of the water sprite. To
them the stealthy ground swell. backed by the
long storm-spent rollers Of Old Ocean. was not
terrible To the stout-hearted men on board
the steamer and to the wrecking crews they
told different story for with each long, IN
coming blow the expert minds felt the
chances OF a speedy release for the titan were
lessened by just so much
Captain Merritt, Of the Merrie WrecHihs
Company, who was standing on the beach wnere
the lfeboats were making their way out TO the
ship. was not sanguine He smiled rather
dismal smile when asked II they would be able
TO get her off yesterday I'VE Will be lucky
said he. III we get her off inside OF the next
three DAYS. We shall try In fact. to save the
ship but she may be here for two or three
weeks" Later he remarked that 1t would re-
ouira two days for them to sling their appara.