The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-06-30
sHIPWRECKED IN A BIG STORM.
SURVIVORS AT THE MERCY OF THE
WAVES FOR II DAYS.

washed Away-AII the others on
hoard Previously Swept Away.
women Show Magnificent Hero
ism.
Alden, June 29.-The Indian governments
steamer Mayo, sent out to search for the
missing steamer Alden for London, last
heard from when leaving Colombo June
/, for this port, has returned here and re-
ports that the Alden was totally lost off
the Island of Socotra, at the eastern ex-
tremity of Africa, June 8.
The Alden carried thirty-four passengers
from China and Japan. The captain of
the wrecked steamer, some of her officers
and crew, and seven white passengers
were swept overheard and drowned very
soon after she ran ashore. Eight lady pas
sengers, nine children, two officers and
few of the crew succeeded in getting away
from the wreck in a boat, but they have
not been heard of since, and little hope is
entertained for their safety.
The Mayo saved nine of the Aden's pas
sengers and three white and 3S natives of
the steamers crew just as the Alden was
breaking up. The survivors of the wreck
GU SNSdlASA WCAC plOuSiil " llio pOlN ny
the Mayo, and are being cared for by the
local authorities. In all, the drowned and
missing included twenty-five passengers,
twenty European officers and thirty-three
natives of the Aden's crew.
London, June ga dispatch to the
Daily Mail from Alden, Arabia says: 1.-TWO
days after leaving Colombo the Alden was
struck by a severe monsoon, with squalls
violent and incessant Day by day the
weather grew thicker and the passengers
became more and more alarmed. At 3
o'clock on the morning of June the ves-
sci struck upon the Rasradreza reef, on
the eastern coast of the island of Socotra.
THE engine room was necessarily flood
ed and utter darkness ensued Wild with
panic the passengers rushed from their
cabins and fed terror-strcken to the up
per deck in the scantiest clothing. The
women and children screamed in fright
and confusion; but the men retained their
self-possession and courageousy assisted
the officers and crew to do their best to
save the vessel and to inspire calmness.
But 1t was soon seen that the steamer
could not survive the shock, and that the
only chance for safety lay in the boats.
Life belts were distributed, distress sig
prepared for launching. Those on .the
weather side had already been washed
away. In the meantime seeing that some
hours were likely to elapse before it was
possible to launch the boats, the passen- |
gers gladly accepted the assistance Of the
crew to obtain more clothing
1.-THE storm continued to increase in vio- |
lence, and great seas washed the vessel |
with terrific force. Daylight brought no |
relief, and only served to reveal still |
further the awful situation,
Misfortune followed misfortune. A |
lifeboat was lowered only to be swept |
away Immediately with three Lascars and |
the first officer Mr.. Garden. The gig was |
dispatched to the rescue with Mr.. Miller, |
the second officer, but to the despair of all |
both boats were rapidly swept away. The |
only remaining lifeboat was then lowered
amid a scene of intense emotion. cry
of anguish broke from the lips even of the
men when this half capsized throwing the
sailors and the stores in the sea. After
great efforts the boat was righted and the
women and children were lowered into II
with the exception of Madames Gillette
Pearce and Strain, who herocaly decided
to share the fate of their husbands, and
Misses Lloyd and Weller who remained
on board. The boat manned by a Europe
an crew left In a tremendous sea, and
drifted rapidly out of sight.
AS the waves still swept the wreck,
dashing the people about and leaving them
almost prostrated on the deck, one by
one, men, women and children. grown too
weak to Withstand the repeated buffetings,
were washed overheard in sight of those
who were momentarily expecting the same
fate
Among the first thus engulfed were Mr..
and Mrs. Strain and their two children;
Misses Lloyd and Weller, the missionaries;
Mrs. Pearce's badly, with Its Chinese
nurse, and then Capt Hill, wose leg was
broken, but who had borne himself calm
ly and bravely. He was washed overheard
with several of the native crew. All day
the victims were picked off, one by one,
until o'clock in the afternoon, when those
who still survived, retreated below Many
were badly hurt and passed the night In
suspense and bodily pain, huddled in the
small cabin which they expected would be
their tomb. None of the survivors whom
have seen cares to talk of this terrible
night
"The storm abated somewhat on the
morning of the 10th and those who were
able 10 move began the search for food,
hunger until then having failed to as
sert itself over more acute privations.
This proved a task OF the greatest danger,
as big seas were still sweeping the ves-
sell Their fourth engineer, while trying
TO procure water near the poop was struck
senseless and almost washed overheard
before he could be dragged TO a place OF
SAFETY. Artificial respiration and similar
hve hours before he was returned 10
consciousness Mr.. Pearce was only saw
ed from being washed overheard by the
prompt action OF his dauntless wife.
The search for food resulted In their
getting very little OF Il and this was shar-
ed equally and In very small. portions. All
the time desperate men kept a sharp look
out. But no vessel was sighted until the
18TH and even then the distress signal was
not not seen. on the nth, and again on the
2lth other vessels were sighted; but the
signals either were not seen or were ig-
nored. Thes unhappy eplsods caused pain
Iul ana half crazy scenes OF rage. among
those who had been previously self-con-
trolled. Each day IL was necessary 70
curtail the allowance Of ratlons. Mrs.
Gillette did the catering and contributed
greatly TO cheering up the ships company
The weather usually moderated IN the
morning, but always increased In violence
curing the afternoon. Frequently n sea
thirty feet high would sweep the deck