The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-06-30
Days in a Monsoon.

London, June 30-A dispatch TO the
Daliy Mail from Alden, Arabia. says:
Two days after leaving Colombo, the
Alden was struck by a severe monsoon,
with squalls. violent and incessant. Dav
py day the weather grew thicker and the
passengers became more and more
alarmed. AT three o'clock on the morn
ING OF June 9Th, the vessel struck upon
s ne iitasrldresa reef on the eastern coast
or the island OF Socotra
me engine room was instantly flooded
ana utter darkness ensued wild with
panic the passengers rushed from their
aolhs. and fled terror stricken to The
upper deck IN the scantieSt clothing. The
women ana children screamed in fright
ana confusion, but the men retained
SER possession, and courageously assist
ed the officers and crew to do their hest
10 save the vessel. and to inspire calm
ness. S1'ti S1'ti
But # was soon seen the stea rner co,,d
lot survive the shock, and the only
chance Tor safety lay in the boats IJfa
hclts We're distributed, distress signals
S!Nell ana the boats OH the lee sldn pre-
pared TOT launching. Those on the wco
1ner III +, SIDE had already been washed way.
IN the meantime, seeing that soma hnnrs
were likely to elapse bfore # wo,ild -
possiDle TO launch the boats. the mas
ssHSers gladly accepted the assistnnc,
oi mn me crew to obtain more clothing
me storm continued 10 increase in vIo-
,,;., .!eaC seas washed the vessel
win terrific force. Daylight broupht ~
Ee!le1 and only served to reveal stj1i fnr' ~
tner the awful situation.
.'iiSlo oitune followed misfortune A
ne BOAT was lowered, only TO bn swont
away Immediately with three I,ascars
,rir mnu .ne lifst officer, Mr.. Garden. The
SiS was dispatched to the rescua u,itb
Alr Miller. the second officer but -
ne despair Of all, both boats We're "a -.
idlN swept away.
me only remaining life boat was then
lowered amid a scene of intense emo
,i' 'ioIi. \ cry or anguish broke from the
ilps even OF the men when this hair 20 ;,
sized. throwing the sailors and Iha
stores into the sea. After great effort $
Inc BOAT was righted and tho wnn,aD
s,llu chlidEen were lowered into ii. with
me exception Of Madames Gilrtt
learce ana Strain, who heroically de-
cided to share the fate OF their his
bands. and Misses Lloyd and WeI1nr
VINO remained on board. The hnot
manned by Il European crew. left in ~
tremendous sea and drifted RAPIDLY out
OF sight
Vast waves still swept the wreck
o,ashihs. the people about and leaving
.heih almost pTostrate on the deck Ono
Dy one, men, women and children.
grown too weak to withstand the re.
peated buffctings, were washed over.
board In sight OF those who were mo.
inentarliy expecting the same fate.
Among the first thus engulfed were
Mr.. and Mrs. Strain and their two chill
dren: Misses Lloyd and Weller. the mis-
sionaries; Mrs. !'eacc's baby. with its
Chinese nurse. and then Captain HilI,
whose leg was broken, but who had
borne himself calmly and bravelv. ue
was washed overheard with several OF
the native crew.
All day the victims were picked of
one by one, until o'clock in the after.
noon. 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 ho thoi:
tomb None Of the survivors whom II
have seen cares TO talk Of this terrible
night.
The storm aba.ted slightly on the
morning OF the 10th. and those who wer.
able to move began to search for food.
hunger until then having failed to as
ser itself over more acute priyations.
This proved task Of the greatest dan
ger aa big seas We're still sweeping the
vessel. The fourth engineer while try
ing to procure water near the DOop. was
struck scnScless and almost washed
overheard before he could be dragged
10 4 place Of safety. Artificial respira-
ton ana similar cxpcdicnts were re-
sorted 10, but it was five hours before