The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-06-30
Another Report.


Daily Mail from Alden. Arabia, says:
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 o'clock on the
morning of June 9 the vessel struck
upon the RasTadeisia reef, on the east
ern coast CT the island OF Scotia.
The engine room was instantly
flooded and utter darkness enSued. Wild
with panic, the passengers rushed from
their cabins and fled, Reconstruction, to
the upper deck in the scantiest clOtn-
ing. The women and children screamed
in fright and confusion, but the men
retained their self-possession. and
courageOusly assisted the officers and
crew to do their best to save the yes
sci and to INSPIRE calmness-
But it was soon seen thai the
steamer could not survive the shock.
and that the only chance for safety
lay in the boats. Life belts were dis
tributed. distress signals given and the
boats on the lee side 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 would be
possible to launch the boats. the pas
gladly accepted the assistance
of the crew to obtain more clothing
The storm continued TO increase in
violence. Great seas washed the YES
sci with terrific force. Daylight brought
no relief. and only served to reveal
still further the awful situation.
Misfortune followed misfortune. A
life boat 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
swept awav.
The only remaining life boat was
then lowered amid a scene of intense
a cry Of anguish broke from
the lips, even of the men. when this
half capsized, throwing the sailors and
the stores into the sea. After great
efforts the boat was righted and the
women and children were lowered into
il, with the exception of Madames Gil
lett. Pearce and Strain. who heTOically
decided to share the fate of their hus-
bands. and Misses Lloyd and Weller
WHO remained behind. The boat, I
manned by an Eurcnean crew. left in
a tremendous sea, and drifted rapidly
out of sight.
Vast waves still swept the wreck. /
dashing the people about and leaving
them almost PROSTATE on the deck. One !
by one. men, women and children, grew |
too weak to Withstand the repeated |
buffetings. and were washed overheard !
in sight of those who were mOmenIar- [
ly expecting the same fate. Among |
the first thus engulfed were Mr.. and !
Mrs. Strain and their two children: /
Misses Lloyd and Weller the mission /
aries: Mrs Pearce's baby. with its Chi |
nese nurse. and then Captain Hill. /
whose leg was broken. but who had /
borne himself calmly and bravely. He I
vas washed overheard with several Of (
the native crew.
All day the victims were picked of, !
)ne by one until ; o'clock in the after 4
noon. when those who still survived re-
treated below. Many were badly hurt !
,rd passed the night in suspense and /
bodily pain. huddled in the small cabin. |
/. hich they expected would he their |
-omb. None of the survivors whom I
nave seen care TO talk of this terrible
night
feraing Of the 10th. and those who
we're able to move again 10 search for
'ood. hunger until then having failed
q assert itself over more acute D-iTa-
ions. This proved a task of the great
st danger. as big seas We're still sweep
ng the vessel. The fourth engineer.
While trying TO procure water near the
)ocp. was struck senseless and almost
washed overheard before he could he
ragged to a place Of safety. Artificial
and similar expedients were
escorted to, but it was five hours before
lie was restored TO consciousness. Mr..
oearce was only saved from being
washed overheard by the prompt ac
ion of his dauntless wife.
The search for food resulted in their
Getting very little OF it, and this was
hared out equally and in very small
,orticns. All the time desperate men
.ept a sharp lookout. But no vessel
vas sighted until the 18th. and then the
distress signal was not seen. On the
18th, and again on the 10Th. other YES
els were sighted: but the signals were
ither not seen or were ignored Taase
Unhappy episodes caused painful and
ialf crazy scenes Of rage among those
rho had been previously self controlled
Zach day it was necessary TO curtail
ne allowance Of rations. Mrs. Cillstt
id the catering and contributed greatly
o cheering up the ships company.
The weather usually moderated in
he morning. but always increased in
'iolence during the afternoon. Ere
uently a sea 80 feet high would sweep
he deck from stern to stem and carr
wav portions OF the vessel on June
> men ihtHSS NI4C a. btASii Np-''s- -i--A
he food supply was almost exhausted
Iessrs. White, Kelt. Cave ami Nalpy
ravely ventured across the deck 10 the
tore room and got fresh supply. Tat
vening two steamers were sighted One
rOceeded without paying any attention
o the distress signal. The other an
hored under the lee Of the island. As
Don as she was sighted. lascar
counted the rigging and signdlleI her
n reply. candles burned in her port
oles and at day break, on the 10Th,