The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-02-27

grew dark the Captain gave orders to burn red
fire. As he understood 1t, the object OF these
signals was to attract the attention Of any vos.
sol which might come along bound for New
York, as the Captain wished to notify the agent
Of the French line Of the plight OF La Champagne.
Michel said he couldn't understand why the
Captain had ordered the life boat to put out In
search of assistance. rs La Champagne was In
no danger, and 1t was little less than certain
death for the men who undertook tho task.
THEIR HANDS AND FEET FROZEN.
Rudolph Erwig Of Rotterdam said the mon
were exhausted when picked up, aud it ap.
peared to us that at least two Of the mon would
have to have their limbs amputated. Whom
they were warmed. however. and their frozen
mombers had boon bandaged they ut least
looked moro comfortable. The officers and
crew Of the ship did everything in their power
for the Frenchmen, and 1t is due largely to the
care that they received that they all are recov.
erinR."
Louis Stceman Of this city. who was returning
from o business trip ON the Continent. said: ut
was q lucky thing that we happened along just
when we did. 1 believe II we had been twelve
hours later there would have been at least two
or three corpsos among the number. They pro.
sented a pitiable picture as they were hoisted on
dock. Not ono of the poor follows could stand.
"A number Of passengers offered to assist the
waits in any way they could. but our services
were not needed. tho officers and crew taking
excellent care OF the Door fellows.
Ellsworth. the officer. was the only man in
the boat that escaped without serious injury,
and l attribute that to the fact that he kept
moving around. while his men were compelled
to stay practically in one position. The officers
and men of the Rotterdam deserve great praise
for their kindness TO the unfortunate men,"
wuy TIM pOrTEpnAN ntDN'T rr-pN RACE
There was a good deal of comment among the
passengers OF tho Rotterdam as we'll AS among
the people who were OF the pier when the vessel
arrived, as to why she did not turn back after
| picking up tho boat and tow the disabled
ship into port. 1t 10 unusual for u
vessel to turn back under such conditions, espe-
cially in such u case as the present, when the
general impression prevailed that La Cham
ppagne was in no danger. Besides the German
captain was responsible for his own passengers,
and unless It was to save life he did not care to
waste oven O day.
II is probable that the Captain Of the French
liner In sending out the boat under command Of
Unsworth did 80 for the purpose OF saving as
much expense for his company as possible. Tho
salvage on such a vessel as La Champagne
would DO very large. and as tho lifeboat
was headed shoreward with plenty Of provisions
and water. almost In the track Of ocean traffic,
the chances were very much in favor Of the
daring sailors being picked up by some west
ward-bound craft and taken TO some port whore
communication could be had with the New
York office OF the company.
In her present condition La Champagne Is
utterly helpless. She carries only enough can
vas to steady her In u seaway, and could make
no Roadway under sail alone. 1t Is therefore
certain that a tug will be sent to tow her into
port.
LA CHAMPAGNE PRovIsIoNED FOR A MONTH.
A. Forget, tho former agent In this city Of the
French line, became greatly excited when told
by q sun man at the Hotel Martin that La
Champagne was In ali probability safe.
Tho news delights me" he said. for l had
many dear friends on board. The only ~disquiet-
ing circumstance is the fact that the Cap
tain felt called upon to send an open
boat to sea ia search OF assistance. 1t
docs not seem likely that he would allow
his men TO take such chances unless
the vessel were in a serious condition.. and yet
the fact that the ship was anchored indicates
that the Captain thought she could remain there
at least q week without much danger. l
expected TO return to France ON La Champagne
homeward trip. II the company is as fortunate
with this vessel as it was with La Gascogne
when / was the agent, 1t will have cause for con-
graduation"
M. Trayyouz. passenger agent for the line. was
told the news at his homo, 20 East Eleventh
street.
The boat Is perfectly SAFE" he said. and
the passengers will suffer no inconvenience.
All our boats are provisioned for at least a
month In anticipation of Just such emergencies,s 30
that no one will lack for food. Further than that
there are on board large quantities Of French
mushrooms, peas, cheeses, and other fancy
groceries which could furnish food In case OF
necessity for q whole year. A vessel will be i'm
mcdiately secured and sent to the rescue of the
liner"
Late in tho evening tho big tug Walter A.
Luckenbach steamed up the North River and
made fast alongside the Rotterdam. Her Cap
tain, Walter A. Luckenbsch, won't on board the
steamship. where were Agent Bocande and
Superintendent Japhet of tho French line.
Superintendent Vsnden Toorn Of the Holland.
America line, and the Rotterdam Captain.
They conferred for an hour or more.
RESCUE STEAMERS To BE BENT OUT.
At midnight NJ. Bocande came out of the con.
ference long enough TO tell the reporters what
had been decided upon up to that time.
we will send a whole fleet to the rescue. II
necessary" he said. Assistance will go from
three places. We will send q tug from Now
York, q tug from Halifax. \. s.. and cable Havre
to send some sort of assistance from that point.
We have not yet decided what tugs to send"
Further discussion did not result in a definite
plan. Mr.. LuckenbAch wanted to hire his tug
by tho hour. NJ. Bocande wanted him to go
ahead and take his chances on salvage. In con-
sequence they couldn't agree. and they left the
dickor open until this morning.
Having failed to come to terms with Lucken-
bach. the agent arranged with tho Holland
America line, which has chartered the steam
ship Massapequa, now lying off Hoboken, that
this vessel should make u hunt for La
Champagne. The MassapequS is bound for
Rotterdam. and II was arranged last night that
she should stop to search for the disabled liner,
and II she can she will help her into port. II
she can DO Of no service she will proceed on hor
way to Rotterdam.
This was the situation as to the rescue when
the conference broke up early this morning.
TOLD by A BELGIAN LITERARY MAN.
There was one passenger on the Rotterdam TO