Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-01-26
BENEATH THE WAVES
Sinks Filibuster Steamer Title
Win Four Brave Souls.
Heroic Rescue Of 10 Men by Crew Of
Schooner Gov. Ames.
Survivors Landed at Providence THRILLING
Story Of The Disaster.

N'' i'Ae'S'Nb iilS StSdIlltl llilt
of New York. was abandoned at sea
last Sunday afternoon while off Shin
necook. Nineteen Of those on board of
her were saved in the midst of a terrible
storm by schooner Gov. Ames but foud
men could not be taken off and went
down with the vessel.
Forty tons of dynamite, three dyna-
mite guns and a considerable quantity
of ammunition. undoubtedly intended
for the warning Cubans, We're on board
the Title when she sank.
The Gov. Ames arrived from Newport
News at II O'Clock this morning. She
was locked at the Providence Coal Cos.
wharf at once. On board were the 10
rescued from the Title. Ten of them
We're Cubans and the remainder were
officers and crew of the abandoned
steamer and the famous Jack O'Brien.
who had charge of the expedition, it
is supposed.
Capt Gust. Waldemar Of the COY.
Ames. says that. Sunday afternoon
about O'Clock. while eight miles south
by west of Shinnecook, he sighted a
small two maSted steamer flying her
cOlorS union down, as a signal of dis
tress. He steered toward the steamer
and watching her through the glass.
saw that she was deep in the water and
laboring heavily. soon afterwards he
was near enough to make out two boats
filled with men just aStcrn of the dis
iressed craft. The wind was blowing
40 miles an hour and the sea was fierce
The waves were breaking clear across
the Ames amidships, but Capt. Walder
mar resolved to do what he could To
aid her crew.
Two boat loads of men from the
laundering steamer commenced to work
their way toward the Ames. The sea
threw them around with great violence
and they were in danger Of capsiZing
or swapping during every moment Of
their trip to the rescuing ship. When
they We're in close proximity to her,
Capt Waldermar directed them to drop
under the stern of the Ames. but to
keep good distance away.
Lines were thrown TO the boats.
which the men placed around them
selves. then jumped overheard. and in
that fashion We're hauled aboard by the
crew OF the Ames one at a time. Eleven
men finally stood safe on the Ames'
quarterback. They said that eight
more. including Capt. Berry. We're stil
aboard the Tlllie.
Capt Waldermar called for Volun-
teers to go in the Titles largest boat
to save the remainder Of the steamers
crew. II was riskng their lives, but
Second Mate Nocer. a strapping fellow,
(taacc,. NpI-
son. Chas Lindquist, and Frank Bronz
stepped forward. They struggled to the
Titles largest boat. which was dashed
up and down wildly as she swung at
the Ames stern and put off TO the Til
lie, took off Capt. Berry and three more,
Nine men was all the boat could carry.
The four poor fellows left aboard
were promised that they should be
saved as quick as the boat could re-
turn to them. and the trip back to the
Ames began, but it was a hard strug-
gle to return. BY the time the nine
men had been hauled aboard the Ames
after the manner described. the gale
had increased greatly in force and
darkness began to tower. The AmeS
five brave volunteers were exhausted
ana IL NDulu ia W bt'''Il uStlt71 ~ lifh T
tried to make another trip even win
fresh men. An hands realized that the
four poor fellows on the Tillie We're
doomed, that there was no help for
them. Reluctantly Capt. Waidermar
put the vessel on her course again. She
entered the bay, Monday, and was
towed up. this morning.
A reporter interviewed Capt. George
Berry. master of the Tillie. Capt. Perry,
waving the question of iilibustcring at
first gave an account of the trip of the
rillic. He said that she was purchased.
two months ago. by McAllister Bros. of
New York. and was fitted for carrying
cattle and freight He took in Il cargo
Of 2s0 tons Of soft coal and Il great puan-
tity of cases of provisions, last week. IN
New York, and sailed, Wednesday, FOR
Tampa. Fla.
He said that after diScharGing the coal
at Tampa he understood that the vessel
was to commence carrying cattle from
Tampa TO Havana for the Spanish GOV
eminent. Leaving New York. he pro-
ceeded to Montauk Point. where, Satur-
day, Il Cubans joined the vessel. II" took
them merely as passengers. the captain
averrod and was going to land them at
Tampa Tn" Tille put To sea at once.
She proceeded in a Southwcsterly dircc-
ton from Montauk Point under steam
and sail at the rate of seven knots an
hour.
Saturday night she commenced to leak.
At the time the trouble began the vessel
was 20 miles to the eastward of BArncgat
and 81 miles from the nearest land. The
steam pumps soon became chokod and
then the situation quickly became dcs-
neratc An unsuccessful attempt had
been made to stop the leak upon its dis
covery but ii seemed to steadily become
worse.
When the pumps became choked. Capt