The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-02-28
lowed Into Halifax Yester.
day by the Roman.
ALL HANDS SAFE AND WELL,
Anchor Cables Parted and She
Was Adrift When Picked Up.

NV ~ Vhh Vubu NOV
Hrnvo Sailors Loft Her In m Opeu
Don't to Bring Assistance PassepGeFss
First Inquiry on Reaching Port was
for News or tho Lireboat-ship's Enrincs
Broken ns Well ns Her shnrt-Mer Pas.
senEers Had an Anxious Time or II, bus
Say the Officers Behaved spIondidiy.
HALIFAX. \. s., Feb. 27.-The disabled steam
ship La Champagne reached here at 3 o'clock
this afternoon in tow of the Warren liner
Roman. The Roman fell in with La Champagne
last Thursday morning 500 miles east of this
port and brought her in with only tho slight
mishap Of the tow line parting once In nne
weather near the journeys end.
La Champagne left Havre on Feb. 10 for New
York with ASH souls on board all told, and had
an uneventful passage for five days. taking q
northerly route in order to shorten the trip
by great circle sailing. This may possibly
have had something to do with the accident to
the steamers shaft, which broke suddenly just
after clearing a field Of ice on the edge of the
Banks Of Newfoundland on tho afternoon Of
Feb. IL.
RAN INTO A FIELD OF ICE.
The steamer was in q field of ice from carly
morning until the afternoon on Feb. IL. The ice
extended as far as the eye could SEQ to the
north. and there seemed to be bergs in 1t. The
hcId CleuTcu doOuL q ClOCk. anu DeIWe0n max
past 4 and 5. while the ship was logging seven.
teen knots an hour. there was q shock which
caused her to tremble from stem to stern.
Everybody on board was sure that something
serious had happened, but theresvas no panic
In saloon or Storage. Phe officers were
quickly appraised by the engineer that the ma
chinery had broken down. This information
was at once communicated to tho paDsengers,
and they were assured that 1t would take only
! fp-. - 10 f-,,. In,,.o g. al
and proceed.
HELPLESS IN MIDoCEAN.
The mishap was accepted as something trivial.
and 1t was not until Friday morning that it was
generally known that the shaft had broken in
the tunnel, and that repairs were impossible.
Tho officers had made this discovery during the
night. One cylinder of the engines had been cut
out. and when they were started up again the
more serious trouble with the shaft was found.
Then the impossibility Of proceeding was REQ
ognized. The ship was then at anchor in forty
fathoms Of water. The weather had been COM
paratively fair until this time, when 1t began to
show signs of O blow.
The wind freshened from the northest. and on
Friday afternoon, the day following the break-
ing Of the shaft, the anchor cable parted. h
other ancher was let 60 and held. The steamer
remained at anchor until Tuesday. In tho in-
terval the time did not hang as heavily on the
hands OF those on board as might have boon exs
pected. All were In good health and In tho On.
joyment of every comfort.
PASSENGERS SUFFERED NO
The Captain and officers of the ship did everys
thing in their power to make those intrustod Ia
their care as comfortable as possible under the
circumstances. The ship is roomy and thorough
ly provided in every particular. and the passens
gers all declare that their experience was much
less trying than it might have been.
The accident to La Champagne occurred in
latitude AS CT north, longitude 81 So west.
The Captain had prepared a colored map Of the
route from Havre to New York, which was
posted in q conspicuous place In tho saloons
Tho passengers took the greatest interest In
watching. from day to day, tho way tho ship
was moving. as this was indicated by pins stuck
in the map marking each new position a. 5000
as the ships officers determined it.
DRIFTING TOWARD NEW YORK.
After tho accident the steamer drifted to the
eastward q little, and then tho northeast gale
springing up carried her moro than two hundred
miles south and west straight for Now York.
The Roman took the disabled mail steamer in
| tow in latitude AZ s. north. longitude So TO-
west.
The six days intervening between the mishap
and the rescue were spent in q monotonouS way.
The steamer was several days at anchor. during
which no sight of land or sail cheered the vision.
ana the anxiety increased daily as to what
would be the outcome of the lonely and danger.
GUS position in which the steamer was placed.
The Captain had explained that 1t was com,
mon for small fishing craft to ride out heavy
storms on the Banks and that there was no reA.
son why the steamer should not DO tolerably
safe in the same position.
1t was felt on Saturday that some attempt
would have to be made to bring holp to the
steamer. 1t was clear that she Was out of the
track of vessels. as none had been seen sinoo the
accident happened. 1t was weary waiting, and
tho enforced idleness was maddening. The
officers finally resolved upon sending out .
boats crew. which would try to reach land OF
speak some ship. Volunteers were not lacking
to undertake this hazardous enterprise. and
nine sailors in charge OF tho Third Lieutenant
embarked on Saturday to search for aid.
CHEERS FOR THE BRAVE HELPsEEKERs.
The passengers of the ship. moved by tho fine
heroism Of the boats crew., subscribed nearly
ST., 900 on tho spot for their benefit. They set
out amid cheers and with the wishes of all ON
board for their safety. The deck OF the steamer
was crowded with hundreds OF men and women,
who watched the boat and the ten brave
Frenchmen 1t contained until they disappeared
from view.
The next incident OF interest was the sending
adrift OF "a well'ironed barrel, inside or which .
letter was placed bearing tidings OF La Cham
payne, her location and condition. Again the
passengers crowded around as the work OF seal.
ing the cask was being completed. 1t was con-
signed to tho waves and was tossed hero and
there for hours before it was lost sight OF.
DISTRESS SIGNALS SHOWN.
Distress signals were shown every day and
rockets were sent up at intervals at night. A
lookout was posted in the crows nest on the
foremast and a strong watch stood duty all the
time. During this trying period the conduct of
the officers of the ship was most praiseworthy,
and their logical and calm statement Of the sit
uation allayed any tendency to panic or keen
mental anxiety. Tho passengers felt satisfied
nothing had been left undone that conduced TO
their safety and expressed full confidence In the
ships command.
Concerts were organized In the music room