Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-03-02
La CHAMPAGNE SAFE.
French Line Steamer Found on the
Banks and lowed Into
Halifax HarbOr.

Halifax. n. S., Feb. 29.-After being
five days and nights adrift, the disa bled
French line steamer La Champagne
dropped anchor in this harbor at 5:15
Sunday afternoon, having been towed in
by the Warren line steamer Roman, Bos-
ton bound. La Champagne was adrift
on the Newfoundland banks from Friday,
February Is, until Wednesday, February
23, when she was picked up by the Ro-
man, almost when the 30G passengers had
given W hope of reaching land in safety.
Not since La Gascogne's mishap had a
transatlantic liner undergone such ter
rible experience. La Champagne sailed
from Havre on February II with fine,
clear weather. which continued for two
days. Then the wind freshened, and a
gale sprung up, blowing with moderate
force. All went well until February II.
The passengers had settled down and
were passing the time pleasantly. The
ship was steaming fast against the head
seas, when suddenly, between and
o'clock, d tremendous crashing sound was
heard in the engine room. In an instant
q panic seized the passengers, and great
excitement reigned in the saloons and
among the occupants of the steerage.
The ships progress was stayed, and
pounding thumps shook the whole craft.
Capt. Poirot quickly Gained the pas
sengers, and soon after it was discovered
that the tail screw shaft had broken.
The steamer was running at high speed
and the engines flew around wildly when
the resistance of the screw was removed.
Before they could be stopped consider
able damage was done to the engine
room. Finally the engines stopped their
pounding after the piston and connecting
rods had snapped and other damage was
done
Capt. Poirot announced that the dam
age could be repaired and the ship would
proceed at 1 o'clock next day. She was
put about. but after further eXamina
ton it was found that the damage could
not be repaired and nothing remained to
be done but anchor She was then in
track of outward bound steamers. but a
thick fog sprung up, blighting all hopes
that the ship would be sighted. The
steamer kept up a continual fire Of guns
and discharge of rockets. but no answer
came to their signals, and on Friday the
captain dispatched Il boat containing
eight men, a cocksWain and an officer,
either to make land or sight a passing
steamer
They were not heard from and the
first news of them was given the captain
Sunday when he was informed they were
picked up at sea by the steamer Rotter
dam and landed in New York yesterday
after a terrible experience in the open
boat. The Romans towing hawsers
parted three times the first day, but
otherwise all went well.
Adrift tn Gale.
The first night the steamer was adrift
a fierce gale sprang up and heavy seas
dashed against the big steamer. The
anchor chains strained and swung and
the ship was tossed about like feather.
After midnight the gale increased in fury,
and about 4 o'clock Saturday morning
the anchor hawser parted with a snap
and the ship drifted southwark.
The situation was critical in the eX-
IRENE. The passengers were terrified at
the thought of their helpless condition
adrift on a disa bled steamer in midOcean.
The current drove them southwark at the
rate Of fifty miles daily, veering again to
the southwest, All the while the steamer
kept showing signals OF distress, but no
answering signal came.
La Champagne drifted in this helpless
condition from Saturday morning. Feb
ruary Is, until Wednesday, the 23d. a
dread fear seized upon the saloon and the
hours were passed YEARLY. All through
the long day the ship steadily drifted and
into the night, until the passengers who
had bravely withstood the experience had
almost abandoned hope Most Of them
had retired to their staterOOms. when near
midnight the welcome cry, Sail ahOy,"
was heard, and echoed from lookout tower
to ca bin and steerage, and every soul on
that big ship rejOiced.
Two steamers were sighted ten miles
away, one directly before them and the
other on the port bow. La Champagne's
guns doomed forth and it's rockets fiared
up and red fires burned brightly. The
steamer in front gave an answering sig
j I
payne.
The newcomer proved to be the War
rem liner Roman, Capt. Roberts, bound
from Liverpool to Boston. The Roman
stood by La Champagne, and at / o'clock
Capt. POirot went aboard the Roman
and made arrangements with Capt. Rob
erts to tow him to the nearest port,
which proved to be Halifax. The Ro-
man passed a cable to La Champagne at
noon on Thursday and che two steamers
started for this port. The first day the
towing hawser parted three times, but
little delay was experienced, and q start
was finally made at 1 o'clock No fur
Their trouble was experienced. Fine
weather was experienced until Sunday
when a snow furry sprang up and the
steamers had to proceed slowly.
Machinery Badly Damaged.
The machinery of La Champagne has
undoubtedly suffered severe injury, but
SO far as could be seen last night it suf-
fered no other mishap. The machinery
and shaft cannot be repaired without
placing the liner in drydock It may be
that it will not be locked here, but will
be in New York. Capt. Poirot has made
arrangements with his agents here to for
ward the passengers by special train to
New York. The Canadian customs officials
have agreed to facilitate their transporta-
ton and their baggage will be passed
through expeditiously. La Champagne's
mail, 234 bags, was taken to the general
postoffice last night and will be forward
ed by special train.
Capt. Roberts of the Roman is the hero
OF the saloon passengers. He was given
a great ovation as he left the Cham
payne at { O'Clock last night The ladies
chung to him and heaped compliments on
him. I'VE are right in with you" said
one of them, but the bluff sea salt modest
~ answered: Il have only done my duty.
1t was my cable that brought you safely
into port, and he left the ship amid the
signs of the fair passengers.
STUFF SAILORS ARE MATE nE