Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-02-17
212 PERSONS RESCUED
Taken from the Sinking Steamer Yeen-
dam by the Steamer St. Louis.
TRANSFER WAS VERY DIFFICULT
But Was Accomplished With
out Accident.
DISABLED VESSEL STRUCK WRECKAGE

New York, Fob. 12.-The American
line steamer st. Louie, Capt. Randle.
which arrived from Southampton to-
day, reportH the loss at sea of tho Hol-
land American line steamer Veendam,
Capt. Stenger, from Rotterdam for New
York. This passengers and crew OF the
Veeudam we're aaved by the ST. Louis
At Quarantine, Capt Stenger reported
as follows:
"Tho Veeudam left Rotterdam on,
February Sd, with general cargo, niue
cabin and 1lS storage passengers aud
IS crew, bound for New YORK. We had
strong northwest gales and high west
and west northwest seas. On February
9Th, at about .. II D. NJ, ships timo,
being in latitude 40. 30 north, longitude
POOL weat, the steamer struck a
submerged wreck or wrecknge, which
probably tore hole in the ships hot
tom and brooks her propeller shaft. We
found that our ship was making ccn
siderable water. We Immediately 90
all pumps to work, but notWthstg I'D
ing THE, the water gained on IN. In
the meantime sll our boats were mado
ready, in order, If necessary, to leave
the ship at moments notice, because
she was now sinking rapidly. At l.30
a. M, on February 18th, we observed
the masthead lights of large stesmer
bsaring nbout cast by south from u.s.
We made signals OF distress. when the
vessel bore down on us. We then de.
cided, for the safety of the passengers
and crew, to abandon ihe ship. This
vessel proved to he the st Louis Of the
American line. bound from Southump-
ton for New York. We hailed her, and
reported that our ship was sinking and
thnt We wished to Le taken oil. Al
LAB M. we commenced to transfer
our passengers and crew. using three
boats of tho st. Louis anil one boat Of
our ship. Our men were kept at the
pumps AT 4.53 a. NJ. everybody bad
hesn transferred to tho st. Louis.
Whom the last boat left. the Vesndam
was laboring very heavily. The trans
fer Of the passengers and crew took,
Notwithstanding the great difficulties
and high seas running, only three hours
and 10 minutaH, aud was accomplished
without the slightest accident.
''As the wreck was dangerous oh
struotiun to navigation, we decided Il
set her on fire, which was DONE The
position OF the wreck was then 40, |!
north, longitude 10. AZ west.
"On hoard the st. Louis, we were
warmly received and the captain anc
his officers did everything possible FOL
our comfort. We take this opportunity
to express our utmos. gratitude, also
10 the name of the passengers OF tht
Vesadam.
The captain of the St. Louis rsportst
as follows:
"The st. Louis left SOUTHAMPTON OF
February 9th at 1921 a. m.. with 22l
cabin aud 1873 steerage passengers. Shi
experienced west and northwest wind
and heavy seas until the morning o
February It'll, when at l.22 a. M, sht
sighted steamer bearing west hal
south, seven miles distant, sending VI
distress rockets. Tbs st. Louis bore dowI
and stopped near her at l. ID q. m. Th
captain reported her TO be the steamer
Veendam OF the Holland meriran line
from Rotterdam for New York, in
sinking condition. The captain askel
TO be taken off, as the Veendam wa
sinking RAPIDLY. We immediately re
sponded to his wishss by sending thre
of our lifehoats, the first in charge 0
Mr.. Segrave OF the st. Louis; til
second in charge Of Mr.. Beckwith
senior second officer, which made tw
trips. and tho third in charge of Mr.
Campbell, extra second officer, whic
made two tripH, the Veendam usin
one OF her boats. In three hours an
10 minutes. or at la a. M, they ha
aucceedsd in transferring all the pas
sengers and crew, 2l2 in all. safely q
board the st. Louis without the slightes
accident or injury to any Of them. Gu
boats were somewhat damaged by com
ing in contact with the ships sideH, q
the steamers we're rolling heavily in th
sea. At 4.53 We proceeded on on
course, leaving the Veundam sinkin
low 10 tine ssa aft, and cast her boa
adrift near her. We distributed til
passengers and crew amongst our own
according to class, and made them 0
comfortable as possible. The positio
Of the Vaendam was latitude 40. !!
longitude H.. AZ.
1--WE take pleasure in saying tht
Capt. Stenger and his officers mali
tanned perfect discipline on their shil
and very ably assisted US in Olsen
barking the passengers. -
The passengers of the st. Lou
passed resolutions commencing the ga
liant services and splendid seamansh
displayed by the ofiicars and crew
the St. Louis in the rescue OF Il
Veendam's passengers and crew.
The Veendam formerly was tie Viii
Star steamer Baltic. She was built
belfast, Ireland, by Harland & Wolff
1871.
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