The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-28
story of the Unforeseen Accident to
the Screw Shaft and the WrecIx-
ing of the Engines.
BURNED STEAMER SURVIVORS
RESCUED AFTER FIGHTING TERE
THREE DAYS IN MIDOcEAN.
sfx Of the Crew Drowned or Rurned
to Death and Remainder brought
Safely TO Boston.

HALIFAX. N. S., Feb q. = The TIRES
hundred and odd passengers on board the
French liner La Champagne will rest more
soundly tonight than they have Tor ten
DAYS Since Thursday two weeks ago. naiL
of which time they have drfted on the
Atlantic three days and nights have been
filed with anxiety for their personal safe-
ty, but tonight they sleep in peace ana
comfort, safe in the harbor OF Haiirax,
their fears and cares on account OF danger
being dissipated by the happy knowledge
that they are no longer at the mercy of the
stormy ocean. After drifting for five days
on the Newfoundland banks, with her en-
gnes disabled and the screw shaft battered.
the great Boston-bo freight Roman,
from Liverpool. came along, picked her up
and brought her into Halifax without fur
ther mishap of consequence. Great was
the joy on board the big French steamer
when the cloudy Sunday morning broke
with the shores of Nova Scotia in sight and
the word was passed that Halifax would be
reached before dark. Port was reached just
In good time. Three or four hours more
would have found the two steamers still
at sea, caught in dark and stormy night,
with thick snow falling, and they might
have been compelled to turn about and put
off shore to keep clear of the coast until
another day broke.
The correspondent of the Associated Press
boarded La Champagne just as the anchor
was dropped. The saloon presented an ami
mated scene. as the passengers were eager
to learn what anxious friends In New York
had thought of the detention Of the steam
er. All wished to tell the story OF the ex-
periences adrift in midocean. Now that
fhex 70 in,
fear but some of them did not conceal
that they had pushed through a trying
ordeal.
La Champagne sailed from Havre on Feb.
y, with fine, clear weather, which contin-
ued for two days. Then the wind freshened
and gale sprung up, blowing with 1noder-
ate force All went well until Feb. IL. The
passengers had settled down and were pass
ing the time pleasantly. The ship was
steaming fast against the head seas when,
suddenly, about 4 o'clock tremendous
crashing sound was heard in the engine
rooms In instant a panic seized the
passengers, and great excitement prevailed
in the saloons and among the occupants OF
the steerage. The ships passage was
stayed, and heavy poundings shook the
whole craft. Captain Poirot quickly caImed
the passengers, and soon after ii was dis
covered that the tail screw shaft had
broken. The steamer was running at high
speed and the engines flew around like
lightning when the resistance of the screw
was removed. Before they could be ahmped
much damage was done in the engine room.
The wild racing of the big engines made
great noise, and the terrified passengers
thought the ship would be smashed to
pieces. Finally the engines stopped their
nOu0dnp aff ha or nd
rods had snapped
INJURY BEYOND REPAIR.
Captain Poirot announced that the injury
could be repaired and the ship would pro-
ceed at l o'clock next day. She was put
about, but after further examination 1t was
found that the damage was irreparable
Nothing remained to be done but anchor
La Champagne was then in latitude 4S:28,
longitude 5i:2S, just in the track of the OUT
ward bound steamers. The passengers aud
crew were hopeful of being sighted by sonnA
passing steamer, but thick fog sprang up, \
bhghting their hopes. The ship was
shrouded in fog and nothing could be seen
on either side. The steamer kept up a con-
tinuai fire Of guns and discharge of rockets,
but no answer came to their signals, and on
Friday the captain dispatched a boat con-
tanning eight men and the third officer,
either to make land or sight passing
steamer
That night a fierce gale rose and heavy
seas dashed against the big steamer on the
banks. The anchor chains strained and
swung, and the ship was tossed about like
feather. After midnight the gale increased
in fury. and at o'clock Saturday morning
the anchor hawser parted with a snap and
the ship drifted southwark. The situation
was critical in the extreme. The passen-
gers were terrified at the thought OF their
helpless condition, adrift on a disabled
steamer I'm 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 her
signals of distress. but in vain.
La Champagne drifted in this condition
from Saturday morning, Feb. IS, until
Wednesday, the 23d. All through the long
day the ship steadily drifted and into the
night until the passengers, who had bgavely
withstood the experience, had almost aban-
doned hope. Most OF them had retired to
their staterooms, when near midnight the
welcome cry, "sail ahoy." was heard It re-
echoed from lookout to cabin and steerage.
and every soul on that big ship rejoiced.
Two steamers were sighted ten miles away,
one directly before La Champagne and the
other on the port bow. La Champagne's
guns doomed forth and her rockets flared
up and the red fire was kindled.
The steamer in front gave answering sig
nails and bore down upon La Champagne
She proved to be the Warren liner Roman.
bound from Liverpool TO Boston. The Ro-
man stood by La Champagne and at once
Captain Polrot went aboard and made ar
rangements with Captain Roberts to tow
him to the nearest port, Halifax. The Ro-
man passed steel cable TO the La Chaab