The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-02-28

soul on that big ship rejoiced. Two steamers were sighten ted miles away, one directly before the La Champagne and the other on the port bow. La Champagne's guns boomed forth and her rockets flared up and her red fires burned luridly. The steamer in front gave answering signals and bore down rapidly upon the La Champagne.
 Warren Liner Roman Appears.
 She proved to be the Warren liner Roman, Captain Roberts, bound from Liverpool to Boston. The Roman stood by La Champagne and at 1 o'clock Captain Scott went aboard and made arrangements with Captain Roberts to tow him to the nearest port, which proved to be Halifax. The Roman passed steel cable to La Champagne at noon Thursday and the two steam CTS started for this port The first day the towing hawser parted three times but little delay was experienced and a start was finally made at o'clock. La Champagne was picked up in lati- tude 452S. longitude 51.23, and from that point onward no trouble was ex- perienced. Fine weather was experience ed until to-day, when snow furry sprung up and the steamers had to proceed slowly. A subscription was made up on board for the men who so bravely manned the life boat and left in search of help and the sum of 5000 francs was quickly raised.
 When La Champagne was entering Halifax harbor Captain Poirot was pre- sented with an address signed by all the passengers to which he made a suitable and modest reply. So thank ful were some of the passengers to feel that they were safe in port that several of them were anxious to have some of the clergymen on board hold a service of thanksgiving. The accident to La Champagne is most serious one and will necessitate the ship going into dry dock. When the taii-end shaft snap a fearful rate and this was what caus- ed the connecting rod to break.
 Work of flowing.
 The work of towing the big vessel to Halifax was not a very easy task. for the Warren liner Roman, notwith- standing that she is also of immense proportion. Three times the towing cables were parted by the heavy pitch ing of the ships and each time 1t took considerable trouble to pass others. Finally two large steel lines and a massive manilla one were connected and with them the helpless ship was brought safely into port The Roman, which has large cargo on board, but no passengers, is bound to Boston from Liverpool Soon after achoring her prize, Captain Roberts paid visit to Captain Poirot on board the French steamer. As soon as his presence on board became known in the saloon, he was quickly surrounded and had thanks and congratulations showered on him from all sides. He made lit his own ship, saying that he had only done his duty, but remember, ladies and gentlemen" said he. Tit was my steel rope that got you here" He then bade them adieu saying he wished to proceed on his way to Boston as quick ly as possible. La Champagne malls, consisting of 250 bags, were landed here and given in charge of the post office authorities and they, with the saloon passengers, will be forwarded to New York, leaving here at 8 o'clock to- morrow morning.
 Captain Poirot's Statement.
 Captain Poirot was busy man for two hours after his arrival in port
 consulting with his agents. Cunard & Co.,, and transacting necessary busi- ness, but he found time to make the following brief statement to the Asso- ciated Press: "In a severe gale on the Banks our tail shaft was broken, and we were unable to do anything to re- | pair the ship with the heavy seas roll | ing. We drifted around the Banks from Friday night till Wednesday night
 when we were picked up by the War ren steamer Roman in latitude 45,28 1 longitude 51.23. I sent, lifeboat out
 on the track of passing steamers, and I am sincerely glad to hear you say | that the crew was picked up and land ed safely in New York. We have not | yet decided what shall be done with | the Champagne. had no fears fol | the ultimate safety of the ship, but this | voyage will be always be memorable
 to me as well as to my passengers" | The machinery of the Champagne
 has undoubtedly suffered severe injury
 but so far as could be seen tonight she suffered no other mishap. Hel
 machinery and shaft cannot be repair l ed without placing her in drydock. Il may be that she will not be dockec
 here, but taken to New York. That will be settled tomorrow. Captair
 Poirot made arrangements with his
 agents here to forward the passengers
 tomorrow. They will be taken off the | steamer early tomorrow morning 1T
 tenders and dispatched by special trair
 at 8 o'clock to New York. The Cham.
 pagne's mails will. also be forwarded | by special train tomorrow Captair
 Roberts of the Roman is the hero oi
 the saloon passengers. He was giver ] a great ovation as he left the Cham. pagne tonight, the ladies heapins
 compliments on him.
 | The Men of the Life Boat.
 | New Work, Feb. 27.-Eight of the ter i men who left La Champagne ten days
 ago in a life-boat to seek aid and who
 were brought to port last night by the
 steamer Rotterdam, were taken to the i hospital of the French Benevolent so- ciety in this city to-day. The mer