Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-02-28
SAFE IN PORT.
La Champagne lowed Into
Halifax, Sunday Afternoon.
Had Been Drifting for Nearly Two
Weeks With Broken Shaft.
lowed in by the Steamer Roman Mad Over
800 Passengers.

Halifax. ~ s., Feb 27.-Three hun
dred and odd passengers on board the
French liner La Champagne will rest
more soundly, tonight, than they have
done for 10 days. Since Thursday, two
weeks ago, half of which they drifted
on the Atlantic, their days and nights
have been filled with anxiety for their
! personal safety. but, tonight, they sleep
| in peace and comfort in the harbor OF
/ Halifax, their fears and cares on ac-
count 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
New Foundland banks with her en-
gines disabled and her screw shaft
shattered, the great Boston bound
freighter Roman. from Liverpool, came
along, picked her up and brought her
into Halifax without further 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 har-
bon 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 a 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.
a correspondent of The Associated
Press boarded La Champagne just as the
anchor dropped. The saloon presented an
animated scene as the passengers rushed
Ia IL haF lFnT TO 1.. bot
anxious friends in New York had thought
of their detention.
All were eager to tell the story of the
fatcful experience which had befalleu
them adrft in mid-ocean. Now that they
were safe in port. they diSclaimed any
fear. but some Of them could not conceal
that they had passed through trying
and anxious time. Not since the Gas
cogne's experience had transatlantic
liner undergone such Il terrible experience
as la Champagne. adrift in mid-ocean
for five days without sighting ID sail of
any kind.
The Champagne sailed from Havre.
Feb. IL. with fine. clear weather. which
continued for TIVE days. Then the wind
fresh"ned and gale sprang up, blowing
with moderate force. III went well until
the nth The passengers had settled down
and were passing the time pleasantly.
The steamer was steaminE fast against
the head seas, when suddenly. about
o'clock. a tremendous crashing sound was
heard i'll the engine rooms.
In an instant ii panic seized upon the
passengers and great excitement reigned
in rho saloons and among the occupants
of the stecraGr. The ships passage was
stayed and pounding thumps shook the
whole craft.
Captain Poirot quickly Gained the pas
senScrS 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 like lightning
when the resistance of the screw WAS re-
moved, and before they could stop them
considerable damage was done in the en-
gnc room.
The wild racing of the big engines made
an awful noise and the panic-stricken
passengers thought that the ship would
be smashed to pieces. 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 hc repaired and the ship would
proceed at l O'Clock the next day. She
was put about. hut after further exam
nation it was found that the damage
was irreparablc. Nothing remained to be
done but to anchor. She was then in lat
Ia. y. long. %, just in the track of out
ward bound steamers. The passengers
and crew We're hopeful of being sighted
by some passing steamer. but a thick fog
sprung up 'blishting their hopes.
Continued on page 81