The record-union., 1898-02-28


the French liner La Champagne will
rest more soundiy tonight than they
have for ten days.
Since Thursday, two weeks ago, half
of which time they have drifted on the
Atlantic, three days and nights have
been filled with anxiety for their per-
scnal safety, but tonight they sleep in
peace and comfort. safe in the harbor OF
Halifax, their fears and cares on &C.
count of danger being dissipated by the
happy knowledge that they are no Ion
ger at the mercy of the stormy ocean.
After drifting for five days on the New
foundland banks, with the engines dis
abied and the screw shafts shattered
the 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 liner when
the cloudy Sunday morning broke with
the shores of Novia 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 fall
ing. and they might have been compelled
to turn about and put off shore to keep
clear of the coast until daybreak.
The correspondent of the Associated
Press boarded La Champagne just "a
the anchorage was dropped. The sa-
loon presented an animated scene as the
passengers were eager to learn what the
anxious friends in New York had
thought of the detention of the steamer.
All wished to learn the story of the
experiences adrift in midocean. Now
that they We're safe in port, they dis
claimed any fear, but some of them
could not conceal that they had passed
through a trying ordeal. La Champagne
sailed from HaVre on February 18th
with fine clear weather which continued
for two days. Then the wind freshened
and gale sprung up. blowing with mod
crate force. All Went well until the
the 18th. The passengers had settled
down and We're passing the time pleas
antly. Then the ship was steaming fast
against the head seas when suddenly
a tremendous crashing sound was heard
in the engine rooms. In an 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
the heavy pounding shook the whole
craft. Captain PoirOt quickly Gained
the passengers and soon after ii was dis
covered that the tail screw had broken.
The steamer was running at high speed
and the engines fzw around like lightning
when the resistance of the crew was re-
moved. and before they could be stopped
much damage was done in the engine
room. The wild racing of the big en-
gines made a great noise and the terri
fled passengers thought the ship would
be smashed to pieces. Finally the en-
gines stopped their poundings. after the
piston and connecting rods had snapped.
Captain Poirot announced that the IN
jury could be repaired and the ship was
to proceed at / O'Clock the next day. She
was put about, but after further exarni-
nation it was found that the damage
was irreparable. Nothing remained to
be done but anchor. La Champagne was
then in latitude 43.2S, longitude 41.23,
in the track of outward bound steam
ers. The passengers and crew were
hopeful of being sighted by some pass
ing steamer, but a thick fog sprang up,
blighting their hopes. The ship was
shrouded in fog and nothing could be
seen on either side. The steamer kept
up a continual firing of guns and dis
charge of rockets, but no answer came
to their signals. and on Friday the Cap
tain dispatched a boat containing eight
men and a third officer either to make
land or to sight a passing steamer. That
night a fierce gale rose and the heavy
seas dashed against the big steamer on
the banks. The anchor chains strained
and swung the ship. which tossed about
like a feather After midnight the gale
increased in fury and at o'clock Satur-
day morning the anchor hawser parted
with a snap and the ship drifted south
ward The situation was critical in the
extreme. Passengers were terrified at
the thought of their helpless condition
adrift on a dismasted steamer in mid
ocean. The current drove them south
ward at the rate of 30 miles daily, veer-
ing again TO the southwest. All the while
the steamer kept showing her signals
OF distress but in vain.
La Champagne drifted in this eondi-
ton from Saturday morning, February
18th. until Wednesday the Did.
All through the long day the ship
steadily drifted and into the night, until
the passengers who had bravely with
stood the experience had almost aban
doned hope.
Most Of them had retired to their state
rooms when near midnight the welcome
cry sail ahoy'' was heard. 1t e-echoed
from the lookout to cabin and steerage
and every soul on that big ship re-
joiced. Two steamers were sighted ten
miles away, one directly before La
Champagne and the other on the port
bow. la Champagne's guns belched
forth and her rockets fiarcd uD and her
red fire burned luridly The steamer IN
front gave answering signals and bore
down rapidly upon La Champagne.
She proved to the Warren liner Ro-
nan. bound from Liverpool To Boston.
The Roman stood by La Champagne
end at once Captain Poirot went aboard
ana made arrangements with Captain
Roberts 20 tow him to the nearest port
Halifax. The Roman passed steel
cable TO lie Champagne at noon Thurs
day and the two steamers started for
this oo~t.
The first day the towing hawser
narted three times. but little delay re-
shifted. and the start was finally made
Mt | O'Clock. La Champagne was picked
mn in latitude 45.2S. longitude -. ami
from that point onward no trouble was
ex,,er,encad. The weather was fine until
to-day. when snow furry started ana
the steamers had to proceed slowly.