New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-28

that they were safe In port that several or tnem
We're anxious to have of the clergymen on
board hold service Of thanksgiving.
The accident to La Champagne is a most
serious one. and she will have to go into dry
dock. When the tail shaft snapped the engines
began to race at a fearful rate and that 1t was
which caused the connecting rod to break.
The work Of towing the big vessel to Halifax
was not an easy task for the Roman. notwith
standing that she is big ship. Three times the
towing cables were parted by the heavy pitch
ing Of the vessels. and each time 1t took con-
siderable trouble to pass new ones between
them. Finally two large steel lines and a mas
sive manila one was connected. and with them
the helpless ship was brought safely into port
THANKS TO THE REsCUER.
The Roman which has a large cargo on board.
but no passengers. Is bound to Boston from
Liverpool. Soon after anchoring his prize Cap
tain Roberts paid visit to Captain Poirot on
board the French steamer. AS soon as his pres
ence on board became known in the saloon he
was quickly surrounded and had thanks and
congratulations showered on him from all sides.
lie made little speech before returning to his
own ship. saying that he had only done his duty.
But, remember, ladies and gentlemen said he.
ut was my steel rope that got you here" He
then bade them adeu. saying he wished to pro-
coed on his way to Boston quickly as possible.
CAPTAIN PoIRoTs STORY.
Captain Poirot was busy man for two hours
after his arrival in port. consulting with his
agents s. Cunard & Co, and transacting neces-
sary business but he found time to make the
following brief statement to The Tribune's cor
respondent:
I'm a severe gale on the Banks our tall shaft
was broken and we were unable to do anything
10 repair the ship with the heavy seas rolling
We drifted around the Banks from Friday night
TIL Wednesday night, when were picked up
by the Warren steamer Roman in latitude 45:2S
longitude b1:23.
'T srnt q nfeboat out on the track Of passen-
| Se- STEAMERS and am sincerely glad to hear
| you ray that the crew were picked UP ard
landed safely In Ncw-York. We have not yet
| decided what shall be done with tho Cham
| payne. had 10 fears for the ultimate safety
st the ship. but this voyage will always he
memorable to me as we'll as to my passengers.
The machinery of La Champagne has un-
doubtedly suffered severe injury, but so far as
could be seen tonight she suffered no other mis-
| hap. Her machinery and shaft cannot be re-
| paired without placing her in drydock. 1t may
| be that she will not be docked here, but taken
to New-York. That will be settled tomorrow.
| SPECIAL TRAIN FOR THE PASSENGERS.
Captain Poirot made arrangements with his
agents here to forward the passengers to-mor-
row morning They will be taken off the
steamer in tenders and sent by special train at
S o'clock to New-York. The Canadian Customs
officials have agreed to facilitate the transpor-
tation. and their baggage will be passed through
expeditiously. Some Of the passengers will not
start until tomorrow afternoon. The Cham
racne's malls. 234 bags, will also be forwarded
by special train tomorrow.
Captain Roberts Of the Roman Is the hero of
the saloon passengers. He was cheered as he
left the Champagne tonight
The passengers were deeply affected when the
:ifeboat left the steamer on the Banks. It's de-
parture was signallized by cheers from the pas
sengers, who crowded the decks to wish them
| Godspeed. Many Of the spoke affect
| ingy Of the bravery Of the third officer and his
| crew Of gallant seamen. who had risked their
| lives to save :hcm.
STATEMENTS OF PASSENGERS.
NJ Berchem. a saloon passenger. said: "Our
| experience somewhat exciting. but still we
| felt secure. we knew were In charge OF one
of the best Of captains. Of cool judgment
| whose presence quickly swept away all fear
| Our ship too. stanch, and an excellent sea
! boat. Even when We were torn from our an
chors on the Banks Of Newfoundland and were
I drifting at the mercy Of the wind and seas. we
| felt little fear. although few timid ones were
observed offering up prayers.
The scene in the engine room when the acci-
dent occurred a most exciting one. I was
| informed although I was not near at the time
When the connecting rod broke II did great
damage to the machinery. and the engineers
| and others at work there had narrow escapes
from injury
NJ Chenard. another passenger asked II he
glad at being safe In port. said Glad!
am more than glad. When It was known about
the ship Wednesday night last that help was
coming to us at last in the shape OF another
large steamer some Of the women wept for Joy
while others hurrahed. Others were to be seen
embracing and others shaking hands. The scene
from the deck Of our ship a grand and weird
one. Just when the Roman was sighted rockets
Of various colors were soaring skyward from
our bridge Illuminating the heavens. while at
intervals along the rails red fire was burning"
EAGER TO HEAR ABOUT ZoLA
Those on board were all eager for news from
the outside world. Some pleased to hear Of
Zola's sentence while others considered it most
VI just The saloon passengers sent scores Of
kilograms and cables to friends abroad and dis
patched big patches Of letters on their arrival.
They eagerly read the references to the Cham
payne which appeared in New York papers, and
were greatly shocked when told of the disaster
to the battle-ship Maine In Havana Harbor.
All spoke in the highest terms of the cool head
and splendid judgment displayed by Captain
Po.rot and the officers of the ship. Many OF
them with fearful eyes related the experiences
of the fatefu voyage.
What / most feared" said man TO The
Tribune correspondent. was that we would suf-
fer from want of food. The Champagne was
well provisioned, but her supplies running
low in many articles. That was the awful fate
most feared. Had IT not been for our ships
cargo we should have Jared but scantily."
This the complaint Of one passenger, but
no general complaint in regard TO the fare was
heard among the passengers, though one emo
tiona Frenchman exclaimed. Il almost had TO
eat my shoes"
Huti NJ he urhO