The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-03-01
DID NOT HEED HER SIGNAL.
what steamer Passed the Crippled In Cham
payne Byt

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what steamer Passed the Crippled I'm Cham
payne ByS
HALIFAX, Feb. 2s.-The two prominent foa.
lures of La Champagne experiences. a. re-
corded by THE SUN were the volunteer lifeboat
crew which left tho steamer In search Of help.
and the inexplicable conduct of the passenger
steamer which ignored La ChempaRne's
signals and brutally left her helpless in the ice
zone with Sable Island, aptly termed the grave.
yard of the Atlantic, over ono shoulder and the
no less gruosomo Virgin Rocks on the othor.
These two incidents continue to excite
intense admiration and intense disgust re-
spectively in the minds of the passengers Of
tho steamer. Tidings OF tho lifeboat Grew were
eagerly inquired for on La Champagne arrival.
The ladies expressed great sympathy for the
poor fellows who had their feet frozen In tho
boat, and this sympathy will be conveyed to the
objects of It on the arrival of La Champagne's
passengers at New York.
Tho details Of the despatch Of tho lifeboat for
aid increase the worth of the action itself. The
weather was threatening and stormy at the
time. Nobody had a clear idea where tho
boat was to go and nobody dared to think
how great was tho risk. Volunteers were
asked for to mar the boat and twelve mon
offered when only ten were required. The third
officer asked permission to take charge Of the
boat. Whom 1t was safely launched and slowly
passed out of view many of the passengers con.
cluded the boat was lost and Its brave occupants
had been seen for the last time alive.
Tho action Of the steamer which heartlessly
ignored La ChaunpaRne's signals Of distress ex-
cites bitter comment A sensation was caused
on La Champagne last night, when Capt. Rob-
erts Of the Roman WAS entertained ut dinner
and made tho statement that It was not tho
American liner st. Louis, but tho sister ship of
the disabled steamer. La Bretagne. which had
left the latter to her fate. Maledictions were
heaped on tho head of the offending Captain.
Some Of the passengers of the disabled French
boat left for Now York. all rail via Boston and
the Shore line, this morning. They will arrive
at their destination at 8 p. M. tomorrow. IL no
accident occurs. The mails have all been for
warded. A number of the first cabin passen-
gers. who preferred having a days rest before
continuing their journey, will leave tomorrow.
morning.
The steerago passengers will leave Halifax on
Wednesday morning for Boston by tho steamer
Halifax of the Plant line. 1t 10 expected that
La Champagne will tranship part of her cargo
and be put in the dock for repairs. 1t Is impossi-
bio yet to tell If the stern tube is damaged. 1t is
understood the engine was much damaged by
the broken connecting rod being whirled around
with enormous force.
Sixty-eignt first and second cabin passengers
from I'D champagne VIII arrive here on q special
train from Halifax soine time this afternoon.
having left yesterday morning about 10 o'clock.
of the remainder those who wish to como to
New York viii com.' on the regular trains.
Tnere is a United States Commissioner at Hall.
fax who can pass the Storage passengers. Tho
amount of salvage to be paid to the I.oman will
be determined by q French court.
The Herald yesterday stated that the liner
which La Chanp agne's people saw go by on the
night of Feb. % was an American line ship.
The American line ship Paris was tho only In
coming ship of that line in this quarter of the
ocean then. A sun reporter asked General
Agent J: A. Wright, Jr.. of the American line
about this yesterday. Mr.. Wright introduced
Capt; Watkins Of the Paris. who Said.
The Paris smoke only one vessel at night on
her trip, and that was q Rcd Star ship. We
saw no ship showing signals"
Mr.. Wright said: The American line steam-
ers keep to a set course. The Paris could not
have been within $50 miles from whore La
Champagne anchored or within seyenty.hye
miles of whore she drifted to. Al q matter of
fact she was not within $50 miles. No other
ship Of our line. either westward or eastward
bound, could have passed within seventy.fve
miles Of La Champagne"
Tho log of the Paris with the reckoning taken
at noon on Feb. 20 shows that she could not
miles away from where the Roman picked up
La Champagne. MIR. Wright and Capt. Watkins
called on General A gent Bocande OF the French
line Yesterday afternoon and Convinced him
that the Paris was nowhere in the vicinity OF
la Champagne. OF the statement that La Bro. |
taGIe was the vessel that passed La Champagne
by, M: Trayvou zsaid: ut Is too stupid to con.
sider." Agent Bocande said that the Bretagne's |
log showed that it was impossible.