Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-02-13

tains.
New York, February 12.-The Amer
lean line steamer St Louis, Capt Ran
die, which arrived to-day from South
ampton. reports the loss at sea of the
Holland-American line steamer Veen-
dam, Capt. Stenger, from Rotterdam
for New York. The passengers and
crew of the Veendam were saved by
the st. Louis. At quarantine Capt.
Stenger, Of the Veendam, reported as
follows:
The Veendam left Rotterdam Feb
ruary ), with a general cargo, nine
cabin, 11S Storage passengers and IS
crew, bound for New York. She had
strong northwest gales and high west
and West-northwest seas. February 6,
at about o:17 p. H., ships time. being
IN latitude 1880 north, longitude 20.01
w. the steamer struck a submerged
wreck or wreckage which probably
tore a hole in the ships bottom and
broke her propeller shaft We found
that our ship was making considerable
water. We Immediately set all pumps
TO work, but Notwithstanding this the
water gained on us. Meantime all our
boats were made ready in order, if nee
essary, to leave the ship at moments
notice, because she was now sinking
rapidly by the stern. At 100 a. M
we observed the masthead lights of a
large steamer bearing about east by
south from us. We made signals of
distress, on which the vessel bore
down on us. We then decided, for
the safety of the passenge and crew,
to abandon the ship. The vessel prov
ed to be the ST. Louis. of the American
line, bound from Southampton for
New York
WE HAILED HER
and reported that our ship was sink
ing and that we wished to be taken off
At LAB a. N. we commenced to trans
fer our passengers and crew, using
three boats of the st. Louis and one of
ours. Our men We're kept at the
pumps.
AT 4: 90 a. m. Monday morning ev-
erybody had been transferred to the
DJ. ILOulS. w llSH Tie last DUAL lGlL
the Veendam was laboring very heav-
lily and sinking rapidly by the stern.
The transfer of the passengers and
crew. owing to the great difficulties
and high seas running, required three
hours and ten minutes but was &C
complished without the slightest acct
dent. As the wreck was dangerous
construction to navigation, we decided
to set her on fire, which was done. The
position of the wreck was then lati-
tude 1919 north, longitude 19.47 west.
On board the ST. Louis we were warm
ly received, and the captain and his
officers did everything possible for our
comfort We take this opportunity to
express our utmost gratitude, also in
the name of the passengers of the
Veendam."
The captain Of the ST. Louis reports
as follows: The St. Louis left South
ampton February 5, at 1924 p. M,
with 221 cabin and 1873 steerage pas
sengers. She experienced west and
northwest winds and heavy seas until
the morning of the 18th. when at 1:22
a. m. she sighted a steamer bearing
west half south, seven miles distant,
sending up distress rockets. The st.
Louis bore down and stopped near her
at 1:43 a. m. The captain reported
her to be the steamer Veendam, of the
Holland American line, from Rotter-
dam for New York.
IN A SINKING CONDITION.
The captain asked to be taken off as the
veendam was sinking rapidly We imme-
diately responded to his wishes by sending
three of our life boats. the first in charge
of Mr.. Segrave. of the St. Louis: the sec
ond in charge of Mr.. Beckwith. senior sec
ond officer. and the third in charge of Mr..
Campbell. extra second officer, which
made two trims the Veendam using one of
her boats In three hours and ten min
utes. or at 4:59 they had succeeded in
transferring all the passengers and crew.
212 in ALL safely on board the St. Louis,
without the slightest accident of injury
70 anv Of them. Our boats were some
what damaged by coming in contact with
the ships sides as the steamers were roll
ing heavily in the sea. At 4:53 We pro
ceeded on our course. leaving the Veen-
dam sinking low aft in the sea. and cast
her boat adrift near her. We distributed
the passengers and crew among our own.
according TO class, and made them as
comfortable as possible. The position Of
the Veendam was latitude 1919. longitude
1871
1--WE take pleasure in saying that Capt.
Stenger and his officers maintained per-
feet discipline on their ship and very
ably assisted us in disembarking the pas
sengers.''
The passengers of the St. Louis passed
resolutions commenting the gallant ser
vice and splendid seamanship displayed
by the officers and crew of the st. Louis
in the rescue of the Veendam's passen-
gers and crew.
The veendam was formerly the White
Star steamer Baltic. She was built at
Belfast. Ireland by Harland and Wolff
in 1871 She was four masted harken-
tine-rigged screw steamer. She register
ed 4036 gross and 2767 net tons and was
AIS feet long. II beam and Sl.9 feet deep.
CAPTAIN STENGER,
who was in command Of the veendam.
has an excellent record and is compara-
lively young man. In January 1891.
while in command Of the Amsterdam
Captain Stenger lost his first officer anr
six seamen who put off in q small boa
during terrif. weather II attempt TO res
cue the cree of the American schooner
Mary Wei W. Il now in possession Of a
hardsor watch presented to him
by p land on behalf of the
Ar his gallant action on
T.