The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-28

speed and the engine flew around like
lightning when the resistance of the
screw was removed and before they
could be stopped much damage was
done in the engine room. The wild
racing Of the big engines made great
noise and the terrified passengers
pieces. Finally the engines stopped
their pound, after the piston and con-
Meeting rods had snapped
Captain POirOt announced that the in
jury could be repaired and the ship
would proceed at 1 o'clock next day.
She was put about, but after further
examination it was found that the dam
age was irreparable. Nothing remained
to be done but anchor. La Champagne
wes then in latitude 1923, longitude
51.23, just in the track of outward-bound
steamers.
The passengers and crew were hope
fuI of being sighted by some passing
steamer, but a thick fog sprang up,
blighting their hopes. The ship was
seen on either side. The steamer kept
up continual fire of guns and dis
charged rockets, but no answer
came to their signals, and on Friday the
captain dispatched boat containing eight
men and third officer, either to make land
or to sight passing steamer
That night a fierce gale arose and heavy
the banks. The anchor chains strained
and tossed the ship, which swung about
like a feather. After midnight the gale
increased in fury, and at 4 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. The passengers were terrified
a the thought of their helpless condition
adr1ft on a disabled steamer in mid cean.
The current drove them southwark at
the rate of so miles daily, veering again
to the southwest All the while the
steamer kept showing her signals of dis
treSS, but in vain.
La Champagne drifted in this condition
Wednesday, the 2$rd All tn through THE the
long day the ship steadily drifted and in
to the, night, until the passengers who had
bravely withstood the experience had
almost abandoned hope.
Most of them had retired to their state
rooms ..yI;9 When: near near midnight the welcome
echoed from lookout to steerage, and
go oei ~ on ehitt iI ots snip up re5QIceu Two
one directly before La Champagne and
the other on her port bow. La cham
pagne's guns barked forth and her rock
cts fiared up and her red fire burned. The
steamer in front gave answering signals
She proved to be the Warren liner Ro-
The Roman stood by La Champa gne and
at once Captain POirot went aboard and
made arrangements with Captain Roberts
to tow him to the nearest port, Halifax
The Roman passed a steel cable to La
Champagne at noon Thursday and the
two steamers started for this port.
The first day the towing hawser parted
three times, but little delay resulted and
a start was finally made at o'clock.
La Champagne was picked up in lati-
point onward no trouble was experienced.
The weather was fine until yesterday
when snow furry started and the
steamers had to proceed slowly.
A subscription was made up on board
for the men who so bravely manned the
nfeboat and left in search of help, and
5000 francs was quickly realized.
When La Champagne was entering Hal
flax harbor address signed by all the
passengers was presented to Captain Poi
rot, to which he made a suitable and mod
est reply. So thankful were some of the
passengers to be in port that several of
them were anxious TO have some of the
clergy on board hold a service of thanks
giving.
The accident to La Champagne is a
most serious one and will necessitate the
ship going into dry dock.
La Champagne's mail, consisting of 250
bags, were landed here last night and