The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-02-13
VEENDANL LOST AT SEA
Dutch Steamer Strikes a Piece
of Sunken Wreck.
PASSENGERS AND CREW
All Safely Taken Off by the
St Louis.

New York, Feb. 1.-THE American line
steamer St. Louis, Captain Randle, which
arrived today from Southampton, reports
the loss at sea of the Holland-American
line steamer Veendam, Captain Stenger,
from Rotterdam for New York The pas
sengers and crew of the Veendam were
saved by the ST. Louis.
at quarantine Captain Stenger Of the
Neendam reported as follows:
The Eeendam left Rotterdam February
with a general cargo, nine cabin, lis
Storage passengers and 50 crew, bound
for New York. Had strong northwest
gales and high west and west-nOrthwest
seats. February 8 at about 5:l7 p. m,
ships time, being in latitude 1885 north,
longitude POOL west, 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. In the meantime all our
boats were made ready in order it neces-
sary to leave the ship at a moments no.
tIce, because she was now sinking rapidly
by tn stern. At 1870 a. m. we observed
the masthead lights of 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 passengers and
crew, to abandon the ship. The vessel
proved TO be the st. Louis, Of the Ameri-
can line. bound from Southampton for
New York. We hailed her and reported
that our ship was sinking and that we
wished to be taken off. AT 1:43 a. m. we
commenced to transfer our passengers
and crew, using three boats of the st.
Louis and one Of ours. Our men were
kept at the pumps.
AT 4:53 a. m. Monday morning every
body had been transferred to the st.
Louis. When the last boat left. the Veen-
dam was laboring very heavily and sink
ing rapidly by the stern. The transfer
of the passengers and crew, notwithstand-
ing the great difficulties and high seas
running, took but three hours and ten
minutes and was accomplished without
the slightest accident,
AS the wreck was dangerous obstruc-
ton to navigation, we decided to set her
on fire, which was done. The position
of the wreck was then latitude 1919 north,
longitude 1917 west.
ION board the ST. Louis we were warm
ly received and the captain and his Off
GERS did everything possible for our COM
fort. We take this opportunity to ex-
press our utmost gratitude. also. in the
name Of the passengers of the Veendam."
ON BOARD THE ST. LOUIS.
The captain Of the st. Louis reports as
follows:
1.-The st. Louis left Southampton Febru-
airy at 1924 a m. with 221 cabin and 1S3
Storage passengers. She experienced
west and northwest winds and heavy seas
until the morning of the 18th, when at
1l:22 a. m. she sighted steamer bearing
west half south, seven miles distant, send
ing 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 Rotterdam for New
York. in a sinking condition. The captain
asked to be taken off, as the Veendam
was sinking rapidly. We Immediately
responded to his wishes by sending three
of our lifeboats, the first IN charge of
Mr.. Seagrave of the St. Louis; the second
In charge of Mr.. Beckwith, senior second
officer. which made two trips. and the
third in charge of Mr.. Campbell extra
second officer, which made two trips, the
Veendam using one of her boats. In three
hours and ten minutes. or at 4:53, they
had succeeded in transferring all the pas
sengers and crew, 212 in ALL safely on
board the ST. Louis without the slightest
accident or injury to any Of them. Our
boats We're somewhat damaged by coming
in contact with the ships side, as the
steamers We're rolling heavily in the sea
At 4:53 We proceeded on our course. leav-
ing the Veendam sinking low in the sea
aft. and cast her boat adrift near her. We
distributed the passengers and crew
amongst our own. according to class md
mad them as comfortable as possible.
The position Of the Veendam was latitude
f9l9 longitude 19.47.