The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-12
- EsSA ~
Ocean Liner From Rotterdam
For New York,
Strikes a Submerged Wreck in
MidOcean.
ST.LOUIS COMES ALONG
just in Time to Take Off Pas
sengers and Crew.
Number 212- When Last Seen
the Veendam
WAS SINKING RAPIDLY
Wreck is Set on Fire Before
Abandonment,
To Remove 1t as an Obstruction
to Ocean Vessels.

New York, Feb. 12-The American
line steamer st. Louis, Capt, Randle,
which arrived today from Southampton
reports the loss at sea of the Holland
American line steamer Veendam, Capt.
Stenger, from Rotterdam for New York.
The passengers and crew of the Veen-
dam was saved by the St. Louis.
At quarantine Capt. Stenger of the
Veendam reported as follows:
THE Veendam left Rotterdam Feb
ruary 3, with general cargo, nine cab
in, 118 steerage passengers and IS crew
bound for New York. Had strong
northwest gales and high west and west
northwest seas.
February at about sly p. m, ships
time, the steamer struck a submerged
wreck or Wreckage which probably tore
a hole in the ships bottom and broke
her propeller shaft.
I'VE found that our ship was making
considerable water. We Immediately
set all pumps to work, but nOthWith-
standing this the water gained on us.
In the meantime all our boats were made.
ready in order if necessary to leave the
ship at a moments notice because she
was not sinking rapidly by the stern.
At l: 80 a. m, we observed the mast
headlights 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 passengers and crew
to abandon the ship. The vessel proved
to be the St Louis of the American line
bound from Southampton for New
York We Ge-iled her and reported that
our ship was sinking and that we wish
ed 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 :53 a. m, Monday every body had
been transferred TO the st. Louis. When
the last boat left the Veendam was Ia
boring very heavily and sinking rapidly
by the stern. The transfer of the pas
sengers and crew took Notwithstanding
the great difficulties and high seas run
ming, three hours and ten minutes and
was accomplished without the slightest
accident.
LAS the wreck was a dangerous OBJ
struction to navigation, we decided to
set her on fire, which was done. The
position of the wreck was athen Lat.
1919 N, Long. 19.47 w.
"On board the St. Louis we were
warmly received and the captain and
his officers did everything possible for
our comfort. We take this opportunity
to express out utmost gratitude, also in
the name of the passengers of the
Veendam.'
The captain of the st. Louis reports
as follows:
1.-The St. Louis left Southampton Feb
ruary 1, at 1852 a. m. She experienced
west and northwest wind and heavy
seas until the morning of the February
9TH when at 12:22 a. m, she sighted a
steamer bearing west half south seven
miles distant, sending up distress rock
cts. The St. Louis bore down and stop
ped near her at 1:43 a. m. The captain
reported her to be the steamer Veendam
of the Holland American line from Rot
terdam for New York in a sinking con-
ditiOn. The captain asked to be taken
off as the Veendam was sinking rapid
ly.
I'VE Immediately responded to his
wishes by sending three of our life
boats, the first in charge of Mr.. Sc
grave 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 the boats. In
three hours and ten minutes, or at 4:53
they had succeeded in transferring all
the passengers and crew, 212 in all,
safely on board the St. Louis without
the slightest accident, or injury to any
of them.
Our boats were somewhat damaged
by coming in contact with the ships
side as the steamers were rolling heavi-
ly in the sea. At 5:33 we proceeded on
our course leaving the Veendam sink
ing low in the sea aft, and cast her boat
adrift. near her. We distributed the
passengers and crew amongst our own
according to class and made them as
comfortable as possible. The position
of the Veendam was lat. 49.19; long.
19.47.
we take pleasure in saying that
Capt. Stenger and his officers maintain
ed perfect discipline on their ship and
very ably assisted US in disembarking
the passengers
The passengers of the st. Louis pass
ed resolutions commencing the gallant
service and splendid seamanship dis
played by the officers and crew of the
St. Louis in the rescue of the Veen-
dams passengers 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 bark
~.ltine rigged screw steamer. She regis
tered O36 gross and 2,767 net tons and
was AS feet long, Al feet beam and 31.9
feet deep.