The herald., 1898-02-28
SAFE IN PORT
La Champagne Towed to
Halifax
THE LIFE BOATS CREW
DEEM THEIR SUFFERING WELL
REWARDED
BRITISH BOAT LEGISLATOR
BRITISH BOAT LEGISLATOR
Destroyed by Fire in Mid-Ocean by
Spontaneous Combustion of Her
Phosphate Cargo
Associated Press Special Wire

NEW YORK, Feb. 27.-The news that
the steamer La Champagne is anchored
safely on the banks of Newfoundland has
set at rest the anxiety and fear for the
safety of her passengers and crew which
have been felt by relatives and friends Of
all those on board during the past week.
At the office of the company today there
were only a few callers. The officials had
heard nothing more from the belated
steamer, but from the moment that they
heard of her whereabouts they hastened to
send relief steamers to her aid. Agent b.
cande and also the heads of the passenger
and freight departments of the Compagnie
Generate Transatlantique were at the COM
pany's dock today when La Bretagne ar
rived. La Bretagne's commander, M. Rupe,
as well as the officers and passengers.
learned of the accident to the sister ship
from Pilot George Waldie, when he board
ed the steamer off the Sandy Hook light
ship at 1880 this morning. The news caused
considerable excitement among the pas
sengers, and when the vessel arrived at
quarantine additional information was
eagerly sought for by all on board. A
representative of the Associated Press
boarded La Bretagne at quarantine and
was besieged by officers and passengers
alike for the latest news about the overdue
NcSsci. "A large supply VI HlOruuB H6WS-
papers was put on board from the health
officers boat and quickly distributed
among the passengers The reports were
read with much interest by everyone and
warm words of praise were bestowed upon
Third Officer Unsworth and the other
members of La Champagnes crew who
came so near losing their lives in making
their heroic efforts to get aid for the dis
abled French liner. When the vessel
reached her dock this afternoon Third Of
ficer Unsworth and Second Quartermaster
Julian Camard of La Champagne were
there speaking to Agent Bocande. Officer
Unsw0rth reported that of the ten men
who manned the lifeboat and were picked
up six days later by the steamer Rotter-
dam, only four were able to leave their
puiks on board the Rotterdam at Hoboken
this morning. Officer Unsworth showed lit
tie of the effects of his fearful exposure
except that skin was off his face.
Quartermaster Camard's hands were blue
and swollen from frost bite, but they were
not bandaged. He walked with difficulty,
as his feet were badly swollen He made
no complaint, however, and said he was
grateful to be alive after such an expert
ence. He praised the captain and officers
and crew of the steamer Rotterdam, and
said they were extremely courteous and
kind to the rescued men. The remainder
of the boats crew are still being cared for
on board the Rotterdam, but with the ex-
ceptfon of Seamen Cruer and Tanquay
they will be able to leave their hunks this
evening. AS soon as they are able they will
be transferred to La Bretagne and the
others who are still suffering will be sent
to the French hospital No. 800 West Sixty
fourth street, this city, where arrange
ments have been made for their reception.
When Mr.. Bocande was asked what ar
rangements the company had made to rem
der assistance to La Champagne, he re-
piled: "The tug Newfoundland has left
Halifax to tow the big steamer either into
Halifax or this port. The Pro Patria, which
plies between Halifax and the French ISL
ands Miquelon and Saint Pierre, has gone
to La Champagne's aid and the steamshir