The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-02-28
La CHAMPAGNE In PORT.
French Liner ToWed Into Halifax
Yesterday.
HER PASSENGERS GLAD TO BE
ONCE MORE IN HARBOR.

Since Thursday of Two Weeks Ago They
Have Drifted About the Atlantic at the
will of the Waves-Picked Up by
Freighter Roman and Brought Into
Port.
Halifax, N. S., February 27.-The three
hundred and odd passengers on board the
palatial French liner La Champagne
will rest more soundly tonight than they
have done for ten days. Since Thursday
two weeks ago, half of which time they
drifted on the Atlantic, their days and
nights have been filled with anxiety for
their personal safety but tonight they
sleep in peace and comfort safe in the
harbor of Halifax.
After drifting for five days on the New
foundland banks with her engines dis
abled and the screw shaft shattered the
Boston bound freight Roman, from Liver
pool, came along, picked her up and
brought her into Halifax without further
mishap of consequence.
Great was the JOY on board the big
French steamer when the cloudy Sunday
morning broke with the shores Of Nova
Scotia in sight and the word twas passed
that Halifax would be reached before
dark. Port was reached just in good time.
Three or four hours more would have
found the two steamers still at SEA ,caught
in a dark and stormy night, with thick
| snow falling, and they might have been
compelled to turn about and put off shore
to keep clear of the coast until anothlr
day broke.
A correspondent of the Associated Press
boarded the Champagne just as the
anchor dropped.
The saloon presented an animated scene
as passengers rushed hlther and thither
eager to learn what anxious friends lin
New York had thought Of their deten-
tion.
All were eager to tell the story of the
fateful experience which had befell them
adrift in midocean. Now that they were
safe in port they disclaimed any fear but
some of them could not conceal that they
had passed through trying and anxious
time. Not since the Gascogne's experience
has transatlantic liner undergone such
a terrible experience as the La Cham
pagne while adrift in midocean for five
days without sail of any kind.
She sailed from Hayre on February 10
with fine clear weather which continued
for two days. Then the wind freshened
and gale sprung up, blowing with
moderate force. All went well until the
18th. The ship was steaming fast against
head seas, when about four O'Clock q
tremendous crashing sound was heard in
the engine rooms. GIN an instant panic
seized upon the passengers. The ships
progress was stayed and pounding thumps
shook the whole craft. Captain Poirot
quickly Gained the passengers and soon
after it was discovered that the tail screw
shaft had broken. The steamer was run
ming at high speed and the engines flew
around like lightning when the resistance
of the screw was removed and before they
could stop them considerable damage was
done in the engine room.
1u0 VIII IdClUS vi OIk SaSAAAOo A44esSAO
an awful noise and the panic stricken
passengers thought that the ship would
be smashed up. Finally the engines
stopped their pounding, after the piston
and connecting rods had snapped and
other damage was done.
Captain Poirot announced that the
damage could be repaired and the ship
would proceed at one O'Clock next day.
She was put about, but after further ex-
animation it was found that the damage
was irreparable. Nothing remained to be
done but anchor. She was then In lati-
tude As. 2S longitude 51.23, just in the
track Of outward bound steamers. The
passengers and crew We're hopeful ofsbe-
| ing sighted by some passing steamer but
thick fog sprung up, blighting thelr
| hopes. The ship was shrouded In fog and
nothing could be seen on either side. The
steamer kept up continual fire OF guns
and discharge Of rockets. but no answer
came to their signals, and on Friday the
captain despatched a boat containing
eight men, a coxswain and lieutenant,
either to make land or sight passing
steamer.
That night fierce gale sprang up and
heavy seas dashed against the steamer on
the banks. The anchor chains strained
and swung and the ship was tossed about
like feather. After midnight the gale
increased in fury and about four O'Clock
Saturday morning the anchor hawser
| tad with nd chtr driftpd
southwark.
The situation was critical The passen-
gers were terrified at the thought of their
| helpless condition, adrift on disabled
steamer in Inidocean. The current drove