The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-07-07
SUMNER ICE


Catches the British Steamer Avalon.
Remarkable Experience.
PHILADELPHIA. Pa, July 6.-The
British steamer Avalon, which arrived
from PIlley's Island via New York. had
u most remarkable experience during her
voyage across the Atlantic. For over
three days she was held fast in Ice
fields, and in this time drifted many
miles out OF her course.
So firmly was the steamer wedged to
the foes that Captain Orchard and his
crew had almost abandoned hope Of
ever again being free.
In order to release the Avalon 1t be-
came necessary to resort to Ice saws,
gunpowder and all the adjuncts employ
ed on voyage beyond the Arctic Cir
Gle. The most curious phase Of this
unique incident in the opinion Of the
Avalon's captain, Is that It occurred
almost directly in the track OF the
transatlantic liners.
On June the steamer weighed an
Choir from Shields Ice was encountered
on June l2 in small quantities, but the
falling thermometer and other undeni-
able indices known to all captains gave
notice OF the presence Of ice Of large
extent.
About Z O'Clock that evening the
lookout reported that no further clear
water could be seen. the way being
barred to the westward, north and
south. Through a channel in the fro
zen field, however, scarcely wider than
the vessel, the Avalon. at reduced
speed, slowly and gamely plowed her
way. Three hours later the character
of the ice changed, becoming gradually
hummocky, with small bergs about one
hundred feet in height.
at was a wonderful spectacle" said
CAPTAIN Orchard. "and really one of
enhancing beauty. In the rays of the
pale cold moon the bergs were softened
into the most fantastic shapes. We
seemed to be sailing along river
through vast cathedrals Of ice.
This moonlight heightened the
weird effect. throwing CHASTITY ra-
dance over a scene already most un-
earthly"
his story to the effect that there was
very little time to indulge in poetic
musings. The way Of the Avalon was
soon checked altogether and she made
no motion in any direction. other than
that Of the ice field, of tremendous eS-
tent, which carried her TO the south
ward ut the rate Of three miles an hour.
When the sun came up the next day
the position OF the vessel was compu-
ted. She was found to be in latitude
$3.50 north longitude 1880 west
Captain Orchard at once set about
rescuing hls ship from her strange po-
sltIon. This was a matter of no small
difficulty and three days passed before
the Avalon was free to resume her voy-
nge. SO firmly had the foes closed
around the vessels hull that 1t became
necessary to fire repeated blasts OF
gunpowder before the work OF the pro-
peller would IaboriOuSly push her along
the channel sawed open by the men.
They were three days Of great hard
shin and many OF the men were 30 eN-
hausted by their efforts and cold that
they were Obliged to take 10 their
hunks
Clear winter was finally located to the
southeast and II was attained after the
Avalon had literally rRmmed her way
through ice nearly three Inches thick.
The captain thinks the Ice field must
hive been OF grent area, possibly eight
or ton square miles In his opinion II
was formed by peculiar combination
OF the ocean currents which neutrali5-
cd at that point, bringing drift Ice
from all directions TO unite, The ny.
geographic office Is much Interested in
the observations made by the Avalon.
1t is said that this Is the largest field
ever reported by a steamer entering
Philadelphia.