The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-02-23
y
PART OF CREW OF
LINER BULGARIA
Rescued by the Vittoria Arrive
at Baltimore.
HAD AN AWFUL EXPERIENCE
The Seas Were Running so High That
No One Came on Deck for
Fear of Being Wash
edOverboard.
HAD AN AWFUL EXPERIENCE

Baltimore, Nd. February 22.-The British
steamship Vittoria, Captain Wetherell, ar
rived today from Hull, via Hampton Roads.
with four of the crew of the missing Ham
burg-American liner Bulgaria. The res
cued mariners are: Second Mate o.
Scharges, Quartermasters Carl Ludtke and
John Schultz, and Seaman VIM. Starke.
They were picked up by the Vittoria from
an open boat of the Bulgaria three hours
after they had been cast adrift February S.
These, with the twenty-five women and
children who were picked up by the tank
steamer Weehawken and landed in Ponta
Del Gada, Azore islands, a week ago. are
all that have been heard from of the crew
OF ninety-eight men and forty-one passen-
gers which the Bulgaria had aboard when
she sailed from New York for Bremen,
January %. Captain WethereH said that
he sighted the Bulgaria in a disabled condl-
ton at a. M. February 5, and the tank
steamer Weehawken standing by and COM
cunicating with her. There was a heavy
sea on and his vessel drifted away from
the disabled craft, but he again located her.
he saw the men aboard the crippled vessel
attempt to lower boat and lust az four
OF them got into it, it broke loose from the
steamer and drifted away. The four men
made an effort to row back to the Bulgaria
out could not approach her on account. of
the nigh sea. The Vittoria was preparing
10 lower boat to go to the assistance of
the Bulgaria when the four men came
along SIDE. After considerable difficulty
they were taken aboard. y
In the morning the Bulgaria was NOT tol he
seen and the Vittoria proceeded on her
journey. Ii .
The story of the experiences of the Bull
garia as told by Second Officer Scharges.
Is a thrilling one. o !
On February 1 at about a. m,'' said he,
"a hurricane of SO severe a nature was en-
countered that, II was found impossiblesfo
make any Roadway, and at a. M the fol-
lowing day we were forced to heaye to
Inc flying bridges, both fore and aft wefe
carried away, and the seamen and passen-
gers were afraid to venture on deck for
fear of being swept into the sea- About 4
a. m. the spring rudder, which was used
during heavy seas. collapsed and soon af-
terwards the entire steering gear was
washed away. The steamer then fell in
the trough and was left at the mercy of the
wind and waves
sea after sea swept over u.s." continued
Second Officer Scharge, smashing In the
doors of the cabin and deck houses flood
ing the main deck, washing in the awning
and creating havoc and disorder all over
the ship. To make matters worse one hum
dred horses that were stationed on the up
per forward deck, stampeded, and In their
fright made a wild dash, trampling each
other to death. This state of affairs lasted
until all but twenty had been killed or
drowned in the wash of the waves.
ANY idea that our troubles were over
was soon dispelled when II was found that
the vessel was leaking. All the hatch COW
erings had been blown off and before they
could be replaced four of the seven holds
filled anGf water reached the deck.
For ceventy-two hours" said Mr..
Scharges, passengers and crew worked
like slaves, throwing cargo overheard to
tighten ship, but 1t was of little avail. Inch.
by inch, foot by foot, the ship settled, and:
| as she sunk deeper the waves washed with
| greater force and freedom over her. One
| wave carried away eight of the life boats
| from the low lying port side and with these
| went much of the hope from the hearts of
| passengers and crew.
| "At 4 o'clock on the morning of the 5th,''
| he continued, 1.-THE order was given to call
| all hands on deck to prepare to take to
| the small boats. The water had flooded
the engine room and four pumps could not
keep 1t down. It was then up to the CRATE
bars, but the f1remen still managed to keep
the fires burning. Each passenger and
seaman was given a life-preserver and the
small remaining boats were got ready and
provisioned. Shortly after daylight the
three steamers, Weehawken, Vittoria and
Koordistan, one after another, hove in
sight. The Weehawken was the first to be
the twenty-five women and children were
placed. These were landed safely on the
Weehawken, but after that the storm in
creased in violence. One of the boats was
smashed and 1t became almost impossible
to lower another on account of the vessel
being so low down on the port side and
CORRESPONDENCE high on the starboard,
where the remaining boats were made fast.
Another attempt was made and one was
safely conveyed to the rescue ship. The
men on the vessel were seen after that to
try repeatedly to lower another boat, but
without success"
The second officer stated that throughout
all the conduct Of the crew and passengers
was excellent The women were especially
brave. He thinks there Is likelihood that
the Bulgaria weathered the storm that
night, as she was sinking when he left
her. -
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