The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1899-02-23
THE BTLGARIA'S FATE
Four More Survivors of the Vessel
Landed at Baltimore.
THE STORY OF THE DISASTER.

Baltimore. Feb 23-British steamship
Nttoria. Captain Wctherell, arrived yes
tcrday from Hull. via Hampton Roads
with four of the crew Of the foundercd
Hamburg liner Bulgaria. The
rescued mariners are Second Mate o.
Schurgcs, Quurtcrmastcrs Carl Ludtkc
and John Schulz and Seaman William
Nittoria from an open boat Of the Bull
garia three and half hours after they
had been cast adrift in latitude 40 ~,
longitude 13 w, on Feb. o.
These, with the - women and chill
dren who were picked up by the tank
steamer Wcehawken and landed in
Ponta Delgada. Azore islands, a week
ago, are all that have been heard from
OF the crew Of 80 men and Al passengers
which the Bulgaria had aboard when she
sailed from New York for Bremen on
Jan. %. Captain Wctherell said that ne
sighted the Bulgaria in a disabled con-
dition at a. M Feb D. flags flying and
the tank steamer Weehawkcu standing
by and communicating with her. There
was heavy sca'on, and his vessel drift
ed away from the disabled craft, but he
steamed toward her and again steamed
toward her and again located her. He
saw the men aboard the crippled vessel
attempt to lower a boat, and just as
four Of them got into il it broke loose
from the steamer and drifted away. The
four men made an effort to row back
TO the Bulgaria, but could not approach
her on account Of the high seas. The
Nittoria was preparing to lower a boat
TO go to the assistance Of those on the
Bulgaria when the four men came along
side. After considerable difficulty they
were taken aboard.
During a lull the second officer OF the
Bulgaria, accompanied by six Of the
crew of the Nittoria, manned the boat
just vacated and started for the sinking
steamer. They were scarcely away from
the side Of the Nittoria, however, before
another gale began, and the brave fell
lows, not being able to reach the Bull
garia found it impossible TO return to
the Nittoria until several hours had pass
ed. Captain Wctherell would not aban-
don hope of being of assistance to those
ON board the illrated vessel. and remain
ed in sight OF her until uightfall, when
n perfect hurricane arose and carried the
waiting ship miles away. In the morn
ing the Bulgaria was not to be seen.
The story of the experiences of the
Bulgaria and her passengers and crew,
as told by Second Officer Scharges is
thrilling one. He said;
ION Feb. !, at about p. m, hur-
ricane Of so severe a nature was en-
countered that it was found impossible
to make any headway, and at a. m.
the following day we were forced TO
heave to. The flying bridges, both fore
and aft. were carried away. and seamen
and passengers were afraid to venture
on deck for fear of being swept into the
sea About : a. nj. the spring in the
rudder, which is used TO break the strain
of heavy seas, collapsed, and soon after
wards the entire steering gear was
washed away.
Sea after sea swept over us, smash
ing in the doors of the cabin and deck
houses, flooding the main deck, washing
in the awning deck, and creating havoc
and disorder all over the ship. To make
matters worse hundred horses thai
We're stabbed on the upper forward decl;
stampeded and in their fright made a
wild dash, trampling each other to death.
This state Of affairs lasted until all but
20 had been killed or drowned in the
wash OF the waves. Then the butcher
of the vessel, with number Of seamen.
won't into the pen and tried to quiet the
beasts that remained. This failing, as
] did also the attempt to force the frenzied
| animals overheard, their throats were
! cut. The butcher had both his legs
| broken, and one of the seamen was badly
injured.
ANY idea that our troubles were
over was soon dispelled when it was
found that the vessel was leaking. AL
the hatch coverings had been blown off
and before they could be replaced -four
of the seven holds filed and all had con
| siderable water in them. The cargo next
shifted, listing the steamer heavily tC
port.
For 70 hours passengers and crew
worked at throwing cargo overheard tc
| tighten the ship, but it was of little avail
Inch by inch, foot by foot, the ship set
! tied. and as she sunk deeper the wave,
I washed with greater force and freedom
] over her. One wave carried away eigh
of the lifeboats from the low lying port
side.
AT 4 o'clock on the morning OF tn,
9TH" he continued, "the order was givel
to call all hands on deck to prepare I,
take to the small boats. The water ha'
flooded the engine room, and four pump
could not keep it down. 1t was then u
TO the crate bars, but the firemen still
managed to keep the fires burning. Eacl
passenger and seaman was given a lif
preserver and the remaining boats wer
gotten ready and provisiOned. Shortl
after daylight three steamers (the Wee
hawken. Vittoria and Koordistan), on
after another, hove in sight. The Wee
, | hawken was the first to be Of service, a
she sent two boats in which the % VIC
men and children were placed. Thes
were landed safely on the WeehawkeI
but after that the storm increased /
violence. One of our boats was smashe
and it became almost impossible TO lowe
another on account Of the vessel bein
30 far down on the port side and col
respondingly high ON the starboarC
where the remaining boats were mad
fast. Another attempt was made, an
one was successfully gotten into the set
and the three men who We're save
with me jumped into her to take tn
/ oars, when by some unfortunate ace
dent we were cut loose. The men on ia
vessel were seen after that to try 1,
peatedly to lower another boat, but will
out success"
The second officer stated that through
out all the conduct of crew and passel
r gers was excellent. The women wei
p especially brave. He thinks there
little likelihood that the Bulgaria weat