The record-union., 1899-03-14
The Allan Line Steamer Strikes on
a Rock
During a Haze Early Sunday Morning on
the Coast Of Nova Scotia.
Was No Panic When the Accident
Occurred, the Officers Maintain-
ing Strict Discipline, and No
Lives Were Lost-The Vessel
Will be Total Loss.

YARMOUTH On. s., March 14.-The
magnificent Allan liner steamer Cas-
lillian, ashore on Gannett Rock Ledge.
will assureGly be a total loss, and the
chance of saving the cargo is now re-
gaided as slim.
Captain Barrett and the first and Sec
ond officers still remain on her. All thu
rest oe the officers and crew are now
in Yarmouth. The steamers which came
up to-day brought cabin fittings and
such ware as could be got at. Most
of the stock was still living
The weather was SO rough to-day that
the steamers couldsapproach the wreck
only with the greatest difficulty and
all that was saved was got off by the
hardest work. None of the officers now
here have any explanation of the ship
being SO far out of her course.
Chief Officer McCafrey and Purser
Stuart of the Allan liner Castillian have
arrived here. Officer McCafrey reports
that during the night the weather was
hszy, ana they proceeded slowly and
cautiously, carefully looking out for
buoys or signs of land Suddenly a
rock was seen, and at once she struck
forward quite gently, the shock not
gers.
1t was $40 Sunday morning when
the Castilian struck There was no
confusion, and all orders We're obeyed
with GOODNESS and promptitude. The
engines were reversed, but the steamer
held fast. 1t was just about low tide
when she went on, and when it was
found that the engines would not take
r. sc q L.
light and send ashore for assistance
The sea was comparatively smooth The
carpenter reported water in the two
forward compartments, and the boats
were all gotten ready but there seemed
no immediate danger.
About 5 o'clock Officer McCafrey and
Purser Stuart were dispatched to con-
vey the news to land. At Tusal Wedge
they communicated with the local
agents of the Allan line, and had tugs
sent out Immediately.
In an interview a saloon passenger
on the steamer Castillian says: Il was
asleep when the steamer struck, and
the shock awakened me. 1 thought
a heavy wave had struck, until Captain
u. ]. Reilly, an old and experienced
sailor. formerly on the Allan line, came
to my room and said to me: We are
on a rock / asked him if there was
any danger. and he said not at present;
the passengers were not aroused. He
said he would let me know if there
was any necessity for getting out. Soon
after the steward came quietly into the
room and said: You had better get
up. sir and get on your clothes, in case
there should be any necessity of leav-
ing the ship
Every care was taken as TO the
safety of the passengers, and at the
same time all alarm allayed. Refresh
ments were served, and later on in the
day we had luncheon. A boat had
been sent to land for assistance but
nothing was heard from them until
the middle of the afternoon, when the
tugs arrived. The grating noise caused
some anxiety, and the shaft of the
steering gear running up through the
saloon and music room was thrown and
bent, cracking off the wooden casing.
Later on the deck of the saloon was
thrown up. This was supposed to have
been caused by the swelling of the
grain in the forward hold. These things
We're all a little alarming, but the cool
ness and discipline in every depart
nient among officers and crew, ably
assisted by Captain Reilly, allayed fear.
There was never anything approaching
panic. In the afternoon the boats were
launched on one side and brought round
to the other side, and the passengers
were told which boats they were to go
in. The welcome sbund of the rescuing
steamers whistles was heard and we
broke into hearty cheers.
During the forenoon, Lord Archibald
Douglass. who had been out in the
northwest of Canada as a missionary,
held religious services on deck. He is
Roman Catholic clergyman, but the
service savored of no. sect, and the pas
sengers and crew. representing Protes-
tants and Catholics, Gentiles and Jews,
reverently joined in the devotion"