The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-03-13


Yarmouth, N. s.. March 13.-Chief
Officer McAffrey and Purser Stewart of
the Allan line steamer Castilian have
arrived here by team, having landed
at Little River in boat Mr.. McAnrey
reported that Saturday p night the
weather was hazy and they proceeded
slowly, carefully looking out for buoys
or other signs of land. Suddenly break
ers were seen and at once the steamer
struck forward quite gently, the shock
not being sufficient to awaken the pas
sengers. 1t was $40 Sunday morning
when the steamer struck. There was
no confusion and all orders were obeyed
with coolness The engines were re-
versed, but the steamer held fast.
swinging around until Gannet rock it.
self looked up astern. IL was just about
low tide when she went on and when il
was found the engines would not free
her il was decided TO wait for daylight
and send ashore for assistance. The
sea was smooth.
The carpenter reported water i'm the
two forward compartments and the
boats were all gotten ready, but there
seemed no IMMEDIATE danger. About
o'clock Chief officer McAffrey and
Purser Stewart were despatched to con-
vey the news to land. At Tusel Wedge
they communicated with the local
agents of the line and had tugs sent to
the scene as quickly as possible.
In the course of an interview a saloon
passenger of the steamer said:
II was asleep when the steamer
struck, and the shock awakened me.
/ thought a heavy wave had struck,
till Capt. j. j. Riley, an old seaman,fo
merly on the Allan line. came to my
room and said quietly, We are on a
rock
II asked him If there was any danger
and he said: Not at present; the pas
sengers are not being aroused He
said he would let me know If there was
any necessity for getting out. Soon af-
ter the steward came into the room and
said: You had better get up. sir. and
pack your clothes i'm case there should
be any necessity of leaving the ship
"In this way every care was taken as
10 the safety of the passengers, and al
the same time all alarm was allayed.
Refreshments were served, and later in
the day we had luncheon. A boat had
been sent at daylight to the land for
assistance, but nothing was heard from
them until the middle of the afternoon
when the tugs arrived The grinding
noise caused some anxiety and the
shaft of the steering gear running
through the saloon and music room was
thrown and bent, cracking off the
wooden casing. Later the deck in the
dining saloon was thrown up. This
was supposed TO have been caused by
the swelling of the grain i'm the hold.
These things were all "a little alarming,
but the coolness and discipline in every
department among officers and crew
allayed fear. The welcome sound of
the rescuing steamers whistles was
heard and we broke into hearty cheers.
During the afternoon Lord Archibald
Douglas. a reverend gentleman, who is
out of the Northwestern part of Cam
ada as a missionary, held religious SER
vices on the deck"
ASHORE ON COFFINS PATCHES.
Key West, March 13.-The British
steamer Platea, Capt Allen, from Bal
timore on March for Havana, with a
cargo of railroad iron and hay. went
ashore on Friday last on Collins
Patches. so miles from here. Her cargo
is being jettisoned.
The Platea belongs to William Thorn
son a. Co. and halls from Liverpool.
THE CATALINA ASHORE.
London. March 13.-The Spanish
steamer Catalina. which sailed from
Barcelona on March for Havana. is
ashore at Valencia in n critical posi-
tion. Her passengers and crew have
baap la ndpd