The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-03-04
CREW OF THE M0RAVIA |
Safely Landed at Halifax by the
Steamer Aberdeen.
ONLY ONE LIFE WAS SACRIFICED.

Second Oficer Brenton -Succumbed to
the Terrible Cold While He and His
Lifeboat Crew We're Trying to Reach
Shore to Secure Assistance.
Halifax, N. s., March 1.-THE govern
ment steamer Aberdeen has arrived here
from Sable Island, bringing the crew OF
the wrecked steamer Moravia, which
was lost on the northeast bar of the
island last month. Second Officer Bren-
ton, of the Moravia, is the only one lost
out of crew of 49, The others were
safely landed here and are being well
looked after.
Captain Joginson was seen by cor
respondent on board the Aberdeen. His
story shows that the Moravia was short
of coal, and bound for Halifax, when
the disaster occurred. She had a rough
voyage and had only 100 tons of coal
when compelled to change her course.
For several days afterwards Captain
Jogins0n was unable to take observation,
and on the 18th inst. the vessel struck
on the extreme northeast end Of the cry
break up, and the crew was forced to
leave ut once.
The officers and crew of the Moravia
speak in the highest terms of their treat
ment at Sable Island and on the Aber-
deem. Already arrangements are being
made by local agents of the Hamburg
American line to have them provided
for. All are in good health and are lit
tie the worse for their experience. The
story Of the survivors was that the yes,
sci was in disabled condition when she
first went ashore.
About 4 a. m. on the 10Th the waves
began to have a telling effect and the
vessel commenced to break up. BY this
time she had made so much water that
she was settling at stem and stern.
Shortly after she parted amidships,
and the men, realizing their dangerous
position, prepared to launch the boats.
This operation was attended with ex-
treine danger.
At 10 a. m. the condition of the ship
was such that it was decided to cut the
lines from the lifeboat, in order that
the crew might reach the island for as
sistance. The minute the lines were cut
the crew commenced a hard battle for
their lives. The little craft was swept
away from the steamer like Il cork, and
work rs they would the men found it
impossible to approach the shore. They
were gradually carried away to sea, and
suffered untold ag0nies from the eX-
IRENE cold and heavy snow. The waves
swept across the lfcboat, and the water
was quickly turned to ice. The man
ming of the oars became more and more
difficult as this condition of affairs went
from bad to worse.
All night long the brave fight lasted,
and as the wind abated the boat was
gradually brought under control. The
second officer succumhed to the effects of
exposure and died. His comrades were
in almost as sad plight, and nearly
every one of the q occupants of the
craft were frost bitten. At 9 a. M. the
boat was beached and the men were
taken to the life station, where every
thing possible was done for their COM
fort.
In the meantime the 10 men who re-
NAMED on board We're looked after by |
the life saving crew from the island |
The first lot. numbering seven men, were
rescued about 3 p. m. At that time
the sea was breaking over the ship, and !
the men were all aft. The second trip
was made during the afternoon, and
only six men were left on board for the
night. At daylight the remaining six
men were rescued and reached shore
shortly before the ships boat.
On Monday the hull of the Moravia
started to settle in the sands, and by
nghtfall 1t had completely disappeared.
When the Aberdeen left on Thursday
for this port the wreckage was stll
coming ashore, and part of it was
brought here.