Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-02-23
NlNETY-oNE LOST
Crew and Passengers of the
Steamer Bulgaria.
Twenty. OF the Crew mud Pass
eugcrs, Numbering One Hundred
and Twenty, Snvcd-SecOnd Oniccr
SchnrGe's Thrilling story.
<By Telegra PHI to v.reinlan Pilot,


Baltimore, Feb. 22.-'rhc British
steamship Nittorla. Captain Wctherell,
arrived to-day from Hull, via Hamp-
ton Roads. with four of the crew of the
missing Hamburg American liner Bull
garia. The rescued mariners are: Sec
ond Mate .. Scharges. Quartermasters
Carl Ludtke and John Schulz, and Sea-
man William Starke.
They We're picked up by the Vittoria
from an open boat of the Bulgaria three
and q half hours after they had been
cast adrirt in latitude 40 n, longitude
As W., on February 5rh.
These, with the % women and chill
uren VINO were picked up by the tank
steamer Wechawken and landed in
Ponta del Gada, Azore islands, IA week
ago. are all that have been heard from
OF the crew OF 80 men ana IL passengers
winch the Bulgaria had aboard when
she sailed from New York for Bremen
January 2Sth Captain Wetherell said
mat he sighted the Bulgaria in n dis
apied condition at o'clock n. M, Feb
ruary 9th. flags flying, and the tank
steamer Weehawken standing by and
communicating with her. There was n
htavy sea on, and his vessel drifte0
away from the disabled craft but he
steamed toward her and again located
her. He saw the men aboard the Grip
pied vessel attempt to lower a boat.
ana Just as four of them got into 1t,
1t broke loose from the steamer and
driited away. The four men made an
effort TO row back to the Bulgaria. bur
could not approach her on account OF
the high seas
STORY OF THE RESCUE.
ne Nittorla was preparing 10 lower
"oHt 10 go TO the assistance of those
Oh 'he bulgaria when the four men
ranie Alongside After considerable diff
hcuIty they were taken aboard. Durinr
Il luli the second officer of the bulgaria
accomnanied by six of the crew OF tho
Nittora. manned the boat Just vacated
ana started for the sinking sieomnr
lney were scarcely away from the side
~ ,nt i,torin, however. before another
gaze began, and the brave fellows moi
being able TO reach the Bulgaria. found
IL impossible TO return to the Vittorjo
until several hours had passed. Captain
We'herell would not abandon hoot OF
pclhg or assistance to those on board
smJ d|iatea vessel. and remained in
slEht OF her until nightfall, when a nor
iect hurrican arose and carried tho
waiting ship miles away. In the morn
ing the Bulgaria was not 4, no saan
ana the Nittoria proceeded on her tour,
ney. ''"'
~ S1olkG.
The story of the experience Of tho
bulgaria ~ told b., Second Od,cer
Scharges. is a thrilling one.
ON February l. AT about u. m.
said he. n hurricane Of so severe
nature was encountered that II y,.
found impossible to make any heodwa"
and at a. M. the following dav We
We're forced to heave to- The fvinr
bridges. both fore and aft. were carried
away and seamen and passengers were
afraid To venture on deck for fear nr
being swept into the sea About
IN. the spring in the rudder. which Is
used 10 break the strain of heavy seas
collapsed and soon afterward Inc entire
steering gear was washed away. The
steamer then fell in the trough and was
left as toy at the mercy OF the wind
and waves.
soon after seas swept over us smash
ing in the doors OF the cabin and dack
houses. flooding the main deck. wash
inG in the awning deck. and creating
havoc and disorder all over the shin
To make matters worse one hundred
horses that were stabbed on the upper
forward deck stampeded and in their
fright. made wild dash, tramp.ing
each other TO death.
ln,.1