The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-02-15

Although giving evidence of severe suf-
fering. the men who had been rescued yes
terday morning by the Port Royal pilot
boat managed to tell their story in dis
jointed phrases, which was completed by
those who had shared with them the dan.
gers of the shipwreck. but who had es-
capped greater hardships by reaching Port
Royal day ahead Of their companions.
The Vessel on Her Course.
second Oficer Bea1e said that on Satur-
day morning when the ship was wrecked
the fog was so thick that one could hardly
see across the deck and there was a heavy
gale blowing. The weather was intensely
cold The ships compass was evidently
not in proper working order, and some
thing seemed to be wrong with the ma
chinery Of the ship. Some time before she
struck il was realized that she was Of
her course and soundings were taken.
These showed that the vessel was in shall
low water and she was ordered slowed
down. Before the proper course could be
ascertained the vessel struck hard upon
reef or shoal
Every effort was made 10 get the vessel
off. but without avail A considerable
portion of the cargo was thrown over
board in the effort 10 tighten the ship Tho
men remained by until Sunday morning,
when il was seen that she was breaking
to leave. There were four boats and the
Decentralization was performed IN an Or
derry manner under the direction of Capt.
Willis ana the other officers. Capt. Willis
remained 20 the last, and it is said took
the poorest boat for himself and COM
panions.
Seven men got off in the first boat, in
charge of Second officer Beale. and seven
more in the second boat, in charge of
In, RI
there were six including Second Engineer
Morrissey, who was in charge. Capt.
Willis had command OF the fourth boat
in which there were six or seven men,
beside himself, one being a Storage pas
senger.
Boat No 3 i'm charge of Engineer Norris
sey made the main land a. Paris Island
station Sunday afternoon al 4:3O O'Clock
The men with him were John Conway, W
Sifert, Charlie Green, Frank Bowler John
Donahue and L. Grundgren. While they
had had a severe experience they were in
good condition. From the naval station
they we're taken across on a tug TO Port
Royal where Mr.. Morrissey addressed a
telegram to Agent Carolan notifying him
Of the disaster. He was informed at the
telegraph office that the wires were down
and that it was doubtful If the message
could be gotten through. It reached Savan-
nah early Monday night. After sending the
dispatch Mr.. Morrissey took his men back
70 Paris Island where they spent rather
uncomfortable night Monday night, how
ever, they were cared for aboard a tug
and were made very comfortable, and were
able TO make a good appearance on aTriv-
ing here.
Tied Up to n Buoy.
NO such good luck was in store for the
men Of boat number /. Having some idea
of the FAY of the land they endeavored 10
make Port Royal harbor, but their frail
craft was buffeted by the icy blasts for
many hours. They finally made buoy No.
at the mouth of Port
Royal harbor. Their strength was
exhausted and they could go no fur
Their. They managed to tie up to the
buoy, where they remained about two
hours hoping that a boat would rescue
them. The sea was so rough, however,
that il was dangerous to remain at the
buoy and they we're compelled to cut
loose Helpless now, they drifted back
towards the scene of the wreck and the
boat soon ran aground. An oar was
damned into the mud and the boat made
tast. The seven men made their way
ashore so exhausted and benumbed that
they could hardly totter TO place of safe
ty when they fell exhausted. Here their
peet of immediate death had merely been
exchanged for that of a lingering one
They were without food or shelter and ex-
posed to the icy blasts of the storm which
RACED over the island. Their only hope
was to wait until the storm had subsidized
when they might be seen by some passing
BOAT. Their situation was so desperate
that some of the party talked of suicide
and threatened TO throw themselves into
"a til.
capped, TO end their sufferings
There was one hero who sustained the
failing spirits of his companions. tail.
rawboned Irishman. John Montgomery by
name. He alone of all the crowd never
lost heart When others cried Montgom-
cry laughed. He told stories and Jokes 10
keep his companions awake when sleep
would have meant death. When despair
mad settled over some, and they wished
for death to end their sufferings Mont
gomery claimed to see light in the dis
lance, and predicted the approach OF boats
for their rescue. He had that indispensa-
bic companion of the soldier and sailor.
pipe, whether of the dhudeen variety
is not known. and a supply of tobacco.
With his pipe between his teeth he walk
ed the beach, defying the elements. and
constantly on the lookout for a sail II
was Montgomery who saw the pilot boat
of himself and companions.
Two Days without Food.
Some Of the men had to be lifted bodily
and carried 10 the boat and this was re-
peated when at noon they were transfer
red to the Clifton. Until then they had
not tasted food since leaving the ship on
| Sunday morning. They were given both
food and drink, and doubtless It seemed
10 them the sweetest that ever went down
their threats. They were made as com
Portable as possible in the cabin of the
| Clifton, until their arrival at Savannah
when they were transferred to st. 10.
! sephs Inirmary.
The seven men, who underwent this ex-
| perience, were Second Officer Beale. Chief
| Engineer Edward Roach Steward Frank
| Dingle, Harvey Kelley, chief cook; Oscar
| S Bowler, quartermaster, and L. Grund.
| eren and John Montgomery, sailors.
! Montgomery was the only one of the sever
| who looked as If he had not suffered any
| particularly hardship. He went 10 the
| hospital with the others, however CHIEF
Engineer Roach, Second officer Beale ano
| all 10 ba 70