The times., 1899-03-03
AN EXCITING TIME AT SEA.
Thrilling Incidents Attending the
Wreck of the Labrador.

London, March 2-The Dominion Line
steamship Labrador, from st. John, n. B..
and Halifax. for Liverpool. which struck
Mackingie Rock, four miles from Skerry-
vore Light. Hebrides. Scotland. at
o'clock yesterday morning, is a total
wreck. All of her passengers and crew.
except twelve who are at Skerryvore
Lighthouse, were landed at Tobermory
last evening by the steamship Viking,
which hove in sight few hours after the
disaster occurred.
The Labrador, which left Halifax on
February 20, had a good passage until Feb
ruary 20. when heavy fog set in. making
1t impossible to take the ships bearings
for three days. Nearing the Hebrdes
Islands the fog became more dense and
Skerryvore Light was mistaken, it is sup
posed, for Innistrahull. Soundings of from
forty to fifty fathonls were got just before
the ship struck. Most of the passengers
were in bed or dressing when the alarm
was given that the ship had run on a rock.
The vessel struck hard and stuck fast
amidships. g!
The passengers. particularly the women
ana children. were greatly excited, but the
crew. following the example of Captain Er-
skine, showed the utmost coolness. The
boats were in excellent order, and all of
them, six lifeboats. and two small boats
were utilized. The passengers and crew
lost all their belongings. as everything had
TO be sacrificed to the saving of life The
captain made strong efforts to take OFF the
mails. but the breaking up OF the ship was
imminent, and the attempt had to be aban-
doned.
The women and children were put into
the first boat in charge of the fourth officer
ana Ihe other passengers in the next boat
IN charge of the second officer. When
these boats were swung clear the remain
ing members of the crew followed in the
other boats, all taking the direction of
Skerryvore Lighthouse The sea in the
mean time had become yellow with the
wheat which was pouring from the hold
of the broken ship.
The boats had been at sea about three
and half hours when the steamship Vik-
ing, bound for Norway, hove in sight and
at once took the passengers and crew of
the Labrador on board. The transfer of
the men, women, and children from the
boats to the ship was very difficult. owing
to the heavy swell and high waves.
As the Viking lost sight of the Labrador,
that vessel was fast breaking up and sink
ing by the stern. Captain Hunland the
commander of the Viking, is highly praised
| by the passengers and crew of the Labra-
| dor for his skill and GOODNESS in the diff
cult work of rescuing the occupants of the
| Labrador's boats, not one of whom was
| lost.
| The hotels at Tobermory are filled with
! the rescued persons. and those unable tC
| find room there are lodged in the houses Of
fishermen.
Glasgow, March 1.-The Glasgow Cit.
| izen' says that the Labrador had a sum.
merlike passage most all the way over ant
made good running, but as she neared thi.
| side the captain and officers were unabI,
to take sights for three days owing to tht
fog. Consequently, the only guide to tn,
position of the ship was that given by deac
reckoning. which. by reason of the cur.
| rents, was untrustWOrthy. The captain
mad been on deck since . p. m. Tuesday
when the ship struck. The second office
was on the sick list. and the third Office
had taken the watch with the captain. Th.
| passengers, who were in their berths. wer,
| awakened by crash and rushed on deck
The Labrador had run well up on a rocl
and was filling rapidly. The ship was rock
ing with the heavy swell, which made tn
launching of the boats difficult The coole
headed OF the passengers Gained tn
women, and the crew did their duty will
| the most praiseworthy discipline
| When the first boat was ready the womcl
and children were lowered into it witt
ropes. While the other boats were bein,
hiled the Viking hove in sight and tool
on board all OF the passengers and GREY
except those in one boat. which made it
way to the Skerryvore Lighthouse. TIL
boat contained twelve passengers, who re
main prisoners at the lighthouse, as tn
wind freshened and they were unable I
return to the Viking. All of the passen
gers are in good spirits few of then
had some of their effects with them. tied i
bundles. when they We're landed.
me snip mad been going slowly, but jus
before the accident the captain signaIe
The engine room to go ahead at full speef
believing that the course was clear.