Delaware gazette and state journal., 1899-11-16
THOUGHT They WERE LOST
The Pennland's Passengers
Feared She Would Sink.
BOAT TOSSED BY A HURRICANE
Some Sang Songs, and Others
Played Cards.
ME-. and MRS. William #. MedhpIdt and
Miss Flora A. NIedholdt of This CITY We're
Ahoard-The Vessel Arrived at rhiladeI-
phia Friday, Five Days overdae.

II think we all felt it would be all
ever in u minute, il anything did
happen" said Miss Flora A. Med
holdt in renounting Saturday the
fearful experience marking the last
voyage of the belgian steamer Ponn-
land, which arrived at Philadelphia
Friday, five days overdue.
Miss Medholdt and her parents, Mr..
and MIS-. William f. Medholdi, who
reside at No. 1917 Franklin street,
were among the 103 cabin passengers
on the steamer. They wore returning
frcm three months trip, during
which they visited Copenhagen, Dem
mark. Mr.. Medholdt's old home, Nor
way and Swedon After short stay
in England, they boarded the Penn
land, Capt. Nelson, at Liverpool on
October 26th. She left Queenstown the
next day.
From the very start the voyage was
unpl opitious. Every preparation was
made by the officers in charge to
weather a gale of nc mean proportions.
Had the slightest idea, however, been
entertained that hurricane was brew
ing approaching in violence to that of
the tropics it is doubtful if Capt.
Nelson would have continued on his
way.
1t was ON Friday, November Sd,
when the unexpected cyclone disturb
ance burst with IL fury as unprecedented
as it was unexpected. The barometer
in an hour fell from 80. 42 to 28. "a.
Capt. Nelson was appalled, at the I'M
expected variation of the instrument,
and also thoroughly alive TO the gravity
OF the situation. The steerage pas
xua L..
matches battened down over Them At
2 O'Clock on that afternoon the storm
began.
The Pennland careened to starboard
at an angle of 30 degrees. Her rail was
buried in the water, and it was Thought
for the moment that she must certainly
founder. All that afternoon tho steamer
rolled in most appalling fashion. Every
precaution had beon taken by Cant.
Nelson. He had stewards stationed in
different parts of the cabin awaiting
his orders. Their duty was to arouse
The passengers in case the ship gave
indications OF going down. Hao such
been the case, however, it Is Ger tain
that all would have been lost
MEANWHILE, the cabin passengers
generally remained calm, although
apprenensive. Songs were sung and
card games played. Among the pas
sengers were 13 agents oil the Barnum
Show, and their good spirits aided in
keeping up the spirits of the others.
Many OF the passengers were bruised
in attempting to walk about in the
cabin and some of tho incidents we're
very ludicrous, especially as different
travellers would find themselves bump
ing against each other in corner as
the vessel would lurch.
About 3 O'Clock in the afternoon, sea
and sky seemed TO meet, and when the
waves struck against the side of the
vessel, the sound was like that of an
explosion.
Miss Medholdt says that on Friday
night the passengers never expected to
see the morning. Hardly anyone got
undressed, although all were advised
to go to bed. Abouu O'Clock in tine
morning, the vessel was felt to culver
and it was feared that she was sinking.
BY noon Of Saturday, however, the
storm had subsidized great deal and
the vessel returned to her course,
having gone over 10 miles out of tho
way. AT one time, sho was within
few miles OF an iceberg. In spite Of
the fearful hurricane, she had lost only
inc tafpaulnS Whlch covered the life
boats.
Miss Medholdt could not give too
much praise to Capt. Neilson and his
crew, who not orly worked nobly at
their duties, but also displayed the
greatest cheerfulness and hope, SO that
the passengers were reassured, and that
accounts for the cnlmness with which
they went through inc critical OK
perienoe.
After the long spell of dull weather
and the hurricane, tho passengers were
oyerjoyed last Sunday when the sun
came out clear and bright. Praise
services were held and resolution CT
thanks was presented to Capt, Nelson
for his bravery and able seanianshlp in
bringing them into port in safety.
Miss Medholdt is o teacher In Public
School Nc. II, and will eturn to her
post on Monday Mr.. Medholdt has
been a foreman ut the Harlan & Hol.
lingsworth Go. IS works.