Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1899-06-22
An Ocean Experienee.

etC uuat suG CauHut 10 tcACa5cui anu Will
break in two.
The fate of this splendid ship has re-
called to one of our lady readers of this
county an experience aboard the Paris in
1890 which she Interestingly describes in
the following letter.
1T happened at $50 on the afternoon Of
Tuesday, March the 25th 1890, and like the young
man bidding good night TO his sweetheart. he
memory still fingers and fingers and fingers,
and ever will After pleasant day Of promen-
aiding the decks, shuffib, lard, desultory reading
Of the red covered books of the ships library,
betting the speed of the vessel the letters tor
home and the divers and various lunches one is
always finding himself eating ON board ship,
most OF the passengers were preparing for din
ner, with thoughts of landing at about Liverpool
at about the same hour the next day. Mr. l..
; and were in'the grand saloon idly discussing
the latest number Of Hatper's. We spent some
time over beautiful picture of the grand canal.
But Of sudden dogs, palaces, gondolas, doves,
and tinkling guitars were swept clean from our
minds as the great city of Paris over one
tenth of mile in length was lifted shuddering
and painting high in the air, as if by some enemy
leviathan. Then back to the waters again
fierce escaping OF steam, sound Of breaking,
calm. BY common impulse the passengers
rushed to the forward deck. People appeared
dazed, faces were pale but hearts were brave,
and at no time was there the slightest sembIance
of panic among the saloon and intermediate
passengers. In the Storage violent circumstances
Of terror were witnessed. Captain Walk ms, who
was on the bridge at the time of the accident,
and his officers as examples OF GOODNESS and
dfi I'M he 81
never be equalled and the discipline OF the crew
was perfect.
Following the general rule no definite infor
nation could be gained from headquarters and
at times the suspense became almost unbearable.
Later the news, always meagre and unofficial,
was brought to US that the trouble had originated
in the starboard engine room which was entirely
wrecked, while several great holes had been
made in the iron bulkhead separating the port
from the starboard engines. Water quickly be-
gan to fill the two compartments and in short
time was on level with the sea outside. 1t was
feared that portions Of the broken machinery
had smashed through the ships double bottom
The chief engineer, at the risk of his life, shut
OFF the steam. Seven men at work in the engine
room narrowly escaped drowning as an immense
quantity Of water fell upon them. while greaser
At work near the largest cylinder was severely
burned. 1t was but little short of the miracu-
lous that no lives were lost. As tine went on
and we more fully realized the extent of our
danger, well knowing that if a severe storm
struck the vessel, we must perish, we felt that
Providence was kindly disposed toward us And
there we were-f060 of US distance Of 2l6
| miles separated US from Fastnet 5000 odd tons
OF water in the hold. the great vessel, greatly
listed to starboard, ying without 'sbreath or
notion sorelY stricken. Both engine rooms
were entirely flooded, propelIing power destroy
ed, the electric light plant under water, booming
US to the dim light of few tallow candles. and
water, water everywhere, slowly invadi one
compartment, then the next, and the next. A
long procession OF deckhands carried dozens Of
new blankets and mattresses to the damaged
parts in vain efforts to check the steady inroads
of the sea- Night and day the only undamagea
pumps, two small ones worked by hand powe
we're kept going.
Things looked dark indeed The wind was
light but heavy swell tossed the broken
machinery to and fro, causing grave appreheps
| sion. No one went below that first night. bu
kept together in the cabins anxiousIy awaiting
news, and above all, good news Red lights
were freely burned, and signal gun doomed at
intervals on TO the unresponsive distances the
notes OF our distress. Some lights were seen
and all felt the steamer must surely see oars
Later they turned out to have been from the
City OF Chester of the same line, whose Captain
eald ne saw lights, but as he had twice that
evening gone to the relief Of apparently dis
abled vessels only to find them English men of
war going through man@uy res, he paid no at
tention TO ours. new version OF the tale of
wolf" which might have cost 1850 souls. but
which came of cheap at $4,000 for salvage.
Some funny incidents occurred which must
not forgot to mention. notably Father r. S
sturdy refusal to interrupt his afternoon nap
when Of his fellow priests FASTENED to arouse
him. Its drowning we aref Then let me be taken
from me nice warm berth" and he turned over
and went to sleep sgain The ultra fastidious
LIS. striking appearance on the evening OF the
second day, when hearing a commotion on
deck, he rushed out attired in bright red table
cover; the lady who carefully sought out her
rubber shoes and life preserver at the same
time. and the many who pinned two chicken
feathers to the bulletin board and announced
the proximity of farm yard.
Meanwhile the stern Of the vessel was steadily
settling. the cargo Of cotton got wet and pressed
the deck up the cargo Of leather got foul, the
NAL bags we're brought on deck, their coverings
Of gray sail causing them to resemble recum-
bent elephants, the fresh water supply got very
low. one stateroom after another was flooded.
the life boats we're overhauled and stocked with
provisions. and our hearts got heavy as the
desired relief did dot come.
Captain Watkins had delayed sending out A
boat, as several steamers were due about that
m rsr "a
Paris had drifted ninety miles from the regular
course, he decided at last to send for aid. So on
the third day we crowded TO the rail to send
Ulcers and prayers after the brave little company
Of seven, commanded by the first officer Pas
son, who risked their lives for us Many knew
that they were much safer than we il
storm should arise. The customary froIicings
had long ago ceased, and after the life boat
faded away in the distance. people one by one
fell into the same habit Of sitting SILENT watch
lug. Sleep only came by fits and starts, and
appetites were poor, although all the ceremony
of an ocean streaner's repast was punctfliously
observed at least by the Stewards many Of
whom, poor fellows, had spent the entire night
doing duty at the pumps.
Extremely early on Friday morning the look
oat reported that our signals of distress were
being answered. At four O'Clock we were all on
deck, class distinctions were ignored in the
common joy, and many strange faces from the
dreary steerage were seen. At length lights
W re plainly visible, and as The morning broke,
and two large steamers were seen speeding
toward us, cheer after cheer rang oyer the
waters and all were visibiy affected. The
"Adriatic . OF the White Star Line was the first
to reach US and the captains we're soon exchang-
ing messages by the signal code. We went below
for coffee and quickly returning we're amazed to
see her many miles off our stern. People felt
very bitter at the attitude Of her captain who re-
fused to put back for us. saying the mail laws