The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1899-04-01
CRASHED ON THE ROCKS
British Channel Steamer Wrecked
and Many Drowned,
DEATH LIST OVER A HUNDRED.
The Captain and All Omccrs Except
First Mate Went Down with the
ship-Ucroic Action Of the Crew.
vessel Was speeding Ia a Fog.

First Mnto went Down WIN the
ship-ucroic Action OF the Grew.
vessel Was speeding Ia "a Fog.
southampton. April The passenger
steamer Stella plying between this port
aud the Channel islands. crashed upon
the dreaded CusQurt rocks, near the Isl
aud Of Aldcruoy, Thursday afternoon in
dense fog and fouudcrcd in ten min
utes, her boilers exploding with trc-
meudous report as she went down. In
spite OF this, il is said, there was no
panic on board. The coastiug steamer
Lynx. which brought the news OF the
disaster here, picked mp four boats and
40 persons belonging to the Stella. An
other steamer has picked up boat con-
tanning - persons, including 20 wo-
men. They have been landed here.
Eight passengers Of the Stella who were
landed at Cherbourg, France, were res
cucd from boat that originally con-
tanned IA men. The boat capsized and
six were drowned. The others clung to
the keel for five hours and then man
aged to right the boat which was half
full OF water.
The Stella had 14O passengers on
board, and her crew numbered ~ per-
sons. The passengers were going to
spend Easter in the Channel islands
The second officer OF the steamer. who
was among the rescued, says that a col
lapsible boat was launched full Of peo-
pie but he thinks she struck the rocks,
owing to the fog. The second S-te was
the only officer OF the Stella rescued. II
is now believed that the loss Of life
will reach 100 though it is hoped that
some others have been picked up by
passing vessels. Another steamer Of the
same company, which arrived at the
Island Of Jersey at about noon yester-
day. reports having passed many bodies
OF victims OF the disaster about the
CasQuet rocks
A survivor Of the disaster named
Bush says the speed Of the Stella in the
fog was not diminished though the fog
whistles were sounded. Bush adds that
at $3.50 a. m. the engineer showed him
in the engine room "a dial registering a
speed Of 1s1a knots. Continuing, Mr..
Bush said:
when the Stella disappeared 40 or 80
persons were discovered clinging to
pieces OF wreckage or cabin furniture
and crying piteously for help. All the
passengers and crew had been provided
with life belts. and there was little
panic as the ship sank. l first slipped
into the water and then swan to one OF
the boats, into which | was helped. We
rowed supposedly in the direction of
Guernsey, but seven hours later we
found ourselves near the scene OF the
wreck and saw dozens OF persons cling
ing to the rocks"
The boat in which Bush was a pas
senger was afterwards picked up by the
Lynx. The passengers all agree that
perfect order and discipline prevailed on
board the Stella. The crew promptly
took up their stations when the steamer
struck served out the life belts and
lowered the boats.
Mr.. David King, a London merchant,
who was among the last to leave the
ship, said last night: "The greater
part of Thursday was exceedingly pleas
ant, but toward evening we encountered
mist, which soon developed into q
dense fog. There was, however nc
apprehension. Suddenly a great shock
told us that the Stella had struck the
rocks. Screams rent the air, but the
coolness of the officers considerably al
layed the excitement. The crew be-
haved splendidly, lowering the boats
with the greatest prompttude. Every
woman was supplied with a life belt. At
first we thought there would be time
for all the boats to clear away, but sud
denly the boilers burst with a deafen-
ing report, rending the ship amidships,
Mr. King and two tiremen, Osborn and
Bayley, were the last to leave the vessel
He had just given up a life belt to aid
a clergyman's wife, and was literally
pulled into boat by Second Mate
| Reynolds, who was instrumental in saw
ing many lives.
The boat, with % persons, drifted for
Is hours in the intense cold and was
finally picked up by the Great Western
Railway company's steamer Vera, from
Southampton.
Mr.. King believes that FIVE boats were
! launched. He saw one upturned with
children clinging to It.
The scene at the moment of the sink
| ing of the vessel was heartrending
| Women were screaming and praying and
| people were clinging to spars and other
wreckage in all directions. Those who
| had succeeded in getting into the boats
had a narrow escape from being engulfed
| on account Of the suction caused by tbs
sinking vessel
Many most pathetic Incidents are re-
| ported In several eases men lifted
| their wives and children into the boat
and then perishcd themselves in theii
| presence. One wife, who was thus be
reft, lost her reason.
4 large number of the survivors ar
| rived here without any clothing, clat
| only in blankets.
The voice Of Captain Rocks, from th'
] bridge was frequently heard urging tn,
| rowers to pull for their lives.
The boats We're adrift for 10 hours
| during which their occupants were with
! out food or water, and as their clothes
/ were drenched they suffered greatly.
! The disaster is generally attributed t.
| Lhe high speed at which the steame
was travelling in the fog,
! Other accounts say that Captain
Rocks supposed the fog was merely II
| banks, as is the usual experience, an,
decided TO run through it, but as ii be
came continually denser he lost hi
bearings.
When the Stella struck there was
terrible sensa ton, a noise of metal an
woodwork being torn bodily away, tn
vessel passing over the jagged rocks a
full speed and her side being ripped ope
like matchwOod. When she slid off tn
rock she turned completely over, carry
ing a lot Of people with her.
The ladies on board one Of the life
boats sang hymns all night long to kee
up the spirits Of their companions.
Two bodies were washed ashore o
the Island of Alderney.
One passenger says he remarked