The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-01-15
PASSENGERS AND CREW OF
RUSSIE RESCUE.
HUMBLE FISHERMEN HEROES
Calamity Risked Their Lives to
Save Those Imprisoned on
Wrecked Vessel.

bOuCL0S uu ISuOuc, JAIL.
11-All the passengers and crew Of
the French steamer Russie from Gran,
Algeria, which stranded Q here dur
ing the violent storm of Monday, have
been safely landed.
AS the life line connected from the
shore with the steamer parted again
yesterday afternoon, when night set
in no communication with the strand
ed steamer was possible. The last
signalled message was: "We have not
a scrap of food left. CONSERVATION
prevails on board"
On this appeal the fishermen made
two more plucky launches Of their
boat, but they were beaten back, and
as the Russie disappeared in the dark
ness, those on board apparently were
trying to launch their only remaining
boat. The storm ragged with renewed
fury during the night and only those
compelled to do SO stayed on shore.
Some of them huddled beneath a tar
paulin, and other seeking refuge
from the gale in the Faraman light
house
At midnight two floats with lines
attached were launched, but both at
tempts to reach the Russie were fruit
less. Early this morning torches were
lighted at the bow of the Russie, and
in response to the signal the fishermen
made another attempt to reach the
wreck. But they were again tossed
ashore and the crew of the lifeboat,
who belong to the fishing village Of
Caro-, gathered around a bonfire
made of wreckage from the steamer,
.drenched to the skin and with teeth
,chattering from cold, but not discour-
aged. With daybreak the weather
p%erceptibly moderated, the sea became
,calmer and the wind shifted from east
to north.
The CAIRO fishermen at about $3.50
a. m. again put to sea. More than
once it was thought their boat was en-,
quilted, but the small craft rose in
sight again III the crests Of the waves,
approaching gradually nearer to the
Russie. Then a rope was th1 own.
which the fishermen caught and the
lifeboat soon afterwards was along
side. Then, above the bowling wind
rose cries of joy from those on boare
the Russie, which were re-echoed by
the crowd on shore. Another boat
manned by four men, was thel
launched and succeeded in reaching
the wrecked vessel.
A few minutes later the CAIRO boa
left the Russie's side heavily laden
AS she approached the shore the occu
pants we're seen to be women and on
baby. The enthusiasm was delirious
The spectators plunged into the sea
Some of them dragged the lifeboa
ashore and others lifted the wome
from the boat and carried them il
their arms through the waves to tn
dry land.
One woman was clasped in the arm
of her son, who had been waiting O.
shore since Monday. She swoone
and had to be transported on a stretch
,er, hastily constructed from wreck
age and covered with blankets to tn
light house. Other women collapse
from fatiuge, cold and hunger. Thei
haggard faces and trembling limit
told of their awful experience.
was unfortunate that the want of fore
sight resulted in all nourishment b.
ing kept in the lighthouse, two mile
distant, for the sufferers had to wal
there assisted by their friends, befo,
r~estoratives could be administered
them.
The four Dared boat next arrived wit
seven more passengers and the lifebo'
then made repeated journeys, until a
1O2 people we're saved and sheltere
in the lighthouse.