Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-11
To A DEFECTIVE LIGHT.
Wreck of Steamer Madiana
Said to Have Been Due.
STRUCK WITH A CRASH
THAT THERE WAS NO LOSS OF
LIFE SEEMS MIRACULOUS.
Associate Editor Of The Star Gives
Graphic Description Of Exciting
Scenes Aboard Inflated Ship.

The Evening Star of yesterday told the
news of the rescue Of the passengers and
crew of the wrecked steamer Madiana; but
the details Of the disaster were not obtain
able until late last night.
The following complete story was cabled
by the New York Worlds correspondent at
Hamilton
In ships boats and on lighters towed by
tugs, eighty-five passengers and the crew
of the Quebec line steamship Madiana, now
a total wreck on the Bermuda reefs, were
brought to shore today.
Not one life was lost and no passenger
was severely injured. Several lifeboats
were successfully launched from the Ma
diana.
The Iife-savers were all volunteers from
the people of the island and the regular
life-saving crew.
The women were let down into the light
ers by sings placed under their arms.
These, with the ships officers. were trans
ferred to the government tug Gladlsfen,
while the other passengers and crew were
taken aboard the steam Tighter Packer.
Neither vessel was nearer the wreck than
a mile 9H- Io2
Mails and Baggage Saved.
All of the mails. .. large part of the
heavy baggage and the light baggage were
saved later, through the prompt action of
Engineer Nelson, WHO had the ships bulk
heads broken open. All Of the women pas
seneers saved their jeweiry1
1t is noteworthy that among both pas
sengers and crew the most perfect order
prevailed. sic
The passengers are safely housed in
hotels here. The crew oD,the Madiana is
aboard Of the Pretoria, and will go back to
New York on her. The passengers will also
return to New York on thesPretoria, which
flo ny,G Got y,p6o YaaYff Anv iIf In
every attention from the steamship officials
and from the hospitabie Bermudans.
Wreck Due to Defective Light.
The disaster is said to have been due to
a defective government light on Gibbs Hill.
Many months ago the lighting apparatus
in the lighthouse was injured by a fire in
the lantern room. the Light thus being i'm
paired. Frequent representations from
commanders OF his majesty's navy and
from captains Of merchant ships have
caused the Bermuda government to order
from England suitable light. which is be-
ing installed at a cost Of $4,000.
On Monday night. when the Madiana was
about 200 miles from Bermuda, man was
placed at the masthead on the lookout for
the light on Gibbs Hill. None was visible,
and the fated ship proceeded to her doom.
The first intimation Of danger came with
the sight close ahead of the white foam on
the reefs. caused by the breaking Of the
sea over the protruding coral rocks
Engines Were Reversed.
The helm was altered in an instant and
the engines were reversed, but before
either action became effective the ship
struck with a crash. awakening the sleep
ing passengers and throwing many out Of
their berths.
The shock Of the impact on the sharp
rocks put out the electric lights, leaving
the ship In total darkness. In less than
five minutes the engine room was flooded
and the men working there and at the
furnaces were compelled to abandon their
posts.
The passengers and the members of the
crew not on duty rushed quickly to the
deck. They found the Madiana lying broad
side on the reefs. with the seas breaking
over her and the water bursting through
the cabin doors and rushing down the COM
panionways into the saloon.
Capt. r. Fraser, commander Of the ship
was on the bridge at the time of the disas-
ter. and at once took the necessary steps to
secure the safety of the passengers and
crew.