The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-02-12
STEAMER DASHES
ON A CORAL REEF
The Madiana Wrecked Off
Bermuda island.
ALL ON BOARD ARE SAVED
The Goodness Of the Officers Prevents Panic
Long Hours Of Fear and Suspense
A Tug Rescuss Those on
(By the Associated Press.)

Hamilton, Bermuda, Feb. 10.-The
Quebec Steamship Company's steamer
Madiana, Captain Fraser, which sailed
from New York last Saturday with a
party of excursionists for special
cruise around the Caribbean Islands,
went ashore on the reef off this island at
3 o'clock this morning. The passengers
had thrilling experience. The ship is
cued and brought safely TO land after
a perilous trip in life boats from the
wreck to tug standing a mile off. The
mails and the passengers baggage also
were saved.
According to statements made by those
on board the Madiana was threading her
way in the night through the narrow
channel between the coral reefs, which
leads to Hamilton harbor, when she
struck a reef, one and half miles
northeast of North Rock. No explicit
explanation is yet forthcoming as to
how the vessel went ON the rocks. and
the only information obtainable from the
officers is that the light which indicates
the channel for some reason could not
be seen. All the passengers were IL
their hunks when the Madiana struck the
rocks, but the shock of the impact
awakened them and they rushed on deck,
the majority of them without attempting
to dress. Considerable alarm, though
not panic, prevailed among the pas
sengers when they found that the YES
sci was hard on the rocks. but the Off
GERS went among them and Gained them,
although number did not venture be-
low again 10 see to their clothing.
part of their crew did not share the
GOODNESS of the officers, but the latter
soon restored order among the trouble
some seamen.
Signals of distress were sent up and
the passengers passed an anxious time
during the latter part of the night, the
Madiana listed heavily after time, and
when morning broke lay broadside to the
wind. The passengers were huddled to-
gether on the hurricane deck, and the.
sea breaking over the steamer drencheS
them to the skin.
AS soon as the news of the wreck be-
came known here government and other
tugs proceeded to the scene to endeavor
TO render assistance. A.heavy sea, how
ever, was running. end they dared not
approach too close 10 the reef on when
the Madiana was pounding. For some
time no comp1nication with the Madiana
%SS->fQsSikfe. The tug Gladisfen stood
about q mile off awaiting an opportunity
to assist, but it was not until eleven
o'clock this morning that it became pos
sible to effect a rescue. The crew of the
Aadiana launched a boat, but it could
not live in the sea then running and was
dashed to pieces against the steamers
side. A second and more successful at
tempt was made a little later and some
of the passengers were lowered into i,
and after much exertion<it succeeded III
reaching the Gladisfen. Other life boats
were then launched, and the remainder
of the passengers and the captain and
the crew gained the salvage tug i'll
safety.
BY the prompt action of Engineer Nell
son, who had the Madiana's bulkheac5
broken through, the mails and the pas
sengers' light baggage were taken out
and brought in the last boats to the
Gladisfen. which landed the passengers,
crew, mails and baggage here this after
n00n