Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-02-11
ALL HANDS SAVED
From the Steamer Madiana,
Wrecked off Bermuda.
Had Large Party Of Excursionists for
Cruise Among Caribbeans.
Steamer Total Loss-PeopIe Saved
With Some Difficulty.

Hamilton, Bermuda, Feb. 10-The
Quebec Steamship Cos. steamer Ma
diana, Capt. Frazer, which sailed from
New York, last Saturday, with a party
of excursionists for special cruise
around Caribbean islands, went ashore
on the reef off this island, at o'clock,
| this morning. The passengers had a.
thrilling experience. The ship is a to-
| tai loss, but all on board We're rescued
and brought safely to land after
perilous trip in life boats from the
wreck to tug standing a mile off. The
mails and the passengers baggage
were also saved.
According to statements made by
these 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 reef, one and a half
miles northeast of North rock No ex-
plicit 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 in their
berths when the Madiana struck the
rocks, but the shock of the impact
awakened them and they rushed on
deck, the majority of them without at
tempting to dress. Considerable alarm.
though not panic, prevailed, among
the passengers when they found that
the vessel was hard on the rocks, but
the officers went among them and
calmed them, although a number did
not venture below again to seek proper
clothing. A part of the crew did not
share the GOODNESS of the officers, but
the latter soon restored order among
the troublesome seamen.
Distress signals We're sent up and the
passengers passed an anxious time dur
ing the latter part of the night. The
Madiana listed heavily during the
night, and when morning broke, lay
broadside to the wind. The passengers,
many still scantiIy dressed, were hud-
lied together on the hurricane deck
md the sea breaking over the steamer,
drenched 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, however, was running and they
dared not approach too closely to the
reef on which the Madiana was pound
ing. For some time no communication
with the Madiana was possible. The
tug Gladisfen stood about a mile off,
awaiting an opportunity to assist, but
it was not until IL o'clck. this morning,
that it became possible to effect d
rescue.
The crew of the Madiana launched q
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 attempt was made
a little later. Some of the passengers
were lowered into this boat and after
much exertion it succeeded in reaching
the Gladisfen. The Madiana's other
life boats were then launched in sue
cession and the remainder of the pas
sengers and the captain and crew gain
ed the salvage tug in safety.
BY the prompt action of Engineer
Nelson who had the Madiana's bully
heads broken through, the mails and
the passengers light baggage were
taken out and brought in the last boats
to the Gladisfen, which landed the
passengers, crew., mails and baggage
here, this afternoon. The weather
moderated somewhat during the morn
ing.
Joseph W. Crofut of Hartford, Conn.,,
one of the passengers, was interviewed
by The Associated Press correspond
ent. He said:
II was in my berth when the shock
of the steamers stranding awoke me.
7 at once hurried out and rushed on
DECK, being the first passenger to reach
it. The other passengers hurried up
from below afterwards. There was no
confusion among the officers or the
passengers. The officers faced the sit
uation cooly and quickly treasured the
passengers. The crew. however, who
were mostly foreigners became dis
orderly at first. but discipline was soon
restored.
Finding that the center of the ship
was firmly wedged between two rocks
and there was no immediate danger
Of her breaking up, the passengers
gained confidence We remained on
deck until we saw the tug Gladisfen
approaching. She lay about a mile
off, not being able to come nearer on
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