The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-02-11
VESSEL STRIKES ROCKS
MADLANA GOES ON REEF OFF
 HAMILTON, BERMUDA.
All of the Passengers and Crew Gel On in Safety-oMcers Show
 Goodness During a Panic.

f1a1ulEtOn, btTIuuuS, GU. -AhC $N~ bee Steamship Companys steamer Madi- ana, Captain Frazer which sailed rom New York last Saturday with party of excursionists for a special cruise around the Caribbean Isuands, went ashore on the reef off this island at o'clock this morning. The passengers had thrilling experience. The ship is total loss but all on board were rescued and brought safely to land after a perilous trip In life boats from the wreck to a tug stand ing half a mile off. The malls, 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 a half miles northeast of North Dock. No explicit explanation is yet forthcoming as to how the vessel went on the rocks and the only informa- ton obtained by the officials is that the lights which indicates the channel for some reason could not be seen.
 All the passengers were in their hunks when the Madiana struck the rocks, but the shock of the impact awakened them and they rushed on deck, the majority without attempting to dress. Considerable alarm, though not a panic, prevailed among the passengers when they found the vessel was hard on the rocks, but the officers went among them and calmed them, although a number did not ven- ture below again to seek their clothing. A part of the crew did not share the cool ness of the officers. but the latter soon restored order among the troublesome 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 on the hurricane deck and the sea breaking over the stem drenched them to the skin. As the news of the wreck became known here government and other tugs proceed ed to the scene to endeavor to render as- sistance. A heavy sea, however, was run ming and they dared not approach too closely to the reef on which the Madi- ana was pounding. For some time no com munication with the Madiana was pos sible. The tug Gladisfen stood about a mile off but 1t was not until about II o'clock this morning before it became possible to effect & rescue. The crew of the Madiana launched boat but 1t was dashed to pieces rgainst the steamers s side. A second and more successful at tempt was made a little later and some of the passengers were lowered into it and after much exertion 1t succeeded in reaching the Gladisfen. The Madianae e other life boats were then launched in succession and the remainder of the pas sengers and the captain and crew gained the salvage tug in safety.
 By prompt action of Engineer Nelson, who had the Madiana's bulkheads 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.
 Joseph F. Croftut one of the passen- gers, was interviewed by the Associated Press correspondent. He said:
 "I was in my bunk when the shock of the steamers stranding awoke me at once hurried out and rushed on deck, being the first passenger to reach it. The others streamed up from below imme- diately afterwards. There was no con- fusion among the officers or the passen- gers. The officers faced the situation coolly and quickly treasured the pas sengers. The crew, however. who were mostly foreigners. became disorderly at first. but discipline was soon restored. Finding that the center of the ship was firmly fixed between two rocks and that there was no immediate danger of her breaking up. the passengers gained con- fidence. Later we saw the tug Gladisfen approaching. She lay to about a mile off, not being able to come nearer on ac- coount of the heavy sea. At about II o'clock one of the Madiana's boats was lowered, but before any one could get into 1t. it was smashed to bits.
 The other ships boats were then | launched with better success. The pas l sengers were attached to ropes, the wo- | men first of all. and lowered into the life | boats, It was dangerous Journey to the Gladisfen. The boats crews had to pull through the heavy seas but no mishap oc- | cured, and we were all safely embarked on the Gladisfen. The officers and the re- mainder of the crew with some of the | passengers baggage followed us The wreck was abandoned and we were land- | ed here,"
 Theodore W. Moves of The Washington Star, O. H. Luke of Boston, and many | other passengers confirmed the particu- lars given by MT. Croftut and empha- | sized especially the fact that there was no panic on board. In fact. to illustrat te the coolness displayed by the officers and passengers in spite of the danger and discomfort of the situation. a passenger | said:
 Tt all passed off as though it were a part of the program of the cruise"