The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-02-11
Nearly 100 Excursionists Aboard, and
All Were I'm Great Peril
for Several Hours.
STOOD ON HURRICANE DECK
WITH THE SEA DAsHING OVER
THEM WHILE AWAITING RESCUE.
Scenes Described by Mcssrs. Crofut
and Noyes-Omcers and Passen-
gers Cool and Collected.

HAMILTON, Bermuda, Feb. 10.-The
Quebec Steamship Company's steamer
MaGiaEa, Captain Frazer. which sailed
from New York last Saturday with party
OF about one hundred excursionists for
special cruise around the 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 total
loss. but all on board were rescued and
brought safely to land after perilous trip
in lifeboats from the wreck to tug stand
ing mile OFF. The mails and the passen-
gers baggage also were saved.
According to statements made by those on
board the Madiana 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
Rock. No explicit explanation is yet forth
coming as to how the vessel went on the
rocks, and the only information obtainable
from the officers is that the light which in
dcates 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 of
them without attempting to dress. Consid-
cradle alarm, though not panic, prevailed
among the passengers when they found the
vessel was hard on the rocks, but the off,
Gers went among them and calmed them,
although a number ventured below again
to seek their clothing. A part of the crew
did not share the coolness 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 and when morning broke lay
broadside to the wind. The passengers
huddled together on the hurricane
deck, and the sea, breaking over the steam
er. drenched them to the skin.
RESCUE OF PASSENGERS.
A 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 and they dared not ap-
proach too closely to the reef on which the
Madisna was pounding. For some time no
communication with the Madiana was
possible. The tug Gladisfen stood about a
mile of awaiting opportunity to assist,
but IL was not until II o'clock this morn
ing that 1t became possible to effect a res
cue. The crew of the Madiana launched
boat, but IL 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
and some OF the passengers were lowered
into Ii. and after much exertion 1t sue
ceeded in reaching the Gladisfen. The
Madiana's other lifeboats were then
launched in succession and the remainder
of the passengers and the captain and crew
gained the salvage tug In safety
By the prompt action OF Engineer Mel
son, who had the Madianas bulkheads
broken through, the mails and the passen-
gers 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 X. Crofut. of Hartford. Conn.,, one
of the passengers. was interviewed. He
said: 81 was in my bunk when the shock
of the steamer stranding awoke me. / at
once hurried out and rushed on deck being
the first passenger to reach il. The other
passengers streamed up from below i'm
mediately afterwards. There was no con-
fusion among the officers or the passen-
gers The officers faced the situation
coolly and quickly treasured the passen-
gers. The crew, however. who were mostly
foreigners. became 6isorderly at first, but
discipline was soon restored. Finding that
the center of the ship was firmly fixed be-
tween two rocks and that there was no i'm
mediate danger of her breaking UP the pas
sengers gained confidence. Later saw
the tug Gladisfen approaching She lay TO
about a mile of. not being able to come
nearer on account of the heavy sea. At
about IL o'clock one OF the Madiana's boats
was lowered. but before any one could get
into Ii. was smashed TO bits. The other
ships boats were then launched with better
success. The passengers were attached to
ropes, the women first of ALL and lowered
into the lifeboats. 1t was dangerous jour-
ney to the Gladsfen. The boats crews
had 10 pull through the heavy seas, but no
mishap occurred and we were all safety
embarked on the Gladisfen. The officers
and the remainder of the crew with some
OF the passengers light baggage followed
u.s. The wreck was abandoned and we were
landed here"
Theodore w. Noyes. of the Washington
Star. Otis n Luke. OF Boston. and many
other passengers confirmed the particulars
given by MIR. Crofut and emphasized es-
pecialIy the fact that there was no panic
on board. In fact. TO illustrate the cool
ness displayed by the officers and passen-
gers in spite of the danger and discomfort
OF the situation. a passenger said: 1T all
passed of az though IL were part of the
programme OF the cruise"
MR.. NOYESS ACCOUNT
Theodore w. Noyes. of the Washington
star. gave the following interview: '.At