Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-07

(Only the black section is visible above water.
The point marked A shows approximately where
the Madiana was wrecked, two and a quarter
miles west Of North Rock)
buckets and fared brightly The wood
work Of the bridge caught fire in these
illuminating efforts and burned for a
few minutes until extinguished by the Off
GERS. But no response came from Bermuda.
After two hours of this strain of apprehen-
sion and suffering, of alterations of hope
full expectancy and keen disappointment
after two hours of which each minute SEEM
ed an age-daybreak came. the sun rose.
Its light showed an ugly reef between
the ship and the breakers and deep water,
and the sight gave some assurance that the
steamer was caught fast in crevice of
the main reef and was not likely to slip
into deep water, and sink, unless the pound
ing of the sea should break her in two
on the hard, sharp rock. 1t lessened the
immediate danger. and a reassuring word
to this effect was sent out from the captain
on the bridge, and was passed along from
passenger to passenger on the deck.
Daylight also disclosed the peculiarities
of costume, including scantiness of attire,
which characterized the Madianas passen-
gers With increasing hope of rescue came
the impulse to make ones self more COM
Portable, II not more presentable. The wind
blowing upon the wet clothing made every
one shivery and miserable. The stewards
and some of the more venturesome of the
passengers waded or lodged the waves and
got into some of the starboard state rooms,
especially those the upper deck, and
brought out overcoats, blankets, shoes and
other warm clothing, and these were dis
tributed without regard to ownership or
sex of wearer among those who were most
Scantily clad.
Here woman had supplemented night at
tire by mans oVercoat and mans shoes;
and here one had brayely donned the trou-
Sers, concealing them as far as possible
with ships blanket. To add to the eccen-
tricit1es of Madiana costuming each pas
Senger, however much or little else he or
she might wear, was clad in a life-pre-
server.
A little later renewed vigor was given to
the shipwrecked by some mouthfuls of
food and drink. Bread and cake and pies
were distributed and bottles and TASKS sup
piled whisky and brandy-to the ladies
frst-until the common stock was ex-
hausted.
Daylight (8:10 ann showed the wrecked
ship to the observers in the Gibbs Hill and
st. Davfds lighthouses, and set in motion
the tardy and inadequate measures for our
relief, which finally, ages later. as it SEEM
ed, brought rescue. In Bermuda the signal
service observation Of the seas begins at
daybreak. and the moral taught is never
TO be wrecked on these reefs at night
daylight showed to the shipwrecked the
outlines OF the part of Bermuda that is
above water, apparently not MANY miles
away. 1t disclosed to careful observers the
Pretoria, another of the Quebec compa nv, 5
steamships. moving by tortuous course
INTO hamilton harbor. The Madfana was
observed from the Pretoria, but the obser-
walton was so casual and unconcerned that
nothing unusual was noted in the appear
ance of ship tilted at an angle on the
rocks with distress signals flying at her
masthead.
When the Pretoria was seen and recoe-
nized and the fact was announced, all felt
that our situation was known to the SYM
pathetic and resourceful, and that relief
would soon be at hand. The Pretoria gava
no sign and went on her way. And FOR
three hours at frequent intervals something
would be sighted which would be inter-
preted as rescue ship, and over and over
again eager expectation shaded into disap-
pointment. We seemed abandoned by all
the world, and when the Gadisfen came
crawling into view, some of the pa ssengers
SO frequently disappointed, refused to be.
come interested or excited over another
false hope, and declined to believe that
rescue or a possible means Of rescue was
at hand.
Rescue Of the Shipwrecked.
In this case. however. the apparently an
preaching vessel did not turn back or 20
to the right or left after raising the keenest
expectations. but came steadily nearer and
anchored In plain sight mile and half
away. Preparations were Immediately made
to lower one Of the three remaining life
boats OF the Madiana. This was safely done.
though at the first attempt the boat filled
with water. as the sea was still very high.
The problem was now to get more thaneighty